1. Welcome! Get out work due
Get out a sheet of paper and copy the following goals:
Write a story that captivates readers and emotionally impacts them
Write a persuasive essay that truly compels the reader to take action and thus changes the world in some way
Write a literary analysis that demonstrates a deep understanding of the way authors manipulate readers
Construct a research report that synthesizes multiple sources of reliable information and provides readers with a new reliable source

2. Writing Portfolios
While I pass back the graded writing assignments that we’ve completed thus far, I want you to reflect on our writing goals. Answer these 3 questions for EACH goal.
Where are you in relation to this goal – mastered? almost there? nowhere close?
What do you find challenging about this goal?
Is this an important goal? why or why not?

3. This is the stuff you have to do for AP and college
My thoughts on why
These are the standards and you will be tested on this on Milestone (20% of grade)
This is the stuff you have to do for AP and college
Words are powerful and they really do cause actions (e.g. Hitler, pretty much every school fight ever)
I want you to realize HOW words are affecting you so that you don’t get manipulated or “sucked in” to anything
I want you to be able to manipulate others in case you want to take over the world.

4. Today
Learning Goal: Improve our literary analysis skills and practice our persuasive skills
Learning Plan:
Revisit “American Hero” and write about it
Debate/discuss museums
Write a persuasive essay

5. Notes on Literary Analysis
Ultimate Goal = explain how the writer uses language (syntax & diction) to achieve his/her goal (developing character, conveying a message)

6. Notes on Literary Analysis
Look at author’s choices and explain how those choices ultimately relate to THEME
syntax  pace  mood  theme
syntax  tone  theme
syntax  voice  character
diction  tone  theme
diction  mood  theme
When explaining, it usually helps to discuss the alternatives (If writer had used a different word, how would it change? If writer had used different syntax, how would it change?)

7. In “American Hero,” Essex Hemphill uses a metaphor to emphasize the theme. He compares the basketball to a “shimmering club light” and himself to a “dancer, slick in my sweat” (lines 5-6). This evokes joy in the reader and makes them think of fun times. This way, the harsh reality of racism described in lines jolts the reader, and Hemphill’s message that hero worship is fake comes through.

8. In “American Hero,” Essex Hemphill uses a metaphor to juxtapose a fun basketball game to the serious problems in America. He compares a basketball to “a shimmering club light” and himself to “a dancer, slick in my sweat” (lines 5-6). This creates a fun, easygoing atmosphere in the reader’s mind which is in direct contrast to the serious problem of racism that haunts America. Once he leaves the court, he’ll have to deal with racism.