Persuasive Essay
Of Mice and Men
English 9
DUE DATE: TUESDAY, 30 OCTOBER
Persuasive writing attempts to convince the reader that the point of view or course of action recommended by the writer is valid. To accomplish this, the writer must develop a limited topic which is well defined and debatable, that is has more than one side. It is important that the author understand other sides of the position so that the strongest information to counter the others can be presented. In the essay, only one side of the issue is presented.
Like all kinds of five paragraph essays, there is a specific format to be followed. Use the following as a checklist when planning and writing your essay:
First Paragraph:
• The topic sentence cannot be a fact as facts cannot be debated. It should be a statement of position. That position must be clear and direct. This statement directs the readers to follow along with your logic towards the specific stated conclusion that you want them to support. Do not make it personal so do not use personal pronouns. Make it definitive.
• Then, in the same introductory paragraph, state the three best reasons that you have to support your position as the remainder of the opening paragraph. These reasons become the topics of each of the three supporting paragraphs. Again, be sure they are able to be supported with additional separate facts.
2nd, 3rd, and 4th Paragraphs:
• In the body of the essay, the writer uses specific evidence, examples, and statistics and not broad generalizations or personal opinions to persuade the reader that the stated position is a valid one. Each topic sentence for the support paragraphs have been introduced in the beginning paragraph. Each additional sentence must closely relate to the topic and the sentence that came before it. This way, the logic of the argument is easy to follow.
• Be sure to use adequate transitions between paragraphs as they make it easy for the reader to follow the logic of the presentation.
5th Paragraph:
• As one closes the essay, it is most important to clearly redefine the topic and restate the most compelling evidence cited in original form. Remember, this is the last chance to remind the reader and convince him/her to accept the writer's position.
• Do not introduce new material in the conclusion.
Your Essay Topic:
Choose ONE of the following:
Should George have killed Lennie?
OR
Is mercy killing ever justified?
When you turn in your essay you will have:
1. An outline, brainstorming sheet, or plan
2. A rough draft with corrections
3. A final copy
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Week Ending 14 September
Hola Estudiantes!
SUMMER READING IS DUE THIS FRIDAY!
that means that by midnight on friday, you should have uploaded two one-page essays to www.turnitin.com.
Assignment due: Friday, September 14, 2006
Description: Write a one-page essay on each of the two books you read this summer. Use the following questions as a focus for your essays (one question per essay). Be sure to include the name and author of the book in your essay.
Essay 1: Describe how the main character changed from the beginning of the novel to the end? What caused this change?
Essay 2: What does this story say about people in general? In what ways does it remind you of people you have known or experiences you have had? You may also write about stories or books you have read, or movies works of art, or television programs you have seen. Use examples from the story to explain your thinking.
Format: Essays must be typed or word-processed. Page margins must be no larger 1.25”. Font size must be no larger than 12 picas. Line spacing must be no larger than double-spacing. (I actually prefer 1-½ spaces.) Finally, if you are using a word processor, please do not use any font that uses all capital letters.
ANY QUESTIONS? e-mail me: londonsimison@gmail.com
Problems MUST be brought to my attention by your class on Friday.
Here's what else is going on:
Your POSTER PROJECTS are due next Friday, 21 September. Guidelines are on the pink handout i gave to you on Monday of this week.
Grades are maintained online at www.mygradebook.com
A-Period: 3 Dialogue Journals due THIS FRIDAY!
E-Period: 2 Dialogue Journals due Friday 21 Septemer
BOTH CLASSES: Read "On The Bridge" for this Friday (don't fret, it's only 8 pages long!)
SUMMER READING IS DUE THIS FRIDAY!
that means that by midnight on friday, you should have uploaded two one-page essays to www.turnitin.com.
Assignment due: Friday, September 14, 2006
Description: Write a one-page essay on each of the two books you read this summer. Use the following questions as a focus for your essays (one question per essay). Be sure to include the name and author of the book in your essay.
Essay 1: Describe how the main character changed from the beginning of the novel to the end? What caused this change?
Essay 2: What does this story say about people in general? In what ways does it remind you of people you have known or experiences you have had? You may also write about stories or books you have read, or movies works of art, or television programs you have seen. Use examples from the story to explain your thinking.
