Expository 4: The Outsiders

Choose one of the following.  Research the topic.  Write a two paragraph expository response.  Complete a double entry log with facts and interpretations.  Include the url from your research on the blog and in the written response.

1.  Research one of the characters from "The Outsiders" character list on www.sparknotes.com  -  Then write two paragraphs comparing that character of the 1950s to a youth of today.

2.  Research the plot of "The Outsiders" and write two paragraphs showing two events leading up to the climax, and explain what the resolution was to the conflict.

3.  Research the small town where "The Outsiders" took place and compare it to Pinckney - Writing two paragraphs

4.  Research the author of the book "The Outsiders" and write two paragraphs covering his biography and why he wrote the story.

Expository 3: Research and Write

Instructions:  Select one of the following expository topics (do not pick the same one as before).  Then spend 10 minutes researching that topic.  Complete a double entry log showing your research.  Write one paragraph that contains at least three to five facts that answers the why of your topic.  Remember, opinion is not expository - show the facts (truth) and let that be your influence.

1. Explain why you admire a particular person.
   
2. Explain why someone you know should be regarded a leader.
   
3. Explain why parents are sometimes strict.
   
4. If you had to be an animal, which would you be and why?
   
5. Explain why you especially enjoyed a particular teacher.
   
6. Explain why some cities have curfews for teens.
   
7. Explain why some students are forced to leave school once they are sixteen.
   
8. Explain how moving from place to place affects teens.
   
9. Explain why getting a drivers license is an important event in the lives of many teenagers.
   
10. Describe the major stressors in teens' lives.

Expository 2: Research and Write

Instructions:  Select one of the following expository topics.  Then spend 10 minutes researching that topic.  Complete a double entry log showing your research.  Write one paragraph that contains at least three to five facts that answers the why of your topic.  Remember, opinion is not expository - show the facts (truth) and let that be your influence.

1. Explain why you admire a particular person.
   
2. Explain why someone you know should be regarded a leader.
   
3. Explain why parents are sometimes strict.
   
4. If you had to be an animal, which would you be and why?
   
5. Explain why you especially enjoyed a particular teacher.
   
6. Explain why some cities have curfews for teens.
   
7. Explain why some students are forced to leave school once they are sixteen.
   
8. Explain how moving from place to place affects teens.
   
9. Explain why getting a drivers license is an important event in the lives of many teenagers.
   
10. Describe the major stressors in teens' lives.

Expository 1 - The Perfect Physique

Instructions:  Read the following two expository paragraphs.  Then research a male perspective of the perfect physique.  Retrieve at least 5 - 7 facts (historical thru current).  Then write a third paragraph with the contrast against the male perspective.  Remember, expository is only just the facts.  Only write the third paragraph in your blog entry.

In Pursuit of the Perfect Physique

Throughout history and through a cross-section of cultures, women have transformed their appearance to conform to a beauty ideal. Ancient Chinese aristocrats bound their feet as a show of femininity; American and European women in the 1800s cinched in their waists so tightly, some suffered internal damage; in some African cultures women continue to wear plates in their lower lips, continually stretching the skin to receive plates of larger size.

The North American ideal of beauty has continually focused on women's bodies: the tiny waist of the Victorian period, the boyish figure in vogue during the flapper era, and the voluptuous curves that were the measure of beauty between the 1930s and 1950s. Current standards emphasize a toned, slender look, one that exudes fitness, youth, and health. According to psychologist Eva Szekely, "Having to be attractive at this time . . . means unequivocally having to be thin. In North America today, thinness is a precondition for being perceived by others and oneself as healthy" (19). However, this relentless pursuit of thinness is not just an example of women trying to look their best, it is also a struggle for control, acceptance and success.

Realistic Ficiton Blog 3

Name Date Hour - Write two more paragraphs carrying the story in any direction you would like. I am still looking at details and sentence variety.

Perhaps it was only the clock - but the anxiousness that filled the house was almost tangible. You could almost feel the weight of the time ticking away. Still she had not answered my question, and it is almost by her silence that I knew what she thought. But sometimes, I assume too much. I have been wrong before. But she had to say something. There wasn't much time left. The plane departs at 3 p.m. and it takes an hour to get to the airport. It is almost two. Thinking back over the last three days, things had not gone entirely as planned. It was supposed to be a wonderful time, spending time with her and just relaxing for a change. The job had proven to be much more of a burden than a blessing. I was just glad to spend some time here, but why this, why now?

