During the next several weeks we will read, study, discuss, and write about several classics, current events, and literary/historical figures. Synthesizing will be a critical part of AP Language as we seek to make connections between a variety of sources.
To foster this process, I'm creating a site where students may share interesting articles, stories, essays, and other literary "gems" they discover on their own. When you discover such a gem, post the link on this site along with a brief description of the piece you find. For example, I gave you copies of both Nancy Gibbs' essay, "The Loneliest Job," and Tom Roberts' essay, "Talking to Strangers." Each of these essays deals with a current issue that may "give you something to say" when relating to other works of literature or developing your own position about relevant issues. To become a better reader, writer, speaker, and critical thinker, you must READ, READ, READ! You will also be creating some of your own synthesis questions, which will require at least six sources. So let the sharing begin. . .
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I think you would enjoy reading Mike Littwin's column in today's Denver Post about the relevance of The Catcher in the Rye to today's teenagers. He shares the theory that "today's teen is too hip...too deeply involved in the all-involving teen culture, to tune in to a voice (J. D. Salinger) from a time when Elvis wasn't even yet Elvis." I especially love the ending of his column where he suggests even modern teenagers know "The phony you most dread is the one you're afraid you might be." Check out Mike Littwin's article!
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ReplyDeleteDave Barry's 2009 Year In Review contains lots of current events and lots of satire. He takes jabs at the economy, the war, swine flu, etc. It is very funny and an absolute must read.
ReplyDeleteHere is the link if you are interested.
Zach, the Dave Barry article is hilarious! I needed a good laugh this week, and I got one! Thanks so much for sharing. Now that I know Dave Barry is retired, I need to pay closer attention to everything he writes!
ReplyDeletehere is a link about obama's failed promices, which i think links very well to Marlows descent into unproductiveness in aferica.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/21/AR2010012104513.html
Dave Krieger's column about Tiger Woods in the Saturday Denver Post (“Crazy as it might sound”)is a great one to connect to either Heart of Darkness or Pride and Prejudice. Part of his column discusses our country's inability to distinguish between journalism and gossip (Pride and Prejudice) and part of his column quotes Tiger's public apology for his marital infidelity where Tiger describes how his status as super-star gave him a sense of entitlement and he didn't have to live by the rules anymore (Heart of Darkness and Kurtz?).
ReplyDeleteCheck out the Sunday Denver Post article called "A modest proposal (or two) for getting cash out of Denver parks." It's a hoot and as outrageous as you would expect, especially the part which describes generating income for Denver parks by providing "teenagers a proper venue for safe sex"!
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