Question of the Week (9/29/11)

http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/caricature/


Click the link above and read the article on the history of the "n" word.  How is it that words come to have such power in them? Is it because of the word itself; how it is said; to whom and by whom it is said? Do words change in context and over time, or is the history of the word always prevalent? Post your thoughtful response by the end of school on Monday. Remember to post to another classmates' response if you're not first. Enjoy your weekend.

Question of the Week (9/22/11)

Watch the video at http://www.history.com/videos/martin-luther-king-jr-i-have-a-dream#martin-luther-king-jr-i-have-a-dream


Listen to Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech and read the text of the speech below. Cite at least 3 rhetorical devices Dr. King uses and post your thoughts on why these devices were employed. Then, compare this speech with his "Letter from Birmingham Jail" in your 100 Great Essays book on p. 328. How does the rhetoric change from spoken to written word? What are the major differences? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text. Post your response to another classmates' post (if you are not first), and be sure to post by the end of the school day on Monday. Enjoy!

Question of the Week (9/8/11)

Conduct a little online research of the history of the English language. How has it changed since its inception? What are its origins, and how do they differ from modern English as we know it? Post your findings, and share at least one link from an interesting site. Comment on another classmates' post as well, if you are not first to post. Posts are due by the end of school on Monday.

Question of the Week (9/1/11)

Does William's language change throughout the book? If so, how? Does he speak to his friends and family differently? If so, how? Do you speak to your friends differently than you do your family or other adults? Why? Does the use of the Malawian dialect enhance the book? Does it provide more insight into the country's culture? Use examples, in the manner of quotes (always cited in MLA format), to support your findings. Be sure to post your response by Monday at midnight (you get some extra time this holiday weekend). See the course expectations for more information on the blog.