Sample Editorial

Here's a link to a sample editorial from last year.  Remember that they were required to include sources, but it should give you a good idea of the 'style' I'm looking for.

Editorial

Essay and Reminders.

First of all:   Tomorrow and Tueday, we will be meeting in the library.

Second:  The rough draft of your editorial essay is due to me at emailmrsrock@gmail.com by Tuesday, January 31st at 11:59PM.  If you are not able to email it to me, please give me an electronic copy via a flash drive before that time.

They don't have to be perfect, but please remember: the class will see them AND give constructive criticism.  Your speeches were wonderful--I have no doubt your essays will exhibit the same level of greatness.

And, for those of you curious about the whole Steve Jobs/China/FoxConn debacle, here's the link to one of 9.000,000 news stories about it:   Apple is Evil

See you tomorrow!

Sorry, folks.

I was sick and completely got off track for the rest of the marking period.  I'll try not to let that happen again.

For period 12 only, journals are due on exam day.  Please bring them to class. 

For everyone else, please be prepared to sign a paper on your exam day telling me what your topic is for the editorial.  This is essential for participation in Friday's class.

See you soon,

<3 Rock

Midterm Review

Here's what you will need to know.  Get organized and review!

Review the following concepts/terms/stories:

·         Voice/Tone/Literary Devices

·         Thesis Statements

·         Dos and Don’ts  of Writing

·         Hallmarks of good persuasive writing

·         Reading logs/thinking like a writer

·         Tragic Hero-Definition

·         Roy Hobbs as Hero?

·         Themes/Major Events/Characters of The Natural/ Oedipus

·         Close reading/annotation

Homework-Due Tuesday

Please find two more editorials you like or that elicit a strong reaction.  You may print them or send them to me to be printed.  Once you've read each one, please write a thesis statement for each editorial(you may find it within or write your own) and discuss why this each editorial is good--listing at least five solid reasons.

Let me know if you have any questions or problems.

Journals!

Due Tuesday for period 5/6--
Due Wednesday for period 11
Due Thursday for period 12

12/8/11
What classes/part of school would you like teachers and administrators to experience?
12/9/11
Freewrite
12/12/11
Reaction to article
12/20/11
What is the most disappointing quality you can discover in a person?  Why?
1/2/12
Does high school have cliques/exclusive groups like in the movies?  Explain.  Are you popular?  Do you care?
1/3/12
List 10 things you know for sure
1/4/12
What is your guilty pleasure?
1/9/12
How do you feel about Tebowing?  The place of religion in sports, entertainment, and politics?
1/10/12
What issue/change would you bring to the Oakcrest BOE? 
1/11/12
Favorite article-why your favorite
1/12/12
Discuss a time you felt not good enough.  How/when did you overcome this?
1/13/12
Freewrite

***These dates may be slightly off for periods 11 and 12, but the subjects should be the same.  Let me know if there are any mistakes.

Last new vocabulary quiz tomorrow!

I do have some bad news, though.  I don't have an "old" quiz for you this week--so I hope the sample sentences on the side help.  Remember, only unit 10--no old words.

Stupid kids...you go squish now!

Read this article: Here


Once you've read this, please answer the following questions on a piece of paper:

1.  Is the narrator reliable?  Why or why not?
2.  Is she credible?  How do you know?

Old Vocab. Quiz

Name____________________________

English I Honors

Mrs. Rock

Vocabulary Unit 12 Quiz

Directions:  Read the following sentences, and fill in each blank with a word from the bank below.  Remember, it may be necessary to change the word ending. (5 pts. each)

habituate         grandiose         alimentary       accomplice                  jocose 

notoriety          hospitable        proximity         obsequious      provision

           

1.  My extreme proximity  to Oakcrest High School makes it possible for me to enjoy the wind through my hair as I bike to school; however, I’m far too cold-hating to try it in the winter months. 

2.  School lunches are supposed to be ___alimentary____; I don’t know how they get away with greasy pizza, fries, and chickish patties on a daily basis.

3.  Mr. Costal is __notoriously__ malevolent to incoming sophomore honors students; last year, five kids dropped out after hearing his summer reading speech. 

4.  One of the more difficult __provisions______ necessary to be in Mrs. Rock’s good graces is a positive attitude; negativity spreads like wildfire.

5.  At first I did not suspect that Bob was a(n) ___habitual_____ MTV watcher, but he gave it all away with his three-second attention span and constant defense of the entire cast of The Hills.

6.  While I cooked a ____grandiose_______ meal of filet mignon topped with bleu cheese and herbs, scalloped potatoes, and fresh chocolate soufflés, Joe Rock offered up a polka-dotted shirt, not the phone of my dreams.

7.  After I threatened to smack the taste out his mouth if he continued to talk,  Steve gave me a(n) ____obsequious_______ nod and went to work.

8.  I always want people to feel an air of _____hospitality______ when they walk into my home; I fear, however, that all they feel is ill from the animal hair and stench.

9.  I always _____jocosely______ accuse my students of being jerkfaces and nerds; I hope they realize that this is just my way of showing love.

10.  When I finally rob a bank in my old age, I will have several ___________________, all of them trained chimps or helper monkeys.

Tonight, tonight...

You will find an editorial.  Not just ANY editorial, but one that reflects one of your interests, passions, etc.  It should not be about some trite topic--abortion, gay marriage, uniforms in schools--you get the picture.  You may have to search for a long time for something that really causes a reaction, but remember--your grade depends on it.  I will be going around the room tomorrow to hear your ideas, and you may be asked to explain your stance.

Here are some possible sites to try:

NY Times

Washington Post

USA Today  (I know, kinda lame).

Chciago Tribune

These are only a few options--any major paper is a good starting point.

Happy searching, and remember to come to school tomorrow with your vocabulary sentences AND one editorial.  I will print them if necessary.