Monday, February 22, 2016

(Due Tuesday)

Below, are two quotes from Gloria Naylor's "A Word's Meaning Can Often Depend on Who Says It."  Choose ONE, and do the following:

• Interpret the quote.  (What does it mean to you?  What could it mean on a broader scale?)
• Provide TWO examples to support your interpretation.  These could be other essays or books you have read, articles or topics you have read/researched, documentaries, etc.

Quote A: Words themselves are innocuous; it is the consensus that gives them true power.

Quote B: Dialogue achieves its power in the dynamics of a fleeting moment of sight, sound, smell, and touch.

Monday, February 15, 2016

(Due Tuesday)

Parallels Between our Culture and the Ibo Culture in

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Directions: Reflect on the many ceremonies, celebrations, traditions, and customs of the Ibo people. Choose ONE, and make a parallel between it and a similar custom or practice in our culture.

(Example: Breaking and sharing the kola nut is similar to our practice of offering a guest tea or coffee.  Both gestures are a symbol of hospitality, generosity, and polite behavior.)  In edition to describing the Ibo practice in detail, your response should also discuss what that cultural practice reveals about the Ibos as a people with the aim of dispelling the archaic, yet commonly held view of African tribes as primitive people groups.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Due Friday

Response to "Revelation"

1. What would you identify as the central message of this piece?  What greater truth or profound thought is the author communicating?  How do you know?  Support your response with one direct quote from the reading.  

Wednesday, January 27,  2016

(Due Thursday)

Choose ONE of the essays you've read in the Classification and Division unit.  Identify the author's intended audience.  Then, explain what rhetorical strategies the author uses to appeal to that audience.  Respond in one developed paragraph (5-7 sentences) that includes one direct quote from the text.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

(Due Friday)

"An Ill Wind Off Cape Cod" VERSES "Cape Wind Is Sound for the Sound"

Now that you've read both of the above essays, choose the argument you think is best supported by the use of logical, emotional, and ethical appeals.  Just as we did today with the essays on Harry Potter, choose ONE  essay to support, and in one developed, well formulated paragraph, explain why that particular author's essay is stronger.  You must use at least two direct quotes to support your assertions.

Monday, December 14, 2015

"Stone Soup" VERSES "Women and the Future of Fatherhood"

(Due Tuesday, December 15, 2015)

After reading both "Stone Soup" and  "Women and the Future of Fatherhood," whose assertions do you agree with most-Kingsolver's or Whitehead's?  These are controversial issues.  Both authors make poignant, appealing claims.  In one well considered, thoughtful paragraph, identify whose views you support most and why.  You must choose only one.  Use at least two quotes to support your response.  

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Response to "Stone Soup" by Barbara Kingsolver

(Due Thursday)

Directions: In one well thought out paragraph, discuss any element or aspect of purpose, audience, OR strategies of "Stone Soup."  (Choose only one.)  Proofread your responses for grammatical errors BEFORE submitting.