Format: Essays must be typed or word-processed. Page margins must be no larger 1.25”. Font size must be no larger than 12 picas. Line spacing must be no larger than double-spacing. (I actually prefer 1-½ spaces.) Finally, if you are using a word processor, please do not use any font that uses all capital letters.
ANY QUESTIONS? e-mail me: londonsimison@gmail.com
Problems MUST be brought to my attention by your class on Friday.
Here's what else is going on:
Your POSTER PROJECTS are due next Friday, 21 September. Guidelines are on the pink handout i gave to you on Monday of this week.
Grades are maintained online at www.mygradebook.com
A-Period: 3 Dialogue Journals due THIS FRIDAY!
E-Period: 2 Dialogue Journals due Friday 21 Septemer
BOTH CLASSES: Read "On The Bridge" for this Friday (don't fret, it's only 8 pages long!)
Friday, August 31, 2007
WEEK ENDING 31 AUGUST
Hello Students!
It's been a great first week with you! Everyone, so far, has an A and i feel like it's going to be wonderful year. I'm especially excited about your dialoge journals and seeing what kind of books you're reading on you own!
Here's what's up for the weekend:
Period A: Write up (250+ words) a response to one of your anticipation guide questions. Make sure to bring it electronically to class on Tuesday so we can use it in the computer lab.
Your dialogue journals are due on 14 September. Remember, you need THREE entries; one for this week, one for next week and one for the week after.
Period E: Please finish the reading/writing survey we started in class. Thanks!
Your dialogue journals are due 7 September, that's next Friday. You only need ONE entry!
BOTH CLASSES:
If you have not set up an e-mail account (gmail, yahoo, hotmail, anything!) please do so over the weekend. You will need it in class next week.
All handouts and assignments so far are on this blog. Just look to the right to find what you need!
Also......... FINISH your summer reading. I will give the assignments out at the beginning of next week so you have a week and a half to complete them.
It's been a great first week with you! Everyone, so far, has an A and i feel like it's going to be wonderful year. I'm especially excited about your dialoge journals and seeing what kind of books you're reading on you own!
Here's what's up for the weekend:
Period A: Write up (250+ words) a response to one of your anticipation guide questions. Make sure to bring it electronically to class on Tuesday so we can use it in the computer lab.
Your dialogue journals are due on 14 September. Remember, you need THREE entries; one for this week, one for next week and one for the week after.
Period E: Please finish the reading/writing survey we started in class. Thanks!
Your dialogue journals are due 7 September, that's next Friday. You only need ONE entry!
BOTH CLASSES:
If you have not set up an e-mail account (gmail, yahoo, hotmail, anything!) please do so over the weekend. You will need it in class next week.
All handouts and assignments so far are on this blog. Just look to the right to find what you need!
Also......... FINISH your summer reading. I will give the assignments out at the beginning of next week so you have a week and a half to complete them.
ANTICIPATION GUIDE
GOALS!
Anticipation/Reaction Guide
Part I Directions: Before starting out unit on goal setting, in the “Before” column, respond to each statement by putting two plus signs (++) if you strongly agree, a plus sign (+) if you agree with it, a minus sign (-) if you disagree, and two minus signs (--) if you disagree.
Part II Directions: For one of the statements below, respond in your journal (250+ words) as to why you have the belief you do. Then, copy and paste your response on our blog at www.coventryenglish.blogspot.com. You can post it as a comment, but you must sign up for an account (it’s free!) If someone responds to it, they may earn extra credit. Extra credit points both depend on the quality and quantity of the response.
Part III Directions: After completing our unit on goal setting and the supplementary readings, in the “After” column respond again to the statements. Then, reply in your journal (250+ words) to a statement where your belief changed since the beginning of the unit. If not, write about a different statement than you responded to in Part II. Once again, post your journal on our blog.
Statement
People define themselves through the goals they set.
A true friend will support you in your goals, even if they do not agree with them
Goals are the foundations on which societies are built.
Setting goals is always easy.
You should always set goals you know you can achieve easily, that way you can always be successful.
You can learn a lot about someone by looking at the goals they have for themselves.
