Wanna go back to 2017?-->December

Th/F

Ok, the Final is a Final Exam: AP Argument prompt

and then we'll hear the rest of the Semester Nonfiction Project presentations.

T/W January 23/24tth

QW: Be More Nova-y. See this link (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

HW: Prepare for the Final: an AP Argument Prompt

Today, we'll see our Semester Nonfiction Project presentations. I can't wait.

Some thoughts about how to write a great argument response.

Make sure you understand the question extremely well. Don't settle for the gist.
When you're considering how to respond, think through what would be the most common responses and most common examples/evidence. For instance, I read over 20 Rosa Parks paragraphs on the Wilde Disobedience prompt. Swerving can serve you well.
Make sure you know enough about your example to offer details rather than just invoking it and never developing it further.
Break your argument into parts. Plan a little outline before you write.
Seriously consider some sort of concession.
Try to use evidence that provides you an ethos which is serious and intellectual. If you're choosing between Hamlet and SpongeBob, choose Hamlet.
This essay offers the most leeway in terms of voice, humor, and personality. Use it.
If you can, send the question in a direction the reader doesn't expect. Stand out.
You could technically make up personal experiences to support your points (when I was a revolutionary in Lithuania...), but--in practice--this is rarely useful. It also may make you question your self-worth.
When in doubt, bring a philosopher into the discussion. Kant can make everything better.

Below, is a short practice argument you can use to mentally prepare:

Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.

~Winston Churchill, “Painting as a Pastime,” Thoughts and Adventures 1

Winston Churchill’s description of the process of painting suits anyone approaching a daunting task. Take a position on the value of attempting difficult tasks, particularly when there is a possibility that “you will never get to the end.” Support your position with personal experiences, observations, readings, and history.

M January 22nd

QW: No Best Friends!

Reading Day! I will give people time to work on Semester Nonfiction Project as well.

Th/F January 18/19

QW: Lie to your Kids

HW: Semester Nonfiction Project and AP Argument: Horace

If we have remaining PK, we'll do them. If not, I'd like to talk Argument essay.

I'll have you read this essay from our friends at College Board (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.and then talk about what they mean by:

(re)Definition
Consequence
Yes...But...

Ok, let's go on to QP and practice this with a prompt about competition.

Finally, see last year's prompt (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. We'll also check out high scoring anchor papers.

In groups, you'll figure out a good thesis and a series of evidence you might use to support it.

T, W January 16/17

QW: None..PKS must be done

HW: AP Argument--Photography

PKS are getting done. Don't forget Semester Nonfiction Project and the Final, which is an AP argument prompt.

T, W January 9/10

QW: none...Let's get going

HW: Practice AP Argument Prompt

Let's get the Pecha Kuchas going!

M January 8th

We might have a few PKs, but otherwise we'll be reading, reading, reading.

Th/F, January 4th-5th

QW: Trick your kids!

It's Pecha Kucha time. Let's do this!

Wednesday, January 3rd

QW: Last Year--What went right?

It's a new year. Anything can happen! (Here is the list of 2017 ScienceAwesomenesss)

Today's a Reading Day, but let's look at the month ahead.

Pecha Kuchas start: Jan 4/5 (Here is the grading sheet I'm using)
MLK Day: Jan 15th
Presentations for Semester Nonfiction Project: Jan 23/24
End of the Semester: Jan 25/26--in-class AP Argument Prompt