The Lost Generation

1. Follow the link to watch: The Lost Generation Poem


*STOP. Do not read the rest of the directions before you watch the video. I don't want my directions (or your classmates' comments) to influence your opinion. Go view the video now!*

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2. Consider: Which "side of the fence" are you on? You must choose a position. Is your generation floundering? Or is it brimming with unrealized potential?

3. In your comment, follow each of the following steps:
    a) Choose at least one factor mentioned in the video (family, divorce, happiness, money, work, morality, environment, apathy) and defend or challenge its relevance in support of your stance (your generation is floundering or prospering because ______). Explain your rationale with logical examples.
    b) Here's the catch this week: Each sentence in your original comment and your comments to your peers need to start with a different word.
        Example: The word "The" may not be used to begin a sentence more than once in a single post.
        b1) Check out this resource: The Owl is Your Friend
            --> Do not skip any of these steps.

           *Deadline: Monday, October 4th at midnight 

4. Respond to at least two of your classmates' comments by completing the following steps:

      a) State whether you agree or disagree with the writer's standpoint

      b) Provide any three concrete examples of your choice to support your decision.

      c) End your comment with a question for the writer to consider. 

             --> Do not skip any of these steps. [Many of you are ignoring c). Each step is equally important!]

            *Deadline: Friday, October 8th at midnight

5. As far as grammar, spelling, propriety, etc., your comments as a whole are improving. Keep it up!

Execution and Gender

1. Follow the link to read: First Woman Executed in the United States in Five Years

2. You may want to consider following the link to check out: Save Teresa Lewis

*STOP. Do not read the rest of the directions before you read the articles. I don't want my directions to color your opinion. Go read the article(s) now!*

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3. This is a complicated issue for a myriad of reasons. The article seems to indicate that the primary reason that opponents of Lewis' execution object is her gender. Also cited are speculation about her mental capacity and possible manipulation by one of her conspirators. Again, controversial issues such as the death penalty are intense. Take some time to mull these ideas over before responding to the prompt. Figure out where you stand.

4. In your comment, follow each of the following steps:
    a) Choose one factor mentioned in the article (gender, mental ability, accomplice manipulation) and defend or challenge its relevance in relation to the death penalty. Should this factor have played a part in Lewis' trial and ultimate execution? Explain your rationale with logical examples. Note: You are not arguing for or against the death penalty.
    b) What is the approximate ratio of men to women who receive the death penalty?
        What does this number say about the justice system?
        What does this say about the number of men who commit serious crimes versus women? Why is this happening? Analyze the situation. Postulate as to the possible reasons.
            --> Do not skip any of these steps.

           *Deadline: Monday, September 27th at midnight 

5. Respond to at least two of your classmates' comments by completing the following steps:

      a) State whether you agree or disagree with the writer's standpoint

      b) Provide any three concrete examples of your choice to support your decision.

      c) End your comment with a question for the writer to consider. 

             --> Do not skip any of these steps.

            *Deadline: Friday, October 1st at midnight

6. As far as grammar, spelling, propriety, etc., your comments as a whole are improving. Keep it up! Your blog posts are being used as a means to enhance your grade. Continually posting reflective comments and doing so on-time can bump up your grade a few percentage points. It can also do the opposite should you not take this assignment seriously.

Fiction Friday: Online

1. Choose your best, completed Fiction Friday story. Revise it. Give it a creative title and post your masterpiece as a comment to this blog. Be sure to include that week's topic.
           *Deadline: Monday, September 20th at midnight 

2. Respond to at least two of your classmates' stories by completing the following steps:

      a) Cite two specific things (such as plot, creativity, characterization, tone, diction) that the author did well

      b) Cite two areas for improvement and how they could be revised (again, consider such areas as grammar/spelling, plot, creativity, characterization, tone, diction)

      c) End your comment with a question for the writer to consider 

            *Deadline: Friday, September 24th at midnight
            *Note: Follow each of these steps. Simply writing: I agree! or Great job! :) doesn't cut it.

3. As I have repeatedly stated: Anything that you wouldn't want your mother/mother-like figure and the principal to hear or read, DON'T post it here. I don't want to read it either.

This is part of your grade. You need to impress me with your logic, comprehension, and especially, effort, in each topic. Many of you have been getting very lazy with your grammar and spelling (check for misspellings, proper punctuation and capitalization, and so forth). no txt tlk pls  Just because we are working online does not mean you should add in LOL, haha, j/k, :-D, or the like in your posts.

