Analizing our Identity

Our next discussion unit will focus on elements of identity. We will start by talking about our language as a mean to identify ourselves within a community. Amy Tan, is an American author born of Chinesse parents. Her essay Mother Tongue shows the difficulties her mother had adapting to a new culture through the difficulties of learning a new language. Read the essay and answer the discussion questions. Also don't forget to create a Rhetorical Précis for the piece.

Amy Tan's Mother Tongue

Discussion Questions

Creative Writing Workshop

Here are some sites you may look at for inspiration on your story:

Capturing Readers

Captivate Readers

Reading a Non-Fiction

Here are the Instructions for the project as requested.

Reading a Non-Fiction Novel

As part of your preparation for the AP Exam, it is important that you read a wide variety of non-fiction. The objective of this is to expose you to a number of current topics which may appear in the test. For this purpose we will hold SEMINARS for NON- FICTION.

In these seminars three students will read a selection and prepare a class for the rest of the group. Your class should include an outline of the material you wish to discuss. Some sort of visual aid could be beneficial to your class, but don’t rely entirely on it to get your point across.

As part of your work you must hand-in the following just for the teacher: (50pts)

1. Research the author and identify author biases.
2. Identify the central claims of the book (quote them).
3. Outline the organization of each chapter.
4. Write a reflection on the overall organization of the book considering how each chapter builds on the central argument. (1 page max)
5. Write a personal reflection on the book, posing questions, agreeing/disagreeing with the overall argument, etc. (1 page max)

The presentation to the group should focus on a rhetorical analysis of the text: (40pts)

A> SOAPSTONE on the book as a whole. (see handout given in class)

B> Answer the following:

i. How has the book prepared you to be a citizen scholar?

ii. How do the ideas presented in this book connect to issues currently being discussed at the local, national, and/or global level?

iii. What are your thoughts/ opinions about the ideas presented in this book? Are they different from the thoughts you had before reading?

C> Your general impression on the author’s style

D> Your position on the issue being presented by the book.

Performance: (30pts)

a. Students must be prepared before class begins.

b. Handouts must be clear and precise.

c. Class presentation should be one period in duration.

d. Visual aids must be pertinent and practical

e. Presentation must be in English at all times, language must be pertinent.

Rhetorical Precis by Dr. Betty Moss

Hello Thinkers:

As promised in class here are the instructions to the rhetorical precis. This is one the tools I learned from Dr. Betty Moss at the Summer Institute. I am also including a little information as to the validity of this exerxice.

RATIONALE: A precis reveals your understanding of the arguments and points authors make in a specific piece. Composing a precis can be particularly useful when organizing sources for a research project or determining the utility of them. (a.k.a the synthesis question in your AP test)

Here are the instructions; follow them very strictly:

First sentence identifies the essay's author and title, provides the article's date in Parentheses, use some form of the verb "says" (claims, asserts, suggests, argues) followed by "that," and the essay's thesis (paraphrased or quoted).

Second sentence describes the author's support for the thesis, usually in chronological order.

Third sentence analyzes the author's purpose using an "in order to" statement.

Fourth Sentence describes the essay's intended audience and/or the relationship the author establishes with the audience.

Example:

In his "In Defense of Prejudice" (1995), Johnathan Rauch argues that prejudice in society should not be eliminated. Rauch supports his position by providing anecdotal and historical evidence culled from segments of society which illustrates the futility and harm associated with attempts to eliminate prejudice. He hopes to shift the paradigm away from absolutism, the idea of punitive action against racism and prejudice, in order to move society toward rejection, the idea of societal pressure when grappling with racist and prejudicial attitudes. The author uses an erudite, yet defensive tone indicating that he primarily addresses a rather liberal intellectual audience.

**I dare you to write your own Precis for the Kennedy Inaugural Address... HAVE FUN!

Reading Non-Fiction

Well guys, what do you think about this activity?

What book called your attention?

Have you spoken with someone to be your partner?

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?!?

Rhetorical Analysis

Analyzing Rhetorical Strategies

In our next class we will begin practicing Rhetorical Analysis. This is the focus of the AP exam, therefore; you need to pay attention to the process we follow so you use it when we practice for the test. Our first practice will be analyzing JOhn F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address.

CLick on the link below to read the speech. (A copy will also be available for reproduction in the library.)

When you read it annotate the following:

Thesis Statement (YELLOW)

Appeals: Ethos (green), Logos (blue), Pathos (red)

As you read, keep a dialectic journal of:

Who is the speaker?
WHat is the occassion? (What is the historical context the speech is given in?)
Who is the audience?
What is the purpose?
What is the subject?
What is the tone?

JOHN F. KENNEDY

Aristotle and Rhetoric

The model for Rhetorical Situation comes from the Greek philosopher Aristotle. Click here to find out more about him and his beliefs.


Also, checkout the Purdue Owl posting on Rhetorical Situation.

Comment on your opinion of both links. We will discuss this on Friday!!!

Evaluating Bradley's style

Hello AP bloggers:

We have been discussing methods of analizing style. We learned to look for DIDLS (diction, images, details, language and syntax). We have also been practicing commenting about those literary elements and the way the author uses them. All this has prepared you for the next step. We will debate over your ideas on James Bradley's Flags of Our Fathers.

PHILOSOPHICAL GROUP DEBATE

Prepare to take a side. We will have a group discussion over the following two topics:

A. Bradley's book was effective in capturing the truth about war and its effects on soldiers.

B. The "boys" in the story correct in stating "they were NOT heroes".

CHOOSE:

In Favor:
You agree with the statement. Prepare a sentence that captures your thoughts on the matter (why do you agree). Have three supporting evidence to back-up your opinion.(quotes, research, other critics, etc)
Be prepared to face Opposition.

Against:
You DISagree with the statement. Prepare a sentence where you explain how or why you oppose the statement. Have three supporting evidence to back-up your opinion.
Be prepared to defend your opinion.

NEUTRAL:
If you have mixed emotions over what the statement affirms then you have the following job:
A> Keep a log of the people that speak in the debate. Write the ones you think were most effective and why.
B> You will keep time as the speakers take their turns, check off whi has spoken already, and keep the rules.
C> At the end of the discussion you MUST choose a side and tell why.

The debate will take place tomorrow. During our first period we will talk about the first topic. On the second period we will discuss the second topic. Rules will be explained in class.

Comment on this post if you have questions and to let me know which side are you taking. WE NEED PEOPLE IN ALL THREE SIDES!!! Decide carefully.

Welcome AP Students

Welcome to AP Language and Composition.

This year promises to bring many new intersting challenges to your academic and personal lives. Between the College Board, Fundraisers, and AP test, time will go by in the blink of an eye. Make the most of this year and this class. Soon you will be heading off to College where you will apply everything you learn here.

I hope to share with you the knowledge I have acquired over the years and that it is to your benefit. Together we will strive to elicit your writing capabilities and polish them to a shine.

Enjoy and above all LEARN!!