January 12-16

This week, we'll write our first take-home argument essay, take a closer look at the components of the argument essay, and begin reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.

MONDAY:  Discuss argument prompts in general and "deconstruct" the tasks associated with responding.  Discuss argument prompt for first take-home essay, due Monday night, January 19 on turnitin.com.  DUE:  Defend, challenge or qualify Theroux's argument in "Being a Man" by bringing 3 pieces of evidence to share.  HW:  Begin work on argument essay, study vocabulary words for Friday's quiz, work on independent reading. 

TUESDAY:  Thesis types PowerPoint.  Discuss "Being a Man" essay from McGraw Hill and share evidence to support your response in small groups and with the whole class. HW:   Brainstorm examples of dissent and disagreement for argument essay, craft a rough draft of your thesis, and bring a copy to class.  Consider taking outline/thesis to the AP Writing Center in B200 during lunch for comments.  (I'm there, and so are the other AP Language and Composition teachers.)  

WEDNESDAY:  Finish group presentations of evidence for Theroux article. Work time: submit at least two original, specific examples of dissent and/or disagreement for argument essay by the end of the period. DUE: evidence presentations, 2 specific examples of evidence for argument essay.  HW:  Write rough draft of thesis to bring to class on Thursday.  
 
THURSDAY:   Notes: types of thesis statements.  View sample argument essays.  HW:  Work on argument essay -- due Monday night on Turnitin.com.  Study for vocabulary quiz on Friday.

 FRIDAY: Vocabulary quiz.  Intro to Their Eyes Were Watching God.  Pick up "Their Eyes" class novel and begin reading aloud in class.  HW: Read "Their Eyes" through chapter 2.  Complete and upload argument essay to Turnitin.com by January 19, Monday night at 11:59 p.m.) You should have at least 4-8 paragraphs, have taken a clear position, defining your terms, and provided at least two types of specific evidence.  I'm looking forward to reading them!