Some Rules for Writing

1.  Do Not use text message language.
2.  Do Not use & amp, w/, or s/he.
3.  Always write out the numerals one through nine.
4.  Each new paragraph is to be indented five spaces.
5.  Do Not number paragraphs.


Be able to differentiate between the following:

there, their and they're
to, too, two
hear, here
deer, dear
weather, whether
we're, were
butt, but
your, you're


The following sites will assist you with ALL your future writing assignments:
               
owl.english.purdue.edu, mlaformat.org, mla.org

Adjectives

Here is a presentation that may help you with understanding adjectives.

Let's practice.  Write 10 sentences using adjectives.  Underline each adjective and circle the word it modifies.

The English 9 Argumentative Essay

Reading Response Essay for "Quilt of a Country"  by Anna Quindlen

     Read and closely examine the text "Quilt of a Country". Write an essay in which you detail what claims and counterclaims the author makes about Americans immediately following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  What rhetorical methods does she use to advance her argument?  Support your response with cited evidence from the text.  

    The assignment is to be done in MLA format.  The formatting guidelines can be located in the Collections textbook on page R9,  MLA.org or at Owl.Purdue.English.edu.

The due date has not been established.

Mrs. Nickens  

   

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***** Bring your Books****

Always bring your textbook to class.  Each of you was issued a Collections text book and there are no extras.  I may perform a 'textbook check' at any time. These 'textbook checks' are graded as assessments.  Assessment scores are worth 50% of your grade.  

                   Bring your books to class!

English 9: 3/A -1/B

Closely examine "A Quilt of a Country.  What claims and counterclaims does the author make.  What rhetorical devices does she use to advance her argument?  Support your response with evidence from the text.  Due Monday.

Have a great weekend,

Mrs. Nickens

English 11 Make-Up Essay

For those students who did not bring their books to class, this is the alternate assignment to the grade received.  This is due September 17, 2015.  It, like all formal essay assignments, must be typed and in MLA format.  For assistance with MLA you can to to MLA.org. 

Respond to the following:

1. Prompt:
   If we are afraid to reveal our lack of knowledge we will not be able to learn. In order to make progress we must admit where we are now. Such an admission of ignorance is not easy. As Thoreau says, “How can we remember our ignorance which our growth requires, when we are using our knowledge all the time?”
   Assignment:
   Does the present system of education encourage us to admit our lack of knowledge, or is there too much pressure to demonstrate the acquisition of knowledge? Plan your response, and then write an essay...

High Point High

Supply List

Blue or black ink pens

Loose-leaf paper

a small 3-ring binder

a composition book

Each student who brings in a box of tissue or a bottle of hand sanitizer by Monday August 31st, 2015,  will receive an extra credit grade of 100.

Thank you,

Mrs. Nickens

Macbeth Guided Questions

Macbeth Study Questions

Due June 3, 2015

1. What series of events described by Ross will likely lead to a disastrous conclusion for Macbeth?

2. What is ambiguity?  Explain the ambiguity of Macduff’s use of “at their peace” in line 179 and Ross’s response of “at their peace” in line 180.

3.   Use the dialogue between Ross and Macduff to make inferences about these characters’ feelings.  How does Ross feel about having to tell Macduff about the murders of his wife and children? (lines 200-224)  How does Macduff feel about his family’s death?

4. What does Malcolm mean when he says “This tune goes manly” in line 239?

Act 5

5. Explain what the gentlewoman wants the doctor to do and why.  Be sure to cite the text for evidence.

6. In lines 30-38, examine Lady Macbeth’s behavior and describe what appears to have happened to her and how they (the doctor and the gentlewoman) can tell using what they know about Lady Macbeth’s words and actions earlier in the play.

Scene 2

7. In lines 7-13, identify where Menteith and the other noblemen in these scene are going to meet up with the English soldiers to march against Macbeth.

8. Reread Angus’s dialogue in lines 16-22, what does he mean when he says “Those he commands move only in command/Nothing in love?”

9. In lines 38-46, identify what ails Lady Macbeth.  Use evidence from the text to answer the question.

10.  Explain what Macbeth’s dialogue to the doctor in lines 49-56 says about Macbeth.

English 12 Research Paper

Guidelines

Each student will be assigned a topic for a final research paper. 

Your paper must be at least 1250 words (approximately four pages) not including the works cited page(s).

The papers must include at least four sources only one of which can be from the Internet.  Internet sources can only end in .org, .or, .edu or .gov.

Research papers cannot contain any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. Proofread carefully.

You must properly use MLA format and citation.

Grading Rubrics are available. 

Papers must be submitted in Microsoft Word format, with a .doc or .docx suffix. No other formats are acceptable.

You may want to review the rules regarding Plagiarism.  

Plagiarized papers will receive a grade of zero.

