For Monday, October 6

Work on drafting your rhetorical analysis of Mark Twain's speech "I rise to protest."

On Monday, October 6, 2014, I want to see a rough draft that demonstrates your thought and effort.  You do not have to have a completed draft as long as I can see your valid attempts to conquer the assignment.  (For example:  maybe you bring in two solid body paragraphs that you feel are complete.  That way, I can check them to make sure you are on the right track.)  A good rule:  spend an hour and a half (1 ½) to two (2) hours on English this weekend.

We will organize this analysis by articulating the shifts in Twain’s tone throughout the speech. 

1^st movement-mocking humor/light (1 paragraph)

2^nd movement-acerbic language and biting satire (2 to 3 paragraphs – your choice) starting at rhetorical questions that close paragraph 1.

            Indians

            Quakers

            Others

3^rd movement-starting at O my friends,…(1 paragraph)

Introduction Material~possibilities: Background audience.  Background Mark Twain.  Twain’s reputation as a speaker or authority on the subject.

Thesis Sentence template:

In Twain’s speech given at the first annual Plymouth Rock and Pilgrims’ Society dinner, he _______________ the actions of the original pilgrims and ______________________ the sons of the Puritans _____________________________.

(This sentence should speak to Twain’s purpose.  In class we used the verbs:  attacks and dissuades.  Feel free to use your own vivid verb.  Look at “Intention in Speaking” section of your handout.)

Conclusion:  Wrap up: speaker’s success in accomplishing his purpose in light of the evidence you have provided.  How does the speech connect with a contemporary audience?

For Tuesday, September 20

Make sure you have an easy to read rhetorical context chart for Mark Twain's speech "I Rise to Protest."  This will look like the one I had on the board in class on Wednesday, Sept. 24.  Next, annotate the strategies Mark Twain incorporates into his speech (Paragraphs 1,2,3).  If you highlight a metaphor...make sure to write in the margins noting the metaphor's effect on the audience....same thing for each device.

In general, Twain utlizes humor to connect with his audience; however, he also counts on humor to soften his blow.  Remember, satire and irony are considered "high comedy."  Satire could be comedy that bites/hurts/convicts.  I would say satire, irony, paradox are Twain's primary tools, and he is a master with his words.  I also notice quite a bit of repetition, analogies, hyperbole, understatement.

I will look at your annotations carefully because I want to make sure you are prepared to write this next rhetorical analysis.  This essay will be a Major G
rade X 2.

Next, read Chapters 25 through 27.  This is about 20 pages.

For Wednesday, September 24

Read Chapters 21-24 in Huckleberry Finn.  Continue to look for Twain's social commentary.  Specifically, notice Jim's increasingly bad treatment.  Mob Mentality.  Huck's joy at the circus.  Comment on providence.

For Monday, September 22

1. Read Chapters 19 and 20 in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
2. You might want to review the essay "Corn Pone Opinions" before class on Monday.
3. Look at the following five (5) pieces of social commentary.  For each artist, identify his/her purpose.  
4. Find a piece of social commentary to share with class:  this can be a cartoon, a painting, a billboard, an essay, a video clip, etc.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

For Thursday, September 18

DO NOT FORGET THAT YOUR RECITATION IS DUE TOMORROW.

Read Huck Finn Chapters 16-18.

Think about or annotate:

• Look for Huck's anxiety in Chapter 16.  Think about God's law and man's law.
• Notice Twain's satirization of the feud between the Shepherdsons and the Grangerfords.
• What else does Twain mock?
• Pay particular attention to Col.Grangerford's description
• Last paragraph of 18-enjoy the freedom of the raft!  Where do you find freedom?

Bring to Class:
Literary Analysis Worksheet (for reference)
Voice Lessons-handouts detail, diction, diction
"Corn Pone Opinions" by Mark Twain

For Tuesday, September 16

Re-read the first two paragraphs of Chapter 5.  Then, write a well-developed body paragraph that answers the following prompt:  How does Huck Finn characterize Pap through imagery and description?

Read Huckleberry Finn through Chapter 15. Pay particular attention to Huck's various attitudes toward Jim.  When do his attitudes seem to be authentically his; when do they seem to represent a social norm.  Huck and Jim's developing relationship is key to these chapters.

Also, notice Huck's ability or inability to lie and his ingenuity.  The superstitions held by various characters also indicate something about the era.  Look for things you would consider ironic or satirical.

Weekend Blessings!  

