Othello- Is Iago good or evil?

Your next and final out-of-class essay will be on Othello. Specifically it will be on Iago’s ability to manipulate Othello and the others in the play.

For the long weekend I want you to answer these questions in preparation for the essay. It should be at least one page typed and turned in on Monday.

How does Iago use language to deceive others? How does Iago convince Othello that Cassio is a drunk, disloyal soldier, or that Desdemona is a cunning whore? Why does Iago use his rhetoric and acting skills to destroy others? What drives him? Who and what is Iago?

Good luck!

AP Language/ Terms to Know

I found a couple of quick reference guides to the key rhetorical terms you will need to know for the AP test and the class. The websites come from the College Board website- http://www.uky.edu/AS/Classics/rhetoric.html#1 and http://www.merriam-webster.com/

Good luck with the terms…

When in doubt- watch “Clueless” to help remember Ethos, Pathos and Logos!

“We simply don’t have the resources to meet the demand,”

It is not that I want to be the bearer of bad news but, I found this article and I thought I would share it with all of you. Remember, don’t kill the messenger!

http://www.alternet.org/workplace/109397

 With most of you graduating in the spring this is something you should be aware of. I believe it is going to sting a little bit but I am confident that all of you who are leaving soon will find your way or rather ‘a way’ to get to the future you desire.

I have faith…

Mr. B

“We are what we repeatedly do.” Aristotle

Well here it is- finally! I never thought it would take this long to post something but I guess sometimes it takes the muse to strike in order to produce. And no, I won’t remember that when you don’t turn in your essay on time! (Note: The rhetorical strategy used in that last sentence? I’m sure you can guess!)

Well… I mentioned that I was going to post something here today about Facebook. I would written earlier but I was looking at my Facebook page…

The first thing I want you to read is the article in the Outlook section of the Washington Post yesterday. It was a funny little snippet about Facebook and how narcissistic people can be! I got a good laugh at this one!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/custom/2008/10/10/CU2008101002890.html

The next article I found today at school. From a news site that I like to read daily. I think it is one of the best places for an interesting look into life, culture, politics etc… It is likely to upset you and make you question the larger world around you. It is a good place to practice your critical reading skills.

http://www.alternet.org/election08/102684/ 

Some of the concepts in the article are quite interesting. Is your narcissism revealed on your Facebook page? I am assuming that most of you have them but what does Facebook really do for you? If you are not involved, then why not?  

How do you feel about being labeled the ‘Look at Me’ generation? Do you agree with this idea of self-esteem and self-promotion? 

Or, are you able to justify your Facebook page like I can? I started mine to get in contact with all of those people that I went to school with in Kuwait. I couldn’t wait to talk to some of them when I found them, most of which I haven’t seen in over 15 years. Sadly, I have made contact with some of them and sent one or two messages back and forth and have stopped talking to them. I guess it wasn’t as exciting as I thought it would be. But it is also comforting to know that I can get ahold of them if I need to for some reason. Is it better that I can somehow justify my reasons- does it matter? I still waste time looking at it.

Lately my friend list has grown. Now I am getting friend requests from former students- what are the rules concerning that? Should I accept- limit- deny?! If it isn’t a part of my original agenda then what should I do? I am also getting friend requests that are absurd- from MY FRIENDS!!! Why do I care to be friends with people I see daily? One of them recently wrote me a wall post asking me a question— seriously!!! You can just call me… idiot! And no I did not reply. And while I am on the subject, I accepted a friend request from my wife! That is just dumb (I accepted). But don’t tell her I said that, she will get mad at me. 

Have fun with this!

I hope to read some good comments!!!

Mr. B

Something Different

It is almost the end of the quarter and some of you will be looking to improve your grades ‘by any means necessary’. Well, here you go:

These are the three topics you can read about, write about, and possibly get a ‘little extra comnsideration’ when it comes to your grade. It is possible to read these for the sheer enjoyment of reading or personal knowledge… but I might presuming too much at times.

