PLT Days

English 11

Ralph has been a leader by example on the island. He's allowed himself to pause and listen to reason, and at times, allowed himself to react more impulsively. In chapter 6, Ralph and Jack reconnect, despite their differences. They continue their search through chapter 7 - to be discussed today.

We will do a little discussion and writing today - we will examine the quality of leadership on the island.

English 12

Part 2 chapter 9 is a big chapter - packed with political messaging and explanation. Our neighbours just had an election. What an amazing opportunity!

Some powerful quotes to frame the day:
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” - Voltaire

and...

"It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into." - Jonathan Swift

And back to 1984

1. "In the long run, a hierarchical society was only possible on a basis of of poverty and ignorance." (p. 198)

2. "... he may be aware that the entire war is spurious and is either not happening or is being waged for purposes quite other than the declared ones; but such knowledge is easily neutralized by the technique of doublethink... with Oceania the undisputed master of the world." (p. 200-201)

3. "To tell deliberate lies while genuinely believing them, to forget any fact that has become inconvenient, and then, when it becomes necessary again, to draw it back from oblivion for just so long as it is needed, to deny the existence of objective reality and all the while to take account of the reality which one denies - all this is indispensably necessary." (p. 223)

4. "World-conquest is believed in most firmly by those who know it to be impossible. This peculiar linking-together of opposites-knowledge with ignorance, cynicism with fanaticism - is one of the chief distinguishing marks of Oceanic society." (p. 225)

5. "For it is only be reconciling contradictions that power can be retained indefinitely." (p. 225)

6. "The prevailing mental condition must be controlled insanity." (p. 225)

English 10

For our PLT day, we'll be writing our essay. See below for topics. Remember: Your planning can only contain your claim, 3 reasons and quotes. No additional text.

English 10

 Greetings English 10!

So today is an important day: Essay prep day. Please read through all of this to help your thinking and planning. First - the topics. PICK ONLY ONE:

(challenge accepted!) Are people condemned to become the monsters they overcome?

(2 supporting points, 1 counterclaim)

"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Nietzsche

In order to prepare for this question, look at the Reader's Digest articles we used for some practice writing. There are examples here that describe our nature in positive and negative ways. Read them through once more and decide which side seems more likely. Of course, you should also look at Animal Farm as a source for your argument as well. For this essay, you only need 2 supporting points, and one counterclaim paragraph where you should also show why your opponent's argument is wrong.

How does Napoleon's personality align with those traits of a dictator?

(3 supporting points, no counterclaim)

To succeed at this question, use "The Psychology of Dictators" article. It describes several aspects of a dictator's personality. The question challenges you to measure the personality and characteristics of a dictator in that article with the characteristics of Napoleon. This is more of a literary-argumentative essay. You will need 3 supporting points, one for each paragraph.

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The first topic is moderately more difficult, but offered as a challenge as it's more philosophical and demands that the student use grounded evidence. If you are feeling eager or ambitious, you are welcome to give it a shot. Keep in mind, the only change to the essay format between these is going to be the use of a counterclaim. The first topic needs 2 supporting reasons and a counterclaim. The 2nd topic is just 3 supporting reasons.

English 11

Today we're handing in our close reading assignment!

Then we're going over chapter 5 questions and things.

Then we're on to chapter 6 :)

Our goal with chapter 6 is to update our character guide. Early in the unit we created a 3 column chart with initial impressions of each major character. Once we're done chapter 6, it's time to update it.

English things

English 12

Today we need to have finished chapter 5/6 of part two in order to engage in this discussion.

We're going to use chart paper. Stay away from dictionaries for this one. Based on your assignment, copy down one of these phrases:

1. Winston and Julia love each other.
2. Winston and Julia love an idea.
3. Winston and Julia depend on trust.
4. What we know to be true.

English 11

Today we discuss character motives. We'll check out 4 examples where defense mechanisms play a role in character behaviour.

Then on to chapter 5.

1. How do the minds of the littluns contrast the older boys on the island so that they are more prone to nightmares of the beast?
2. Why are the older boys now reacting differently to the news that one of the littluns have actually seen the beast?
3. The meeting loses structure by the end of chapter 5 and Ralph considers blowing on the conch to call order. Why doesn't he? How does this mark a shift on the island?

English 10

Today we're doing more practice with claims/counterclaims. Tomorrow you will be able to see (and prepare for) our essay topics.

For today, check out my list of 101 Persuasive/Argumentative topics. Find a partner and pick 10. For each topic, write out:

1. One person writes a claim, the other write the counterclaim. The claim answers the question, the counterclaim is the most likely thing your opponent will say against you. Claims and counterclaims simply contrast one another.
2. Discuss with your partner, and plan out a rebuttal. A rebuttal shows how a counterclaim is wrong. Often we fall into the trap of logical fallacies here, calling each other names or using "just because". Try to avoid this if possible.

Fridaaaay!

 English 12

Chapter 5-6 Package is ready. Read chapter 5/6 and do the package! As a result of the GLA 12, things have been pushed back a bit, but we are on track for Hamlet and Apocalypse Now - and probably one more surprise before the semester is done.

English 11 LOTF Stuff!

Remember: the close reading is due on Tuesday, November 5.

Now that we've read chapter 1-4 and defense mechanisms, it's time to look at character motives. This requires us to infer how characters think based on their behaviour. Specifically, in LOTF we want to examine the defenses used by Jack, Ralph and Piggy in the first third of the book. On Wednesday we began looking through the early chapters, today we'll write on it.

Find 4 examples where characters have used a defense. This will be most easily located where there's dialogue and interaction between characters (but not always!). Write out a paragraph that explores these examples.

English 10

Yesterday we looked at the good/bad articles for our nature. We took a position and wrote on it. Today we're going to examine The Devil's Advocate. What is that exactly? Tune in to find out!