Notes from class

Today in class we completed the What/Why/How? chart for the article on Smartphones

Rhetorical analysis (starter response): This is due by the end of the period for a grade!

Writing a rhetorical analysis response (for now)----keep in your rhetorical analysis section of your binder

 Your Assignment: Write a minimum of 2-3 paragraphs that analyze the author’s use of rhetorical devices to create meaning. Use your SOAPStone notes from yesterday and any note-taking/highlighting you have done to guide your response. You must use textual evidence to support your responses and explain them to the best of your ability. Below is a sample of how some of the assignment might look (ONLY A SAMPLE—NOT A FILL IN THE BLANKS).

       In the (TAG) the author uses _________________________ to __________________________. One example of this is located in par. ________ when he states, ______________________. This allows Staples to _____________________________.
       Another example of this is __________The author also uses the strategy __________________ to create meaning in the essay. This is seen in par. 2 when he describes_________________.

REMEMBER--YOU ARE NOT ONLY POINTING OUT THAT THESE STRATEGIES EXIST, BUT HOW THEY CREATE MEANING/WHY THE AUTHOR USED THEM/HOW THEY HELP BUILD HIS ARGUMENT.

Using SOAPSTone for Analysis

SOAPSTone Analysis notes

Link to the poem "Richard Cory" by Edward A. Robinson (we did in class)

Let's perform a SOAPSTone analysis for "Black Men and Public Space"

"Black Men and Public Space"by Brent Staples

"Black Men and Public Space" by Brent Staples

QUESTIONS ON “BLACK MEN AND PUBLIC SPACE”

THE FACTS

1.  What does Staples mean in paragraph 2 by “the ability to alter public space?”

2.  What does he learn from his encounter with a white woman as recalled in paragraphs

     1 and 2?

3.  What other anecdotes does Staples use to illustrate the problem of “black men and

     public space?”

4.  What is the essay’s thesis?

5.  What “truths” does the author describe in paragraph 5, and how does this paragraph

     help him advance his thesis?

6.  In paragraph 10, the author claims that “Black men trade tales like this all the time.” 

     To what kinds of tales is he referring?  How does including that sentence help him

     accomplish his purpose?

7.  Why has he forced himself “to smother the rage [he] felt at so often being taken for a

     criminal?  (paragraph 11)

8.  Who are Beethoven and Vivaldi?  Why does Staples whistle their music?

THE STRATEGIES

1.  Besides illustration, what methods of development does the author employ?

2.  Staples begins with an anecdote.  Discuss the effectiveness of this story as an

     introductory device.

3.  The thesis of the essay is implied.  Would the essay have been more effective if it had

     been explicit?  Explain.

4.  Staples’ tone is remarkably subdued.  Discuss the reason(s) behind his adopting such

     a tone.  Should he have expressed more emotion?

THE ISSUES

1.  Is Staples’ experience unique from his perspective as a large, tall black man?  Explain.

2.  Staples handles his rage in a rather unique way.  What is it?

3.  What does Staples’ subdued tone tell you about his character?

4.  Do you think we make false assumptions that people are up to no good if they are on

     the street late at night, even if they have a good reason for doing so?  Before you know

     his reason for being out late at night, why do you think he was out late?

5.  If you had been in Staples’ situation, how would you have handled it?

6.  Would Staples have been successful in his profession is he had remained in Chester,

     Pennsylvania, his hometown?  Why or why not?

College Essay Help:

2018-2019 Essay Prompts 
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

 2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

More College Application Prompts/Idea Generator: (you MAYwrite 1-2 of these down if you like)

• Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 
• Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn? Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? 
• Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there and why is it meaningful to you? 
• Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
• What are your major accomplishments and why do you consider them accomplishments?
• Does any attribute, quality or skill distinguish you from everyone else? How did you develop this attribute?
• What was the most difficult time in your life and why? How did your perspective on life change as a result of the difficulty?
• Have you experienced a moment of epiphany, as if your eyes were opened to something you were previously blind to?

