In today's class, we launched our argumentative writing unit.  We began with a mystery-solving exercise.  Was it an accident... or was it murder?  Dun Dun Dun!  You, and your investigative team, will have to decide.  The assignment, with instructions, is attached below:

After completing the activity, you may begin your homework.  It is as follows:  After collecting your evidence and deciding your position in the case, write up a report of your findings.  The format is as follows:

1 Paragraph explaining the case and making your claim
3 Paragraphs offering evidence, rules, and conclusions
1 Paragraph concluding and restating your claim

Welcome back!

Today in class, we looked at the front page of The New York Times and analyzed the type of stories that make it to the front page of a newspaper.  We discussed some current events, and then I gave an in-class assignment.

The assignment was to get in groups and create the front page of a newspaper for your experiences over break.  Each student was to create an article to contribute to the paper.  Each group's newspaper front page was due at the end of class.

The homework from this period is as follows: 

We will be getting back into the novel, Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe.  The homework questions for chapters 14 - 19 are attached below.  They are due in one week.