I started to get up and she placed her hand on my shoulder to stop me from moving. I froze, wanting to hear and not to hear at the same time. . .

Realistic Fiction Blog 2

Instructions: Read the following Realistic Fiction Prompt. Then write a second paragraph of what will happen next. There are no wrong answers, but you are being graded on the detail and variety of sentences used. A paragraph is 5 - 7 sentences long. Looking for mature writing skills at this point.

The reflection in the windshield was weird. If you looked at it from just the right angle, you could see a globe and a hand holding it. But everytime I looked above the glass, there was nothing there. Every day, it was the same thing. You could only see the reflection in the morning, and only when my brother parked his car in the same spot. If I stared at it too long, the glare would become too bright and I would start to see stars floating around. Then I would blink and the image was gone. Once I ran inside to tell my brother that there was a strange reflection on his windshield and pow! He bopped me on the head, thinking I had done something to his precious car. But my excuses were to no avail. He looked his windshield over and realized nothing was wrong, and then he told me, "Walk to school weasel!"

Usually he gave me a ride, but that day I had to walk. Along the way, I noticed another reflection on another car - it looked like . . . .

Realistic Fiction Blog 1

Instructions: Read the following Realistic Fiction Prompt. Then write a second paragraph of what will happen next. There are no wrong answers, but you are being graded on the detail and variety of sentences used. A paragraph is 5 - 7 sentences long. Looking for mature writing skills at this point.


Lately, the bell only reminded me that my stomach was empty and there was no food at home. Begrudgingly, I grabbed my backpack from my locker; slung it over my shoulder and pushed my way through the crowd of students that seemed to endlessly wander in a multitude of different directions at once. It was clear of course, where the money had gone. But don't know if I want to bring that up with mom. There was of course a way for the money to be returned, but I couldn't let mom know that. She thought I was innocent, or maybe she really knew - but these things have a way of working themselves out.

About 30 minutes later my bus pulled up at the mailbox. The flag was down, so the mail was there. Hopefully, there was a letter from . . .

Debate Blog 2: Persuasion

Persuasion: Watch the following Super Bowl Commercials (Only these two)

1. Name Date Hour

2. Develop a lesson learned for each commerical. Go to the following links
a. VW: Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-9EYFJ4Clo
b. Chevy: Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxFYYP8040A

3. Write two paragraphs. In the first paragraph, describe the VW commercial in detail. Then in the second, describe the Chevy commercial in detail.

4. Write one paragraph using comparison and contrast methods, and then choosing which was the most entertaining (not persuasive) and why?

Debate Blog 1: Romney vs. Santorum Political Ads

1. Name Date Hour

2. Watch the following political advertisements
a. Romney: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTiOLGtiEPQ
b. Santorum: http://www.youtube.com/ricksantorum#p/u/3/ku2m2gtQ5b8

3. Each is approximately one minute long. Choose which one is the most persuasive. In the first paragraph, list at least three elements that were important to the ad and why. Then in the second, explain why the advertisement you chose proved the most persuasive.

NOTE: You may watch the two advertisements more than once. Use ear buds or headphones.
NOTE: Post on blog and Turn It In.

Advisory Response 2 17 12 b

1. Did you learn anything new about one another?

2. How much can you tell about people just by looking at them?

3. Which similarities and differences can you see and which ones can't you see?

4. Some of the groups that stood up were large and some were small - which did you like being in? Why?

Advisory Response 2 17 12

1. What do you think "diversity" means?

Statistics 5: Renewable Energy

1. Name Date Hour
2. What is Conventional Hydropower?
3. Lesson Learned
4. Two paragraphs. In the first paragraph share the numbers and what they mean. In the second paragraph, describe at least three different audiences that would be interested in this information and why.

Statistic 4 Blog: Defending America

1. Name Date Hour
2. Lesson Learned
3. Two Paragraphs. In the first explain the numbers and what they mean. In the second paragraph, develop a purpose for using this graph - with supporting detail.