Sometimes it’s ok to have a wildly improbable goal.
Goals are a reflection on a person’s responsibility.
Sometimes a person has to cheat to achieve a goal
Authors often use goal setting to develop their characters, and to strengthen theme and voice
Anticipation/Reaction Guide
Part I Directions: Before starting out unit on goal setting, in the “Before” column, respond to each statement by putting two plus signs (++) if you strongly agree, a plus sign (+) if you agree with it, a minus sign (-) if you disagree, and two minus signs (--) if you disagree.
Part II Directions: For one of the statements below, respond in your journal (250+ words) as to why you have the belief you do. Then, copy and paste your response on our blog at www.coventryenglish.blogspot.com. You can post it as a comment, but you must sign up for an account (it’s free!) If someone responds to it, they may earn extra credit. Extra credit points both depend on the quality and quantity of the response.
Part III Directions: After completing our unit on goal setting and the supplementary readings, in the “After” column respond again to the statements. Then, reply in your journal (250+ words) to a statement where your belief changed since the beginning of the unit. If not, write about a different statement than you responded to in Part II. Once again, post your journal on our blog.
Statement
People define themselves through the goals they set.
A true friend will support you in your goals, even if they do not agree with them
Goals are the foundations on which societies are built.
Setting goals is always easy.
You should always set goals you know you can achieve easily, that way you can always be successful.
You can learn a lot about someone by looking at the goals they have for themselves.
Sometimes it’s ok to have a wildly improbable goal.
Goals are a reflection on a person’s responsibility.
Sometimes a person has to cheat to achieve a goal
Authors often use goal setting to develop their characters, and to strengthen theme and voice
READING/WRITING SURVEY: DUE 3 September
Miss Simison/Mr. Levy
READING-WRITING SURVEY
(adapted from Nancie Atwell’s book In the Middle)
NAME:
DATE:
Please answer the following questions as thoroughly as possible. Refer to specific pieces of writing you have done or specific books you have read whenever possible as you answer each question.
1. What does one have to do in order to be a good writer?
2. What is the easiest part of writing for you? What do you do well?
3. What is the hardest part of writing for you? What do you need to work on?
4. How do you come up with ideas for writing?
5. What are the qualities of good writing?
6. What is the best piece of writing you’ve ever done? What makes it so good?
7. What helps you the most to make your writing better?
8. What kind of response helps you the most as a writer? Who gives you that response?
9. Why is it important to be able to write well?
10. What do you like about writing?
11. What happens to your finished pieces of writing?
12. How did you learn to write?
13. What kind of writing do you do just for you?
14. What does one have to do in order to be a good reader?
15. What makes reading easy for you?
16. What is the hardest part of reading for you?
17. How do you go about choosing books to read?
18. What are the qualities you look for in a good book?
19. What’s the best book you’ve ever read? What made it so good?
20. How did you learn to read?
21. What kind of reading do you do just for you?
22. What do you think the connections are between reading and writing? How does the ability to do one, help you do the other?
23. Any other thoughts on reading or writing?
THANK YOU
READING-WRITING SURVEY
(adapted from Nancie Atwell’s book In the Middle)
NAME:
DATE:
Please answer the following questions as thoroughly as possible. Refer to specific pieces of writing you have done or specific books you have read whenever possible as you answer each question.
1. What does one have to do in order to be a good writer?
2. What is the easiest part of writing for you? What do you do well?
3. What is the hardest part of writing for you? What do you need to work on?
4. How do you come up with ideas for writing?
5. What are the qualities of good writing?
6. What is the best piece of writing you’ve ever done? What makes it so good?
7. What helps you the most to make your writing better?
8. What kind of response helps you the most as a writer? Who gives you that response?
9. Why is it important to be able to write well?
10. What do you like about writing?
11. What happens to your finished pieces of writing?
12. How did you learn to write?
13. What kind of writing do you do just for you?
14. What does one have to do in order to be a good reader?
15. What makes reading easy for you?
16. What is the hardest part of reading for you?
17. How do you go about choosing books to read?
18. What are the qualities you look for in a good book?
19. What’s the best book you’ve ever read? What made it so good?
20. How did you learn to read?
21. What kind of reading do you do just for you?
22. What do you think the connections are between reading and writing? How does the ability to do one, help you do the other?
