Senior Writing: Writing for Life

English Department Policies

Re-Testing Policy: The English department does not allow any re-testing.

Re-Write Policy: Re-writing of papers is encouraged. Students are limited to one re-write per writing assignment. In order to be allowed to re-write students MUST meet the following criteria:

  • The original paper must be turned in on the due date. Late papers will not be eligible for a re-write.
  • The original paper must be grade-level appropriate and be at a reasonable best effort.
  • Students must conference with a teacher one-on-one before re-writing.
  • The conference and the re-written paper must be completed and turned in within two weeks from the graded paper being returned.
  • The highest grade will be given on the writing.

*accommodations will made based on IEPs and 504 Plans

Late Work: Short term assignments, such as quick writes, worksheets, and notes, may be turned in up to one week after the original due date. These papers will be assessed for correctness. After one week, the paper may NOT be turned in for a grade. After one week, the formative assignment is marked as missing. Some formative assessments that have been previously practiced in class will be assessed for correctness and completion. Summative writing assessments will be done in class and assessed for mastery. For these long term writing assessments students will not be given an extra week with no penalty. Please note, if the late paper is a writing assignment, a re-write will not be allowed. Please understand that failing to complete the formative (practice) assignments may negatively impact the final grade.*

Grading: The following weights will be used in all English classes.

Summative Assessments (those completed to show mastery of a skill):

All summative assessments (writing/test)

60%

College Essay


This I Believe Essay-Writing Guidelines

In introducing the original series, host Edward R. Murrow said, “Never has the need for personal philosophies of this kind been so urgent.” We would argue that the need is as great now as it was 50 years ago. We are eager for your contribution.

Tell a story: Be specific. Take your belief out of the ether and ground it in the events of your life. Consider moments when belief was formed or tested or changed. Think of your own experience, work, and family, and tell of the things you know that no one else does. Your story need not be heart-warming or gut-wrenching—it can even be funny—but it should be real. Make sure your story ties to the essence of your daily life philosophy and the shaping of your beliefs.

Be brief: Your statement should be between 350 and 500 words. That’s about three minutes when read aloud at your natural pace.

Name your belief: If you can’t name it in a sentence or two, your essay might not be about belief. Also, rather than writing a list, consider focusing on one core belief, because three minutes is a very short time.

Be positive: Please avoid preaching or editorializing. Tell us what you do believe, not what you don’t believe. Avoid speaking in the editorial “we.” Make your essay about you; speak in the first person.

Be personal: Write in words and phrases that are comfortable for you to speak. We recommend you read your essay aloud to yourself several times, and each time edit it and simplify it until you find the words, tone, and story that truly echo your belief and the way you speak.

Visit the This I Believe website.

The example on this page is done by a kindergarten student. This one is much like a list. But yours should not be.

Visit the link Under 18 Category of This I Believe

These are some great examples of what your This I Believe should sound like.

Following the guidelines above, write your own This I Believe.

Record the audio of your This I Believe.

Put the audio into the folder you shared with the teacher.


Argumentative Essay:

Social Issue

Visual Evidence


IDEAS OF SOCIAL ISSUES:

  • Drug use/abuse
  • Texting and driving
  • Age discrimination
  • Cost of college
  • Same-sex marriage
  • Raising minimum wage
  • Minors should have say in medication prescribed for them
  • Animal rights
  • Taking life if have terminal illness
  • Feminism
  • Stigma of having mental illness
  • Bullying
  • Smoking in public
  • legalization of marijuana
  • NSA/government monitoring

Choose a possible social issue that you would like to write about. Write a claim and a counter-claim paragraph. These should include the following:

Claim Paragraph must include-

  • statement of claim
  • strengths of claim (general)
  • impact on society (specific examples)

Counter-Claim Paragraph must include-

  • statement of counter-claim
  • limitations of counter-claim (general)
  • specific reasons counter-claim is weaker than claim

Students should have the Definition paragraphs for claim and counter-claim. They should also have the line of reasoning to support the claim. This should be done at the start of class tomorrow.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

social issues visual


Evidence

Find the evidence to prove your claim. You must include visuals as evidence.

These visuals MUST include:

  • a graphic (chart, map, pie chart, etc.)
  • a photo (at least 2)
  • a video (only 1 may be used)


On a Google Doc, copy the evidence or visual INCLUDING the citation. Organize the evidence by points you of your claim. One excellent source of evidence, including visuals, are the Opposing Viewpoints. The link for this is below.

Opposing Viewpoint database at Michigan eLibrary.


ESSAY ASSIGNMENT

You are to write a well formatted argumentative essay.

Choose one of the organizational patterns given in class to formulate your paper. The final draft MUST have a correct Works Cited page.

The final paper should be between 1,500-2,500 words.

