Thursday, August 21, 2008: Reviewing Important Authors of Units 1 and 2 August 21, 2008

We are going to make a “booklet” of important things to know about the significant authors of Units 1 and 2 to help us review for the EOCT and Georgia High School Graduation Test.  Please download the following document and print it; then, use the resources below to gather your information.  Thank you!

• Graphic Organizer Document:  units1-2-authors1

Research Databases (see Mrs. Hamilton for passwords)

GALE Virtual Reference Library
GALE Discovering Collection

Grolier Online
Encyclopedia Britannica

Literary Resource Center (EBSCOhost)
Facts on File:  Bloom’s Literary Reference Online (new for 2008-09!)

Tuesday, August 19, 2008: Responding to Equiano August 19, 2008

Take a look at this great website about Equiano: http://school.discovery.com/schooladventures/slavery/equiano.html . Click on each of the links on the timeline to find out more about each phase of his life.

After you reflect on the excerpt you read tonight and the information you have explored at the website above, share your reactions to his work and his life. What stands out to you? What seems important? Why do you think we still study Equiano in 2008? What important lessons can be learned by reading and studying Equiano’s life?

Share your ideas, reactions, and reflections in a thoughtful and well-written paragraph of 10-12 sentences.

Monday, August 18, 2008: Responding to Thomas Paine August 18, 2008

Tonight we read the excerpt from The Crisis, No.1. What techniques of persuasion did he use in this writing to convince his audience of his position?

• Identify at least three devices he uses (hyperbole, imagery, allusion, analogy, rhetorical question) and provide an example of each one in our reading to argue his position; be sure to cite the page number of each example.
• Do you feel his techniques are effective? Why or why not?
• Do you think this piece of writing is as stirring or persuasive as the one we read by Patrick Henry last night? Why or why not?

Respond in a thoughtful and reflective paragraph of 10-12 sentences.

Thursday, August 14, 2008: Responding to Patrick Henry August 15, 2008

What was Henry’s purpose in this speech? Who was his audience? Were his words appropriate for his audience? Why or why not? What were some of the rhetorical questions that Henry used? What purpose do rhetorical questions serve in a speech? What were some of the literary allusions he used in this speech to persuade his audience that America had to fight for independence?

If you had been a member of the Virginia Convention listening to his speech, would you have been swayed by his arguments? Why or why not? What is your gut-level reaction to this speech?

In two paragraphs, respond to each set of questions. Write a paragraph of 8-10 sentences for each set of questions, please.

Who Is More Persuasive? August 15, 2008

Wednesday, August 13, 2008: Responding to Ben Franklin August 13, 2008

After you have completed the readings for Benjamin Franklin, consider the aphorisms we read tonight in the excerpt of Poor Richard’s Almanack on pp. 134-335 in our textbook.

1.  Choose three aphorisms that stood out to you and relate why/how you relate to these sayings. 

2.  Share your ideas in a paragraph of 8-10 sentences.

If you would like to know more about Franklin, visit our favorite websites and database resources at http://del.icio.us/hamilton_11th/benjamin.franklin ; see me for passwords if you need those.

Unit 2: Thinking About Freedom (Tuesday, August 12, 2008) August 12, 2008

Consider these questions:

• How would you define freedom?  What is it?  What is it NOT?
• Do you believe freedom is worth risking one’s life?  Why or why not?
• Why do you think some people embrace freedom while others fear freedom? 
• Do you think that Americans today value freedom as much as the colonists did in the late 1700s?  Why or why not?

Consider these questions carefully and thoughtfully.  Share your thoughts and responses to these questions in a reflective paragraph of 10-12 sentences.  Provide specific reasons to support your ideas.

Thursday, January 31, 2008: Responding to Equiano January 31, 2008

Take a look at this great website about Equiano:  http://school.discovery.com/schooladventures/slavery/equiano.html .  Click on each of the links on the timeline to find out more about each phase of his life.

After you reflect on the excerpt you read tonight and the information you have explored at the website above, share your reactions to his work and his life.  What stands out to you?  What seems important?  Why do you think we still study Equiano in 2007?  What important lessons can be learned by reading and studying Equiano’s life?

Share your ideas, reactions, and reflections in a thoughtful and well-written paragraph of 10-12 sentences. 

Wednesday, January 30, 2008: Responding to Thomas Paine January 31, 2008

Tonight we read the excerpt from The Crisis, No.1.  What techniques of persuasion did he use in this writing to convince his audience of his position? 

• Identify at least three devices he uses (hyperbole, imagery, allusion, analogy, rhetorical question) and provide an example of each one in our reading to argue his position; be sure to cite the page number of each example.  
• Do you feel his techniques are effective?  Why or why not? 
•  Do you think this piece of writing is as stirring or persuasive as the one we read by Patrick Henry last night?  Why or why not?

Respond in a thoughtful and reflective paragraph of 10-12 sentences.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008: Responding to Patrick Henry January 29, 2008

What was Henry’s purpose in this speech?   Who was his audience? Were his words appropriate for his audience? Why or why not? What were some of the rhetorical questions that Henry used? What purpose do rhetorical questions serve in a speech?  What were some of the literary allusions he used in this speech to persuade his audience that America had to fight for independence? 

If you had been a member of the Virginia Convention listening to his speech, would you have been swayed by his arguments?  Why or why not?   What is your gut-level reaction to this speech?

In two paragraphs, respond to each set of questions.  Write a paragraph of 8-10 sentences for each set of questions, please.