23. Any other thoughts on reading or writing?
THANK YOU
DIALOGUE JOURNAL HANDOUT
30/31 August 2007
Dear Readers,
Your dialogue journal is a place for you and me to talk this year about books, reading, authors, and writing. You’ll be chatting about literature in letters to me; I’ll write letters back to you. All our letters will stay in your journal, arranged chronologically, as a record of the thinking, learning, and reading we did together.
In your letters talk about what you’ve read. Tell what you noticed. Tell what you thought and felt and why. Tell what you liked and didn’t and why. Tell how you read and why. Tell what these books said and meant to you. Ask questions or for help. And write back about our ideas, feelings, experiences, and questions.
As a bare minimum for passing this course, you must write at least one letter to me each week in your dialogue journal. The letter should be at least one solid 81/2 by 11 page - no skipping lines! (Well, skip lines if you want, but then you need TWO solid pages. These are only minimum requirements; you may pass in a literary letter as often as you wish, and feel free to go on and on and on. You may write letters and respond to letters both during and outside your independent reading time.
Please date your letters in the upper right-hand corner. Please mention the author and title of the book you’re talking about and capitalize and underline the titles of books to which you make reference. For stories or poems, capitalize and put the title in quotes.
I will collect dialogue journals every two weeks on Thursday or Friday. There will be a designated spot where you will put your journal. If you prefer, you can give me your journal whenever you finish an entry. Just put it on my desk and let me know it’s there.
To keep a running record of your reading, please enter the title and author of each book you finish this year on the last page of your journal notebook. This record will serve as a quick reference.
Your collection of letters will provide part of your reading/writing grade. Follow the procedures outlined above, write often and a lot, and correspond about your thoughts on literature in an engaged and involved way, and you will be successful.
I am hoping that this year will provide you with the opportunity to read a variety of books and to connect your reading to your life, your writing, and your education. Our letters will help you make meaning from what you read.
Sincerely,
Miss Simison
Some dialogue journal starters (just in case you get stuck!)
Make sure to always elaborate on your ideas; explain them to me!
One of the reasons I’m really enjoying this book is……….
One thing I agree/disagree with is………..
This book reminds me of…………
I can/cannot relate to a character in this book because…………
One of the reasons I dislike this book is………..
I wish this book………
The plot of this book…………….
One thing that surprised me about this book is………
If I could change one thing about this book it would be……….
I would/would not be friends with the characters in this book because……..
This book is bothering me because……..
This book reminds me of a current event………
Reading this book makes me think about………..
This book reminds me of the song……….
The setting of this book is interesting because………..
A connection I can make between this book and English class is………
I saw a vocabulary word in my book! It was…………..
Something I don’t understand about my book is………..
I would/would not recommend this book to other students because………..
The author of this book likes to……….
One thing I’ve learned from this book is………
Hey Miss S! Can you believe that…………
This book makes me think of the movie…………..
This book is exactly like my life because………..
I’m not sure why the author…………..
Dear Readers,
Your dialogue journal is a place for you and me to talk this year about books, reading, authors, and writing. You’ll be chatting about literature in letters to me; I’ll write letters back to you. All our letters will stay in your journal, arranged chronologically, as a record of the thinking, learning, and reading we did together.
In your letters talk about what you’ve read. Tell what you noticed. Tell what you thought and felt and why. Tell what you liked and didn’t and why. Tell how you read and why. Tell what these books said and meant to you. Ask questions or for help. And write back about our ideas, feelings, experiences, and questions.
As a bare minimum for passing this course, you must write at least one letter to me each week in your dialogue journal. The letter should be at least one solid 81/2 by 11 page - no skipping lines! (Well, skip lines if you want, but then you need TWO solid pages. These are only minimum requirements; you may pass in a literary letter as often as you wish, and feel free to go on and on and on. You may write letters and respond to letters both during and outside your independent reading time.
Please date your letters in the upper right-hand corner. Please mention the author and title of the book you’re talking about and capitalize and underline the titles of books to which you make reference. For stories or poems, capitalize and put the title in quotes.
