In-Depth Poet Project

AP Lang In-Depth Poet Study

Your Individual Study:

1.  Choose a partner and a poet.  I will okay these.

2.  Find several of your poet’s poems (in book form at Dunn, Indianola Public Library, or my book collection or online at a site that offers free access to your poet’s work).

3.  Read several poems by your selected poet (at least 5), looking for one poem you really get—you know, the one where you “meet at the top of the mountain” or establish that “closeness.” =)

4.  Read the poem closely several times, noticing the poet’s use of rhetorical devices.  Common rhetorical devices in poetry include figures of speech, metaphor/simile, irony, symbols, personification, rhythm and rhyme, sound devices (like onomatopoeia, consonance, alliteration), interesting word choice, and even form/shape. Spend time coming up with an educated interpretation of the poet’s argument.  Make sure you can back it up with the details you noticed, keeping Perrine’s essay in mind.  Take notes--you will verbally explain your OWN interpretation.

5.  Research your poet’s biographical information and the historical/societal context in which they wrote.  Cite your sources.

6.  Read at least two pieces of professional criticism on the poet in general or the poem you’re presenting.  Do this AFTER you’ve completed your own reading and interpretation.  If you have a solid understanding of the poem yourself, criticism should help you clarify and figure out how to present those ideas to the class.  Take notes--in your presentation you will present a summary of each of your critics’ arguments and explain how it affected your own thinking about the poet/poem.  Again, cite your sources.

7.  Complete a correctly formatted works cited page in which you document the sources you used above AND the poem you’ll be presenting.  (A minimum of four sources—at least one bio/historical, two critical, and one poem.)

Your Partner:

Your partner is your moral support—NOT part of your grade!  Poetry is difficult and I realize that some of you are not very comfortable or confident with it.  Your partner will be reading the same poet as you and should be a chance for you to discuss what you’re reading.  You will each choose your own poem, read your own criticism, present your own findings—you are working independently.  However, you can discuss your poet, poems, biographical info, and critical sources either to help each other understand the information better or to get ideas for sources.  Also check to be sure that you’ll be presenting different poems to the class.  You will each have your OWN works cited page with your OWN sources, though you may share a couple.

Your Presentation:

Plan a 5-10 minute presentation in which you and your partner share the poet’s background.  That is the only part you complete together; you'll divide up the info as you like.  Then, individually, you'll read your poem aloud, point out the poet’s rhetorical devices and appeals, and explain your interpretation of the poem, and summarize and respond to the criticism you read.  Be sure that you give credit to the critics that helped you, clearly pointing out where you got your ideas/information if it wasn't your own brainchild. =) 

Your Grade:

Your grade is individual.  I’ll grade your analysis and interpretation of the poem and your ability to present it to the class.  I’ll also grade your choice of quality criticism.  The only thing you will hand in is your works cited page.

Independent Reading

First quarter is well underway so it's time to pick your independent reading book for first semester.  Here are the guidelines we'll go over in class.  Make sure you choose a book and have it in your possession ASAP.  It will need to be approved by me so you might do that before your first reading day on Friday.

Fast Food Nation Re-Write

First of all, this is a revision assignment in Turnitin.com and is due by Monday at midnight.

Rewrite Requirements:

• Expand to 750-1000 words
• Include multiple examples of each tenet with explanation of how each works, why Schlosser used that technique/piece of info, and the effect it has on his argument
• Show both strengths and weaknesses in each appeal.
• MLA style with correct textual citations
• Clean mechanics

How I will grade you:

A  successfully fulfills all requirements

A- successfully fulfills all requirements with some minor errors

B  successfully fulfills most requirements--missing something or major errors (level of B determined by this)

C  unsuccessful, unacceptable attempt

Considerations:

• MLA format--use the Purdue OWL if you do not remember how to do this for both formatting of your paper AND documenting of your sources.  One note regarding citations:  you only need the page number since all of your citations are coming from one source.  Example:  "About one-quarter of American children between the ages of two and five have a TV in their room" (51).  Do not use long quotes (four typed lines or longer) as you don't have room in this paper.
• Third person--this is an objective analysis and you're looking at the effect on readers, not you personally.  Argument is always stronger without "I think" or "I believe."
• Intro and conclusion can be short.  Intro should introduce title (books are italicized) and author (whole name) and give some kind of statement about Schlosser using the tenets of rhetoric.  Conclusion should wrap up the argument, make some kind of judgment on how strong/effective the argument is, and feel like the end.
• Once you introduce Schlosser in the beginning, refer to him by only his last name for the rest of the paper.  No Eric or Mr. please. =)
• Logos is singular, as is pathos and ethos. There's no such thing as an etho.
• Remember the hamburger method for quotes:  you always need to introduce the quote, include the quote, and then explain the quote.  Therefore, you would never begin or end a paragraph with a quote.
• To help with your mechanics, go back and look at the document you submitted to Turnitin.  The website has run its own e-grading check for mechanics.  If you hover over the purple boxes, it will tell you the problem.  If you don't understand the problem, you can click on a link and it will take you to a website that explains the rule.

