Compare and contrast the arguments made by Creon and Haimon in Scene III of Antigone to analyze how each character uses rhetoric* to advance his purpose. Make an argument for who you think has the stronger argument (Creon or Haimon) for his beliefs about Antigone’s actions. *(((Rhetoric – The art of using words effectively in speaking or writing.)))

ESSAY BODY MUST HAVE: - At least three arguments between Haimon and Creon, with line references. - A clear point of view from you, but written in third person, about which of the characters you feel has the best argument. - This will likely take you at least three paragraphs.

Conclusion example: The argument between Creon and Haimon in Antigone provides many lessons in the art of persuasion and the principles of law. Many of these lessons can be applied to the present day. If we are to be good citizens and effective leaders, we can learn a lot from these arguments and the drama Antigone. ((((Also, you are only really writing your essay from two or three pages (670-672 or 673. You have to read each of their arguments to make your case))).

Zinsser reading questions for journalism

What does Zinsser say is the secret good writing?

What must writers continually ask themselves?

Why does Zinsser say writing is one of the hardest things to do?

What does Zinsser say is the length of attention span for the average person?

What does Zinsser compare fighting clutter to?

Writing improves in direct ratio to ...

What are three examples of phrases we use today that are clutter speak?

10th Grade paper due soon

10th Grade Research Paper: Due Oct. 17 Topic: Compare the motivations of Tim O’Brien from the short story “On the Rainy River” and any character from Lord of the Flies that lead each character to compromise their moral integrity. 1. Final product must be two pages (not including Works Cited page) typed, double-spaced, using Times New Roman 12-point font. 2. Must include at least four in-text citations in MLA style. 3. Must have a formal introduction and conclusion. 4. Must have paragraphs that correspond to transitions or new ideas. 5. Must have a Works Cited page in proper MLA format.

1. On pages 76 through 81, what pressures does Ralph face heading into the meeting, or assembly? What things are going through his mind at the beginning of the chapter? 2. On page 89, Simon became inarticulate (hmm, what does that word mean?!) in his effort to explain “mankind’s essential illness” in reference to the beast. What does that mean? 3. Briefly sum up what the following line at the top of page 91 means: “The world, that understandable and lawful world, was slipping away. Once there was this and that; and now – and the ship had gone.” 4. What important turning point occurs on page 91? (A turning point is a significant plot development that changes the outcome of the story and the characters). 5. What is it that Ralph, Piggy, and Simon begin to long for on page 94?

Lord of the Flies, Chapter 1 1. How did the boys end up on the island? 2. What object do Piggy and Ralph find in the water? 3. What does that object symbolize? 4. What does Piggy suggest has happened to their families back home? 5. What is the “platform” that is mentioned in the book? 6. Why does jack argue that he should be chief instead of Ralph? 7. What does Ralph decide the boys should do in the first expedition? 8. What argument does Piggy posit as to why he should go on the expedition, too? 9. What does Ralph tell Piggy his job is? 10. How does the author describe the coral reef enclosing a part of the island (p29)? 11. When Jack is about to stab the piglet, he realizes “what an enormity the downstroke would be”. What does that mean? 12. What does Jack say after failing to stab the pig?

Thursday, September 5

These are the words for the next 10th grade Literature vocabulary test: Foray, Regime, Emit, Conscientious, Venture, Indelible, Adept, Cantankerous,Rejuvenate, and Tranquil. Mr. Neill

Thursday, August 29

I have been really slammed, trying to get our new online gradebook system mastered and getting to know students and starting the year off.

I know I need to do better at updating this site daily and I will do my best.

Sophomores: We are finishing up "The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe. The students will have a test Friday and we will finish watching clips of the movie version of the story.

Seniors: We are wrapping up the Anglo-Saxon period, which included Beowulf and some other short stories. We will have a test on Friday and get ready to begin the Medieval Period, which will include the Canterbury Tales. If students aren't already reading their novels for their Capstone Project, they really need to get busy on that. We are already almost halfway through the first nine weeks. The first part of the Capstone project is due Sept. 22 and the last part of Part I, which is a three-page paper, is due Oct. 3.