This must include-

A clear introduction that includes:

  • attention getting lead (not a question)
  • statement of the social issue
  • explanation of the impact of the issue on society and who (the group) the social issue impacts
  • clear claim with reasons listed

A counter-claim paragraph that includes:

  • statement of counter-claim
  • evidence to disprove counter-claim

Proof that claim is correct:

  • Support of claim is from unbiased, reputable sources
  • Analysis of the supporting evidence is clear and connected to the claim

A clear conclusion paragraph that includes:

  • a rephrased, restatement of claim (that avoids verbatim redundancy)
  • summary of the claim and reasons

Uses visuals as evidence to support your claim.

These visuals MUST include:

  • a graphic (chart, map, pie chart, etc.)
  • a photo (at least 2)
  • a video (only 1 may be used)

Here is a link to the Opposing Viewpoint database at Michigan

eLibrary. This is an excellent source for argumentative writing.

Paper is formatted correctly using MLA format

CITATION INFORMATION

MLA reference: Owl of Purdue

MLA Format

MLA Sample Paper

Short and Long Quotes

Parenthetical Citations:

Examples

Works Cited Page:

Sample Page

Citation Generators:

List of Generators

Easy Bib

Photo:

("Title of Photo").

For photographic reproductions of artwork (e.g. images of artwork in a book), cite the bibliographic information as above followed by the information for the source in which the photograph appears, including page or reference numbers (plate, figure, etc.).

Goya, Francisco. The Family of Charles IV. 1800. Museo del Prado, Madrid. Gardener's Art Through the Ages. 10th ed. By Richard G. Tansey and Fred S. Kleiner. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace. 939. Print.

REFLECTION ON POLITICAL CARTOON:

You must first find a political cartoon. This should be one published within the past 6 months. Political Cartoon of the Week

The Political Cartoon should be pasted at the top of the document.

The reflection must include:

  1. An identification of the issue.
  2. The point of view or claim of the cartoon
  3. Explanation of the cartoonist’s opinion on this issue
  4. Explanation of Counter Claim
  5. Did you find this cartoon persuasive? Why or why not? Give specific reasons based on what is in the cartoon (text, pictures, symbolism)
  6. Summary of change or call to action the cartoon is making



Writing an Editorial

EDITORIAL SHOULD INCLUDE:

No matter what type of editorial you choose, the newspaper article has specific features every editor should keep in mind. The topic should be one reflecting events or news within the past 6 months.

  1. Introduction paragraph, several body paragraphs, and impressive conclusion. The structure is the same most academic essays have.
  2. An objective interpretation of the problem or question with the help of facts, statistics, figures, etc. Complex issues deserve more attention than simple topics.
  3. A timely news angle.
  4. Arguments provided by the opposing side aimed to prove the information is 100% objective, unbiased, and complete.
  5. Author's points of view written in a formal language (third person). (Excellent editorials do not focus on personalities when trying to persuade the reader).
  6. Other possible solutions to the discussed cases obtained with the help of constructive criticism and professionalism.
  7. A summary which encloses with the powerful Call to Action (CTA) or change.
  8. For examples, see Editorials for Students

REFLECTION ON POLITICAL CARTOON:

\

Students should write an editorial on one of the given Editorial Cartoons.

Students should create their own editorial cartoon for a similar topic of interest.

For examples of what an editorial sounds like, see the link to Student Daily News.

Resume and Letters of Recommendation

Google Presentation

Update or create a resume. Use Career Cruising or the Resume template in Pages.

  1. Your resume should be current and up-to-date.
  • Resume- Career Cruising

Go to-

www.careercruising.com

Username: laingsburg

Password: hswolfpack

click log-in to EDP

Obtain this from Mrs. Babinski or me.

2. Ask 3 adults to write a character reference letter for you. When you ask someone to write you a letter of recommendation, you need to give them a written page with the following information.

  • Activities involved in
  • awards won
  • leadership roles
  • hobbies and interests

5 YEAR PLAN and TIMELINE

Students must complete the 5 year plan before beginning this assignment. The goals from the 5 year plan must be included in the timeline.

Senior Writing

Timeline and Vision Board

After completing the 5 year plan, begin working on the timeline and vision board assignment. The goals from the 5 year plan should be included in the vision board.

  • The purpose of the Timeline/Vision Board is to display realistic future goals, plans, etc., along with your ideal lifestyle
  • Timeline should be creative, thematic, and neatly displayed
  • Timeline should include accurate facts about future career, family, lifestyle, etc. plans
    • For example, it takes more than 2 years of college to become a doctor!
  • Time period should be based on current age until the time of death, assuming a long life is lived
  • Final Product: A visual representation of your life
    • 1-2 poster board(s) of visuals (mag. photos, drawings, printouts, etc.) that depict what you want in life.
      • Think carefully- include family, career, health, education, hobbies (from now until death (not before 85 yrs. of age))
  • Final Product: Oral Explanation of future self
    • 2-4 minute explanation of visual
    • Explanation must be clear and thoughtful as to how each visual represents you and an aspect of your future
    • The explanation must be practiced and organized- DO NOT WING IT!
      • walk the class through your life-from now until end

Argumentative Essay:

Power in a Social Setting

Pre-Writing Task-

Step 1:

What kinds of power matter in a social setting?