52 Mondays Clarification

Come up with a simple thing you wish more people would do; something that would make the world a little better. Create a short argument to convince people to do it by including facts about the issue (just list source or name of website on the back), action steps you want people to take, and a section on why individuals should care (what's in it for them). Make sure you have fun with it, make it look cool, and include some kind of visual.

August Reminder

Hello future AP Langers!  It is August and, as promised, I'm sending you a reminder.  If you haven't finished (or started) those summer books/assignments, it's time to get crackin'!  If you have already finished and you're wondering what to do with said assignments, here is the answer:

First, some special instructions.  You need two separate documents for your Amusing Ourselves summary and the passages.  If they're in one document, just go in, cut the summary and paste it into a new document which you can title "Amusing summary" (as I'm sure they all are!) or something else that will help you tell the difference.

Next, go to Turnitin.com and log in to your account.  If for some reason you don't have an account, create one.

Then, click on the "Enroll in a Class" button.  Class ID:  5320503.  Enrollment password: grissom

From there you can submit your assignments.  They are due by the first day of school but you can submit them anytime starting today.  Also, if you find a mistake, need to fix something, want to do it over--whatever--you can resubmit as many times as you want until the first day of school at 8 am.

Remember that all details of the assignments are found here on the blog and I am happy to answer questions as well if you will please email me at ms.kim.grissom@gmail.com.

Enjoy the last two weeks of summer--go do something fun!

2012-13 AP Lang Students' Summer Assignment

AP Language & Composition

Summer Assignment

In order to prepare for AP Language and Composition, you will need to practice your critical reading and writing skills throughout the summer.  You will have two major assignments to complete for class. You are certainly welcome to purchase your own copies of the two texts you will be reading, or you can check out copies from me or the library.  You will be required to do some annotating, an extremely valuable tool that we will use extensively next year.  To do your annotations, you can buy the book and write in it, use Post-it notes, or take notes on separate sheets of paper.  If you borrow someone else’s book that has already been annotated, please clearly mark your own annotations in a different technique or color and label it in the front cover.

Assignment Specifics 

Bring your annotations to class on the first day of school.  The written assignments will be due before you arrive in class on the first day.  In August you'll receive a reminder email from me and a welcome email from Turnitin.com.  You'll submit your documents to Turnitin. The summer assignment will be a large part of your first quarter grade—do not begin the year with zeros!

• Come prepared to discuss and be tested over the books you’ve read.
• Annotate both books – good notes tend to enhance comprehension and retention of ideas. You will turn in your annotations (either in the book or on separate paper).  Your annotations should be handwritten.
• Type all other assignments.  Please double-space and use Times New Roman, 12 point font.  Follow the other formatting rules of MLA as well.

Assignment One

Text: Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman

Availability:  I have copies of this book available for summer check-out.  Simpson has one copy of this book, as does the Indianola Public Library.  It’s available for purchase at Amazon.com new or previously owned.  A little tip:  if you want to buy both books new, you can get free shipping from Amazon when your purchase is $25 or more.  You might also borrow or purchase the books from a former AP Lang student.

Tasks: 

• Critically and closely read the text.  Keep in mind that Postman is creating an argument here.  Your   job is not to agree or disagree with him.  As a student of language and composition you should critique his argument.  Read closely to determine what his argument is, how he constructs it, and the strategies he uses in order to persuade his reader to believe it.
• Postman structures his argument by clearly defining his thesis in the first two chapters and supporting it with the rest of the book. After reading the first two chapters, TYPE a one-page summary of his main idea—the point he will argue for the rest of the book.
• As you read the rest of the book, choose 10 passages from a variety of chapters that strike you as important to his argument.  They can be passages that you think strengthen his argument or passages that you feel weaken it.  TYPE the quotes out with an MLA citation that shows where the quote came from.  Then write a paragraph for each quote explaining why you noticed the passage, how it connects to Postman’s argument, and what is interesting about the way he wrote it.  You will end up with a total of 10 quotes accompanied by 10 paragraphs.
• Consider the following questions to help you write your paragraphs:

1. Why does the passage impress, intrigue, horrify, or puzzle you?
2. Do you find the author’s use of language appealing or powerful? Does the passage jump off the page as a great descriptive passage?
3. Does it prompt a strong response from you as you read it? Does it present itself as so well-crafted that you just love the sound of it? Is the language beautiful, descriptive, graphic?
4. Is it particularly meaningful?
5. Do you find yourself in agreement/disagreement with the ideas expressed?
6. Does the passage remind you of a situation you have lived as well?
7. Does the passage make you laugh out loud? Melancholy? Something else?
8. Does the author raise intriguing questions or issues?
9. Does the passage challenge or expand your thinking?

You are not limited to the above list, nor do I expect you to answer all of the above. But your responses to the passages should clearly explain to me WHY these passages mean something to you, WHY these passages caught your attention, and HOW these passages illustrate Postman’s ideas. 

 Assignment Two

Text:  Fast Food Nation:  The Dark Side of the All-American Meal by Eric Schlosser

Availability:  I have copies of this book available for summer check-out.  Indianola Public Library has one copy of this book.  It's also available on Amazon or from previous students.

