The Language of Composition: Chapter 1 Resources- Audio and Video Links to individuals cited in this chapter-this may OR may not assist you with the assignments due on Monday for G Band and on Tuesday for A and B Bands. Check it out by "clicking on Chapter 1." Please inform me that you all have indeed complied with this suggestion when I meet with you on Monday/Tuesday of this week.

Test on Rhetorical Devices/Terms: (refer to your handout on tropes and schemes) on Friday, 14 October. I suggest you make up "flash-cards" to prepare for this assessment which will consist of sentence completion-not simply matching a term with its definition-that would make the test too easy. Carefully, "study" each example, reflecting back upon the definition.

I am sure many of you are asking, "Why now Diedrich?" Perhaps, the answer is not as obvious as you may think, but it became rather obvious as I was examining the words and phrases underlined in your speeches.
Too many of you randomly underlined "anything"- which is my fault- since I did not require you to provide a label for what was underlined in the margins of your Apology Speech. Please do not approach me "apologizing" for committing this action.

I suggest you also check out the "side-bar" flash-card link for a variety of other rhetorical devices/terms we will be studying.

Take notes while you are viewing this video (ppt). Do the same for the video on "Romanticism" since you will be given an assignment related to the information presented.

Schedule for Week of 3 October:

You are to read Chapter 1 in your textbook The Language of Composition and complete the assignments on page 9 and 28. DATE DUE: G Band-Monday/A and B Band Tuesday-If you are absent-you must email me the assignments on the due date and then, upon your return, hand me a "hard" copy-this procedure is clearly indicated on the class contract. Also, you may have a "surprise" quiz on Chapter 1.

BRING YOUR TEXTBOOK ALL WEEK-THIS IS A HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT-FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN A ZERO FOR BEING UNPREPARED.

Read Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby for Friday, 7 October. Be prepared for a quiz-you need only bring this text NOT your textbook to class.

SAT Vocabulary Test: List 3-Friday 7 October- (3 words from List 2 and 7 words from List 3)

Schedule for Week of 26 September:
Everyone is well-aware of what will be taking place in Room 404-so I do not feel the need to post this information. Yet, if I neglect to do so, surely someone will approach me and question me as to why I did not inform the classes of the assignment that is expected from everyone. Then, I will have to...I know the word you are thinking and/or whispering-Yes-it is that word we have been talking so much about-the dreaded word-APOLOGY!

Be prepared-I will first ask for volunteers-then I will randomly select index cards with the names of class members written on them-if unprepared-your grade will be reduced by one-full letter grade. For some reason, I always "apologize" when I have to do this.

Practice in front of family members and/or in front of your bedroom mirror-attempting to maintain eye contact with "yourself". Please review the rubric that I will use to evaluate your Apology Speech-I know everyone will do well. Show those Mean Girls how to APOLOGIZE!

Schedule for Week of 19 September:

We will complete Socrates' Apology AND then immediately proceed to YOUR APOLOGY Speech Preparation. You should by NOW have notes written-out (refer to the handout for specific instructions-focus on creating an outline, paying special attention to your Rhetorical Appeals Triangle. DO NOT enter the classroom on Monday (G Band) or on Tuesday (A and B Band) with a "blank" sheet of paper!

Since the project is broken down into component parts that you will turn in to me, we will NOT begin the presentations until Monday, 26 September. Be prepared-practice in front of a mirror and/or with family members or friends.

Evaluating your Summer Reading Assignment is taking me considerably longer than I had anticipated. Most of you could probably come close to your project grade on each of the four assignments. I have been creating a list of the strengths and weaknesses of what was turned-in-this I will share with you soon. If you complied with the specific requirements provided, you have done well. Unfortunately, to my amazement, too many students completed the assignment haphazardly-not following the directions-perhaps, waiting to the last minute-becoming overwhelmed with what was required...

Friday, 23 September: SAT Vocabulary Test-List 2 (sven words from this list-study ALL thirty-and three words from List 1 (5 minutes). Almost everyone received a 100% on List 1.

PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! I realize that many of you desired to submit a project with an attractive appearance-BUT in the future-NO MORE SHEET PROTECTORS! This may sound "petty" but I am spending too much time removing your work so I can record comments, as well as, the grade on the assignment. Then, I must return your work inside the sheet protector. You are probably laughing at this-but try it some time!