The choices are three graphic novels- I have never used graphic novels before in class and depending on how this experiment goes I might fold them into the class next year.

Your choices:

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi- About a girl growing up in Iran

Maus: A Survivor’s Tale by Art Spiegelman- a look at the Holocaust

The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon- a visual look at 9/11

There are the choices… they are all available at Amazon.com

Remember- The essay should be typed- double spaced and about 2 pages. Your essay should be a critique of the work. What you liked, what you didn’t, what could be better, what you learned that you didn’t know, why should anybody read your graphic novel, etc. They should not be a summary of the graphic novel!

 Good Luck!

Next week- Editorials and you should be thinking about your social issue for your speeches.

A New Day

It has been a long time since I have posted anything… sometimes you have nothing to say.Third quarter is upon us and rapidly deteriorating toward graduation. That is a good thing; for all of us! Pay attention folks, time is an uphill battle and some of you are sliding downhill. Recently we have read (or currently reading) some great pieces of literature. A Modest Proposal presented us with a look into satirical problem solving. How do we solve the problems of society when nobody listens?  It seems that drastic measures work to get people’s attention… in the written form that is! Even though Swift proposed a heinous set of actions to solve Ireland’s poverty the problem persisted, and still does!  How do we solve poverty? Here is a great link to an article by the same guy who wrote our mid-term proposal       http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25562-2005Mar10.html  

Here is a link to the whole Swift Essay- http://art-bin.com/art/omodest.html                                                                     

We also read Sir Thomas More’s Utopia which I find to be an amazing story. I am a big fan of anything that has influenced the world as much as this concept. So many writers and poets have ‘borrowed’ themes and ideas from More’s work over the years it one could probably play 6 degrees of separation with the book. Anyway, if you want to know more about More- and Utopia- check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utopia_(book) 

Currently we are reading “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World” by what some consider to be the greatest living author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I do think he is one of the greatest authors to put words on a page. One Hundred Years of Solitude is one of my favorite novels even though it is hard to follow at times. I think magical realism is a very underrated category of literature.

Check this cool site- http://www.themodernword.com/gabo/ This site has a host of different authors and works that delve into magical realism.

If you want something a little different then check out one of my favorite young adult authors.Francesca Lia Block and her Weetzie Bat books are nothing short of amazing and crazy… check it out at your own risk!   http://www.francescaliablock.com/

For those of you who may be even more adventurous look up these great authors!!!Franz Kafka- http://www.levity.com/corduroy/kafka.htm  ’The Hunger Artist’ and ‘In the Penal Colony’ are two of the best short stories I have ever read!!!

Samuel Beckett- http://samuel-beckett.net/  ”Waiting For Godot” is hands-down my favorite play! It is the most complicated piece of literature I think I have ever read. If you do decide to read it or read up on it I have a game for you to play… Let me know if you are willing to take the challenge with ‘literature of nothing’

Well… there it is… a little posting on some great authors. Tell me what you think! Do I teach this again next year? Will you take the challenge to look up and read some of these other great authors? They may change the way you look at the world… be careful! 

Novel Assignment

The novel assignment from winter break is due Friday, Jan. 11th! I hope/trust that everybody read their novel and are paying attention to current events.

Here is the question that needs to be addressed for the paper.

In a well developed essay, choose a prevalent theme and examine the theme in relation to the novel. Then choose a prevalent current event and relate that to the theme. Then explain how the theme and current event together relate to the novel.

Remember- this is an AP style paper, it has all the fundamental criteria, i.e. no personal pronouns, or ‘this quote shows’ etc.

Also, you may write the paper how you would like but make sure you have all of the criteria met. A simple format for the paper is:

Intro- Brief synopsis of the novel you read- everybody needs to do this!

Body- Theme, Current Event, The two together and ow they relate- 3 total paragraphs.

Conclusion- Overall wrap up- relate novel, theme, and current event all together making an overall point/connection between the three.

If you have any questions- please respond to this post and I will address them. You can also see me in class.

GOOD LUCK!!!

