College-Prep English Syllabus back
I. Introduction to the class; website
Assignments: List of objectives, annotated
Writing sample
II. Introduction to Close Reading & Annotation
Handouts: What We
Read For
Introduction to Close Reading and Annotation
Assignments: Annotate:
(poem) (connections, questions, reflections)
Annotate Annie Dillard’s “The Deer of
Providencia”
(reactions, questions, what is
she getting at?)
Annotate a visual (thoughts, narrative, ‘what
you notice’)
Annotate: The Highwayman (plot, questions)
III. Writing a Thesis Statement
Handouts: OWL:
Writing a Thesis Statement
The Thesis Statement
Thesis Worksheet
Modes of Discourse
Assignments: Write thesis
statements for an essay on each of the pieces
annotated in the previous assignments.
IV. Preparing to Write a Well-Structured Essay
Handouts: Sentences: Techniques and Purposes
Assignments: Analyzing
writing samples from week 1
Writing paragraphs, and other assignments as
needed
Writer’s Journal
V. What is Justice?
Handouts: What is
Justice?
“Universal Declaration of Human Rights”
(United Nations)
Assignments: Annotate:
“Universal Declaration”
Personal Statement: Your ideas about
justice.
VI. Reading Non-Fiction
Assignments: Read
Night, by Elie Weisel
Quizzes
Writing Journal
Essay on some aspect of the book
VIII. Introduction to Rhetoric
Handouts: Rhetorical
Theory, Brief Version
Elements of Argumentation
Logical Fallacies
“How Do We Form Opinions”, from America Now:
Short
Readings from Recent Periodicals,
ed. by Robert
Atwan, NY: Bedford/St. Martin’s
Motive Appeals
“Content Analysis of O’Reilley’s rhetoric finds
spin to be a
‘factor’,” by Indiana University
Assignments: To be determined
Test
IX. Constructive Controversy
Handouts: “Who Should Get the Penicillin Exercise Situation”
Assignments: Do
constructive controversy (pairs)
Constructive Controversy Evaluation
X. Read and Write – Argumentation
Handouts: Classical
Scheme for an Argumentative Essay
Graphic Organizer for Rhetorical Analysis of
Your Own or
Someone Else’s Writing.
Checklist for the Argumentative Essay
“Gettysburg Address,” by Abraham Lincoln
(article about language of Gettysburg Address
from New
Yorker)
Assignments: Read, annotate
and analyze arguments:
“I Have a Dream”, by Martin Luther
King, Jr.
“Do not go gentle”, by Dylan Thomas
Othello’s arguments (from Othello,
by William
Shakespeare).
Antigone/”Letter from Birmingham
jail” excerpts
Write:
Thesis statements for 1 of the first 3
of these
Compare/contrast essay on 4th,
incorporating quotes
and citing sources.
XI. Visual Literacy
Handouts: Visual
Literacy
“The Message of Me” from America Now: Short
Readings from Recent Periodicals,
ed. by Robert
Atwan, NY: Bedford/St. Martin’s
Analyzing visual ‘text’
Assignments: Analyze and
annotate 3 paintings (or other works of art –
check with me) and 3 advertisements as
‘text’; look
for narrative, ‘arguments’, and visual
techniques that
enhance meaning or effect.
XII. Poetry
Handouts: “Introduction
to Poetry,” by Billy Collins
Music, Imagery, Metaphor
Reflecting on poetry
Assignments: Annotated
poetry poster for one poem of your choice
(cleared with me)
Annotate: The Highwayman (music, imagery)
3 poetry reflections, poems of your choice
(cleared with me)
Thesis statement and Introduction for essay on
music,
imagery or metaphor in your annotated
poem.
XIII. Reading Fiction
Handouts: To be determined
Assignments: Read Montana
1948, by Larry Watson
Quizzes
Writing Journal
Write theme-related thesis statement
Read The Pearl, by John Steinbeck
Quizzes
Writing Journal
Write a symbolism/diction/tone-related
thesis
statement
Write an essay using one of your thesis
statements.
XIV. Final exam
The final exam will ask you to annotate, analyze, and write!