Browning Poetry Contest

http://kdiedrich.wordpress.com/2011/02/25/browning-poetry-contest/
DEADLINE: 11 March 2011

Something else you could include in your college application...

A Scholarship Opportunity

http://www.questbridge.org/cps/info.php?utm_source=Fire%20Engine%20RED&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS11

If you have an excellent GPA, consider applying for the Quest Bridge Scholarship. You do not have anything to lose...

Inaugural Speech Analysis

When you turn-in the Rhetorical Analysis on Wednesday, 2 March-you MUST attach an annotated copy of the speech to your analysis. If you do not have it in YOUR possession as you enter the classroom, I will not accept it-do not enter the classroom late carrying the assignment in your hand. IF YOU ARE ABSENT, THE ASSIGNMENT MUST BE EMAILED AS A MS WORD ATTACHMENT.

I do not want to hear any excuses for failing to comply with my directive. ALSO, IF THE ASSIGNMENT APPEARS IN MY MAILBOX IN ROOM 112-I WILL NOT ACCEPT IT. Sadly, it is always the same group of students with excuses...

8 reasons why this is the ...

dumbest generation ever...
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/gallery/dumbestgeneration/
Click on link for each reason (located at the bottom of each reason). Also, if you have time, check-out how Mark Bauerlein responded (by clicking on the word CHAT)- to young people-at least I think they are young-although I suspect that individuals over 30 were asking questions as well. I wonder why?

http://dumbestgeneration.com/welcome.html
Dumbest Generation Ever Homepage (Have some fun-click-on the side-bar links: Media and In the News-try not to become too upset-save your emotions for the essay described below.
Do not work on it yet.)

DUE DATE TBA:

Are today's teenagers "the dumbest generation ever"? Write an essay answering that question. REQUIREMENTS: three print sources, a visual text, and an interview. NOTE: Your teacher over thirty-not by much-is supplying the sources.

Wednesday, 9 March 2011

RHETORICAL DEVICE SONG ANALYSIS PROJECT DUE.

Wednesday, 16 March 2011

HARLEM RENAISSANCE PROJECT DUE DATE-NO EXCEPTIONS-HAVE THE PROJECT IN YOUR HAND AS YOU WALK THROUGH THE CLASSROOM DOOR.

A Note About:

PLAGIARISM! If you recall, I posted the consequences regarding what would take place if I detected this in my classes-from my students! Prior to revealing why I am outraged and disappointed, permit me to inform you about my grading "ritual." I do my best to grade as many papers as possible during the school day. I start with a class folder, but since this is done between classes, I must stop until I am free to continue with that class folder-which unfortunately-might be hours later-or even the next day. Needless to say, I do most of my grading at home where I do not have to stop to get to my next class. When this happens, I am able to open -up a class folder and not stop until I have finished reading every paper-every word of what was written. Have you made an inference, yet? Recently, two students committed this serious infraction-not only on one assignment-but on two-by copying from one another-for the most part-not even attempting to disguise what they did. I am sure you are asking, "On what assignment, Diedrich?" The two assignments: Tan rhetorical analysis and the Eisenhower/Catiline Speech Rhetorical Analysis. How do you think I reacted when I discovered this act of PLAGIARISM-not once-but twice- by the same two students?

On Monday, 28 February, I will take action against those two individuals.

Citing Sources

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/10/
APA Style

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/11/
MLA Style

http://citationmachine.net/

http://www.easybib.com/

Soon, you will be required to submit SEVERAL research papers. I will return the "Mini-rough draft" for a research paper on the topic previously submitted. My instructions were clear: "Think of this assignment as a timed-write and respond accordingly, WITHOUT citing
research!" Yet, amazingly, many students did NOT follow the directions-the assignment was labelled, "Rough Draft #1" (without sources).

When this assignment is returned to you next week, you will notice that I did not make any corrections in the citing of sources (internal and/or on the Works Cited page). This is for you to correct using the above links. I was appalled by what I saw-especially the mere listing of the "url" on the Works Cited page. This is inexcusable-you are an AP student-and should know better... Do your "research" on how to cite sources "internally"- within the body of your paper.

For every Concrete Detail...

at least TWO Sentences of Commentary...Need I Say More. But I will! Too many of you are doing a fabulous job at citing the concrete details, but are not providing the commentary. Please do not do this when writing your Presidential Speech Analysis-DUE 2 MARCH, WEDNESDAY-DO NOT ENTER THE CLASSROOM WITHOUT IT-DO NOT ASK TO USE THE PRINTER!

A Note About Tone

Use the following resource when you discuss tone:
http://kdiedrich.wordpress.com/2011/02/21/tonal-scale/

This will clear-up some confusion when discussing tone-an observation I have detected while grading your recent assignments.

The Synthesis Essay

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap05_englang_synthesi_46827.pdf

Prior to the week of 1 March, examine this part of the AP Examination, a task I had directed you to do since Day 1 of the class (visit the college-board site and review the examinations for the previous years). Then, view the video/ppt I have posted providing a "model" for the synthesis of the sources for this examination.

The Synthesis Essay: An Introduction

http://kdiedrich.wordpress.com/2011/02/21/the-synthesis-essay-introduction/

Download, Print, and Place in your three-ring binder.

The Synthesis Essay: A Model

Memoir-Autobiography-Biography

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show_tag?name=autobiography

I will explain why I have posted the above link. Be aware that I will impose some restrictions on your choice since students from last year have read specific titles that you will not be able to read. Disregard the most "popular" titles...

Soon, I will post the assignment... AND Soon we will take a visit to the book-room just down the hallway for a text to read as a class...you should be thrilled...it will get you out of the classroom...for about five minutes.