This week I will survey the class to determine how many of you will require the school store to place your order for the resource indicated below. You will receive a better price if you order it yourself.

http://www.amazon.com/Language-Questions-Advanced-Placement-Examinations/dp/0071753680/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316361742&sr=8-1

Socrates Apology by Plato
We will NOT listen to both Parts of the Apology so I have provided this mp3 resource for your listening pleasure and fascination of the RHETORIC! Some resources will reveal that those who heard Socrates words were in tears...please take special note of the closing words...perhaps, you too, will also have tears running down your cheeks.

If you are reading this prior to class on Thursday, 15 September, I will ask you to identify any similarities between Socrates' Apology and Nixon's Checkers' Speech (if any...).

I would like to commend everyone for his/her contributions during class discussions-I am sure my reactions have revealed how thrilled I have been with all the classes (A, B, and G Bands).

13 September, Tuesday: You are to write a "reaction/response" to the essay titled, "So-s Sorry: The Art of Apology" by Susan Hebble. (If you would like to get ahead start- this essay is available under the posting for Speech Analysis-click on "Older Posts" and you will find it.) This text will be given to you on Tuesday, 13 September as you enter the classroom. Read the article How to write a Reaction Paper or Reader Response.

The resource is only 3 pages-so you probably SHOULD download-print-and place it in your three-ring-binder.

I suggest a TWO Page Reaction/Response.

DATE DUE: Thursday, 15 September.

Our first-full week together! (12 September)

Attention ALL Bands:
Kindly return your signed student contract (please do not forget to include the result of your Learning Style Inventory).

Friday, 16 September: SAT Vocabulary Test-List 1-Study ALL THIRTY WORDS-You will be tested on TEN of those words. Refer to an earlier post for more detailed information.

Binder check-a three-ring loose-leaf binder used ONLY for this class. This will count as a HOMEWORK assignment.

Sometime this week, you will receive TWO texts- The Language of Composition textbook and The Great Gatsby. Chapters 1-3 of the textbook serve as the "foundation" for the entire course-thus-we will engage in a "close reading" of these chapters.

Beginning Monday, 12 September-we will begin the analysis of selected speeches (see earlier post/I will distribute a copy of these speeches) in preparation for your APOLOGY speech. A way that we can all get to know each other. Our primary focus will be on the Rhetorical Appeals and select Rhetorical Devices. Speeches will be analyzed and discussed throughout the year. In fact, you will have a speech analysis project to complete next semester.

NOTE: I will survey the class to determine how many copies of 5 Steps to a 5: 500 AP English Language Questions to know by test day that will need to be ordered by the school store. Please refer to "Older Post" and click on the link for this resource that will take you to Amazon. You will probably get a "better" deal if you order it on your own. Furthermore, I recommend that you purchase the 500 Question resource if you are taking AP U.S. History.

Links to All Class Required Reading Assignments
(In addition to other texts you will be assigned.)

Speech Assignment: In approximately two weeks, you will deliver a speech in front of the class-I promise that the content of your speech will be "fun" and enjoyable for all. The topic will be revealed some time next week. Perhaps, you can make an inference based on the readings referenced below. I will provide you with the "hard" copies that we will "annotate" and discuss, focusing on rhetorical appeals.

Socrates Apology

Nixon's Checker's Speech

So-o-o-o-o-o-o-Sorry: The Art of Apology

NOTE: The titles are the links to the documents.

ATTENTION AP STUDENTS FOR THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR

SAT Vocabulary Tests

Beginning with our second week of school, you will take a Vocabulary Test. For our first test (List 1), you will study all THIRTY of the words on this list-but you will be tested on only TEN of the words. (TEST FORMAT: MATCHING) However, for your second Vocabulary Test you will study all of the words for List 2-but will only be tested on SEVEN of the words from that list AND THREE of the words from List 1. Let me clarify-for our third Vocabulary Test-you will study ALL of the words for List 3-but will only be tested on SEVEN of the words from that list and THREE of the words from List 2. We will follow this procedure throughout the year until you are tested on each of the lists which appear when you click on the link above:"SAT Vocabulary Tests."

I recommend that you make-up Flash-Cards for each list and store them in a shoebox for your review. Furthermore, you probably should print these lists and place them in your required three-ring binder for this class.

PLEASE NOTE: THE SAT VOCABULARY TESTS WILL HAVE A "WEIGHT" of 12% FOR EACH MARKING PERIOD WHEN I COMPUTE YOUR GRADE.

One Look Dictionary for assistance with the pronunciation of the words-you will "hear" how a specific word is pronounced. (Click on "one look.")