Reminder: If your post contains a significant number of grammatical and/or spelling errors or is just not appropriate for the blog, I will delete it.

Dreamers

"All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible." - T.E. Lawrence

1. Respond to this quotation by defending it or challenging it. Provide any three concrete examples of your choice to support your decision.
           *Deadline: Monday, September 13th at midnight 

2. Respond to at least two of your classmates' comments by completing the following steps:

      a) Stating whether you agree or disagree with the writer's standpoint

      b) Citing one reason for your opinion

      c) Ending your comment with a question for the writer to consider 

            *Deadline: Friday, September 17th at midnight

3. As I have repeatedly stated: Anything that you wouldn't want your mother/mother-like figure and the principal to hear or read, DON'T post it here. I don't want to read it either.

This is part of your grade. You need to impress me with your logic, comprehension, and especially, effort, in each topic. Many of you have been getting very lazy with your grammar and spelling (check for misspellings, proper punctuation and capitalization, and so forth). no txt tlk pls  Just because we are working online does not mean you should add in LOL, haha, j/k, or the like in your posts.

Despite my warnings, I am still seeing these lapses. Therefore, if your post contains a significant number of grammatical and/or spelling errors or is just not appropriate for the blog, I will delete it.

Get enriched! Be a scholar!

Literally Speaking

1. Read these two short articles:

What People Say Vs. What They Really Mean

IN OTHER WORDS. A satirical look at what people in politics, business, Hollywood and advertising say versus what they really mean.

2. Post your own two examples of what people say versus what they actually mean. Be creative!
        *Sample:
             - What is said: "Excuse me."
             - What is meant: "Get out of the way."
         *You may not repeat any example that a fellow classmate has already used.
         *Deadline: Tuesday, September 7th at midnight 

3. Respond to at least two of your classmates' comments. Look specifically at humor (satire, puns, irony) and tone (diction choices and attitude towards the subject).
        *Deadline: Friday, September 10th at midnight

4. As I said on the last blog: Anything that you wouldn't want your mother and the principal to hear or read, DON'T post it here. I don't want to read it either.

This is part of your grade. You need to put significant effort into each post in order to impress me with your logic and your knowledge of each topic. Many of you have been getting lazy with your grammar and spelling (check for misspellings, proper punctuation and capitalization, and so forth). no txt tlk pls

Descriptive Writing

Descriptive writing is an art form. It is painting a picture with words so that the reader "sees" exactly what you are describing.

 

Your tasks:

 

1. Read these articles:

 

Quick Guide for Diction and Tone

New Words added to the Dictionary

 

2. Choose any school-appropriate topic, event, person, or object in which you can base a short, descriptive paragraph (or two) upon. 

 

3. Using carefully chosen diction to highlight the topic and whatever tone you deem appropriate to go along with it, describe this subject in approximately 200 words or less. Do not name the subject or use any words that would obviously give it away.

 

4. Post this comment by Monday, August 30th at midnight. 

 

5. By Friday, September 3rd at midnight, you need to comment on at least three of your classmates' comments. I expect that most of these comments will be guesses as to the subject of their descriptions. As such, your theories should contain well-thought out logic and reasoning. Please try to equally distribute these comments among your classmates. 

• You may choose to reveal your subject anytime after this date.

6. Keep all comments academically-sound, respectful, and following the practices of standard academic English.

"The Dam Letters"

Read the attached document in its entirety. It contains a REAL correspondence between a state official and a frustrated homeowner.

 

After you have carefully read their letters, post a well-written, original analysis on each writer's 1) style and 2) tone. This should be done by midnight on Monday, August 23rd. Then, by midnight on Thursday, August 26th, you need to comment on or respond back to at least two of your classmates' comments.

 

Reminders:

    1) Style: An evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices. Some authors’ styles are so distinct that they are easily recognizable. We can analyze and describe an author’s personal style and make judgments on how appropriate it is to the author’s purpose. Styles can be called flowery, explicit, succinct, rambling, bombastic, commonplace, incisive, laconic, etc.

    2) Tone: Describes the author’s attitude toward his or her material, the audience, or both. Tone is sometimes easier to determine in spoken language than in written language (you can HEAR a person's tone of voice). Considering how a work would sound if it were read aloud can help in identifying an author’s tone. Some words describing tone are playful, serious, businesslike, sarcastic, humorous, formal, ornate, sardonic, somber, etc.

      Also... Please remember to keep all comments posted class-appropriate, well-written, and respectful to all. 

 

The Dam Letters