Independent Reading Post 4

Title Book, Author, total pages, pages read up to date

Choose one particularly powerful or rich paragraph (t least 5 lines) that captures one major theme in your independent reading book. Copy down the paragraph and specify the page number the paragraph is from. Then:
Write a 1-2 paragraph analysis of that passage in which you analyze how the writer uses literary devices to give voice to that theme.  Summarizes what the passage says in terms of the big ideas/theme. Then, discuss the use of specific literary devices (how it’s said):  powerful word choices, syntax, figurative language, tone, mood, setting). Lastly, explain the effect of these devices on the reader and how they help the writer illuminate the theme you identified (why it’s said that way).  Use specific textual evidence, cited with correct MLA format.

This post is due on Thursday, March 20 by 11:59 pm.  Posts submitted after this date will receive half credit.

To post, click "comment" below.

Independent Reading Book Post 3

 Independent Reading Book Post #3
(Book Title, Author, Pages read this week-from what page to what page)
Now that you are further into your book, how do you see the major issues/themes developing?  What does your book have you thinking and wondering about these issues? Be specific, and use evidence (at least one quote) from the text.
Next: find an ad, article, image, video that relates to your book.  Post a link to this text, and explain the relationship between the two.  How are these two texts in conversation about the same ideas?  Where do the two texts differ?  Use specific evidence from your book and your related source to explain the connection.  Remember to use correct MLA in-text citations when you cite sources.

Your response should be a minimum of two substantial paragraphs, both of which include evidence from the text.  Please be aware of grammar and editing issues; make sure you proofread before you submit.  We suggest that you compose in Word and then copy and paste into the blog to ensure that your response is properly edited.


Your response is due by 11:59 pm on Thursday, March 6.  All posts received after this time will receive half credit.  You may post early.

Independent Reading Post #2

MP3 Independent Reading Post #2
(Title of book, author, number of total pages of book)

Part 1 (description of the process reading the book)

How far did you get in the book (what page number). Describe your experience reading this book (are you struggling reading it, do you enjoy it, how often do you read and when?) Would you read another book by the same author? Why or why not?

Part 2 (Intriguing passage)

Choose a passage that was powerful in the book (at least 4 lines). Copy the passage  
(Use correct MLA in-text citations). 
Then, in a well-formulated response, analyze the quote. What is the quote about? What ideas is the author trying to get at in this quote? Then, identify what is powerful about the way the quote is written (powerful words/phrases, figurative language-similes, metaphors, imagery-,syntax, tone, mood). Explain how these choices help the writer convey the powerful ideas you mentioned in the beginning of the paragraph.

Your response should be a minimum of two substantial paragraphs. Please be aware of grammar and editing issues; make sure you proofread before you submit.  Compose in Word and then copy and paste into the blog to ensure that your response is properly edited.

Your response is due by 11:59 pm on February 13th.  All posts received after this time will receive half credit.  You may post early.

MP 3 Independent Reading Post #1

MP3 Independent Reading Post #1

(Title of book, author)
What are your initial reactions to your book so far?  Be specific, and bring in evidence from the text to support your commentary. 
Which specific issues or subtopics does your book seem to address?  How do you see these issues playing out in the text? Use examples from the text to support your observations.  Use correct MLA in-text citations when citing evidence from the text. 
(consult the handout I gave you or the link: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/)

Your response should be a minimum of two substantial paragraphs, both of which include evidence from the text.  Please be aware of grammar and editing issues; make sure you proofread before you submit.  We suggest that you compose in Word and then copy and paste into the blog to ensure that your response is properly edited.

Your response is due by 11:59 pm on February 6th.  All posts received after this time will receive half credit.  You may post early.

National Geographic video Response

Winter Vacation Assignment-BLOG POST

Directions: In preparation for the argument essay we will be writing after the break, please watch the National Geographic video on MS 13 gang on either of the following 2 links (I found that the YouTube link is better since there are no unwanted interruptions). Then, post a comment (1-2 paragraphs) to one of the following prompts and a response to someone else’s comment (1 paragraph) on the blog.

Video links:

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/explorer/videos/worlds-most-dangerous-gang/                     

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCE2i-vFwyc

Prompt (choose one): What role does self-esteem play in the individuals in the video joining the MS 13 gang and making decisions that are life-altering?

                                                                or

                                           What choices do you see the gang members making in this video? How do these choices create conflict?