1. English 10A -- Periods 3 and 4
  2. Assignments

English 10A -- Periods 3 and 4 Assignments

Instructor
Evan Rabins
Term
Semester 1
Department
English
Location
Room 114
Description
This term, we will be covering a unit on persuasion. We will discuss and practice with the denotative and connotative power of words, as well as emotional, logical and ethical appeals. We will be doing a persuasive research paper on gun control, (you can be either for or against), and you will be giving a speech on a persuasive topic of your choice, using rhetorical devices we will study.
 
All activities this term will prepare you for the CAHSEE, which is sooner than you think. Come to class every day, turn in all your assignments, and you won't have any trouble passing.
 
**ENGLISH 10A IS A REQUIREMENT FOR GRADUATION**
 
(That means if you fail it, you will be taking it again.  If you thought it was boring the first time around, just wait.)
 
 

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Assignment

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22nd:
 
Today, after SSR, I distributed a permission slip for an R-rated film we're watching next week, "Bowling for Columbine," (it's about the gun control issue).  The permission slip is a graded assignment.  If you blow it off, not only will you be hurting your grade at the last minute, but you'll also be making more work for yourself, because I'll be sending you to another room with a writing assignment if you don't have your permission slip turned in.  If you were absent, see me for the slip Monday.  They must be in by Wednesday.
 
Then I gave some helpful tips on public speaking.
 
Then we finished our speeches, transposed them onto index cards, and practiced giving them to each other in pairs.
 
YOU MUST BE READY TO GIVE YOUR SPEECH ON MONDAY.  NO EXCEPTIONS.
 
* For the honors kids, I gave out a writing assignment for "Of Mice and Men."  It's due the day we get back from break.  If you were absent, make sure you see me to get it.
 
Have a nice weekend.

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Assignment

MONDAY 8/25 THROUGH FRIDAY 8/29:
 
***WE WILL BE WORKING ALL WEEK***
 
Don't forget to get your film permission slips signed and turned in.  It is counted as a homework grade in the class.  Some of you can't afford another zero.
 
Monday and Tuesday, we'll be giving our speeches. If you don't give your speech, you get a zero, and it's one of the biggest grades of the term. I'd do it if I were you. If you can't be in class those two days for some reason, let me know.
 
Wednesday, I will return the essay re-writes. Then we will begin watching "Bowling for Columbine".
 
Thursday, I will post final grades. Then we will finish watching "Bowling for Columbine".
 
Friday we will have a writing assignment on the movie.
 
Saturday, and not before Saturday, we go on break. Have yourselves a wonderful, relaxing break. See if you can't mature a little.

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Assignment

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21st:
 
Today, we started with SSR because we're not going to have it next Monday.
 
Then I gave an example of a persuasive speech that used all the rhetorical devices we've spoken about.  Remember, this is a persuasive speech.  You're not giving a report on your topic, (that would be exposition), rather you're trying to get your audience to agree with your stance on your topic.
 
I then gave the rest of the period to work on your speeches.  Tomorrow I will be giving tips on public speaking, and passing out index cards to copy your speech onto.  REMEMBER: you can ONLY have the index cards with you when you give the speech.  And I'm not giving index cards to anyone whose speech isn't fully written yet.
 
We're giving the speeches Monday and Tuesday.

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Assignment

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20th:
 
Today we started with SSR.
 
Then we had our QUIZ on subjects, action and linking verbs, and prepositions.  When everyone was done, we corrected the quiz.  If you were absent, you'd better make sure you get it cleared fast.  I'll give make-ups for the quiz on Friday, if your absence isn't cleared by then, you get a zero.
 
Next, we worked on our speeches.  I spoke about my expectations and how you'll be graded.  Basically, I want you to write a speech on your topic using all thirteen of our rhetorical devices.  We will be giving the speeches next Monday and Tuesday, you really need to make use of class time between now and the end of the week.
 
***Remember, if you haven't gotten your essay re-write done, you have to get it in by the end of the week!

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Assignment

TUESDAY, AUGUST 20th:
 
Today we had our last practice on subjects, action and linking verbs, and prepositional phrases.  THERE IS A QUIZ TOMORROW. 
 
