1. The American Identity Unit

2. Goals  To help prepare your for the Synthesis Essay on the APLaC Exam.  To help you understand how to synthesize texts on the JRP.  To comprehend and apply the Toulmin Model.  To explore issues of Americaness and American Identity.

3. Themes

4. Schooling  Who decides and what constitutes a school curriculum?  What does it mean to be a valedictorian or the best in your class?  What constitutes school? Is school even necessary?

5. Gender Issues  What does it mean to be masculine or feminine?  Should men and women be treated the same or differently?  How does the media affect our understanding what it means to be masculine or feminine?

6. The Immigrant Experience  What is the American Dream?  Is it still relevant today?  How do immigrants shape American society?  How does American society shape immigrants?

7. Toulmin Model  The Toulmin Model is an analysis tool that takes a 360 degree look at an argument.  The Liu Method, SOAPSToneR, and Close Reading look at the Foundation/Architecture/ Music of an argument.  The Toulmin Model examines the assumptions and unstated claims that an argument poses.

8. Synthesis Prep  As a way to help you prepare for the Synthesis Essay on the APLaC exam, you will be completing a Synthesis Prep Sheet in class.  We will be shifting from synthesizing 3 texts, to 4 texts, to 6 texts to help you prep for the Summative Essay at the end of the unit.

9. A Note about the Final  The Final for the Semester in APLaC will be your JRP: 1.Essay 2. Oral Defense o However…… On the day of Finals, you will have the two hour block to complete a practice Multiple Choice Exam and the Summative Synthesis Essay for this unit.  The Summative Synthesis Essay will be entered in the grade book for 2 nd semester.

10. Some Texts Examined  “I Know Why the Caged Bird Cannot Read” – Francine Prose  “Best in Class” – Margaret Talbot  “Let Teenagers Try Adulthood”–Leon Botstein  “There is No Unmarked Woman”– Deborah Tannen  “Mind over Muscle” – David Brooks  “Always Living in Spanish” – Marjorie Agosin  “Mother Tongue” – Amy Tan

11. Formative and Summative Assignments FormativeSummative 1.Close Reading – Beats 2.Supplemental Reading: Close Reading and Practice Argumentative Essay 3.Synthesis Prep 4.Socratic Seminar 5.Toulmin Model Worksheets 6.Practice Multiple Choice Exam 7.“Avalon” Study Guide 8.Study Questions from The Language of Composition 1. In-Class Synthesis Essay

12. Please Stand for Think on Your Feet