I will collect dialogue journals every two weeks on Thursday or Friday. There will be a designated spot where you will put your journal. If you prefer, you can give me your journal whenever you finish an entry. Just put it on my desk and let me know it’s there.
To keep a running record of your reading, please enter the title and author of each book you finish this year on the last page of your journal notebook. This record will serve as a quick reference.
Your collection of letters will provide part of your reading/writing grade. Follow the procedures outlined above, write often and a lot, and correspond about your thoughts on literature in an engaged and involved way, and you will be successful.
I am hoping that this year will provide you with the opportunity to read a variety of books and to connect your reading to your life, your writing, and your education. Our letters will help you make meaning from what you read.
Sincerely,
Miss Simison
Some dialogue journal starters (just in case you get stuck!)
Make sure to always elaborate on your ideas; explain them to me!
One of the reasons I’m really enjoying this book is……….
One thing I agree/disagree with is………..
This book reminds me of…………
I can/cannot relate to a character in this book because…………
One of the reasons I dislike this book is………..
I wish this book………
The plot of this book…………….
One thing that surprised me about this book is………
If I could change one thing about this book it would be……….
I would/would not be friends with the characters in this book because……..
This book is bothering me because……..
This book reminds me of a current event………
Reading this book makes me think about………..
This book reminds me of the song……….
The setting of this book is interesting because………..
A connection I can make between this book and English class is………
I saw a vocabulary word in my book! It was…………..
Something I don’t understand about my book is………..
I would/would not recommend this book to other students because………..
The author of this book likes to……….
One thing I’ve learned from this book is………
Hey Miss S! Can you believe that…………
This book makes me think of the movie…………..
This book is exactly like my life because………..
I’m not sure why the author…………..
Monday, August 27, 2007
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
Course Requirements and Expectations
Mr. Levy/ Miss Simison (Student Teacher)
Coventry High School English Department
Welcome to freshman year! I know you are all as EXCITED as I am to be here! To make this whole process a bit easier, here are a few guidelines to follow while in my class:
• All of us should respect the unique contributions students make to learning in this course.
• I'll be available for student-teacher conferences after school and during certain periods of the day. If you need extra help, it is your responsibility to seek it out promptly. Remember: Academic learning takes precedence over non-academic school activities.
• Many homework assignments become the basis for the next day's lesson. Therefore, the best way to learn the most from a lesson is to come to class prepared with your homework completed.
• The grades on work submitted late for any reason are reduced by ten (10) points per school day
• WE HAVE A BLOG! www.coventryenglish.blogspot.com
This means two things:
1. If you are absent from a class it is your responsibility to ascertain the assignment and complete it on time. Under most circumstances, a student will not be excused from an assignment because he or she missed the previous class.
2. If you just plain forget something, you can print it out! Easy!
• It's your responsibility to make up missed assignments, tests, and quizzes. Failure to do so within five school days from the date you return to school will result in a grade of zero on the assignment.
• Students may rewrite papers if the first draft earns a certain minimum grade — to be announced for each paper — as part of its initial evaluation. Papers may be rewritten only during the quarter in which they originally were due. All previous drafts that I have evaluated must be attached to the bottom of the latest copy.
• If you have made a good-faith effort to complete all assignments, you may earn additional credit in this class by doing a reading presentation. For a reading presentation you read a book that we select together. Then you present the book to the rest of the class in any creative and lively way you choose. Following your presentation, your classmates and I might ask questions about the book. A written test might also be required
Note: Only one extra credit assignment is allowed per quarter. These assignments must be completed prior to the last week of the quarter.
• Come prepared to each class with all appropriate materials (e.g., pen, notebook, texts).
• Please take all materials (texts, handouts, notebooks) for this class home with you each day. In the event that you are absent, you will be able to complete the assignment and, therefore, be prepared for class when you return.
• At the conclusion of each marking term, any student hoping to increase her or his class participation / effort grade must submit to me a complete notebook. A complete notebook is a loose-leaf notebook containing the following:
1) all tests, quizzes, and written assignments;
2) all class notes;
3) all handouts;
4) a grading diary (see below).