We also covered one last speech in our notebooks, this one from "A Few Good Men."  If you weren't here, the notebooks have been graded and returned.  If you haven't gotten yours in yet, you need to.  Also, if you're not working hard in class, you might want to start, because you're killing your grade.
 
Finally, I assigned speech topics.  If you weren't here, you should think of a persuasive speech topic that you would like to do.  We are working on the speeches the rest of the week, then DELIVERING THEM NEXT MONDAY AND TUESDAY.  This is a major grade of the mester, if you blow it off, you're asking to fail.  Also, there won't be enough time to do it late.  You have to be ready on Monday/Tuesday.

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Assignment

MONDAY, AUGUST 18th:
 
Today, after SSR, Ms. Warman, our college counselor, talked to the class about the PSAT.  The PSAT is a free practice test for the SAT, which is the test you take to get into college in 11th grade.  Taking the PSAT is a good idea b/c it's free, it doesn't hurt your record no matter how badly you do, and it's very good practice for the real test.  Did I mention that it's free?
 
The only problem is that it's given while us B-trackers are off-track, so you have to come in one day to take it, (unless you're already here for intersession, in which case it gives you an excuse to get out of class that day).
 
Date: Wednesday, October 15th
Time: 7:15am
Location: Poly HS Cafetorium
Price: FREE
 
If you were absent but are interested in taking the PSAT, please see me or Ms. Warman in the college office, (right by the library).
 
In class today, we had more grammar practice, (THERE IS A QUIZ ON WEDNESDAY), and we reviewed another speech for rhetorical devices in our notebooks, this time it was Howard Beale's speech in the movie Network.
 
If you were absent, be sure to get your notebooks in, I'm grading them.

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Assignment

FRIDAY AUGUST 15th:

Today, after SSR, we examined a new speech, this time it was from the movie "Friday Night Lights." Just like the others, we looked for the rhetorical devices and listed at least five in our notebooks.

Then I handed out another worksheet on action verbs, linking verbs and subject complements. There's going to be a quiz next Wednesday, we'll keep practicing until then.

REMEMBER: THE RE-WRITE OF YOUR ESSAY IS DUE MONDAY!  You must staple the old draft to the back of the rewrite.

One last thing: next week, I'll be asking you what topic you want to do your short persuasive speech about.  None of us want to sit and listen to the same speech over and over, so there's one speech topic per class, pro and con.  I do my best to make everyone happy.  Try to pick a second choice, in case there's a conflict.  Nobody will be doing gun control.

Have a nice weekend.  I'll be at the beach.  Maybe the movies.

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Assignment

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13TH AND THURSDAY, AUGUST 14TH:
 
Wednesday, after SSR, we reviewed a Malcolm X speech for rhetorical devices, just like we did with the Muhammed Ali speech the day before.  Then we had more practice with action verbs, linking verbs, and prepositional phrases.  We reviewed the worksheet from the day before, and I gave a new worksheet for homework.
 
Thursday, I returned the essays, and we went over common mistakes.  You have to re-write the essay, all of you.
 
THE ESSAY RE-WRITE IS DUE NEXT MONDAY, AUGUST 18th!!!
 
Then we a speech from "The Godfather" for rhetorical devices, and we reviewed the grammar worksheet that was homework.  Another grammar worksheet was given for homework.

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Assignment

TUESDAY, AUGUST 12th:
 
Today we dissected a speech by Muhammed Ali for its rhetorical devices.  You should have this in your notebook.  See me for the speech if you were absent.  You should be able to find at least six.
 
Then we covered the first three levels of grammar: action verbs, linking verbs, and prepositional phrases.  See me for the notes if you were out.  I also handed out a practice worksheet on this, which will be due as homework for Wednesday.

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Assignment

MONDAY, AUGUST 11th:
 
Today, after SSR, we reviewed the SCR questions from the periodic assessment last week.
 
Then I gave some more time to find examples of the thirteen rhetorical devices from "Ain't I a Woman?" You should have at least one example of each of the thirteen rhetorical devices, from the speech, in your notebook.
 