Timed Write

I have just completed the grading of the Timed Write from Thursday, 17 February. The grades ranged from 70 to 100; the average grade was an 85. I am particularly concerned with the number of students who experienced difficulty with the writing of the introduction and/or responding to the prompt.

http://kdiedrich.wordpress.com/2011/02/20/3/

Click on the above link for a 3-page resource document (Download, Print, and place in your 3-ring binder-that I will check).

We will discuss the timed-writes during the week of 1 March. I would like everyone to bring in a package of multi-colored highlighters. Since too many students are not reviewing papers of classmates who scored higher than they did, we will "analyze" randomly selected timed-writes (without revealing names) "highlighting" specific features of the rhetorical analysis.

For those individuals absent for this timed-write, you will make-it up during 37 1/2 minute tutorial by the end of the day on Tuesday, 1 March. Be advised that you will NOT analyze the same timed-write. Make your own inference as to why this is so.

English Fundamentals

http://wps.ablongman.com/long_emery_ef_13/15/4007/1025814.cw/index.html
Check-out this "college" textbook resource site to review for the SAT and for what we will be doing in class. Please "visit" all of the lessons (see side-bar links).
Also, click-on drop-down menu for additional lessons.

Schedule for Week of 14 February

D-Band, Monday-14 February: We will continue our rhetorical analysis of the Catiline and Eisenhower speeches and then begin working on the paragraph writing assignment for the analysis (emphasizing the writing of an effective controlling idea). Presidential Inauguration Speech Selection for the Rhetorical Analysis of the speech: DUE WEDNESDAY, 2 MARCH 2011. IF YOU ARE ABSENT AND/OR YOUR PRINTER IS NOT WORKING, YOU MUST EMAIL ME THE ASSIGNMENT PRIOR TO 0800 HOURS OR ELSE I WILL NOT ACCEPT IT!

A and B Bands, Tuesday-15 February: Same as above.

A and D Bands, Wednesday-16 February: Discussion of the Rhetorical Analysis Song Project. Sentence Patterns continued... NOTE: I was rather impressed and pleased with how well everyone was doing recognizing the pattern and identifying its "components."

B Band, Wednesday-16 February: MLK Assembly Program. Report to class first so I can take attendance. We have been assigned seating so we MUST and WILL sit together.

A, B, and D Bands, Thursday- 17 February: A Timed Write (You may refer to any resource you desire.)

A, B, and D Bands, Friday-18 February: Multiple Choice Practice (that will "count") I am considering distributing the questions for the speeches you recently analyzed.

Rhetorical Device Song Project

A Note About the project: Several students have inquired about using a "Cleaned-Up" version of a song. This concerns me and I am sure your parents as well. Recall my "warning": You may not use lyrics containing profanities, vulgarities, anything that could be interpreted as obscene, the denigration of females, etc. If this is detected during your presentation of your project, you will be referred to the Dean's Office, your parents will be contacted, and you will receive a failing grade for the project which will most likely result in a failing grade for the marking period. If in doubt, consult with your parents-I am sure they can be of assistance in selecting an appropriate song.

http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/B4C3EAD9-AA61-4430-A6C3-D389F6238700/89553/DiscCode2011.pdf

The above link will take you to the NYC DOE Code of Conduct Handbook.

PROJECT DUE: WEDNESDAY, 9 MARCH

Harlem Renaissance Web Quest

Harlem Renaissance Web Quest

Per Mr. DelRe's request, all Junior English Teachers ("Yes, even AP Language and Composition) are required to assign specific projects related to the Harlem Renaissance. I discovered the "ideal" project produced by this AP Literature teacher who is also an AP Reader as well as a contributor of articles/essays for the College Board. I actually had a much more "extensive" research project in mind, but since you will be engaged in several other "projects"- I selected this one because I know your involvement in producing the brochure will be educational, fun, and exciting!

DUE-ALL BANDS-TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15. D-BAND STUDENTS MUST "HAND-DELIVER" THE PROJECT TO ME IN ROOM 404 BY THE END OF THE SCHOOL DAY-DO NOT PLACE THE PROJECT IN MY MAILBOX. THIS PROJECT CAN NOT BE EMAILED!

Please review "older" posts (power points) for additional information on this time period.

The Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents

http://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/inaug.asp

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF AN ARTIFACT: IF YOU CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK, YOU WILL DISCOVER THE ARTIFACT. Your artifact of analysis is the Inaugural Address of a President.

I will write the names of the Presidents on note-cards that will be placed in an envelope. You will then reach into the envelope (without peeking) and pull-out a card naming the President for your artifact - Inaugural Speech- analysis.

You will engage in the same process we did while analyzing the speeches of Reagan (Challenger) and Bush (Columbia). Refer to the handout, Five Canons of Rhetoric-as well as all your other resources.

Schedule for Week of 7 February

D Band, Monday, 7 February: Read Mother Tongue by Amy Tan (542-547)
You will complete a closed-book/ multiple choice quiz (which will "count") immediately upon entering the classroom and a "brief" written response. Bring your textbook to class!

http://shawnashapiro.com/courses/wrpr0102a-s10/Tan_MotherTongue.pdf

If you have neglected to bring your textbook home, click on this link for the text.

A and B Bands: Tuesday, 8 February-Visitations from teachers promoting their AP and/or Elective classes.

ALL BANDS: Wednesday, 9 February-Bring textbook to class.

Rhetorical Analysis Song Project

Do You Have What It Takes...

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_questions/2002.html

Survey the AP Literature and Composition Examinations and the Student Essays along with the Commentary (and Scores) provided by the AP Readers.