Trimester Three, Blog Two (due 3/15 at midnight)

After considering our class discussion regarding the Lynne Truss excerpt and rudeness, come to your own conclusion about rudeness. Make a statement about rudeness (such as Truss’ statement that “abuse is becoming accepted as the quickest and smartest way of dealing with criticism in all areas of life”), and support your assertion with anecdotal examples (130). You should also comment on at least one other classmate’s post. If you are the first to post, pose a thoughtful question for your classmates to consider.

Trimester Three, Blog One (due 3/8 at midnight)

This blog has been designed purely for the purpose of collecting feedback/information regarding vocabulary.

The vocabulary categories that we’ll have for the rest of the year (one category per week) include the following: literary devices, verbs for analysis, verbs for synthesis, verbs for argument, adjectives, adverbs, transition words, fun words to know.

If you can think of other word categories that I should include, please propose them.

For your blog, include a list of five words (with definitions), and indicate which category these words fit. Include words for a variety of categories (ex. not all should be adjectives). Do not propose words that others have already proposed, and make sure that these are words that are not often already used by most students.

Trimester Two, Blog Nine

Reflect upon Trimester Two, and decide how you’ve grown as a reader and/or writer this trimester. Provide specific examples. Additionally, state the specific areas in which you would like to see more growth during your LAST trimester of AP English. This will help me plan some of the activities that we do.

Trimester Two, Blog Eight (due 2/8 at midnight)

Did you know that nearly every day is a holiday dedicated to one person/item/event or another? Of course, we’re all aware of major holidays such as Valentine’s Day (which, to a cynical mind, is Hallmark’s way of fleecing American saps), but did you know that you just missed Bubble Wrap Appreciation on January 26? On a more serious note, the United Kingdom celebrates Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27.

If you could propose a new holiday, what would you propose? Why do you believe that this holiday deserves consideration? How would people celebrate this holiday? Obviously, you can choose to take this down a funny or a serious road. Please remember that it’s okay to incorporate humor, but also remember to be tasteful and to remain inoffensive. You can be funny without “crossing the line.” You will not receive credit for holidays that your audience (Miss Stump) deems “over the top.” It is also completely acceptable to propose a more serious suggestion.

Trimester Two, Blog Seven (due 2/1 by midnight)

Write a letter to the actors at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre—those who performed A Midsummer Night’s Dream. You might consider including the following remarks:
-moments in the play that had a strong impact on you
-your thoughts about the costumes, sound, lights, or set design
-parts that you most—or least—enjoyed
-something that you learned about a character or relationship
-whether live theater helped make Shakespeare any easier
-your thoughts about theater versus movies

Please write this blog in letter format, and “sign” your name—first and last.

OR

If you did not attend this play, write a letter to the director or actors/actresses of a favorite movie that you’ve seen. You may consider addressing the ideas above in your letter.

Trimester Two, Blog Six (due 1/25 at midnight)

Reread page 487 in Everything’s an Argument (you should have already read it when you read Chapter 16). Provide your own example of a situation and its context in which evidence other than hard, factual evidence is just as, if not more, advantageous. The example you provide can be one based on a real experience (such as the one noted in the book), or you can formulate your own hypothetical experience. Address, as necessary, the rationale for the evidence you believe to be the most persuasive.

Trimester Two: Blog #5 (due 1/18 at midnight)

This blog will provide you will another opportunity to practice defining terms. Take a look at Exercise 1 on page 240 in your EAA text. Choose three of the ten italicized terms. Then, follow the book’s directions of discussing the criteria that you might use to define the three italicized terms you chose. When applicable, compare your definitions to your classmates’ definitions. You must go beyond just agreeing with a classmate when defining your list of three terms.