 

The Break-

Well, it looks like the holiday break is upon us! I know that most of you couldn’t wait, in fact, most of us couldn’t wait either.You have many options this holiday season- we give, we receive, and we all can appreciate the spirit and happiness that this season brings. I believe that it doesn’t matter what religion you are, or aren’t- this time of year is infectious and people do generally begin to be a lot more pleasant, more giving and ultimately forgiving. Beyond the commerciality of the season, the buying, buying, buying, the fighting for parking spaces at the mall, the long, long lines and the fact that some of this ’stuff’ is really not important to our lives. The one thing that we all can’t escape from is the way this season makes us feel, remember, and be concerned with those around us.  What I would like for you to think about during your time off is those in the world who don’t have the opportunities that we all have. I know all of you are inundated with this topic during this season, but it is important! We can all make a difference this season…even if it is small.Here are some links to look at- Some deal with the season and the commerciality, one is about Burger King neglecting the some of their most important workers (not the suits!), the environment, and my favorite new website.The problem with Christmas~ Reactions?! http://www.alternet.org/environment/69068/Don’t let Burger King have it their way-http://act.oxfamamerica.org/campaign/burgerking_anThe top environmental stories of the year- Some of these are great!http://www.alternet.org/environment/70319/ Beyond charity, these people along with a vast network of others have changed lives across the world. My wife and I have decided to join and contribute personally- Would this be worth doing for the entire class? We could do it, track it, and make a difference- what do you think? http://www.kiva.org/All in all, I think this has been a great semster. Class time has been interesting and informative, and I beleive next semester will be even better. Thanks for making this year great so far, I look forward to seeing you in 2008 and can’t wait to see what you will accomplish.Everybody have a safe and enjoyable winter break!Make sure to READ!

Questions…

We should all have questions about something. There are years that ask questions and years that answer them. Refer to the posting with the quote by Elie Wiesel. What are those essential questions and why would they divide us? I wonder constantly why things are the way they are. As I’ve grown older I find that I have more questions than I do answers, or maybe my questions are bigger now than they were when I was younger. All I know is that I have questions that I want to answer. I am still looking, searching and wondering about the world. I hope that never goes away…Also,Here is a link to something I played the other day. I am slowly developing an addiction–albeit a healthy one! Check it out at…

 

I have also been reading about a new laptop computers for kids in 3rd world countries. It is a very bold initiative and very interesting. Check out

 

 

 

Should our class think about donating to a good cause before we go on break? If yes, what suggestions do you have?

My wife and I give to multiple charities every month. We tend to give more during the holidays.

 

If you have time…  do a search on ‘micro lending’ and see what that turns up. That could be interesting!

 

all the best,

Mr. B 

 

 

 

 

Have a good break… some things to think about

Today’s papers were great!

If you want to learn more about Slam poet Saul Williams and his movie “Slam” check out his bio at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul_Williams

Also, here is some Billy Collins- http://poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/278

There is some great stuff there. 

And for those of you who are interested here is a look at the top 100 books as decided by TIME magazine. http://www.time.com/time/2005/100books/the_complete_list.html You will notice that most of the books you’ve read here at school are on the list. I would change some of them, I think Milan Kundera’s The Unbearable Lightness of Being should be on the list. But you will notice that not a ‘popular’ fiction is on the list. This is just one list, many, many more exist.

The concept of wonder and boredom was brought up in a later class. People can be jaded and cynical. In a nation where some of the national pastimes are shopping at a mall and watching TV it is no wonder why people are bored. It is no wonder why people aren’t motivated to investigate the world around them. “Be aware of wonder” is an excerpt from an author who wants his readers to notice and take part in the larger world around them. Is it really possible that one can be bored living next to one of the most incredible cities on the planet? Washington DC is ready and waiting- go take a trip on the Metro, take a ride and go see some of what is offered.

Here’s a link- http://www.washingtondckids.com/washingtondckids_attractions/washingtondckids_attractions_landing.htm

Enjoy your break!!!