Statistics 3 Blog: Driving Age

1. Name Date Hour

2. Lesson Learned.

3. Develop three paragraphs. In the first paragraph explain what the information provides; what do the numbers mean?
In the second paragraph, what kind of audience(s) would be interested in this information and why?
In the third paragraph, share a short story (anecdote) that supports these statistics.

Statistics 2 Blog: School Uniforms

1. Name Date Hour

2. Lesson Learned

3. Develop two paragraphs. In the first paragraph explain the two pie charts and what the numbers have to say about school uniforms. In the second paragraph, explain which side of the argument would these charts support (pro or con) and why.

Statistics 1 Blog: Seat Belts

1. Name Date Hour

2. Lesson Learned (develop a brief statement of understanding from this pie chart)

3. Develop two paragraphs. In the first paragraph describe the graph and its main points. In the second paragraph, share how this could be used to support a requirement to wear seat belts. (HINT: Allow your writing to be as if you were sharing it in front of an audience). Still must be grammatically correct.

4. Submit this both in this blog and also through Turn It In.

Blog Anecdote 7 - Temper Control

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily, gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said “you have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one.”

You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there. Author Unknown

1. Name Date Hour

2. Lesson Learned

3. Share with a partner

4. Make a list of 10 controversial topics that this anecdote could be used for?

5. Pick one of the above controversial topics and explain how it could be used in a debate. (1 paragraph)

Blog Anecdote 6: Helpless Love

Once upon a time all feelings and emotions went to a coastal island for a vacation. According to their nature, each was having a good time. Suddenly, a warning of an impending storm was announced and everyone was advised to evacuate the island.

The announcement caused sudden panic. All rushed to their boats. Even damaged boats were quickly repaired and commissioned for duty.

Yet, Love did not wish to flee quickly. There was so much to do. But as the clouds darkened, Love realised it was time to leave. Alas, there were no boats to spare. Love looked around with hope.

Just then Prosperity passed by in a luxurious boat. Love shouted, “Prosperity, could you please take me in your boat?”

“No,” replied Prosperity, “my boat is full of precious possessions, gold and silver. There is no place for you.”

A little later Vanity came by in a beautiful boat. Again Love shouted, “Could you help me, Vanity? I am stranded and need a lift. Please take me with you.”

Vanity responded haughtily, “No, I cannot take you with me. My boat will get soiled with your muddy feet.”

Sorrow passed by after some time. Again, Love asked for help. But it was to no avail. “No, I cannot take you with me. I am so sad. I want to be by myself.”

When Happiness passed by a few minutes later, Love again called for help. But Happiness was so happy that it did not look around, hardly concerned about anyone.

Love was growing restless and dejected. Just then somebody called out, “Come Love, I will take you with me.” Love did not know who was being so magnanimous, but jumped on to the boat, greatly relieved that she would reach a safe place.

On getting off the boat, Love met Knowledge. Puzzled, Love inquired, “Knowledge, do you know who so generously gave me a lift just when no one else wished to help?”

Knowledge smiled, “Oh, that was Time.”

“And why would Time stop to pick me and take me to safety?” Love wondered.

Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and replied, “Because only Time knows your true greatness and what you are capable of. Only Love can bring peace and great happiness in this world.”

Author Unknown

1. Name Date Hour

2. Lesson Learned

3. Share Lesson Learned with a partner

4. Develop two paragraphs explaining the lesson learned and then providing an example from your own life of how this would impact you.

Blog Anecdote 5 - The Chair

"An eccentric philosophy professor gave a one question final exam after a semester dealing with a broad array of topics. The class was already seated and ready to go when the professor picked up his chair, plopped it on top of his desk and wrote on the board:

"Using everything we have learned this semester, prove that this chair does not exist."

Fingers flew, erasers erased, notebooks were filled in furious fashion. Some students wrote over 30 pages in one hour attempting to refute the existence of the chair. One member of the class however, was up and finished in less than a minute.

A week later when the grades were posted, the rest of the group wondered how he could have gotten an "A" when he had barely written anything at all.

His answer consisted of two words: "What chair?""Author Unknown

1. Name/Date/Hour

2. Develop a short concise Lesson Learned.

3. Share this lesson learned with a partner including what led you to this conclusion.

4. Rewrite this anecdote - the environment will be a party. Use two to three paragraphs telling the story and use dialogue.