Here are some awesome links to help you out with your college essay!
Tips for the College Essay from the College Board
College Essay #1 and Critique
College Essay #2 and Critique
Tips Slideshow
Ways to Get Started (very helpful)
Another example: MMA
Yet another example :grandma
Lots of awesome sample essays to read and get ideas from

Here are some of the opening sentences from last year's college essays for you to read....

• Running 5k’s has allowed me to free my mind.
• For the longest time, I couldn’t imagine the possibility of choosing a career and following through with it—or anything else for that matter.
• Life can start off rough, but it’s up to you to change it.
• My father always told me, “Never run from your problems, run towards them”
• The summer before my 7^th grade year changed my life forever.
• I guess you could say the “hood” made me who I am—but that wouldn’t tell you much about me.
• I’ve been told for the last 6 years, “You’re an outsider” by my classmates.
• Some people are born lucky and things come easy in life, but for most of us, we have to make our own luck.
• There are a few words I would use to describe myself, ___________, as a human being.
• The story of my life has not always been “peaches and cream,” but more a series of obstacles to get where I am right now.
• When I look back at my life, I always picture myself as this little girl standing in the middle of a football field, wondering why it feels like it’s drizzling everywhere else, but on me, it’s pouring.
• I always wished that I lived what I would consider a “fairytale” type of life.
• Growing up, I never liked the way my mother did my hair. She never did it the way I wanted it to be done.
• Thursday, March 5, 2008, was just an ordinary day for most people, but for me it was life-changing.
• I learned a valuable truth about myself when…..
• Sometimes I just sit and wonder, “why?”
• I have always been the girl who was uncomfortable in her own skin.
• To be blessed means to have had an amazing achievement or significant experience that satisfies you, and you alone.
• For the first part of my life, people told me what a perfect family I had. At age 11, I became aware that one of my parents was living a double-life.
• On this wild, yet satisfying journey through high school, it has been difficult to say the least.
• I thought I was going to pass out at any moment.
• As a kid, I dreamed of becoming a famous football star so I could get my family to the top.
• I have always tried to please everyone around me, even though I know I clearly cannot.
• The room is dark; the only light on is coming from this computer that I am typing on.
• Daddy wasn’t home. Mommy would read the letters he sent home for us.
• My life has been an emotional roller coaster.
• As the daughter of immigrants from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, I have always had a very diverse home life.
• I'm sure you could hear the sound from miles away.
• To give up is to say you cared, and I'm not sure I really ever tried.
• The intensity was high that day, and so was the temperature.
• Looking at me now, you would never guess that I was the girl who....
• When I think about my life as a whole, I am often confused about the decisions I have made--but those mistakes are mine, and mine alone.
• Perfection can only be achieved when your best self meets your best effort--and even then it's a long-shot.
• Before you ask me, you need to first consider the possibility that I may tell you something you don't want to hear.
• It's not an opinion. It's a fact.
• I'm not going to start this off by telling you how determined I am and what a great addition I will be to your school.
• I can make anyone laugh. If you don't believe me. I will prove it to you.
• If a picture can paint a thousand words....I'm probably close to a million right now.

Today's notes (outline example):

Binder Sections

1. Literature
2. Rhetorical analysis
3. Synthesis
4. Argumentation
5. Multiple choice

For Tuesday 9/11: College Essay Samples Cont...

2. The writer explains the difference between “success” and “failure” is the extra hard work that some people put in that others are not willing to do.  The author tells us that, “there are no shortcuts to winning, and workouts are agonizing.” This shows that the author wants his college to know he is willing to work hard and do whatever it takes to be successful, no matter how difficult it is.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On a piece of paper slip (exit ticket) I want you to write down the following information for credit. Use the format in red below for your answer;
1. Give me two characteristics about the author that he/she "shows" in the college essay (use adjectives!)
2. For each characteristic, give at least one piece of textual evidence that supports your characteristic
3. Explain how your evidence proves each characteristic

Characteristic #1:
Evidence:
Explain:

Characteristic #2:
Evidence;
Explain:

Please place any papers you completed today in the appropriate bin for credit.
------------------------

4. The two topics the author talks about are swimming and his grandparents’ cancer. He connects these two topics by telling us when he is alone doing laps he thinks about the joy his victories bring his grandparents and how he tries to cut time, while they try to extend it. The author tells us that in the “solitude” of his laps his “thoughts transition” to his grandparents and how his achievements bring them a “vicarious sense of victory.” He explains how these two things are what motivates him the most.

