Homework for week of 11/13

Our work this week will revolve around the essay for The Catcher in the Rye. Here is the prompt from last week:

In works of literature, childhood and adolescence are portrayed as times graced by innocence and a sense of wonder; in other works, they are depicted as times of tribulation and terror. Using The Catcher in the Rye, explain how J.D. Salinger represents childhood/adolescence as it relates to outside society.

Length:750-900 words
Here is the rubric I'll use to assess the revised draft: GHS rubric
Suggestions for drafting from U Chicago

Tuesday: Write a draft of introduction and 1-2 body paras. Due block day
Block day: Finish draft. Due Friday.
Friday:If necessary, complete draft for Monday.

Considerations for conclusions:

Think about your conclusion in graphic terms: a triangle. It should start small with your conclusions from the book and extend outward to make connections with relevant big issues today. Your first 1-2 sentences should be your final conclusions about Salinger, Holden and your argument. Then, consider applying one of these strategies to extend your ideas:
1. Consider the so what question: What is the significance of your conclusion. In this paper, why do we care about the loss of innocence in children or the futility of resisting growing up? How does it apply to the life we live right now?
2. Generate questions: What other questions does your conclusion bring up? If your ideas are complex, there will not be a simple solution or truth. Rather, think about the questions it raises and explore that thinking on paper.
3. Call to action: If applicable, think about what advice you might give to your conclusions. Is there a course of action or a solution that you can foresee? This is a good strategy for the bossy-pants voice.
4. Quotation: After you have used one of these strategies, you may want to weave in an apt quote from the book or the author which is eloquent and highlights the bigger idea you have been arguing.

Homework for week of 10/9

hi all,
Sorry for the delay in posting this information. I cannot edit at school because of the filters, so I had to post from home. Hopefully, we'll correct this snafu soon. For now, here is your weekly homework.
Tuesday: Write the first two paragraphs of your independent essay. Due Tuesday.In formulating a thesis, think about this general question:
What is the central theme of the memoir and how did your writer convey that theme?
In your intro, be sure to include:
Hook (1-2 sentences): This could be a compelling fact, an insight about the time period or a paraphrased scene about your memoir that was particularly gripping. Keep it short and sweet.
Development sentence(s): (1-2 sentences): This is where you introduce the author and title and give a 1-2 sentence overview of your book.
Transition: If necessary, this is the sentence which gets us from the overview to the thesis.
Thesis: This should address your insight/claim about the book.
Paragraph #2:
Body paragraph should include:
P: Point. This should be your first point in supporting your thesis. A good start could be: In the beginning of the memoir (or biography et al), [author's last name here]....
E: Evidence. Find some specific evidence which backs up your claim.
A: Analysis. Explain how this evidence helps support your thesis. You don't have to be formulaic here. The best analysis retains voice and argues effectively.
Sample paragraphs here:Exemplar paragraphs


Thursday:
Read Spoiled Rotten.
Annotate as you read, thinking about what the central argument Kolbert is making and how she goes about building her case. Which arguments do you find most effective? Which do you find less compelling? Why? Due Friday.

Draft at least four hours for your "Rock Around the Clock" essay. See details in last week's blog. Due Friday.

Full draft due Monday, 10/15 (not Friday as originally scheduled).
Friday:
Complete draft of "Rock Around the Clock". Due Monday. Revised draft due next Friday, 10/19.
Here are some exemplar papers:24 hour exemplar and 12 Hour Exemplar