Approved sources and Categories

Print Sources

Books

Electronic Databases

Magazines and Journals

Encyclopedia

Dictionaries

Interviews

Song Lyrics

Films

Textbooks

Surveys

Electronic Sources

Electronic Databases

Websites (ending in .org, .or, .edu, .gov)

Electronic Dictionaries

Electronic Encyclopedia

E-mail

Weblogs or discussion threads

Remember:  Your must have a minimum of four sources, and only one of those four can be electronic.  If you have more than four, then more can be from the electronic list.  Electronic databases are listed twice because I think they could count as either electronic or print; you may use as many database articles, as you like. 

NO WIKIPEDIA!!!

DUE DATES:

A-DAY: MAY 12, 2015

B-DAY: MAY 13, 2015


Papers are due at the beginning of class on the due dates.  
  
NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.

English 12, Analytical Essay for "A Piece of String" by Guy de Maussapant

Analytical Essay:

The works of realism portray the everyday difficulties and disappointments of ordinary people. How does this story, "A Piece of String," show characteristics of realism? Cite details and examples from the text to support your response.  Use the MLA formatting guidelines supplied on this site to prepare your assignment.  

A-Day Classes: Tuesday March 24, 2015

B-Day Classes: Wednesday March 26, 2015

BRING YOUR BOOKS TO CLASS

ALWAYS BRING YOUR BOOKS TO CLASS.  THOSE STUDENTS WHO COME TO CLASS WITHOUT THEIR BOOKS WILL RECEIVE A GRADE OF ZERO FOR THE DAY.  NO PASSES WILL BE GIVEN TO GET BOOKS FROM LOCKERS.

Hermione Nickens

English 12: Constrcted Response for from "A Vindication of the Rights of Women" by Mary Wollstonecraft

Respond to the following with a five paragraph essay.

Closely read from “A Vindication of the Rights
of Women”. What is Mary Wollstonecraft’s
claim in her argument? Identify three reasons
that she provides to support this claim.

A day classes this essay is due February 26th, 2015.
B-day classes this essay is due February 27th, 2015.

Black History Month Presentations

Due March 2nd and 3rd, 2015

Mrs. Nickens English Classes

Black History Month Presentations- ALL CLASSES

Objective:  Students will demonstrate knowledge of different influential African-Americans by creating a PowerPoint presentation. Students will utilize technology to conduct research and present findings.

Each presentation should consist of at least 20 slides.

Besides George Washington Carver, what other African-Americans made contributions to American life? This lesson will explore the careers of famous and not-so-famous African-Americans and their contributions. You will plan and present a PowerPoint on specific topics and individuals and explain why each is significant to the American culture.

Understand that:

The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively.

The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and practices ethical behavior in regard to information and information technology.

The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.

Students will publish digital products that communicate curriculum concepts.

Students will use basic features of word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software.

Students will practice responsible and legal use of technology systems and digital content.

Do not plagiarize! 

Use digital tools and strategies to locate, collect, organize, evaluate, and synthesize information.

Students will fill in a storyboard to determine how their presentation will look. By completing a storyboard, the teacher can make suggestions and answer questions prior to the student going to the computer lab. Allow students to share their storyboards with peers for feedback and constructive criticism (Storyboards are graphic organizers in the form of illustrations or images displayed in sequence for the purpose of pre-visualizing a motion picture, animation, motion graphic or interactive media sequence.)

The lesson culminates with the student presentations. Students are graded using the attached rubric. Allow peers to use rubrics to score student presentations.

Following is a link to an extension activity on related topics that allows further practice with the Internet or other multimedia.

(Treasures of African-American History)

*** Students who excel in the use of technology tools and resources may exceed project requirements or serve as peer helpers. Also, they may want to produce a broadcast, develop a trivia game using information learned, or any other related activity that would encourage others to explore scientists, inventors or inventions.

English 10 Performance Task for from "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka

Prompt: 

Use what you have learned about the central events and details in "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka to write an original story of what might have happened next in the life of Gregor.  Consider how Gregor's character has changed already and how society would react to him.  Your narrative must include narrative elements(i.e. characters/characterization, problem, setting, and a sequence of events) and narrative techniques (i.e. dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, etc.)

*The assignment/narrative must be at least three pages in length and in MLA format.  

*It is due Wednesday January 21, 2015 at the beginning of class.  

*Assignment submitted late will lose a letter grade per day it is late.

      **********************************************************************

English 12  Narrative Essay for "from Beowulf"

Performance Task:  Narrative Essay

Use what you have learned about the central events and details in "from Beowulf" to write and alternate ending to the text.  Consider what would have happened if Beowulf or other characters reacted differently.  Your narrative must include narrative elements (i.e. characters/characterization, problems, setting, and sequence of events) and narrative techniques (i.e. dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, etc).

The essays are to be type-written in MLA format.  

Don't wait until the last minute to begin.

Late assignments will not be accepted.

Due Dates:  A-Day Classes - 01/21/2015

                     B-Day Classes - 01/20/2015

Feel free to bring your drafts for review prior to submission.