The Greatest Gift is One Everyone Can Give!

It has been said that the relationship between Della and Jim in “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry is a truly unselfish love relationship.  Many people aspire to that kind of relationship for themselves.  Others say that people as poor as Della and Jim have no business spending money on such frivolous and unnecessary things like a watch fob and hair combs.  They would say that the couple should be saving for a home or for a “rainy day.”

In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.  

Canon Three Choosing a Style

Share with the class the introduction of your paper. In the comments, please identify the exordium, narratio and partitio of your classmates entry. Also, give a critical analysis of their introduction and respond with what interests you about the topic. Questions you might have about it or what you might like to learn if given the chance to read the paper in its entirety.

Knock Knock!

There are places to go to find arguments! You are looking for arguments about a particular issue, so you know at the first door and ask, what kind of a think is it?(definition) At the second door, you inquire, what can I compare this thing to?(comparison) Upon arriving at the third door, you ponder, what is it's relationship to other things? (relationship). knocking on the fourth door, you ask, in what circumstance(s does this think exist (circumstances). and at the fifth door, you question, do outsiders have anything to say about this thing (testimony)?

So you are inventing your topic. Tell your classmates a bit about what you have discovered and frame it in regards to the doors you've opened. If there are doors you have not opened, take the time to do that before your blog. Blogs due by 9 pm. Comments do before 11 pm.

For an extra 2 points, tell your favorite knock knock joke. No repeats.

Tribute Writing

Write a 350-500 word tribute. It can be for a favorite historical figure, Saint or almost anything else- a book, a pet or even a special pair of sneakers! Do not choose friends or loved ones. It is best to stick with something less near and dear. Notice the virtues that you are praising. Are they culturally defined, or are they virtues per se" Why are you praising them? Are they virtues that are in jeopardy? Would it make sense to praise virtues that are perfectly established, that there is no doubt about? 

Here is a piece of tribute writing that you can can use as inspiration!

In Defense of a Dog

Sales Pitch

In this exercise, you'll practice deliberative rhetoric. You should try and (a) persuade the audience to buy your item by offering its advantages, or (b) dissuade them from buying it by detailing its disadvantages. Your audience is the ECCSS Schoolboard, your item is the iPad. Half of you should persuade the school board to invest in a 1:1 ratio for the high school, the other half should discourage the board from making the investment. DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!! You must have evidence to persuade or discourage the purchase of the iPads. You all have some experience with the iPads, but in regards to cost and statistics, get your numbers right. Also, be sure to establish your authority (ethos), appeal to the audience's emotions (pathos) and also appeal to your audience's sense of logic (logos). As always, this is first come first serve. Half of the class must persuade, half must discourage.

In your comments, I want you to challenge a student who argued the OPPOSITE of what you argued. And when your blog is challenged, you must defend your position. ALL BLOG ENTRIES AND COMMENTS MUST BE POSTED BY SUNDAY AT 9PM. YOU HAVE UNTIL TUESDAY  TO DEFEND THE CHALLENGES POSTED UNDER YOUR BLOG.

Applause, Applause, Applause!

Lou Gherig's Farwell Speech

The King's Speech

George Bush's Address to the Nation

Watch ALL THREE SPEECHES, then choose one and do a rhetorical analysis of it. Try and identify the five cannons of rhetoric in each. You can speak to the invention, organization, style, memory and delivery in each. Also, use the language we have learned. How is the rhetor establishing ethos, and appealing to logic and or speaking to the audiences emotions or pathos? What is the kairos of the speech? And in analyzing style, does the rhetor employ any schemes and or tropes? Really analyze the language. 
Below are links to the speeches in writing for closer analysis.

https://baseballhall.org/discover/lou-gehrig-luckiest-man

https://www.awesomestories.com/asset/view/George-VI-King-s-Speech-September-3-1939

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/gwbush911addresstothenation.htm

The speeches must all be done twice, so first come, first served. If you do your blog last, you will have to analyze whichever is left. Although I will say, they are all short and they are all fabulous.

Life is a Fairy Tale!