• You are required to maintain a grading diary. A grading diary is a list kept by the student, which contains the title of each assignment, the date it was originally due, and the final grade earned. This diary is designed to help you keep track of your performance in this class. By keeping track of your performance, you should be able to avoid the shock that occasionally accompanies final grade reports.
• Contacting me: londonsimison@gmail.com…Emergency assignments can be e-mailed as long as they are in Microsoft Word or Appleworks format AND pasted into the body of the e-mail.
• PLAGIARISM is NOT TOLERATED. If you plagiarize, you will receive a zero for the assignment and your parents will be notified immediately.
~Plagiarism is defined as the act of passing off the ideas or writings of
another as one’s own. This can be avoided by citing sources clearly,
acknowledging any help you receive, and NOT USING OTHER STUDENT’S
WORK!
I have read and understand these expectations. Please return by 5 September, 2007.
Name___________________________________
Date______________________
Student Signature_________________________
Parent Signature__________________________
Mr. Levy/ Miss Simison (Student Teacher)
Coventry High School English Department
Welcome to freshman year! I know you are all as EXCITED as I am to be here! To make this whole process a bit easier, here are a few guidelines to follow while in my class:
• All of us should respect the unique contributions students make to learning in this course.
• I'll be available for student-teacher conferences after school and during certain periods of the day. If you need extra help, it is your responsibility to seek it out promptly. Remember: Academic learning takes precedence over non-academic school activities.
• Many homework assignments become the basis for the next day's lesson. Therefore, the best way to learn the most from a lesson is to come to class prepared with your homework completed.
• The grades on work submitted late for any reason are reduced by ten (10) points per school day
• WE HAVE A BLOG! www.coventryenglish.blogspot.com
This means two things:
1. If you are absent from a class it is your responsibility to ascertain the assignment and complete it on time. Under most circumstances, a student will not be excused from an assignment because he or she missed the previous class.
2. If you just plain forget something, you can print it out! Easy!
• It's your responsibility to make up missed assignments, tests, and quizzes. Failure to do so within five school days from the date you return to school will result in a grade of zero on the assignment.
• Students may rewrite papers if the first draft earns a certain minimum grade — to be announced for each paper — as part of its initial evaluation. Papers may be rewritten only during the quarter in which they originally were due. All previous drafts that I have evaluated must be attached to the bottom of the latest copy.
• If you have made a good-faith effort to complete all assignments, you may earn additional credit in this class by doing a reading presentation. For a reading presentation you read a book that we select together. Then you present the book to the rest of the class in any creative and lively way you choose. Following your presentation, your classmates and I might ask questions about the book. A written test might also be required
Note: Only one extra credit assignment is allowed per quarter. These assignments must be completed prior to the last week of the quarter.
• Come prepared to each class with all appropriate materials (e.g., pen, notebook, texts).
• Please take all materials (texts, handouts, notebooks) for this class home with you each day. In the event that you are absent, you will be able to complete the assignment and, therefore, be prepared for class when you return.
• At the conclusion of each marking term, any student hoping to increase her or his class participation / effort grade must submit to me a complete notebook. A complete notebook is a loose-leaf notebook containing the following:
1) all tests, quizzes, and written assignments;
2) all class notes;
3) all handouts;
4) a grading diary (see below).
• You are required to maintain a grading diary. A grading diary is a list kept by the student, which contains the title of each assignment, the date it was originally due, and the final grade earned. This diary is designed to help you keep track of your performance in this class. By keeping track of your performance, you should be able to avoid the shock that occasionally accompanies final grade reports.
• Contacting me: londonsimison@gmail.com…Emergency assignments can be e-mailed as long as they are in Microsoft Word or Appleworks format AND pasted into the body of the e-mail.
• PLAGIARISM is NOT TOLERATED. If you plagiarize, you will receive a zero for the assignment and your parents will be notified immediately.
~Plagiarism is defined as the act of passing off the ideas or writings of
another as one’s own. This can be avoided by citing sources clearly,
acknowledging any help you receive, and NOT USING OTHER STUDENT’S
WORK!
I have read and understand these expectations. Please return by 5 September, 2007.
Name___________________________________
Date______________________
Student Signature_________________________
Parent Signature__________________________
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