Tasks: 

• Critically and closely read the text. Again, keep in mind that your reading isn’t about whether you agree or disagree with Schlosser, just that you can pinpoint and analyze the way in which he constructs his argument and attempts to sway his readers’ opinions.  Determine whether his strategies are successful and come up with reasons for that success or failure.
• Familiarize yourself with the three tenets of rhetoric (ethos, pathos, and logos) information below.  If you need more info, you might do a little research on these rhetorical appeals.
• In two pages, show how Schlosser utilizes each of the three tenets of rhetoric (ethos, pathos, and logos).  Split the pages evenly among the tenets so that you cover all three equally. Remember, you should NOT summarize his argument—I know what his argument is. Instead, analyze his use of ethos, pathos, and logos to advance his argument(s) in the book.  Be sure to include quotes from the text to support your argument and illustrate your ideas.  Document them using MLA style.
• Possible questions to address:  By using this tenet of rhetoric, is Schlosser’s argument made stronger/weaker?  How is it improved?  How is it not improved?  Why does he use this rhetorical tenet to argue?  Does the argument lend itself to this particular appeal?

Classical Rhetoric and Aristotle

Aristotle defined rhetoric as "an ability, in each [particular] case, to see the available means of persuasion.  Some means are external to the argumentation, i.e. blackmail or threats. However, others means of persuasion are internal to an argument: logos, pathos, and ethos.

Logos

The main concern in an argumentation-persuasion presentation should be with the logos, or soundness, of your argument. This includes the facts, statistics, examples, and authoritative statements you gather to support your viewpoint. This supporting evidence must be unified, specific, sufficient, accurate, and representative. Imagine, for instance, you want to convince people that a popular charity misappropriates the money it receives from the public. Your readers, inclined to believe in the good works of the charity, will probably dismiss evidence that enhances your position unless your reasoning, or Logos, is very sound.

Pathos

Sensitivity to the pathos, or the emotional power of language, is another key consideration for creators of argumentation-persuasion presentations. Pathos appeals to a viewpoint or course of action. The pathos of a piece derives partly from the communicators choice of language. Connotative language, for example, are words with strong emotional overtones and have the ability to move the audience to accept a point of view and may even spur them to act. Adolf Hitler, during World War II, was very effective with the use of propaganda filled with elements of pathos in order to convince the country and rally support for his cause.

Ethos

Finally, whenever presenting any argument or persuasion, the establishment of ethos, or credibility and reliability is very important. The audience cannot be expected to accept or act on your viewpoint unless you convince them that you know what you're talking about and that you're worth listening to. You will come across as knowledgeable and trustworthy if you present a logical, reasoned argument that takes opposing views into account. It is also important to make sure that the appeals to emotion are not excessive. Too much emotionalism tends to undercut credibility.

Overall

The delivery of any good argumentation-persuasion presentation involves an interplay of logos, pathos, and ethos. The exact balance among these factors is determined by the audience and purpose, that is, whether or not you want the audience simply to agree with your view or whether you also want them to take action. For the execution of this, the presentation should be tailored to the audience and its needs: how much the audience knows about the issue, how they feel about you and your position, what their values and attitudes are, and what motivates them should all be taken into account.

Information accessed at http://www.ou.edu/class/engl3143/group3/

Other Important Information

FYI:  The textbook we’ll use is Everything’s an Argument by Andrea A. Lunsford, John J. Ruszkiewicz, and Keith Walters  ISBN: 0312407246.  This is the RED THIRD EDITION.  You are not required to purchase your own textbook but many AP students find it valuable and convenient to do so because it allows them to make notes right in their book.  The book is available from Amazon as a previously owned book.  Do not buy the new blue edition—it is NOT the same!

You may also consider purchasing an MLA Handbook.  You will use this book extensively in AP Lang, AP Lit (if you take it as a senior), and in college.  It is roughly $20 from Amazon.  If you don't have reliable internet at home, this is a purchase that is worth your money.

You DO NOT have to buy ANY books for this course.  However, IF you plan to buy several books new from Amazon, you can get free shipping if you buy at least $25 at once.  Therefore, it is to your advantage to plan ahead.  If you go with the used copies, you’ll pay shipping for each book separately.  Depending on the prices you find, you may come out pretty even.  Just shop around and decide what you want to do.

If you have questions over the summer about the course, your books, or the assignments, check out the resources her on the AP Lang blog.  Add it to your favorites now as it will be an integral part of our class next year.  Also feel free to email me at ms.kim.grissom@gmail.com. Enjoy your summer!  You’ve earned a nice break. =)  But don’t put your assignment off until August either—you’ll kick yourself when you’re spending the last two weeks of break reading and writing papers!

AP Exam Online Review

Here is the link to the online review.  Some of you have used this with AP Gov. It is the same link. The rest of you, click on the link and use the log-in and password I gave you in class.  You'll then be prompted to reset your password.

http://ioapa.apexvs.com/APEXUI/Home.aspx