Choose a fairy tale. Rewrite it in high style AND in low style. For a high style, you might choose the vernacular of one of the following: a doctor, a lawyer, a US president, or Shakespeare. For a low style, imagine the speaker as one of the following: a surfer, a country bumpkin, an urban teenager, or a chatty girl on her cell phone. Here are some fairy tales to choose from:

(You should find and read the fairy tale before attempting the assignment. Also, once a fairy tale has been chosen, it cannot be repeated.)

"The Three Little Pigs""
"The Ugly Duckling"
"Hansel and Gretel"
"Rumpelstiltskin"
"Rapunzel"
"The Elves and the Shoemaker"
"Sleeping Beauty"
"Little Red Riding Hood"
"The Fisherman and His Wife"
"The Gingerbread Man"
"Henny Penny"
"Puss in Boots"
"Jack and the Beanstalk"

Speaking of Speeches...

Write a short speech of your own (about 250 words) in which all of the components of classical organization are accounted for. Make sure to have at least two sentences for each section except the partitio, which should be one sentence. Here are some possible topics

Our school should/should not adopt i Pads in the classroom.
Our school should/should not require students to wear uniforms.
Our school should/should no shorten the school day to 2 pm
Students should/should no be required to participate in extracurricular sports.
Our school should/should not have a football team.
Our school should/should not separate students into single-sex classes.
________________should/should not be included as a literature selection in English class.
Facebook promotes realy/false friendships.
Stuents should/should not be allowed access to cell phones during the school day.
Our school should/should not have vending machines that sell pop and candy.

Once a topic has been claimed and completed, it may not be repeated. You may, however, choose the opposing side. So if a classmate argues in a speech that our school SHOULD shorten the school day, another students is permitting to argue in a speech that they SHOULD NOT shorten the school day.

When commenting, do you discuss whether or not your classmates did a "good job". Instead, you are to make intelligent comments in regards to the order of the speech etc. All comments must be at least 30 words.

Ronald Reagan Is Pretty Clear!

Ronald Reagan became president during the Cold War. In this address, he articulates the competing ideologies that had for several decades pitted the Soviet Union against the United States. The Berlin Wall, which cut off West Berlin from East Berlin, became a symbol of the deep divide between Western democratic nations and pro-Soviet governments.
Complete a rhetorical analysis of the speech. How and why is or is the speech not effective? What is the purpose of the text? What is the author’s point of view in the text? Does the author fairly represent both sides of the topic? What point would an opponent of the point of view focus on?  This entry should be at least 350 words.

Just Kidding!

How'd He Do That?

Choose one of the following topics. Once a topic is chosen, it is off the market. First come first serve.

Topic # 1:

Martin Luther King Jr. considers the accusation that he is an “outsider” meddling in local affairs. Analyze the strategies used to argue his position.

Topic #2:

Martin Luther King Jr. considers the accusation that he has resorted to demonstrations rather than negotiations. Analyze the strategies used to argue his position.

Topic #3:

Martin Luther King Jr. considers the accusation that his nonviolent protest movement is “unwise and untimely”. Analyze the strategies used to argue his position.

Topic #4:

Martin Luther King Jr. considers the accusation that his nonviolent protest movement breaks the law. Analyze the strategies used to argue his position.

Topic # 5:

Martin Luther King Jr. considers the accusation that his nonviolent protest movement is “extreme.” Analyze the strategies used to argue his position.

Topic # 6:Martin Luther King Jr. expresses his grave disappointment with the white church and its leadership. Analyze the strategies used to argue his position.

You will be choosing the passage from King's letter that relays the ideas from the prompt you are assigned. 

Schemes and Tropes

PLEASE UNDERSTAND: "Strategies" does not mean just schemes and tropes.  The prompts above ask you to identify and connect how strategies are used in the passage you're working with.  This could mean anything from this Rhetorical Framework graphic.  

Take that Maxim! A Duel of words.

Maxims are wise sayings that can add power to one's argument. Write conflicting arguments (about 5 sentences each) addressing a situation of your choosing, concluding your speech with the appropriate maxim. You will argue for the first maxim and then argue against it with the second maxim. NO REPEATS! So once one of classmates chooses their set of maxims and posts their blog, you may not reuse it. Be sure not to repeat!
Here is an example. Should your Dad order his favorite meal at the restaurant, or try something new? Try to convince him one way or the other and end your argument with the following maxims
"It's better to be safe than sorry"
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained".