We then reviewed the answers.  Remember, you'll have to use these devices in your own speeches, so you must understand them first.  If you don't get something we talk about, ask.

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Assignment

Friday, August 8th:
 
Today, after SSR, we examined the speech "Ain't I a Woman?" for significant moments, writing a summary in our notebooks.
 
Then we took notes on rhetorical devices, and looked for them in that same speech.  You should find an example of each rhetorical device somewhere in the speech, and write it down in your notebook.  (Some things are examples of more than one rhetorical device at the same time.)  
 
Enjoy your weekend, next weekend you'll be writing again.
 
EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT: Find an example of a speech that uses one or more of the new rhetorical devices we talked about in class.  Bring it in, and label the devices you noticed.

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Assignment

Thursday, August 7th:
 
Today we had our first periodic assessment.  If you were absent, you'll make it up tomorrow.  You do want to make it up, because it counts towards your grade in my class.

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August 6th:
 
Today, after SSR, we had our parallelism quiz.  If you weren't here and you got your absence cleared, you'll make up the quiz on Friday during SSR.
 
Then we read the famous Sojourner Truth speech "Ain't I a Woman?"  It's in your textbook on pages 41-2, or I'm sure you could find it online.  In your notebook, you need to write a paragraph summary of the speech.  Your summary should include:
  • Who is Sojourner Truth?
  • Who is she speaking to?
  • What does she want in her speech?
  • How does she get her message across?
 
 

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Assignment

Tuesday, August 5th:
 
Today was a shortened day, so no SSR.  We started with our last practice for parallelism.
 
THERE IS A QUIZ TOMORROW ON PARALLELISM!
 
Those of you who skipped are going to regret having missed today's practice.
 
We spent the rest of the period peer-grading each other's essays, then the essays were turned in at the end of the period.  If you haven't turned in your essay yet, please note...
 
YOU WILL NOT PASS THIS CLASS IF YOU DON'T HAND IN AN ESSAY.

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Monday, August 4th:
 
Today, after SSR, we had more parallelism practice.
 
THERE WILL BE A QUIZ ON PARALLELISM ON WEDNESDAY!
 
Then the people with completed essays peer-graded each other, and the people whose essays were incomplete worked on their own.
 
THE ESSAY IS DUE TOMORROW -- AFTER THAT IT WILL BE MARKED DOWN LATE.

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Friday, August 1:
 
Today we had more practice with parallelism.
 
Then I went over the requirements of MLA format for your essay. THE MAIN THING IS TO DOUBLE-SPACE AND HAVE A TITLE! I will grade you down if you don't! And "Gun Essay" is not a title... think something up that indicates what your essay is about. Like the rest of your essay, your title should be in Times New Roman 12-point font, NOT bold, NOT in quotes.
 
The rest of the period I gave to work on your essay, and I checked the outlines for completion.
 
YOUR ESSAY IS DUE MONDAY. Extra credit if they are typed, but remember, they need to be double-spaced either way, (or I'll make you re-do it).
 
Have a nice weekend.

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Assignment

Thursday, July 31:
 
Today we covered parallelism, something you will absolutely need to know in order to pass the CAHSEE. In short, it means making your verbs agree with their subjects, and making sure all your verbs are in the same tense. I went over a lesson on parallelism, then we had some practice. There will likely be a quiz next Wednesday.
 
Next, I covered how to write an introductory paragraph and a conclusion paragraph, (you picked a bad day to skip). I then gave the rest of the period to work on your essay outlines.
 
YOUR OUTLINE SHOULD BE DONE BY TOMORROW, AND I WILL BE CHECKING. This is true whether you were here today or not.
 
Remember, Parents' Night is tonight! Tell your folks!  I give extra credit if your parents attend!

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Assignment

Wednesday, July 30:
 
Today, after SSR, I collected the signed progress reports.  If you didn't get it in today, or you were absent, you need to get it in tomorrow if you want full credit.  After that, I'll start deducting one point a day for every day it's late.  And don't think you can hide anything from me or your parents, because any student with a missing progress report whose parents don't show up for parents' night will be attending a parent conference soon in the office with the tenth grade dean.
 
