It feels like we have discussed this enough times that I don’t need to send the reminder, but some things to keep in mind before you submit your eminent domain essays on Tuesday: your essay needs to reflect actual attention to the prompt, the essay, and the rules of writing we have talked about all year.
If you want the chance to revise from this point forward, these rules (which have been provided to you electronically and in print already) are non-negotiable.
Your sixth essay is not available in the downloads folder, but you will need to follow this link and use pages 2-9.
The assignment is due on Tuesday, November 20, printed and handed to me in class. If you are gone that day, you must submit it by 4:00 p.m. that afternoon. No late papers will be accepted because you are getting extra time to complete this one.
Assignment requirements:
- Your response should be at least 900 words and demonstrate a clear understanding of the thesis and topic sentence structure we have worked on all year.
- You should have a STAMPY introduction that is no more than 6 sentences, including the thesis.
- You need to use at least 4 kernels of text from the source material and at least a total of 6 citations (quotes and paraphrases).
- You must use at least four of the sources in your essay, and may not use any additional outside research.
- You need to include at least one naysayer.
- Your essay must have a conclusion that does not merely restate the essay. Advance the intro, tie of the story, develop it into something interest.
- Your essay must show evidence of careful proofreading and attention to detail.
You should be prepared to answer each of the following questions with a fully-developed paragraph that includes references to the texts and videos we’ve discussed, our notes, and your insight. On the test itself, you will answer five questions from a list of six.
- Using at least three sources, one of whom should be Socrates, explain why self-education is more effective than the current system of public education.
- In his article “Dehumanized,” Mark Slouka argues that our current educational focus undermines civic life in America. What is his problem with current educational trends and what does he propose to do to reverse them?
- Explain how Paolo Freire’s “subject-object” metaphor drives his beliefs about education.
- How, according to Jonathan Kozol, does the belief in “adequacy” undermine the promise of Brown v. Board of Education? Try to specifically address issues related to taxes and accountability.
- Kenneth Robinson discussed the futility of trying to prepare students for specific jobs. Why does he believe this cannot succeed?
- How can the work of Eric Hanushek from Stanford improve American schools?
- Explain Paolo Freire’s banking metaphor and summarize why he thinks it damages students.
- John Taylor Gatto offered a critique of public schools centered on the idea that schools discourage individuality, freedom, and maturity. Explain his view of these arguments.
- Using the film Waiting for Superman and at least two other sources, make the argument that American schools are failing the poorest of students.
- Defend, refute, or qualify Jonathan Kozol’s argument that American schools are engaging in “apartheid.”
Your fifth exciting essay is due on Sunday, November 4 at noon and is the same topic we used for the test on Thursday. The essay you submit should reflect substantial revision from the essay you wrote in class unless a) you are incredibly brilliant and or b) you don’t want to have the chance to revise this piece.
The prompt is located in the Downloads folder. Please read it carefully to make sure you meet all of the requirements of the essay.
The exam over Things Fall Apart will be on Thursday. You can read the questions and begin to prepare for it today.
Mark Twain, who traveled all over the world, offered this advice to a young friend:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Even though we may not in the position to heed Twain’s advice and race off to some new corner of the world right now, we can at least do a bit of virtual exploration and dreaming in the form of an amazing English essay in which you will compare and contrast two potential travel destinations and make the case to visit one of the pair.
Your simple outline is due to Mr. Pogreba on Friday, October 26 and the essay is due on Friday, November 2 by 11:00 p.m. Please share it with me using Google Drive.