Birds of a feather flock together

Opposites Attract

What's good for the goose is good for the gander

One man's meat is another man's poison.

The bigger, the better.

Good things come in small packages.

You're never too old to learn

You can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Wisdom is found in a multitude of counselors.

Too many cooks spoil the broth.

Haste makes waste

Strike while the iron is hot.

Actions speak louder than words

The pen is mightier than the sword.

The more the merrier.

Two's company; three's a crowd.

Don't sweat the small stuff.

The devil is in the details.

A penny saved is a penny earned.

Penny wise, pound foolish.

Rome wasn't build in a day.

Strike while the iron is hot.

If you can't beat em, join em.

If you lie down with dogs, you'll wake up with fleas.

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

Don't beat a dead horse

Knowledge is power.

Ignorance is bliss.

First come, first served.

The last shall be first.

The early bird gets the worm.

The second mouse gets the cheese.

Discussing Andrew Marvell's Poem

To His Coy Mistress

Read this poem. Each stanza makes up one part of a syllogism. Tell us what you think the overall meaning of the poem is and then break it down into the three stanzas relaying what the purpose of each may be. Is the speaker a good rhetor? Why or why not?

How to Argue about Religion....Argue! Argue! Argue!

Bishop Robert Barron Goes to Facebook Headquarters

Click on this link and listen to the speech given by his Eminence, Bishop Robert Barron who was invited to speak at Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, California. What is the irony of this situation? And does that impact the "kairos" of the speech? How does Bishop Barron establish his ethos, more specifically how does he establish his arete, phronesis and the eunoia within the speech. How does Bishop Barron appeal to pathos? How does he put into sync the audiences emotions and how is he attempting to get the audience to "thrive"?  In other words, how does he align the emotions with reason? What is the overall message of the piece and do you feel he does that successfully? If so, how? And if not, why? Provide specific examples from the speech.

Introducing....ME!

When you apply for college next year, you'll likely be required to write essays for your application for admission. Because schools are interested not only in the academic potential of their students but also in their personal qualities, these essay prompts often ask about ethos-what kind of character the applicant has. For this assignment, click on this link to the common app essays and respond to one of the prompts in a blog NO LONGER than 650 words. It need not be that long, but cannot exceed 650 words. Identify with an asterisk * sentences that establish arete, phronesis and eunoia within your essay.

Hey! That's NOT Fair! Or is it?

https://stream.org/nominees-religious-faith-dominates-senate-judicial-confirmation-hearing/

So, Should We Ban Catholics from Public Life?

http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2017/september/catholics-need-not-apply-senators-accused-of-anti-catholic-bias-at-hearing-for-judicial-nominee

What should we make of this situation? Are you angry? Whose side are you on? What is the crux of the argument here?

This is Really Something

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/06/lolas-story/524490/

React to this story. It is so poignant. What is the author's argument. What do others say about this piece? It is very controversial. Look up some stuff and tell us what you think.

Dear Lady of Fatima

Dear Lady of Fatima  First, watch this short video.
                                    Second, before Saturday is over, pray a Rosary using this link:

Beginning of the Rosary

The Joyful Mysteries

When you are done praying the rosary, make a list of intentions. People or situations or anything else you would like prayed for or about should be posted. At the end of the weekend, go through and read all of the intentions of your classmates and keep them close to your heart.

Lady of Fatima, pray for us!

Sporty Spice

"This is part of your life — it's the second tier," Deford says about sports. "The first tier is eating, drinking and procreation. The second tier is religion, the spirit, music, art and the physical. Sports. It deserves to have as much attention paid to it, seriously."

This is a quote by famous sports commentator Frank Deford who retired from NPR. What do you think about it? After listening to this interview, what do you think his legacy is? And what say you about sports at Elk County Catholic High School.

http://www.npr.org/2017/05/05/526879714/frank-deford-a-career-spent-bringing-something-new-to-sports

The Last Leaf

http://www.online-literature.com/o_henry/1303/


Read this beautiful short story. What rhetorical devices does O'Henry use to make the argument that the best love is the love of self-sacrifice?