Next, we had our subject-verb quiz, which most students did pretty well on, I was pleased.  If you were absent, make sure you get your absence cleared so you can make it up.  Your grade will be a zero until you do.
 
The rest of the period we worked on our essay outlines. 
 
YOUR HOMEWORK: Finish all three of the three body paragraphs in your essay outline, BY TOMORROW.

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Assignment

Monday, July 28:
 
Today, after SSR, we had more subject-verb practice. QUIZ WEDNESDAY!
 
Then we finished reading the Bill Clinton speech, looking for logical, ethical and emotional appeals.
 
Then we went over Counter-argument, or counter claim/rebuttal, (same thing). You'll need to have a counterclaim with rebuttal in EACH of the body paragraphs in your gun control essay.
 
THURSDAY IS PARENTS' NIGHT. 5:30 to 7:00 in the classrooms. Midterm report cards can be picked up in the library.  EXTRA CREDIT if your parents show.  Midterm grades are due tomorrow, (uh-oh).

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Assignment

Tuesday, July 29
 
Today, which was a full day, we started with SSR.  Friday will be short, and we won't do SSR then.
 
Then we had our last subject-verb practice before the QUIZ TOMORROW!
 
I then returned the logical paragraphs, and we went over common mistakes.  Once a mistake has been covered in class, you need to stop doing it.
 
Next, I passed out outlines for the entire essay.  Your emotional paragraph outline is DUE TOMORROW.
 
While the kids were working, I passed out an individual progress report to each student.  You are to get it signed, (by a parent or guardian), and bring it back in, this is a graded homework assignment. 
 
HOMEWORK: 1. Finish emotional paragraph outline.  2. Get progress report signed by a parent or guardian.

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Assignment

Friday, July 25
 
Today, after SSR, we talked about how to introduce a quote, and how to write good commentary on that quote.
 
I then checked to see if people had their outlines done, (it was a graded assignment).
 
We then spent the rest of the period re-writing the outline and turning it into a logical body paragraph.  The paragraph was due at the end of the period.
 
IF YOU WERE ABSENT, you MUST have the paragraph done when you walk in the door on Monday.  Skipping my class is not an acceptable way to avoid work.

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Thursday, July 24:
 
Today we had more practice identifying subjects and verbs.
 
Then we filled out a chart in our notebooks, organizing our body paragraphs for the gun control essay.  You should take all the pieces of evidence that you researched in the library earlier this week and organize them; decide which ones you are going to use in your logical paragraph, which ones for your emotional paragraph, and which ones for your ethical paragraph.  This is getting organized before you write.
 
After that, I passed out an outline for the logical paragraph.  YOUR HOMEWORK is to completely fill out the outline before tomorrow.  Then we will rewrite it in class tomorrow, and your logical paragraph will be due at the end of class.

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Assignment

Wednesday, July 23:
 
Today, after SSR, we had some practice identifying subjects and verbs in sentences.  There will be a quiz eventually, probably early next week.
 
Then we talked about how to write an essay, specifically, a body paragraph.  If you were absent, be sure to get the notes from me and get them into your notebook.  You picked a bad day to be out, I explained what I expect in an essay, for every essay you ever write again.  Get the notes down so you can refer back to them.
 
HOMEWORK: Finish reading the Bill Clinton speech, and identify all the emotional, logical and ethical appeals, as well as any examples of connotation.

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Assignment

Monday, July 23rd AND Tuesday, July 22nd:
 
Monday and Tuesday, we're meeting in Room 114 for attendance, then going over to the library to do research for our gun control paper.  Remember, we're only doing research these two days, you don't have to worry about writing your paper yet.
 
WRITING PROMPT: Should there be more laws controlling the purchase, ownsership and use of guns, or are the gun laws we have now either adequate or excessive?
 
You will be writing a five-paragraph persuasive essay taking one side of this issue.  Your paper will have one logical paragraph, one ethical paragraph, and one emotional paragraph.  Each paragraph must have at least three pieces of evidence, (so that makes nine total).  ALSO, your essay must have at least four works cited, (four different sources you use in your paper).
 
The logical body paragraph will be due at the end of the week, so you might want to research that one first.  If you need to get more research done, the school library is open after school.

