Finally, Zeugma!

As noted in the title of this blog, we finally found zeugma in a passage and it played a part in adding to the pathos we felt towards John, our synecdoche soldier. 

To start the hour, we added four new vocabulary words to our list. Three left before the review and then the eventual quiz. 

Then, we completed our team close read of the Alcott passage, which inspired the written portion of today's show. In groups, you created a team thesis statement and then each group member composed a body paragraph for that thesis statement. We will continue working on this on Friday -- after all, we only have the middle section of the essay completed. 

The Cohesive Creativity of Third Hour

As we listened to each group's team close read rhetorical analysis, the impressive usage of hooks, mature, precise diction, active verbs, and multiple instances of evidence was apparent with each reading. Specifically, our third group and their exemplification of diction/tone shifts throughout the introduction and the conclusion evidenced cohesion of idea and strategy. We heard that the soldier can be the introduction and the nurse can be the conclusion. So cool!

Meanwhile, we completed vocab quiz 14, which will need to be made up by Friday for any absentees. Then, we spent the rest of the hour in groups composing introductions and conclusions for the Alcott prompt, which noted above led to class readings. Alas, we still have 2 groups left to share, so we will continue from that point on Friday.

Upon the Last Week of the Quarter

Hmm...haven't had a rhetorical toolbox quiz in a while. Might just have one next week.

Delineating Diction - The First Hour Recap

Yes, this blog is just for my first hour, those diction analysts sculpting sentences that feature the author, a specific active verb, multiple specific adjectives clarifying diction, and a purpose utilizing your developed vernaculars. You are the forerunners, the first of the AP Langers to jump into the world of diction, and you did not disappoint with your specificity and originality.

In regards to our agenda, we started class with a thorough vocabulary review to prep for your next vocab quiz. Then, we returned to the Alcott groups formed during last class. You evaluated each other's body paragraphs, providing feedback on organization, voice, evidence incorporation, and analysis. After this peer evaluation, you then wrote a team introduction and a team conclusion. As each group shared these paragraphs out loud, we had the chance to hear different approaches to hooks, rhetorical strategy analysis, and conclusions. What made me happy was the improvement of voice, diction, multiple examples of evidence, strong topic sentences indicating strategy and purpose, active verbs, and complex analysis.

After our class readings and verbal feedback, we began the transition into diction study by looking at anaphora, the repetition of words and phrases in successive sentences. In "A Birthday" by Christina Rossetti, we delineated the "heart" anaphora, the similes and how they further the motherly diction, the examples of symbolic wealth to add to her perspective, and the slight diction shift that still reflects her overall serene, hopeful, and loving tone.

With that example of how to choose specific adjectives for diction, we looked at quotes by celebrities, authors, and presidents to create thesis statements for an essay (or at least topic sentences for a paragraph analyzing diction). As we continued from Marilyn Monroe to Agatha Christie to Bette Davis to Thomas Jefferson, we created statements the evinced your own diction and clarity of purpose.

At the end of the hour, your new diction group began analyzing quotes about October. During Friday's class, you will finish your analysis and present to the class.

Team Close Read #2

1 & 3: How cool is the Alcott team close read prompt? I am so glad that I waited to read it with first hour this morning -- several strategies that never come up (zeugma, asyndeton, euphemism) made appearances and there was so much syntactical shifts adding to the text! I want to comment more about all our ideas from class, but seventh hour will be completing the close read tomorrow. If you missed class, I have a digital copy of the prompt for you - e-mail for you work so that you will be prepared for class tomorrow. Homework is to take your team thesis (if absent, write your own thesis) and write one body paragraph analyzing a strategy and its purpose.

First hour will feature a vocab review, and third hour will feature a vocab quiz for unit 14.

FYI - All syntax quizzes need to be made up by Friday.

7: After our vocabulary work, we completed the syntax quiz -- with sentences created by you! Alas, the quiz took up our time for the team close read, so we will do that tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the last day to make up Vocab Quiz 14.

Why Diction & Syntax Matters

Tomorrow, October 4, is author Anne Rice's 75th birthday. Rice has been part of my library for over 20 years now with her Vampire Chronicles and Mayfair Witches. While I was reading some of her quotes tonight, I came upon the following, which details how much authors do consider purpose in using words and sentences and the impact of their writing choices.

"The right word, the right rhythm, the right length of the sentences, the right paragraph, all that is important. It’s very important. You’re inviting someone to come into a drama. You’re asking them to let themselves be spellbound. All those ingredients matter as you create that spell. The white space on the page matters. The exclamation point, the question mark, all of it matters. I’ve had to mute exclamation points. I hear them, I see them, I feel them when I write. And then I have to take them out because they are too loud for the reader. They leap off the page. I wish there was some little sign we had that was half an exclamation point."

The End of Syntax - For Now

1 & 3: We started the hour with vocabulary, first hour adding four new words, and third hour finishing vocab experts for this unit. Then, we wrapped up our syntax work with the official syntax quiz with sentences provided by seventh hour. Last, we read an excerpt from The Reader, pinpointing the use of syntax and the use of polysyndeton in the text. As mentioned by both hours, the polysyndeton occurs in the anticipation of the verdict and the overall audience perspective. In addition, the removal of polysyndeton allows for the juxtaposition of the overall audience reaction and the narrator's reaction, a member of the audience that has some personal connection to the woman on trial.

Tomorrow, we will have a team close read on the board -- which will then transfer to a small group writing assignment.

Diction week(s) starts after our team close read. You may not know exactly what that entails, but I know it revolves around my eternal love, John Keats.

7: We started vocab experts for unit 14 today. Afterwards, we reviewed syntax handout number two, which is the last practice before your syntax quiz tomorrow. Then, we looked at two syntactical strategies: polysyndeton and asyndeton and how these strategies reflect specific purposes.