For Friday, September 12

Read Chapters 5-8 of Huckleberry Finn.  Plot development.  Huck's character development.  Jim's character development.  Pap's characterization. Imagery.  Focus your reading on these elements of the story.

Important Notice:  Sometime in the next week, you must come and read aloud (in private with me) the second to last paragraph of Chapter 4.  Practice before you come.  I will grade for fluency and vocal variation.  It is essential when you read for the AP exam to hear the language of your selection in your head in a way that makes the reading more accessible for interpretation.  This is a key skill we will work on this year.

A German experiment reveals that reciting poetry is good for your heart. It was a small test group--seven people walked around a room reciting traditional poetry and breathing in time to the poem's beat. The result: their heat rate dropped and their heart's ability to rest and recuperate from stress increased. 

The researcher, Dietrich von Bonin said, "Recitation links body and soul--mind, breath, and body--in a unique way."

The generation before mine was taught to recite poetry, mine was just asked to read it--today, is it still part of the curriculum? Maybe we can bring back the practice--we could use a poetry App on our iPhone and recite as we walk to the store or while commuting. It would be more entertaining than hearing someone braying, "I'm on the train! I'll be home in twenty minutes!" If you take a hat, you could even make some money...

http://timetowrite.blogs.com/weblog/2010/06/in-case-you-need-an-excuse-for-poetry.html

For Wednesday, September 10

Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been the American novel most frequently banned from high school reading lists and libraries across our nation.  One synthesis activity we will tackle during this unit will require us to research the arguments made for and against this novel.  We will, then, finish our discussion of the text and begin debating the literary merits of Twain's work.

In year's past, I have held a trial wherein the prosecution accuses Mr. Twain of racism and prejudicial indoctrination of young minds.  Students adopt the roles of lawyers, witnesses, and jurors.  My intention this year will be to continue this tradition.  Therefore, equip yourself with the tools of rhetoric and argumentation as you read the novel.  You need to read in support of both sides of the issue.  Impossible?  Maybe, but I urge you to keep it in mind.

Do you realize that a version of this novel has been produced without the "N" word?  What are your thoughts on that?  Think about it.

Before starting Chapter 1 of this great/horrible novel, make sure to read the NOTICE and the EXPLANATORY notes from the author.  Both can be found on the pages before the table of contents in your hard copy or kindle edition. 

SO...read Chapters 1-4 and expect a quick reading quiz on Wednesday.  Quiz will be multiple choice and one short essay response (paragraph). 
 

For Monday, September 8

Wave of Power

To annotate:
Reread Chapter 9 of Frederick Douglass beginning at the second paragraph: "Bad as all slaveholders are....".  Annotate carefully.  Look for rhetorical strategies, such as:  imagery, irony, alliteration, diction (specifically the word piety or pious), repetition, biblical allusion.   Remember to jot down the effect various strategies have upon the audience. 

To write:
Write a thesis sentence regarding Douglass's purpose in this particular passage.  In your thesis, list the strategies or tools that you find most effective in Douglass's argument.

Template:  In Chapter 9 of his narrative, Frederick Douglass effectively _________________________ through his use of __________, ___________, and __________.

To read:
In a quick review of Chapter 11, find the passage where Frederick is given the sir-name Douglass.  Where does the name come from?  Read a brief synopsis of this poem.

To think about:
I particularly love Douglass's inclusion of the verses from the New Testament story of the sheep and the goats:  "I was hungry, and he gave me meat; I was thirsty, and he gave me drink; I was a stranger, and he took me in."    Why does he use this passage of scripture?  Think of it in light of his descriptions of other so-called Christians.
 

For Thursday, September 4

First, I want you to peruse the devotional at this link:  http://www.keyway.ca/htm2011/20110211.htm

Now, imagine that you are the leper or the blind person who Jesus touched.  After considering how important touch is to the human being, read and annotate the following article.  See if you agree with the assertions Kearney makes.

This link should put you on the NY Times Opinion Page.  The title of the article is "Losing Our Touch" by Richard Kearney.

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/08/30/losing-our-touch/?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Aw%2C%7B%221%22%3A%22RI%3A6%22%7D

Print the article out and annotate.

Which rhetorical appeals does Kearney use and to what effect?  Consider:  diction, imagery, irony, allusion.  Label the rhetorical appeals-to emotion, to character, to logic.  Most importantly-As you highlight an example of a particular strategy...label the strategy and then describe the effect on the reader. 

Your annotations should lend themselves to your argument as to HOW Kearney persuades his readers to his point of view.