AUGUST 23 rd ENGLISH II

1. AUGUST 23rdENGLISH II Warm-up: 1) Write a + a – or an N next to each word, based on whether it has a more positive or a more negative or a very neutral tone. I’ll start us off on the first column, help me with the next two columns, then do the rest on your own. Sunset Calm Duty Desert Watchful Pitiful Savory Passionate Dear Sweet Fair Nasty Pleasant Furious Self-respecting 2) Next, explain the connotations behind ONE word in the list above (what do you think/feel when you hear it?). Rephrase the question in your answer to #2!

2. STANDARDS Reading 1.1: Identify and use the literal and figurative meanings of words (and understand word derivations).

3. THE RATTLER • The words that we covered for our warm-up are pieces of diction that the speaker of “The Rattler” uses to describe 1) the setting, 2) the snake, and 3) his action towards the snake. • After going over these words, let’s speed-read through the short story one more time. • Ask: what would we say is the speaker’s tone towards the setting? Towards the snake? Towards killing the snake?

4. REMINDERS • Pass up ”The Rattler” worksheet • Turn in warm-ups on the stool after class. • If you have your syllabus, drop it on my desk before you leave (last chance for full credit). • Get out class work for “The Rattler” (diction analysis). • Don’t forget: the meeting for London, Dublin, Paris in on Tuesday (8/23) at 5:00 in my room! • Write this down in your planner (I may check it on the way out): “Homework: finish paragraph for ‘The Rattler’”

5. NOTES: HOW TO WRITE A PARAGRAPH • I’ll pass out a piece of paper to you; instead of taking Cornell Notes, take notes on the worksheet. • Keep this in the “handouts” section of your binder.

6. PARAGRAPH NOTES • If somebody asks you to write a paragraph, there is a way to organize it so that your thoughts are logical, clear and easy to follow. Here is how your paragraph should be written: • Topic sentence: State what you will prove in the rest of your paragraph • Explanation: Explain or expand upon your topic sentence • Evidence: Give evidence (from the book, from real life, with data) to prove the statement you made in the t.s. • Explanation: Explain how this evidence proves what you are trying to prove. • Evidence: Give a second piece of evidence • Explanation: Explain how this evidence proves your point • Wrap-up: State your main point and connect it to something bigger (the rest of the essay, life, other books, etc.) *Note: Each bullet point should be one sentence, but may be 2-3 sentences, if necessary.

7. PARAGRAPH NOTES • Let’s look at the paragraph on Diction in “The Rattler” for an example. I’ll read it through once. Then, after we read it… • Put a star next to the topic sentence • Put a happy face next to the wrap-up sentence. • Draw a straight line under the two pieces of evidence • Draw a squiggly line under the explanation of the topic sentence • Make a dotted line under the sentences which explain the evidence

8. WRITING PRACTICE • Now, YOU will be writing a paragraph that discusses how the diction in “The Rattler” shows the speaker’s tone towards the setting (paragraph #1) • We’ll start our paragraph together (topic sentence) • With your partner, you’ll • Write an explanation for the topic sentence • Together, we’ll write our first piece of evidence and commentary • With a partner, you’ll • Write the second piece of evidence, commentary, and wrap-up • Homework: finish your paragraph