People are defined by significant moments in their lives. These moments, perhaps positive and happy, or tragic and fearful, are often etched in our consciousness. They shape our identities. With this in mind, I would like you to write one 1000-1200 word personal essay in which you thoroughly explore one of these moments. You are not simply writing an autobiographical sketch--although you should use first person, anecdotes and personal stories--you are writing an essay. As such, your work should have an underlying theme or argument. It should be crafted with an introduction, thoroughly developed body paragraphs and a pithy conclusion.
You don’t need a formal thesis statement, but you should make it clear to me in your introduction how you think this moment has affected you. This is an opportunity for you to carefully reflect on your life and to write creatively, while keeping in mind the structure and purpose of an essay. Due date to be determined.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Grading Rubric
A+ Outstanding ideas. Student has exceptionally high ability to think critically and conceptually. Grammar and sentence structure are almost flawless.
A Excellent. Work shows high level of critical and conceptual thinking. Few to no grammar or structural errors
A- Very strong ideas. Work shows capacity to think critically and conceptually. Few grammar or structural errors
B+ Very good. Work shows evidence of critical thinking. Minor grammatical and structural errors
B Good. Work shows organization and thought. Minor grammatical and structural errors.
B- Fairly Good. Work shows strong ideas and an attempt at organization and structure. Grammatical and/or structural errors do not obstruct meaning
C Satisfactory. Work attempts to fulfill criteria but does not show advanced thought, organization or sentence structure. Grammar and other errors at times obscure meaning
D Weak. Student makes a poor attempt to fulfill criteria. No evidence of careful thought or organization. Grammar and other errors often obscure meaning
F Work does not fulfill criteria and/or is unreadable
A Excellent. Work shows high level of critical and conceptual thinking. Few to no grammar or structural errors
A- Very strong ideas. Work shows capacity to think critically and conceptually. Few grammar or structural errors
B+ Very good. Work shows evidence of critical thinking. Minor grammatical and structural errors
B Good. Work shows organization and thought. Minor grammatical and structural errors.
B- Fairly Good. Work shows strong ideas and an attempt at organization and structure. Grammatical and/or structural errors do not obstruct meaning
C Satisfactory. Work attempts to fulfill criteria but does not show advanced thought, organization or sentence structure. Grammar and other errors at times obscure meaning
D Weak. Student makes a poor attempt to fulfill criteria. No evidence of careful thought or organization. Grammar and other errors often obscure meaning
F Work does not fulfill criteria and/or is unreadable
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Course Outline
Welcome to grade 12 Academic English! This course will focus specifically on the study of literary genres and on improving written expression and literary analysis. Students will study the art of writing the literary essay by focusing on literary genres such as essay, poetry, drama, short story and the novel. After each major unit, students will submit an essay, or other writing assignment, followed by several days of grammar and writing workshops devoted to improving consistent weaknesses in essays and assignments.
*Please Note: Laptops are not permitted in class unless I have given specific instructions to bring one.
Texts
Collection of essays
Collection of poetry
Shakespeare's "Othello"
Ann Marie MacDonald's, "Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet"
James Joyce's Dubliners
Frank McCourt's Angela’s Ashes
Alistair Macleod's No Great Mischief
Ami MacKay's The Birth House
George Orwell's 1984
Margaret Atwood's A Handmaid's Tale
Marks Breakdown
Term One:
20% Writing Assignments
20% Exam, Tests, Quizzes
Term Two:
15% Writing Assignments
15% Tests, Quizzes
Term Three:
15% Writing Assignments, Tests, Quizzes
15% Final Exam
Supplementary Book Assignments
Each student is required to submit one supplementary book assignment per term. The books will be provided for you, but you may choose the order in which you study each book. For each text there is a set of questions which must be answered in full sentences, to the best of your ability. The book selections for this year are, The Birth House by Ami MacKay, No Great Mischief by Alistair Macleod and The Wars by Timothy Findley.
Writing Workshops
Writing workshops will cover such topics as: introductions; thesis statements; transitions; using textual evidence and proper citation format; literary analysis and concise expression. The purpose of the grammar and writing workshops is not only to put a strong emphasis on learning grammar, but also to ensure that students get thorough feedback on their strengths and weaknesses as well as strategies to improve their writing for the next assignment.
Plagiarism
Please note that plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in an immediate zero on any given assignment. Plagiarism includes using secondary sources without proper citation, copying from internet sources without reference, passing in essays used in other classes or essays written by someone else.
*Please Note: Laptops are not permitted in class unless I have given specific instructions to bring one.
Texts
Collection of essays
Collection of poetry
Shakespeare's "Othello"
Ann Marie MacDonald's, "Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet"
James Joyce's Dubliners
Frank McCourt's Angela’s Ashes
Alistair Macleod's No Great Mischief
Ami MacKay's The Birth House
George Orwell's 1984
Margaret Atwood's A Handmaid's Tale
Marks Breakdown
Term One:
20% Writing Assignments
20% Exam, Tests, Quizzes
Term Two:
15% Writing Assignments
15% Tests, Quizzes
Term Three:
15% Writing Assignments, Tests, Quizzes
15% Final Exam
Supplementary Book Assignments
Each student is required to submit one supplementary book assignment per term. The books will be provided for you, but you may choose the order in which you study each book. For each text there is a set of questions which must be answered in full sentences, to the best of your ability. The book selections for this year are, The Birth House by Ami MacKay, No Great Mischief by Alistair Macleod and The Wars by Timothy Findley.
Writing Workshops
Writing workshops will cover such topics as: introductions; thesis statements; transitions; using textual evidence and proper citation format; literary analysis and concise expression. The purpose of the grammar and writing workshops is not only to put a strong emphasis on learning grammar, but also to ensure that students get thorough feedback on their strengths and weaknesses as well as strategies to improve their writing for the next assignment.
Plagiarism
Please note that plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in an immediate zero on any given assignment. Plagiarism includes using secondary sources without proper citation, copying from internet sources without reference, passing in essays used in other classes or essays written by someone else.
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