Columnist Project

Columnist Project

While we spend the next couple of months focused on synthesis, I grow concerned we might get a touch rusty in the rhetorical analysis camp. In order to keep you frosty, we're going to follow a current opinion columnist each week, and quickly analyze how the columnist utilizes rhetoric to his/her advantage. Additionally, keeping abreast current issues--and the potential perspectives on said issues--will undoubtedly prove useful heading into both the AP Lang and AP US History exams. You're welcome kiddos. I've got your back.

Here is the assignment sheet itself: COLUMNIST PROJECT

Here is the sign-up list to claim your columnist. Please select the appropriate "period #" tab at the bottom: DECLARE

How to convert a Web Story to PDF:

To create a .pdf, you simply “print” the page to pdf creation software.

Chrome makes this chore particularly easy. With the desired page loaded, press Ctrl-P to bring up the browser’s unique Print dialog box. Click the Change button in the Destination section. This brings up a list of your available printers. But in addition to the printers, you’ll find a Save as PDF option.

At this point you'll need to make sure it is saved to your Google Drive. Make a Folder Titled "Columnist Project" to save these each week in one organized location. Once the PDF is in your Google Drive, you should be able to open it with a PDF Annotation Tool, such as Kami, allowing you to annotate just as we practiced with Winthrop before in class.

Gatsby Time

Book Check-Out

Use this form if you need to check out a paperback copy of the novel. However, I highly recommend you get your own copy, buy on Kindle/Apple iBooks, or use this PDF.

Gatsby Book Check-Out

The Great Gatsby

We'll be reading this piece as the cornerstone of our American Dream synthesis project. Since it is impossible to remember everything as we read, I'm recommending you keep a simple journal as you read. I'm embedding the presentation we went over in class right here--and the format for the journal is included on the final slide:

Cool Map!

This is a neat map I found--someone has marked all of the important locations which feature in the novel. It's really great for helping to visualize the locations. 

Novel

Here is a PDF version of the novel you can view and download for your own use. I recommend installing in either the Kindle or iBooks app, or something similar, as they allow you to highlight key passages as you read. If you have difficulty downloading from this embedded file: try this direct link HERE.

Quiz #61-70

Just click the pic!

Stop Googling, Let's Talk

For those of you who found the summer reading article interesting and/or thought provoking...Dr. Turkle recently published a new book called "Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age." Rather than a treatise on why we should stop using mobile devices, she instead spends the majority of the book highlighting the importance of face to face communication. What I like about her writing is that it doesn't stop at the theoretical; the book offers plenty of practical advice and ideas for increasing face to face communication. This would make a really cool exercise/challenge for families--I'm currently taking much of her advice to heart in my own family.

If you'd like a bit of a sneak preview, Turkle published a short essay just today (Sunday the 27th), adapted from her new book. While "Flight from Conversation" (your summer reading article) was very focused on making a philosophical case, the ensuing years of research have given Turkle some very practical advice and an increased ability to articulate her observations in a more approachable manner.

Here is the article from today's NYT opinion column: Stop Googling, Let's Talk

Quick Survey

Please complete this brief survey in your ASAP class this week. It will assist us in making our Peer Mentoring program more effective. Just click the picture above.

Welcome Back!

You're All Mine Now

Kidding aside, I am very excited to meet all of you in the coming days. The first week can be a whirlwind--and quite intimidating for some--please don't hesitate to come talk to me before/after class to directly voice your concerns. I believe you can and will be successful in AP Language & Composition this year, even if the first few days make you feel otherwise. So come in and let's chat if you feel uneasy about any aspect of the class. Or if you think I'm funny looking, ask a current Senior; they had to deal with my shenanigans last year and will surely give you the true skinny on all things Junior Year if you just ask nicely.

Intro to Rhetoric

In case you were super jazzed by the first-day powerpoint--here's a copy for you to relive the glory days. Just click HERE.

Summer Work!

This post is here to provide information regarding the Summer Work for Mr. Bird's AP Language & Composition course for the 2015-2016 school year. Do know that I value your summer and the positive role rest plays in developing both physically and mentally.

Here are the links to the documents:

1. Assignment Sheet / Explanation
2. NYT Article
3. NYT Article Questions

As the assignment sheet says, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions. During summer I will check my work email every few days, so while I may not get back to you immediately, I will absolutely write you back in under a week.

I look forward to meeting you in the Fall!

--Mr. Bird