Can I Have Just 40 Minutes of Your Time?

The following is a sample prompt for question #3 on the AP Language and Composition Exam. Set a timer for 40 minutes and then read and respond to the prompt. I want you not only to post it, but I would like for you to print out a copy for class on Monday as well.

"Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant." -Horace

Consider this quotation about adversity from Roman poet Horace. Then, write an essay that defends, challenges or qualifies Horace's assertion about the role that adversity (financial hardship, political hardship, danger, misfortune, etc.) plays in developing a person's character. Support your argument with appropriate evidence from your reading, observation and experience

Cover your Eyes!

1. Murder and conflict are common themes in Macbeth. Is violence used to advocate for peace and harmony or is it just a plot device? Does Shakespeare distinguish between moral and immoral types of violence?

Good or Bad? Tragic Hero or Not?

At the end of the play, is Macbeth’s death a good or bad thing, i.e., are we satisfied to see Macbeth defeated or upset to see a potentially great man fall? Finally, is Macbeth a tragic hero?

This is an argument. Use your skills! This entry must be at least 300 words, but more if that is what it takes to get the job done!

You Rebel!

In 1891, Irish author Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) observed "Disobedience in the eyes of anyone who has read history is man's original virtue. It is through disobedience that progress has been made, through disobedience and rebellion". Wilde claims that disobedience is a valuable human trait that it promotes social progress.

Write an essay that argues your position on the extend to which Wilde's claims are valid. Use appropriate examples from your reading, experience or observations to support your argument.

You Are a Scientist!

Star Gazing

 Does When I heard the learn’d astronomer have a central theme or message?  If so, how would you express that message and defend your thinking? Is it as simple as becoming bored with a lecture and leaving for some fresh air? Is the writer suggesting something about the differences between facts and feelings?      







 Does When I heard the learn’d astronomer have a central theme or message?  If so, how would you express that message and defend your thinking? Is it as simple as becoming bored with a lecture and leaving for some fresh air? Is the writer suggesting something about the differences between facts and feelings?

I Love My Catholic School!

List three reasons why it is awesome to attend a Catholic School.
Make one constructive suggestion about how your school could be even better!

Are Miracles Real?

Do you believe in miracles? And are miracles in violation of natural law?

You may use outside resources to support your opinion.

Choose a quote from at least one of these songs and include it in your argument

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjdbXdTt48E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gu4M2rz5Cw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKNl0WJB57g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6MYfKuYrNQ

Mark Frankenstein?

1.       Discuss the allegorical dimensions of Frankenstein implied by its subtitle, The Modern Prometheus.

      Read the following article. There are some spoilers, particularly in the first paragraph, but you can skate over that part and still get the gist of it.

http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2017/01/why_frankenstein_is_still_relevant_almost_200_years_after_it_was_published.html

So, argue the for or against the following statement:

Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg is today's Dr. Frankenstein

So Many Arguments, So Little Time!

 Brian Fitzpatrick writes a poignant article about Mary Shelley and Frankenstein. He makes MANY arguments in this article. READ IT carefully. Make a list of all of his arguments, large and small. Choose one and develop that argument further. For example, the following is a quote from the article:

"Though Frankenstein is a tale of terror, the original philosophical themes that actually make it terrifying have been forgotten. Insipid terror has largely replaced intellectual terror, and thus has Mary Shelley’s avant-garde masterpiece been reduced to a banal monster piece."

Because I have read and studied Frankenstein, I would choose this particular line and develop an argument about how the literary work has been minimalized into a simple "monster piece". I would develop and thesis and argue my point that this work is an avant-garde masterpeice. 

You have not yet read this novel. Fitzpatrick tells you in this article about all of the very important topics that are contained in its pages. Choose one. Talk about it. Develop and argument about it. NO REPEATS. There are plenty for everyone, if you read it carefully. 

Something to Think About!

Bioethics

So, this is a very interesting TedTalk about bioethics. Wow!

 And here is a link to the NCBC

What is the crux of the argument presented in the TedTalk? What strategies, find at least 2, does the speaker use to argue his point?

Then, find a topic about bioethics on the NCBC website and tell us what you think about it. No repeat topics please!