Archive for category: AP Language

 

ThesisWhile the proliferation of modern media messages undoubtedly increases our ability to express ourselves, the volume and inanity of such expression ironically undermines democratic discourse.

Body Paragraph 1Talk about cool tools for self-expression, etc.

Body Paragraph 2Unfortunately, all of this access to communication technology has led to an excess of frivolous triviality that distracts Americans from critical issues.

Body Paragraph 3Worse Yet, this triviality concentrates power and influence in the hands of a few.

ThesisWhile modern media discourse is often base and even occasionally pointless, such democratic discussion is essential for good governance and to undermine corporate dominance of the debate.

Body Paragraph 1It would be hard to argue that American discourse has suffered as access to publishing has increased.

Body Paragraph 2Despite the crudeness of much of contemporary discussion free expression of even the most trivial idea is crucial to democracy.

Body Paragraph 3Even more significantly, democratization of discourse offers perhaps the only tool to undermine corporate dominance of the media.

There are two tests–you can choose the one you’d like to take. 

Test 1 will have five (5) quotation-identification questions and four (4) paragraphs to answer.

Test 2 will have five (5) paragraphs to answer.

The questions will come from this list:

 

1. Is the piece by William Cronon a critique of environmentalism or a call to improve it? Defend your answer.
2. A number of the pieces refer to the concept of time and its relationship to environmentalism. Analyze this argument, using at least three pieces.
3. Using at least three sources, make an argument for what should be done to the national parks.
4. Either defend or critique Rachel Carson’s call for the elimination of DDT.
5. Chief Seattle asked, “what is there to life if a man cannot hear the lovely cry of the whippoorwill or the arguments of the frogs around a pond at night?” and Emerson argues that the solitude of nature is essential for the soul. Using these and at least one more source, discuss the argument that nature is necessary for a healthy soul.
6. Use at least three pieces to demonstrate how satire can be effectively used to advance the argument for the environment.
7. Using at least three authors, one of which should be Emerson, discuss how the power of nature serves to put human life and troubles in perspective.
8. Explain  what Annie Dillard and Henry David Thoreau meant by “going for the throat” and “sucking the marrow out of life.” 
9. Edward Abbey’s defense of the natural world differs greatly from the other authors we’ve studied. Identify some key arguments that set him apart from the rest.
10. Using at least three authors, discuss how our tendency to fetishize spectacular elements of nature diminshes our protection of the the whole.