Blog Anecdote 4 - Filter This

"Long time ago in ancient Greece, there live a man named Socrates, who was highly knowledgeable and an esteemed philosopher. One fine day, a fellow approached him. That person told Socrates that he has some information to tell him about his friend. Before he could even start talking about his friend, Socrates told him to take a test known as the 'Triple Filter Test'.

The first test of the 'Triple Filer Test' was the filter of truth. Socrates asked him if the information he had was the truth. The person said that he had just heard it on the way and was not sure if it was the absolute truth. The second filter was that of goodness. He asked if the information was regarding anything good about his friend. The man said it was actually the opposite. The third filter was that of usefulness. Socrates asked if the information was useful to him in any way. The man replied in the negative.

Socrates then replied that when the information regarding a friend is not true, good or useful, then why should it be conveyed at all?" Socrates

1. Name/Date/Hour
2. Develop a Lesson Learned
3. Share this Lesson Learned with your partner - this is conversation - explain the supporting detail that led you to this conclusion.
4. Develop three paragraphs explaining the point/purpose of this anecdote (short story) is. Compare this to a situation you have experienced before or know about, and finally how can this influence an audience (or how would you use it to persuade)?

Blog Anecdote 3 - A Lion, A Mosquito, and a Mouse

"All respect the queen of the African plains. If the zebara or the antelope catch sight of me crouching in the bush, they do not forget to gallop. The elephant and the rhino respect me, and they mind not to tread on my children with their big clumsy feet. Even the snappy crocodile stays clear of me, when I come down to drink at the water.

Yes, respect is good.

And that is why I was so angry when a pesky little fellow failed to show me respect.

Buzzzzzzzzzz !

The mosquito buzzed around my ears and even stung me on the nose. I snapped at the horrid little traitor, and I bit my tongue. Oh, how that hurt ! Then I struck at him with my paw, such a blow that would fell a buffalo, but he slipped through my claws and was laughing at me. The he bit me on the bottom ! The cheek of it !

“Oh great queen”, said the Mosquito. “Bow your head before your master, I the Mosquito, have drunk your blood and defeated you in combat.”

I roared an almighty roar that sent the wildebeest and the giraffe scattering across the savanna.

“Ha ha ha, ” laughed the mosquito. And he flew backwards into a spider’s web. And the spider showed respect to his queen by eating the wretched insect.

A little while after this, I was lying asleep under a tree when I felt something tickling my nose.

I opened one eye and saw that a mouse had scampered onto my face!

“How dare you ! ” I roared. And was about to swipe him a deadly blow with my paw when the mouse begged:

“Oh mighty queen, forgive me! I was running through the long grass, and did not mean to run onto your nose or to disturb your sleep .”

And I laughed at this furry creature and said.

“Little fellow. I was about to kill you but you have shown wisdom and respect for your queen. I pardon your sin.”

“Oh, thank you thank you,” said the mouse. “I only hope that one day I may be of service to your majesty. ”

And I laughed again, for how could a little mouse help a mighty queen?

The weeks went by, and I was out for a midnight stroll when all of a sudden, there was no ground beneath my paws.

Thump. I fell to the bottom of a pit. I tried to spring out, but I was tangled in a net. The more my limbs struggled, the more I became entangled.

A hyena came by and saw me in this sorry trap. He cackled with his ugly voice and taunted me;

“In the morning the men shall come and throw their spears into your side. And then we shall have to find a new queen.”

I snarled with fury and swore to tear him apart when I was free from the snare. But he just laughed his silly laugh.

Towards morning, I had almost given up hope when I heard a little voice.

“My queen,” it said. “At last I may be of service to you.”

I saw the pink nose of the mouse.

“My loyal subject. It does my proud heart good to hear your well meaning words. But I am afraid you must now pay your last respects to your queen, for my limbs are caught in this net, and very soon the sun will rise and the men shall come to kill me.”

“You underestimate the might of a mouse,” said my loyal subject. And he called his wife and children, and together they gnawed through the net. I was free within the hour, just in time to spring out of the pit and give the men who had come to kill me a nasty surprise." African Tales

1. Name / Date / Hour

2. Develop a Lesson Learned.

3. Share this Lesson Learned with a partner (reflect on how you came up with your LL)

4. Develop two paragraphs, first describing the relationship between the three characters of the story and second, build a case for your lesson learned - how could this be used to influence an audience?

