Diction

For now, we will shelve the syntax essay for when it is accessible. To pass the time, we focused on analyzing diction by looking at short and long quotes and how to create mature, sound thesis statements indicating an author's purpose.

• MM exploits exhausted, disappointing diction to humanize sex symbols.
• AC enlightens the reader with lugubrious and lively diction to express her views on life.
• BD implements inspiring, hunger-filled diction to encourage the audience to pursue dreams rather than money.
• TJ plants direct, bold diction to state how one has to sacrifice for freedom.

For homework, close read Emerson's "Education" and look for significant diction, patterns of diction, and any other strategies that may be utilized in the writing. 

Simply Sherman

The majority of our class focused on looking for syntactical patterns in Sherman Alexie's "Superman & Me," which commenced with more complex constructions and then ended with a plethora of simple, anaphoric sentences.

For tomorrow, you are writing a 3-4 paragraph essay on the following prompt: How does Sherman Alexie utilize syntax to reflect his purpose in "Superman & Me"?

Superman Syntax

After finishing the identification of syntax on the handout, we read "Superman and Me" by Sherman Alexie for its purposes per paragraph. In groups and for homework, you have been assigned 1-2 syntax types to highlight throughout the essay. We will be reconvening in groups tomorrow, and you will be able to share your findings and analyze patterns in syntax. Absentees, you will have to wait until tomorrow for a hard copy of the essay.

Syntax, Syntax, Syntax

To start the hour, you shared your Senioritis rhetorical analyzes with the class and then turned in the work to me. Then, it was time to learn about the six main forms of syntax that you may use in our future work: simple, compound, complex, compound-complex, cumulative, and periodic. Yes, you can still bring in forms of parallelism, hypophora, and the rest of the terms you now have on your chart. To end class, you were highlighting sentences and identifying types of syntax. We will finish that handout on Monday. Then, we will be reading a text and identifying purposes and syntactical styles.

More Than Just the Persuasive Appeals

After chatting about purpose in texts, you were given a list of rhetorical strategies to define and exemplify. After reviewing these in class, you selected a brief essay and will compose a rhetorical analysis - via question and answer on a handout - for your essay. If absent, you should stop by tomorrow to pick up an essay and be prepared for Friday's class.

The Triangle

Vocab is completed! For some of you, this is a glorious day of ceasing to improve your vocabulary. By the way, your vocabulary will keep growing whether you try to or not. For others, this is a lugubrious day signifying our transition into more upper-level writing types of rhetorical analysis and argumentation. I hope you still manage to vocab-drop words into your essays and have a thesaurus with you to improve your diction.

Tomorrow, we will review/learn (depending on your own ethos) other rhetorical strategies that create logos, ethos, and pathos.

Compare & Contrast Prompt

The whole hour was dedicated to composing the compare and contrast essay in class. Any absentees will need to sign up for a make-up time.

Tuesday will start with your Vocab Quest -- all 72 words will be involved in some way, shape, or form. Afterwards, we will start our next unit: rhetorical analysis. For those of you in the know, the three persuasive appeals will be in play and additional rhetorical terms will be introduced to help you further analyze a text.