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The passage below is from Last Child in the Woods (2008) by Richard Louv. Read the passage carefully. Then, in
a well-developed essay, analyze the rhetorical strategies Louv uses to develop his argument about the separation
between people and nature. Support your analysis with specific references to the text.

Here is a link to the passage. Before you go to the passage, think through the prompt. Also provided are some examples. WRITE YOUR ESSAY BEFORE YOU LOOK AT THE SAMPLES. Looking at the samples first will ruin your chance of learning something from this exercise. It is not about getting it right on the blog, it is about putting forth the effort and being willing to fail so that you can learn what to do better.

https://www.cusd80.com/cms/lib/AZ01001175/Centricity/Domain/6369/Last%20Child%20in%20the%20Woods%20Prompt.pdf


Samples

1. Read and analyze prompt
2. Write essay
3. Read samples
4. Rate your own essay from 0-9 at the end of the essay
5. Analyze the essay of two classmates and give them a score. Be specific about something they did well and something they did not do well. Try to choose a classmate whose essay has not been commented on so that everyone's essay is analyzed at least by one fellow student.

His Last Words

Choose one the 7 last "words" Jesus said and reflect on one. Begin the blog with the words you've chosen. Then, using that reflection as a starting point, make an argument about why Holy Week is the climax of the liturgical year. Validate your argument. 



1.

“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.”
(Luke 23:34)

Do you really believe God has forgiven your sins? Do you take time on a regular basis to confess your sins so that you might enjoy the freedom of forgiveness? Do you need to experience God’s forgiveness in a fresh way today?

2.

“I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
(Luke 23:43)

Have you staked your life on Jesus? Have you put your ultimate trust in him? Do you know that, when your time comes, you will be with him in paradise?

3.

“Dear woman, here is your son.”
(John 19:26)

What does Mary’s presence at the cross evoke in you? Why do you think was it necessary for Jesus to suffer physical pain as he died?

4.

“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
(Mark 15:34)

Have you taken time to consider that Jesus was abandoned by the Father so that you might not be? What does this “word” from the cross mean to you?

5

“I am thirsty.”
(John 19:28)

How do you respond to Jesus’ statement “I am thirsty”? What does this statement suggest to you about Jesus? About yourself?

6.

“It is finished!”
(John 19:30)

 Do you live as if Jesus finished the work of salvation? To you have confidence that God will finish that which he has begun in you?

7.

“Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!”
(Luke 23:46)

Have you put your life and, indeed, your life beyond this life, in God’s hands? How do you experience God’s salvation through Christ in your life today?

A piece of advice and some practice

 On essays, trust your training as a close reader and thoughtful writer. Use any confusion as a catalyst to curiosity about the text – that is, describe to yourself (and maybe to your reader) specifically what is confusing, surprising, abrupt, vague, dense, unexpected, etc. Your writing will be livelier if, instead of simply stating what you know, you bring your reader with you as you discover something new. 

Now set a timer for 40 minutes and tackle this rhetorical analysis from the 2017 AP Exam. Open this link https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-english-language-frq-2017.pdf and scroll down to page 11.

In your comments, you must read your classmates essay and score it from 0-9. Give rationale for the score you assigned. 

Just as an aside, you might find it advantageous to peak at the other essay prompts from this link. If you want to do well on the exam, you need to practice. You can go directly to the AP Central website and find tons of information. Remember, this is your opportunity to do well. Lots of people crap out just when the race is almost over. Don't crap out on me. It's crunch time. I want you all to do your very best. If you do that, you won't have to live with regret. 

New Post for April 6

What does it mean to be charitable?

A weekly feature of The New York Times Magazine is a column by Randy Cohen called “The Ethicist,”  in which people raise ethical questions to which Cohen provides answers. The question below is from the column that appeared on April 4, 2003.

At my high school, various clubs and organizations sponsor charity drives, asking students to bring in money, food, and clothing. Some teachers offer bonus points on tests and final averages as incentives to participate. Some parents believe that this sends a morally wrong message, undermining the value of charity as a selfless act. Is the exchange of donations for grades O.K. ?

The practice of offering incentives for charitable acts is widespread, from school projects to fund drives by organizations such as public television stations, to federal income tax deductions for contributions to charities. In a well-written essay, develop a position on the ethics of offering incentives for charitable acts. Support your position with evidence from your reading, observation, and/or experience.

Are you Charitable?

Open this and scroll to page 10