Journalism: We are learning about journalism ethics and libel law. We are working on setting up an online newspaper and will be working toward that goal in coming weeks. Students will have a test next week over basic terms and concepts we have covered in class. They will also take the Student Learning Objective Test for journalism next week.

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Thursday August 22

Sophomores: Today we read the short story "The Monkey's Paw" on page 14 in our text. Students are responsible for the following vocabulary words: Amiably Presumptuous Maligned Prosaic Attribute Avaricious Inaudible Torrent Broach Liability

Seniors: We worked on essays today. Students chose between these two prompts: 1. While Beowulf predates Christianity in England, the version we have today has Christian elements. Discuss the Christian elements of the epic and explain their significance. How would the Christian elements relate to the depiction of Grendel as a monster rather than just a human being? Use textual evidence to support your assertions. 2. How does the writer of Beowulf use the themes of good versus evil and light versus darkness? Use textual evidence to support your assertions.

Mr. Neill

Tuesday, August 20

Sophomores: Today we are taking a quiz on the short story "On the Rainy River". Tomorrow we will start a new story in the Mirrors and Windows text called "The Monkey's Paw.

Seniors: This is what we are working on today in Beowulf: 12th Grade Advanced Lit. - Independently read Cantos 32-38 - Do questions 1b-5b on page 54 - From the beginning to where you stopped reading, identify: 3 examples of kennings 3 examples of alliteration 3 examples of Christian references

Journalism: Today we have a quiz on the history of news and what comprises news. Finishing up the movie "All the President's Men" about the reporting of the Watergate scandal.

Mr. Neill

Friday August 16

Sophomores:We are wrapping the reading of a short story called "On the Rainy River" in our textbooks. We will finish the story Monday and have a quiz on the story and 10 vocabulary words associated with it on Tuesday. Students were assigned the vocabulary words for homework and should study them prior to the test

Seniors:We are working on the epic Beowulf and most of the students have already selected the novels they want to read for the important Capstone Project. This Tuesday we will have a quiz over the first part of the epic.

Journalism:Journalism students will have a quiz Tuesday on news definitions and the history of news from notes they took in class. We have also been watching the movie "All the President's Men" about the two Washington Post reporters who broke the Watergate story.

Mr. Neill

Wednesday Aug. 14

Sophomores: Currently, we are reading a short story called "On the Rainy River" which deals with the Vietnam War. Students are taking notes and studying things like author's point of view and themes in literature. It is important that they bring me their spiral notebook for their in-class journal by Friday, if they haven't done so already.

Seniors: We're going over background for Beowulf and getting ready to start the epic. We will start in-class reading of the story on Thursday.

Journalism: We are going over the history of journalism and what comprises news. Students will likely have a quiz over the topics being covered on Friday.

Mr. Neill

First Day Done

It was a smooth first day of class and students should be bringing home a course syllabus to parents to be signed and returned to me.

Seniors: In addition to a syllabus, I sent home a listing of tasks that are required to complete their Capstone Project, a major project we'll be working on throughout the year. Both forms need to be signed and returned

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I plan to distribute books to 10th- and 12th-grade literature students by Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. Students will bring those books home and are responsible for them. We will be using class sets so they won't have to carry their books to school each day

. Mr. Neill

Welcome back

Summer never lasts as long as we'd like it to, and here we are at the start of a new school year.

And it should prove to be a good year, as we strive to constantly improve our instruction to produce students who are better prepared for this increasingly complex world.

I am trying to meet that demand by creating an outlet to communicate more effectively with students.

This blog will serve to inform parents and students about daily assignments they may have missed due to unplanned absences. It will also keep parents informed about the various topics we are studying in class.

Please check in here frequently, and I will do my best to update the blog daily.

Let's make this a great year!

Mr. Neill