AP Rubric Grading

On AP questions, grading, for the first semester, will be according to the following (note this is a fairly standard scale among AP teachers)

8-9 = A+
7 = A
6 = A-
5 = B
4 = B-
1-3 = automatic rewrite

If you have to rewrite your essay your rewrite grade will be marked down 10%. 

Remember, most of you can easily write 4's already.  Strive for that 7. 

Tuesday

Today, we are going to talk about your news articles, Susan Sontag, and then do some exercises using SOAPS, ethos and pathos.

HW: write a Precis for "A Woman's Beauty: Put-Down or Power Source" and outline chapter 2 of The Language of Composition.

 

Monday

DUE: Rewrite of ASSATA.  Also if you haven't posted your outlines, do so. 

Today, we are going to watch a TED TALK about the danger of having a single story.

Afterwards, I want you to respond to the video on your blogs.  Do you agree with the main thesis of the talk?  If so, why?  Are you aware of any "single" narratives in your life?  Discuss.

We will then go back into chapter 1 and do the following activities:


HW: Research and write news story, read "A Woman's Beauty: Put Down or Power Source" by Susan Sontag on page 487, and for Wednesday read and outline chapter 2 of THE LANGUAGE OF COMPOSITION

First, let's look at a long sentence go here  and here

Friday

Today, we are going to look at a basketball photo, then review your outlines and The Language of Composition.  Hopefully, you have read this because we will be doing a few exercises in it.  Last, we will hear your precis and give you time to work on your next draft of Assata, and/or begin researching your 2nd news article.

This article will be due on Tuesday.

HW: Assata rewrite for Monday.

Assata Prompt

Noam Chomsky once said, “The America that black people have always known is not an attractive one.”

According to Dr. James Herron, “In the United States our identities are shaped by Race.  People think of themselves 1^st as white or black or native before they think of themselves as “American”.  This is different than other parts of the world (just think about Assata in Cuba).  Using Assata’s autobiography – particularly the last few chapters – make a case for or against whether the U.S. should move towards a society where skin color is secondary?  You might note the history of slavery or African-American history as brought up by Assata; Jim Crow; Assata’s childhood.

You must take a stance on the issue and create an argument using examples or evidence from Assata. 

Wednesday

Today we will take a vocabulary quiz.  Discuss your essay quiz and the meaning of Plato's "Allegory of the Cave", write a precis on "No Named Woman" and finish reading types of sentences from your SYNTAX PREMIER.

HW: Read and outline chapter 1 of The Language of Composition, rewrite your essays on Assata.  Research news article #2. 

Tuesday

Today we are going to take a quiz on Assata, discuss "No Name Woman" and write a precis on the text, finish writing types and classifications of sentences.

HW:  Study vocabulary, read chapter 1 of The Language of Composition (for Friday) and outline it on your blogs, and read "The Allegory of the Cave" by Plato.

Here is an example of an outline of Chapter 1 of Everyday Use

RHETORIC refers to two things:

1)   the art of analyzing all the language choices that a writer, speaker, reader, listener might make so that a text becomes meaningful

2)   The specific features of texts, written or spoken,  that cause them to be meaningful, purposeful, effective

Rhetorical Triangle:

1)   Subject – and kinds of evidence

2)   Audience – their knowledge, ideas, attitudes, and beliefs

3)   Speaker – the character of the rhetor

Sometimes a rhetor creats a persona or mask

SIX KEYS: understanding persona, understanding appeals to audience, understanding subject, understanding intention, and understanding genre

Key #1: Persona

The speaker, or rhetor, wants to do two things: 1) speak or write so that the audience members perceive a distinct character, usually one who is educated, considerate, trustworthy, and well intentioned; second make inferences and judgments about the character and personality of another writer or speaker

Key terms: voice, tone (speaker’s attitude toward the subject he/she is writing or speaking about), diction, irony, effect

Key # 2: Appeals to Audience

Three kinds of appeals: Logos (clear, reasoned central idea developed and supported with appropriate evidence); Ethos (evidence that the speaker, writer is credible, good, believable, trustworthy person who has his/her audience’s best interests in mind); Pathos (the emotions and interests of the audience).

Key #3: Subject Matter and Its Treatment

1)   Topic, proposition, question or issue (be able to recognize) and offer two paths of interpretation.

2)   Successful writer/speaker generates effective material by capitalizing on what the audience already knows, making them curious to know more about the topic, and satisfying their curiosity by providing facts, ideas, interpretations that build on what they know

3)   Claims-plus-support.  Thesis statement with supporting points, and these points proven by facts, details, examples, illustrations, and reasons

CONTEXT (modifying the basic rhetorical triangle) – a convergence of time, place, people, events; PURPOSE and GENRE. 

Key #4: Context

What immediate situation propelled the writer to create the text (background information on topic, persona, etc.)

Context can be immediate or distant (current events or historical patterns)

Key # 5: Purpose

What does the author wants to happen as a result of the text. 

Key #6: Genre

 Think about modes of composition (narration, definition, compare and contrast, etc)

Context plus purpose leads to genre.

What do the authors say about rhetoric and citizenship?