For homework: work on the personal narrative handout (fill out as much as you can for tomorrow)

Please copy all notes in red into your "Reading/Writing Strategies" section of your notebook

Please take the following notes and place in the Reading/Writing Strategies section of your notebook (if you don't have it yet, save it until you do):

Short Answer Strategy: RACE- 
Restate-restate the question

Answer—answer the question (make sure you understand it first--ask if you aren't sure!)

Cite –give the best textual evidence possible to support your answer--not just any evidence (Think about my ESPN SportsCenter example)

Explain*—explain/analyze how your evidence supports the answer (the part we want to focus on more in 12th grade)

Important Notes**: 
1. These DO NOT have to be in this order.
2. Not all questions can be answered this way. Especially "right there" questions in which the answer is just a fact. 
example :  What city was Malcolm born in?

Today we will:
1. Take notes on the RACE question/answer strategy to receive full-credit on responses.
2. Watch a quick video on the importance of the college essay
3. Read the sample college essay "Swimming" as a group.
4. Decide as a class and discuss aloud: What the writer is trying to show about himself? How do we know? Are these characteristics that a college would be looking for?
5. As a class we will answer some questions together using the RACE strategy-- a model response.
6.Answer the questions on a blank sheet of lined paper to (you may work with a partner but each person needs his/her own paper to turn in). Yes! You may copy any answers we did on the board. Place it in the box by the door for your class period.

Worksheet download: College Essay Examples (PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THE CLASSROOM COPY!)

HW:
****Finish your idea web for tomorrow's class
FYI: YOUR ROUGH DRAFT WILL BE DUE BY FRIDAY 9/14 (HANDWRITTEN OR TYPED)

Tomorrow we will:

• Go over the outline of a personal narrative sheet (college essay)

Video link
Sample rough draft

outline sheet link (for tomorrow)

Please copy the --college essay assignment--now!!

Please copy the following notes (we can put it in the right binder section later):

Your task: Write an essay of no more than 500 words in which you tell about a significant person, event, hobby or experience from your life that shows a quality or multiple qualities that would make you a valuable addition to a college or the deserving recipient of a scholarship. 

Step 1: Brainstorm
*Read some examples/idea generator to get the idea.
*Look for patterns in your web. Group similar ideas and events together.
*Still stuck? See me or ask your group for ideas.

Step 2: Draft
*Use "show" don't "tell" narration--use imagery!  
* Grab and engage the reader's attention in the intro 
*Explain what the topic reveals about you in the essay.
*The conclusion should be brief--nail down the meaning of the events described.

Step 3: Revise
*Have someone in your group read it and tell you what he/she thinks. Ask them if they can guess the qualities you are trying to convey--Did they get it right?

*Note: Spelling and grammar errors and fuzzy narration will make your essay memorable--in a bad way.

Today we will:

• Copy the college essay assignment
• Watch a quick video on the importance of the college essay
• Look at a student sample of a rough draft (from past McKinley students)
• Go over some of the essay prompts---write down any you like!!!
• I will model an idea generating web
• You will make your own idea web and discuss it with me

HW:
****Finish your idea web for tomorrow's class
FYI: YOUR ROUGH DRAFT WILL BE DUE BY FRIDAY 9/14 (HANDWRITTEN OR TYPED)

Tomorrow we will:

• Go over the outline of a personal narrative sheet (college essay)

Video link
Sample rough draft

outline sheet link (for tomorrow)

Welcome Class of 2019!!!

Today we will:

Go over the course syllabus/introductions/important course info!