Blog Anecdote 2 - Blanket of Respect

"There once was a man, who was raising his young son. The mother had passed away in childbirth and he was teaching his son all that he knew. This son, grew up and in time wanted to go to a nearby village and find him a companion. Many months passed and the young man returned to his home, and with him he had a woman, his wife. They lived in the home of his father.

Shortly after, They had a son. And the father, now a grandfather began teaching this young boy all that he knew. How to respect the forest, the animals and life. The mother, tiring of sharing her home with the old man told her husband that she wanted the old man out.

The father spoke "I cannot, this is his home and he built it for us." She spoke "If you do not make him leave then I will take our son and I will leave." The father agreed and spoke to his son. "My son, tomorrow I want you to take Grandpa out and leave him. Give him this blanket." The young boy cried. "Why do you do this? Grandpa has been teaching me all that I know. Why do I have to do this to him?" The father spoke. "Son, follow the wishes of your father." So the next morning, the father went hunting to the North. The son took Grandpa as far as he could walk to the South.

That evening the young boy was sitting on the bed crying when his father came In. He saw the blanket on the bed. "Son, I thought I told you to give Grandpa the blanket?" "I gave Grandpa half of the blanket. The other half, I will give to you some day." The mother and father understood the message. And they went and brought Grandpa back." An American Indian Legend - Nation Unknown

1. Name / Date / Hour

2. Develop a Lesson Learned

3. Share your Lesson Learned with your partner

4. Develop two paragraphs reflecting on the symbolism of the blanket and the influence this may have on an audience. For example, what type of topic would/could this fit, in a debate environment?

Blog Anecdote 1 - The Axe Man

Once there were two axe men that worked as lumber jacks in the famous Northwest area of our country. One of the lumberjacks was a young man who was confident in his skills but lacking in maturity. The other lumberjack was an older man, well experienced, but was over 60 years of age. The older lumberjack had developed a reputation as the number one tree cutter in all of the Northwest.

The younger lumberjack wanted to challenge the older lumberjack to a competition of who could cut (fell) the most trees in a day's time. In front of the entire lumberjack camp, the young man stood toe to toe with the older lumberjack and declared himself the better of the two lumberjacks. He challenged the older lumberjack to a contest of who could fell the most trees in a single day. The winner would be declared the champion lumberjack of the entire Northwest. This title did not appear to mean anything to the older lumberjack, but he still chose to accept the challenge.

Well, the day came - and at sunrise the lumber camp boss stepped up to start the contest. He explained when he fired his gun into the air, that each man would cut and fell as many trees possible before the sun went down and he would fire the gun again at sunset to end the competition.

The blast echoed through the mountain valley when the camp boss fired his gun. The contest had begun.

The young lumberjack wasted no time in chopping at the trees nearest to him and before too long had felled many trees. As he went through the day of cutting trees down, he took very little time to rest between trees - his muscular body seemed to be unlimited in strength and he kept chopping trees at pretty much the same pace throughout the day without slowing down.

All along, throughout the day - the younger lumberjack noticed the older lumberjack would fell a tree and than sit down to rest for 10 - 15 minutes before beginning another tree. He thought to himself, "Surely I will win this contest, because he stops and rest after each tree."

This process between the two lumberjacks went on throughout the day.

Shortly before sunset, the camp boss fired his gun - again it echoed throughout the mountain valley. Both lumberjacks stopped their chopping.

The camp boss ordered that his crew count the number of trees chopped by each man. At the end of the count, the younger lumberjack's tree count was 142 trees. As they were counting the trees felled by the older lumberjack, the younger man could tell there was some excitement in the crew that counted the trees. At the final count, the older lumberjack's total was 151 trees.

The younger lumberjack could not believe it. Finally he congratulated the older man, but he had this one question burning inside of him that had to be asked. The younger man asked the older man, "How could you cut more trees than me, when after each tree that you cut down - you stopped and rested for 10 to 15 minutes?"

The older lumberjack thought about it for a moment and said softly, "Everytime I felled a tree I sat down to rest - but also sharpened by axe each time."

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1. Name Date Hour
2. Develop a Lesson Learned
3. Share this Lesson Learned with a partner
4. Write two paragraphs explaining your lesson learned and how this anecdote can influence others.