Select a picture, create a drawing, or take a photograph that illustrates some aspect of power that matters in a social setting.

Step 2:

Then write a brief description that defines the aspect of power portrayed in the picture, drawing, or photograph.

The brief paper must include:

  • a definition of power
  • a description of the image
  • an explanation of the connection between the image and the definition.

Add your picture of Power to the presentation in the shared presentation in Google Slides.

Choose 7 pictures to take notes on using the note sheet attached below.

Step 3:

Look back at historical documents that show different Power situations in history.

Choose 2 articles to take notes from.

Constitution of United States

19th Amendment: Women's right to vote

2016 Presidential Election

Social Media and the Uprising in Middle East

Importance of Social Media in Uprising in Middle East

From the Images and articles,take notes on the sources of Power in the world and how that power is used.

The notes page is attached at the bottom of the page.

Rough Draft Step:

Power impacts society.

Most of the parts are written, these just need to be put into the correct order and in paragraph form.

Students need to choose one of the three organizational patterns for an argumentative write. These organizational patterns can be found at the link: Writing an Argumentative Essay

Here is a link to the Opposing Viewpoint database at Michigan eLibrary. This is an excellent source for argumentative writing.

Claim Definition Paragraph must include-

  • statement of claim
  • strengths of claim (general)
  • impact on society (specific examples)

Counter-Claim Definition Paragraph must include-

  • statement of counter-claim
  • limitations of counter-claim (general)
  • specific reasons counter-claim is weaker than claim

Students should have the Definition paragraphs for claim and counter-claim. They should also have the line of reasoning to support the claim. This should all be done at the start of class.

Peer Review FCAs

Each person in the peer review group must grade the other group members based on the following FCAs. In a different color text, you must explain your reason for the grade.

FCA 1- Organizational pattern followed correctly /10

FCA 2- Sources cited correctly - both parenthetical (10) and Works Cited (10) page /20

FCA 3- No personal pronouns (I, you, we, my) used unless in direct quote /10

Example Commencement Speeches

Reflective Write:

Your boss has asked that you analyze 2 of the three(your choice) articles below (make connections and ask questions about further research needed). She wants to know the following for each article:

  • Is the information in the article reliable (can it be believed)? This is your opinion.
  • What evidence from the article supports your opinion above?
  • What further research is needed to fully understand the topic.

Your boss needs the articles analyzed by the end of the hour. You should turn in a one page analysis for each chosen article today.

Just How Many Facebook Friends Do You Need?

Turn Off the Phone (and the Tension)

High School Dropouts Costly to American Economy

The idea and belief you wrote about will become the basis for a TED Talks video.

OR you may have a different idea all together!


TED speakers are asked to do six things in their talk:

  1. Distill their life’s work or experience into a 3 minute talk
  2. Be authentic/vulnerable
  3. Convey one strong idea
  4. Tell a story that hasn’t been told before
  5. Tell and not sell
  6. Absolutely and positively stick to the time limit

Do those things and you too can give “the talk of your life."

Invention:

What in the world should you talk about? The one thing all Ted Talks have in common is that they are delivered by people who are passionate about and believe in what they are saying. So find something you are passionate about. It could be a religion, a political event, an experience you had, a person in your life, a pet, dietary choices, a class you took, a place you visited, a hobby, music you enjoy, an expectation you have for people, etc. You do not have to persuade someone to do something; you may simply present something beautiful.

Preparation:

You will not be handing in an essay. You may write your talk out as if it was an essay, but you will not be able to read it word for word. So outline your talk stating main ideas, examples, and facts. That is what you will hand in. What you do to elaborate upon your outline is up to you. If necessary, you may use note cards during your talk.

Practice:

Essential. Even if you are a practiced orator, you must practice, practice, practice. You will be graded on the quality of your content and also the quality of your talk. What makes a good speech? Well, beyond the obvious (content), it's presentation. You must speak at an even pace (not too fast and not too slow), you must speak clearly, you must use inflection, you must rid your speech of “like,” “um,” “ya know,” etc. The only way to make sure you are addressing all of these elements is to practice. You also need to be attentive to body language and posture: what you do with your face, your hands, and posture—they all speak volumes (pun intended).

Let’s do it!

Some of you will want to deliver your talk to me in private, some of you will be absent on delivery days. WAIT!