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Friday, July 18:
 
Today, after SSR, we had our loaded language test.  If you were absent, make sure you clear your absence, because I'm not letting you make it up until you do.
 
Then I gave out the research assignment on gun control.  We are going to the library on Monday and Tuesday to do research for a persuasive essay.  You can be either for or against gun control, (either you think there should be stricter rules on obtaining and owning firearms, or you think people should have more freedom to buy and own guns).  Either way, you're going to have to do some research.
 
In class today, we went over different logical, emotional and ethical appeals, and talked about what were good research questions and sources.  Monday, come to our normal classroom for attendance, then we'll go as a group to the library.
 
IMPORTANT: If you haven't done so, you MUST have your computer password form filled out and with you on Monday.  Otherwise, you won't be able to do internet research and you'll have to research books.
 
Then we read more of the Bill Clinton speech.
 
Have a good weekend!  Be ready to research on Monday!

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Thurday, July 17:
 
Today we had more practice thinking up emotional, logical and ethical appeals for social issues.
 
Then the counselors came and gave some important information about graduation and getting into college.
 
Then we read more of the Clinton speech.
 
Then I reviewed for the test on Friday.

TEST TOMORROW!

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Wednesday, July 16th:
 
Today, after SSR, we had more practice with connotation. 
 
Then we reviewed some of the better group projects for connotation and ethical, logical and emotional appeals.
 
Then we talked about using ethical, logical and emotional appeals on social issues, something you'll need to be able to do both on the upcoming test and in your upcoming essay and speech.
 
Then we started reading a famous speech by Bill Clinton for ethical, logical and emotional appeals, as well as connotation.
 
*THE LOADED LANGUAGE TEST HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK TO FRIDAY.

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Tuesday, July 15th:
 
Today we had some practice with connotation, then we finished the Adbusters project.  If you were absent today, you're only receiving half the points of your group grade.  You can make it up by doing a poster on your own, with examples of ethical, logical and emotional appeals, (one of each, labeled), as well as an example of connotation, (also labeled).
 
Today I also posted grades for the first time.  I gave everyone a number, so you should monitor your own grade and keep track of what you're missing.
 
NOTICE: If you bombed the Parts of Speech Quiz last week, I'll be giving a make-up quiz at tutoring, after school in the library.  Either Wednesday or Thursday this week.  If you want to improve your grade, show up at the library between 3:10 and 4:10 one of those two days and see me.  If you remember to bring your notebook, it'll be open-note.

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RECAP OF WEEK ONE:

This week we've been studying parts of speech, (there was a quiz Friday), denotation and connotation, (there was a graded worksheet you need to turn in), and ethical, logical and emotional appeals, (there was an assignment today).

So far the graded assignments have been:

1. The Survey about yourself

2. The Rules Contract

3. The Deontation/Connotation Worksheet

4. The questions on page 10-11 of your new textbook

5. The Parts of Speech Quiz

6. The Ad Gallery walk with Ethical, Logical and Emotional Appeals.

If you were absent Friday, you will make the quiz up the day you get back.

THERE WILL BE A QUIZ ON LOADED LANGUAGE NEXT WEDNESDAY!

*Extra Credit assignment:


Find an example of an ads in a magazine or newspaper that use ethical, logical or emotional appeals, or connotation, (one example total). Attach it to a piece of paper, put your name on it, and explain which type of loaded language is at work in the ad.

Due Monday, July 14th.


Have a good weekend.

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Assignment

Monday, July 14:
 
Today, after SSR, we had a loaded language warm-up.  I returned the connotation/denotation worksheets from last week and went over them.  THERE IS A TEST THIS THURSDAY ON LOADED LANGUAGE!  Make sure you understand connotation, denotation, and ethical, logical and emotional appeals by then.
 
Then we got into groups and worked on an adbusters project.  If you were absent, you'll have to contribute to your group tomorrow in order to get credit.  If you're absent on both days, you'll have to make it up on your own.  Basically, you and the group are creating an ad that shows an example of an ethical, logical and emotional appeal, as well as at least one word with connotative power.  You can create a new ad, or change an existing ad.