TV Bad! TV Good? Orwell, Huxley, Postman Oh My!!!

Brain rotting in 3...2...1

Anyway. About the paper...

Write to prompt 3 on page 787 of your book. Keep it to 1000 words +/- 10%. You need to use at least 3 sources from the conversation section (p. 766-787) and at least 2 outside sources. Those can be ones we've read or seen in class, or ones you find on your own.

Remember that a synthesis paper is essentially a research paper in that you are using sources. Those sources need to be cited. So, remember to look over the research paper resources for how to do that. Also, Easybib.com is your friend and he loves to help out with works cited pages.

It is due on Monday May 12. I don't normally give so much time on this one, but given the timing of various things, this is how it's working out this year.

Other Information

Timed Write Tuesday -- Whoo hoo!! Pen, no pencil.
By Wednesday, have the multiple choice section done and be ready to discuss.
By Thursday, have all the conversation essays read and blogged and be ready to discuss.

Video note: If you missed Merchants of Cool and want to see it, the link is in the previous post. It is fair game as a source for your essay.

Common Bibliographic Entries for the Pop Culture Paper

Watching TV Makes Us Smarter? Sign me up!

Read Watching TV Makes You Smarter on page 766 and do the questions on page 776 (there are 5 of them). In addition to blogging the questions, take a look at the classical model of organization on pages 13-17 of your book. Does Johnson follow that in this essay? If so, explain. If not, describe his structure and explain how he uses it to effectively make his argument.

Maybe watch some TV. After all, the AP test is coming up. ;)

TV Focus
For those of you who will be gone Thursday and Friday, or just those of you who like to do things ahead of time, read and blog the questions to the other 4 essays from page 777-787 for a total of 17 questions over the 4 essays.

We'll be watching Merchants of Cool on Friday. If we start right away, we should just finish. We'll discuss on Monday along with the essays you read from pages 777-787 (see above).

Yes there will be more timed write and multiple choice practice next week.

High School Confidential: The Present-Tense Moment in American Life

Part 1: For Monday after Spring Break, read pages 707 -714 and blog the Questions for Discussion #3 on p. 714 and Rhetoric and Style questions 1-7; 9-12 on page 715.

If anyone has the time and inclination, watch Election and report back to the class. Is it as good as Denby says it is?

Part 2: Read Corn-Pone Opinions by Mark Twain on page 717. From page 721, blog Questions on Rhetoric and Style numbers 1-11 for Monday after Spring Break. 

If you'd like to try and make some, here's a recipe for corn pone.

 Remember if you wish to rewrite your Orwell paper, it is due at the end of spring break. Also, make a copy of the original to edit. Leave the comments in the original document intact.