Monday, May 14, 2012

May 14-15

Time for the second draft!
Read the attached pages carefully, then write your second draft. Remember that your paper must be 5 minutes long in spoken form.

Click Here to Read About Revising

Thursday, May 10, 2012

May 08-11

Get to work on your rough draft. Remember there is no minimum length to your rough draft, but it must come out to 5 minutes in spoken form. You will have to rehearse and time yourself to determine how long this means your draft should be.

Information on drafting can be found HERE and HERE.

Make sure that you include your works cited page in your draft. Information on the works cited page can be found HERE.

1st draft is due at the beginning of class either Monday or Tuesday.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

May 05-07

Paper Format
Format your research paper according to MLA standards found HERE.

  • Do not make a title page for your paper.
  • In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor's name, the course, and the date. Again, be sure to use double-spaced text.
  • Double space again and center the title. Do not underline, italicize, or place your title in quotation marks; write the title in Title Case (standard capitalization), not in all capital letters.
  • Use quotation marks and/or italics when referring to other works in your title, just as you would in your text: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as Morality Play; Human Weariness in "After Apple Picking"
  • Double space between the title and the first line of the text.
  • Create a header in the upper right-hand corner that includes your last name, followed by a space with a page number; number all pages consecutively with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin.


Research Questions
Broad topics are almost impossible to research well. You must narrow your topic to do quality research.

  1. Start with a general topic.
  2. Narrow your topic by asking more specific questions.
  3. Your last question should be a narrow, easily researched question.
Research Question Example
  • Communication Technology
  • What types of communication interest you the most?
  • What are the most common video conferencing technologies?
  • How do webcams work and how do they affect the way we communicate today?
Drafting
  1. Introduction
    1. Attention grabbing introduction
    2. Clear thesis statement
  2. Body
    1. Synthesis of information from multiple sources presented as a logical progression of ideas
    2. Evidence that supports the thesis statement
    3. Graphics and illustrations to explain concepts
  3. Conclusion
    1. Summary of findings and final conclusions
    2. Memorable ending with a final thought or conclusion

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

May 02-03

Welcome to class! Please use your time wisely today and get your work done. I'll be back on Friday/Monday.

Bellwork:
Langston Hughes is one of my favorite poets. Read the following poems and discuss with a partner reasons why I might like Langston Hughes so much.
Theme for English B
Dreams
I, Too

Instruction:
Today we start the research for our speech. A big part of doing research is giving credit where credit is due, so before we start looking for resources, we must first learn how to properly cite our resources. Begin by watching the following presentation.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH AN AMAZING PRESENTATION.

Assignment:

Begin by choosing a topic for your speech. There are lots of possible topics on the board, but you are not limited to those topics. You must choose a topic today before you begin your research.

Now that you’ve had a chance to become familiar with MLA citations by watching the tutorial, it’s time to practice a little bit as you look for resources for your speech! Complete each of the following tasks to the best of your ability.

  1. Quote at least one line from two online sources and complete both an in-text and end-of-text citation for each of the quotes.
  2. Quote at least one line from two books and complete both an in-text and end-of-text citation for each of the quotes.
  3. Quote at least one line from two live sources (conversation, phone calls, email communications) and complete both an in-text and end-of-text citation for each of the quotes.
  4. Quote at least one line from another source such as a magazine, journal, compilation, etc. and complete both an in-text and end-of-text citation for each of the quotes.
You will turn this paper in after you write your drafts, so don't lose it!


If you have any questions, ask me via email at nshellabarger@uinta1.com

Good Luck!

Saturday, April 28, 2012

April 28-May01


  • Watch the following five speeches.
  • Write down the topic for each speech. The title of the speech is not the topic. What is it that they are really talking about. Some of the speeches do not really give the topic in the first couple of minutes, so be patient.
  • Each of these speeches include lots of background research that gives validity to the speech. Write down evidence of research for each of the speeches. Shoot for four pieces of evidence for each speech.
  • Note of the moves that the speaker makes. Note physical moves such as movement across the stage, gestures, and facial expressions. Note vocal moves such as speed, tone, rhythm, pauses, etc.




Tuesday, February 28, 2012

2/17-2/24

1- Brainstorm story idea
2- Write a brief plot summary
3- Decide what theme you will focus on while writing your rough draft
4- How will you show the theme in character, setting, and plot?
5-Write your rough draft, at least two pages typed, double-spaced
6-Have someone critique your rough draft, writing at least ten helpful comments on it.
7-Write your second draft, focusing on the following:
-an obvious inciting incident, plot complications, climax, and resolution
-subject/verb agreement
-complete sentences with a subject, predicate, capital, and end punctuation
-new paragraphs every time that the speaker, setting, or purpose changes

Thursday, February 9, 2012

2/8-2/9/12

In a team of 4 or less, create a four minute presentation that explains theme in literature. Include in your presentation a definition for theme, an explanation of why it is important, and examples from commonly known texts.

If you were absent, write a one page explanation of theme.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

2/7/12

Be good for the sub!

Topic: Finding stories and plot structure in song.
Lecture:

Resources:

Picture Window Lyrics

Thursday, February 2, 2012

02/03/12-02/06/12

Topic: Plot structure and surprise endings.
Lecture:Begin by watching Neil Gaiman read his short story, "Other People." Because we are looking at plot structure, and surprise endings, you can read this story on more of a surface level. However, monitor your own understanding and reread (or re-listen) anytime that you become confused. This story has a circular plot structure, which means that you end up in the same place that you began. What effect does this have on our understanding of traditional plot structure? What does it do for the overall meaning of the story?
Homework: Read "The Open Window" in the orange text book. Write a brief summary of the story, focusing on the ending. Look for ways that Saki may have foreshadowed the ending. Also, look for ways that he intentionally concealed it or mislead you.
Resources: Neil Gaiman reads "Other People." "Other People"

02/01/12-02/02/12

Topic: Understanding Characters
Lecture: We are continuing to look at understanding character through their thoughts, words, and actions. Read the short story, "Mandy Shupe." What kind of person is the speaker? Think of her mindset, tone, attitude, etc. as she relates the details about Mandy. After reading about the speaker's description of Mandy, how would you describe the speaker?
Assignment:Read "The Utterly Perfect Murder" in the orange text book. Write down at least 15 details that tell us about the protagonist. Include things that the character thinks, says, and does. For each telling detail, write down the inference you were able to make from the given information.
Resources:Mandy Shupe

Monday, January 30, 2012

1/30/12, 1/31/12

Topic: Understanding Character Through Their Actions
Lecture:
Assignement: Watch the remainder of "The Princess Bride." Choose one character, write down 5 telling actions, then write down at least one inference that you made from each action.
Resources: Love Poems