The good news is you do not have to present live. You may film your talk, and you may film your talk in the privacy of your own room (or any other location). You may even have multiple takes depending on how smoothly it goes. If you need to edit pieces of it together, you may do that as well. So for those of you who are afraid of speaking in public, this is a vast and comfortable safety net.

OR you may present these live. The important part is that however you present the speech you need to be confident and comfortable in order to present the best speech possible.


What is a TED Talks video?

TEDTalks began as a simple attempt to share what happens at the TED Conference with the world. Under the slogan "ideas worth spreading," talks were released online beginning in June 2006. They rapidly attracted a global audience in the millions -- in a reaction so enthusiastic that, in April 2007, the entire TED website was reengineered around TEDTalks, with the goal of giving everyone on-demand access to the world's most inspiring voices.

TED is an acronym for Technology, Entertainment, Design.

The TED commandments

  • You should challenge yourself in topic and ideas.
  • You should present new ideas or challenge existing ones.
  • You should choose a topic that you are passionate about.
  • You should tell a story.
  • You should choose to entertain, inform or persuade in your speech.
  • You should not brag about your accomplishments, but be humble or present the times you have been challenged or failed.
  • You should not read thy speech.

A lot of the best TED Talks have no slides at all!

TED Talk slide guidelines

When speakers choose to use slides, conference organizers have official advice on how to edit them:

· A single word or line of text can have more impact than a paragraph.

· Text-heavy slides distract listeners from processing what a speaker is saying.

· In general, choose images over text.

· Slides should be easy to understand.

· Keep graphs visually clear.

· No slide should support more than one point.

· Cut any slide that does not have a clear purpose.



Bullying in Schools

Spurred by recent news stories and the tragic turn that bullying can take, Michigan legislatures recently passed a law requiring schools to adopt and implement anti-bullying policies. Given the article Area Schools Try United Front to End Bullying and your personal knowledge about this topic, write an essay answering the following prompt:

What should schools do to stop bullying of students? Be sure to include the following:

  • What is bullying?
  • How prevalent is bullying in schools today?
  • Will a law stop this bullying?

Type 3:

FCA 1: Written in correct essay format

FCA 2: Essay addresses all the questions

FCA 3: Evidence from article stated in the essay

Reflective Write:

Continue where you left off yesterday in class. Look at the groupings you made from the connections you made on the Just How Many Facebook Friends Do You Need? article.

Your boss has asked that you analyze the four articles (make connections and ask questions about further research needed). This analysis can be done on the article itself OR on a separate paper of notes. She wants to know the following for each article:

  • Is the information in the article reliable (can it be believed)? This is your opinion.
  • What evidence from the article supports your opinion above?
  • What further research is needed to fully understand the topic.

Your boss needs the four articles analyzed by the end of the hour. You should turn in a one page analysis for each article today.

Three Cases to Watch in the Supreme Court's New Term

Turn Off the Phone (and the Tension)

High School Dropouts Costly to American Economy

Letters to-

Part of beginning a new chapter in life is reflecting on where you have been and looking toward where you are going. You will write three letters to the following people:

For each letter you must include information about (each of these sections need to be developed into a paragraph each):

Letter to Freshman-

What you wish you had known as a freshman

What the freshman should take time to enjoy

Advice on what to avoid

Specific person that freshmen can go to for help

What you will be remembered as

Letter to Parent (or other adult who meets the role)-

Why the person was chosen

Important role in your life (specific)

What you want to say (thank you)

Letter to Future Self-

What you hope to have accomplished

What you want to remember from high school

Piece of advice for the future


Senior Project Assigned

Below you may download all the files in the Senior Project Packet.

Words of Advice from Last Year's Class-

  • "To give some advice would be to make sure you plan out exactly what you need done. Even a professional procrastinator like me had to get stuff done and do work on time." -Jarrod
  • Don't fall behind. Don't wait until the last minute. Bad Idea!!!!!- Chris
  • "Plan everything out before you even start." Erick
  • "There are going to be days where you don't feel like doing stuff, but push through it because in the end you will regret not doing the best project possible." -Jen
  • "Choose a topic that is interesting and will take some work. Challenge yourself." -Josh

College Essay

CITATION INFORMATION

MLA reference: Owl of Purdue

MLA Format

MLA Sample Paper

Short and Long Quotes

Parenthetical Citations:

Examples

Works Cited Page:

Examples

Sample Page

Citation Generators:

List of Generators

Easy Bib

Photo:

("Title of Photo").

For photographic reproductions of artwork (e.g. images of artwork in a book), cite the bibliographic information as above followed by the information for the source in which the photograph appears, including page or reference numbers (plate, figure, etc.).

Goya, Francisco. The Family of Charles IV. 1800. Museo del Prado, Madrid. Gardener's Art Through the Ages. 10th ed. By Richard G. Tansey and Fred S. Kleiner. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace. 939. Print.