Wed. Oct. 12, 2016: Writing Class

Today is your last in-class writing day to work on your essays. They are due at the end of the day tomorrow.
Tomorrow, you will write a multiple choice reading comprehension exam.

I am posting the test prep sheet here for those who are absent. The rest of the students received this as a handout.

ELA B 30 Unit One: Test Prep

Your exam will consist of three readings relating to ideals, characteristics or understanding of self. There are twenty-four questions.

Each reading must be read actively (highlighting main points, 5Ws and other

pertinent information; paraphrasing).

Each question must be answered using process of elimination (eliminating the

“wrong” answers to arrive at the best one(s).

You will be marked as follows:

M.C. questions = 50 marks (some are worth two points; some are worth

three points)

Active Reading = 25 marks

Process of elimination = 25 marks

Total = 100

Words/concepts to familiarize yourself with:

• Gratification
• Expression
• Contrast
• Theme
• Compulsive
• Reinforce
• Affliction
• Ravenous
• Ignorance
• Juxtaposes (juxtaposition)
• Contempt
• convey
• armaments
• monitoring
• battalion
• oppressive
• impoverished
• idealism
• consequence
• irony (all three types)
• tone
• theme
• contrast
• illustrate
• connotation
• denotation
• compensation
• excel
• dexterity
• contrary
• passive
• conscious
• subconscious
• dominant
• misconception
• phenomenon

Tues. Oct. 11, 2016: Writing Class

Today and tomorrow, you will get class time to work on an essay that is due on Thursday, at the end of the day.
You will write your unite reading comprehension exam (M.C.) on Thursday.

Fri. Oct. 7, 2016: Writing Class

Today, you were given time (and computers) to work on your essay that is due at the end of the day on Thursday. Keep in mind that you will have a reading comprehension exam on Wednesday so you will not get class time that day for this.

Thurs. Oct. 6, 2016: Essay Discussion and Assignment

Today, I gave your four handouts:

1. How to Write a Critical Analytical Introductory Paragraph
2. Attention-Getters
3. Transitions
4. Essay Assignment

The essay will be due on Thursday, October 13; however, you will only get class time until the end of Wednesday's class.

You will also have a unit exam on Thursday, October 13. It will be reading comprehension (active reading).

Wed. Oct. 5, 2016: Assignment Completion

Today, you completed the questions I gave you yesterday. I will go through your major unit assignment tomorrow.

Tues. Oct. 4, 2016: Discussion about Recent Readings & Assignments

Today, we reviewed the critique for "Robin Hood and the Three Squires." We then discussed "What Men Live By" and "Man in the Water." From these, we got a more modern understanding of the concept of "Hero."
We then briefly discussed "The Lowest Animal." I then handed out questions for you to answer relating the two readings together. I have pasted these below.

I will give you until 3:10 tomorrow to answer the questions but will not expect them in until Thursday's class.

Comparing “The Man in the Water” and “The Lowest Animal”

Once both of these texts have been read actively, these questions should be really easy to answer.

1.      In the text, “The Man in the Water,” What is Roger Rosenblatt trying to get us to understand about people?

2.      In the text, “The Lowest Animal”, what is Mark Twain trying to get us to understand about people? Keep in mind that this was written in 1892.

3.      What examples does Rosenthal provide to prove his thesis about people? List these.

4.      What examples does Twain provide to prove his thesis about people? List these?

5.      Based solely on the evidence presented, who best proves their case? Explain.

6.      On a personal, subjective level, what is your opinion about people? Are we capable of selflessness? If so, why does Twain even have an argument? Explain. 

Mon. Oct. 3, 2016: Self-Awareness Reflection and Reading

Today, you were given a self-reflection activity to complete. I then gave you your final reading for this unit: The Lowest Animal by Mark Twain. Please have this actively read for tomorrow's class (no critique).