Expository Composition Periods 2 and 6

How can we improve presentations? Read/listen/engage with each of the following three sources aimed at improving presentations. While reading and listening, you may want to make connections as some of the information will be repeated in a different way. Then after reading, write a no fewer than one page reflection critiquing your presentation (both oral and as delivered) as well identify three concrete steps that you will include in your next presentation.  Did you follow the guidelines from the assignment? Did you include information from our online text or did you find a presentation somewhere else? What risks did your presentation take?
Link #1 8 Ways to Make Your Presentation More Interactive. 
Link #2 17 Killer Presentation Tips for Students Who Want to Stand Out. 
Link #3 How to Give A Good Presentation in Class: 3 Big Questions Answered
Additionally, rate another group's presentation. Which group had the most engaging presentation thus far? Share your rationale as to why!

Identifying Metaphors

Identify the metaphors in the following sentences. What things are being compared?
1. The lobbyists carefully cultivate the congressmen with favors and reap their rewards when the votes are taken.
2. Trapped in a white dominated world, minorities have learned to live with trouble.
3. The job has too many strings attached to it.
4. He is a hard-boiled character.
5. One of the main planks of their platform is to close tax loopholes.

AP English Lit. Period 1

1. Carefully read and annotate the article, "Questioning the Text: Literary Analysis and Multiple Choice Testing by Eric Wimmers.
2. The metaphor practice questions will be assigned in class.  Didnt get the article? Come to my class during homeroom or ask a study buddy to take pics and share!

Back to School

Back to School 

AP English Literature Period 1

1. Create meaning category titles to categorize the literary terms listed on the front and back of the literary term handout using Padlet.  Be sure that you think critically, and not consult other sources. There is a chance that a literary technique may fit in more than one category.  I imagine that you will have at least 8 categories of terms.
2. Read in our text: Chapter 7 WritingAbout Fiction pg 161, 164,165
3. NEWSFLASH:  The Article by Eric Wimmers is not scanned! Please check back by Sunday, early morning for the article. If it is not uploaded then it will be classroom reading on Tuesday!
Also, be prepared for timed writing on Tuesday!

Digging Deep: What is Exposition and Expository Composition?

Today you will work in groups to do a deep dive into the various elements of Exposition: Description; Narration; Argument; Exemplification; Classification; Compare; Contrast; Process; Cause and Effect; Classification and Division; Definition; Argumentation;

1. First, we will read and react to the Course Description for Expository Composition.
pages 137 & 147. Read the description, and jot down words and concepts. Make connections with the Academic Competency Statement.

2. Next, you will browse several technological presentations sites. You may use Google Slides; Kami;  Powerpoint; Canva; Flipgrid; Prezi; Peardeck or some other tool. In fact, spend some time browsing the Top Educational Technology Apps  or those listed above to select an application that you and your team feel will cause you to expand your knowledge base, engage others, and showcase your reading.  If all else fails, you may use old school chart paper.

3. Once you and your team are assigned, you will decide on the best Presentation method. Then, you will read the material on your Mode of Exposition. Finally, you will craft a presentation that includes the name, definition, examples, images or video, what it looks like in writing, why it is helpful or what it helps the reader or writer to do.

Introduction to Expository Texts of The Week

Since I began teaching the course, the scope of expository texts has exploded.  Truly, there is expository writing on almost any topic, subject, hobby, interest and disposition. That is why I seem so tentative so far--there is so much good writing to explore and share! As stated in our Academic Procedures, each week  you will find YOUR OWN individual Expository Text of the Week. You may choose from Magazine Articles and Op-Eds or Commentaries;  Podcasts or Editorials, or an occasional movie/film (provided that you viewed it recently). To help guide you, here are some resources, likes and places you might want to check out as you begin your journey. 
18 New York Times Articles to Read Before Eighteen 
Radio Rookies: Youth Radio from New York
Latino USA: Radio Journal of News and Culture from A Latino Perspective
Very Smart Brothas
The Huffington Post: communities Black Voices; Queer Voices; Women's Voices; Latino Voices
The Root: Black News, Culture, Opinion

50 Best Podcasts for High School Students

I enjoy and love listening to podcasts and encourage you to explore podcasts and argumentative writing for your first Independent Reading SOAPS Analysis due Tuesday night at 10pm.  You may choose to read or listen to the same podcast at times.