17 Pre-Research Topic Choice // Due the week of January 20, 2015

Hi Everyone!

We are now beginning our yearly research paper!

We are beginning a new blog as a giant project between several of my advanced English classes, which you can visit at: local-options.blogspot.com! Nothing is posted there yet (as we haven't written anything for it yet), but by the end of the first assignment, we should have about 30 projects on there, in a Time Magazine-esque creation—on which you research paper will be posted!

This week, we looked at some pages in Google Drive that are there to assist you in your choice of topic for the research paper. Email me if you do not remember the login username and password and I will send it to you.

The two parts to your homework are listed below (**Unless you are on Monday):

Topic Choice:
The first part of your homework is to choose and claim a topic.

Go to the page on Google Drive: "01 Research Paper Topics." This is a list of over 60 topics from you can choose your topic. Once you have chosen a topic, you will write your name next to it, as well as your chosen thesis*. Do it soon though, because if someone else claims your topic (and has written your same opinion on it), you'll have to choose another one.

If you want to write on a topic that is not one of these 60 topics, just add your topic to the list, and then write your name and thesis next to it.

*Thesis = Opinion because Reason 1, Reason 2, and Reason 3

• ie: Cats are the best pet because they are clean, friendly, and inexpensive.

Pre-Research Worksheets (**TUESDAY ONLY)

Before you choose your topic, I want you to make sure it is a topic you will truly enjoy! 

Therefore, go to the page: 02 Pre-Research Worksheets. Copy the template and paste it three times into a new document which you save into the folder: Pre-Research Worksheets Here under your first and last name.

Then fill out the templates for three different topics that interest you. Then choose one, and claim it—using the directions from above!

I know that is a boatload of information, so email me if you have questions!

16 Siddhartha 2 // Due the week of Jan. 7, 2014

Hi Everyone!

Read the rest of Siddhartha and bring 5 discussion questions—thanks!

15 Siddhartha 1 // Due the week of Dec. 16, 2014

Hi Everyone!

This week, read part 1 of Siddhartha. **Not "chapter 1" but "part 1" which includes multiple chapters.

Thanks!

14 Colonialism in Africa // Due the week of Dec. 8, 2014

Hi Everyone!

Next week, we will be having a debate on colonialism in Africa—whether it was generally good or bad for the people/area. Therefore, for homework, I'd like you to do some research so you feel like you're ready. I will be grading you next week on how many thoughtful/insightful comments you make :)

African Colonialism Debate Prep

As we have briefly discussed in class already, colonialism in Africa in the late 1800s and early 1900s had controversial effects on Africa.

It can be argued that colonialism brought better schools, medical care, infrastructure, and more to the African continent, thereby improving the people’s quality of life and their ability to compete in the modern world and compete.

However, it can also be argued that through colonialism, western colonizers took advantage of the African people by using their resources and land, while also putting down and even destroying the native culture.

You will be assigned one side of the debate; use this week and homework time to research your side of the debate (as well as the other side, so you are prepared for counterarguments). You will want to have specific evidence to cite for your side (specific cases, examples, quotes, facts, etc).

You will probably want to look into the following questions:

• What is colonialism?
• What are some reasons that westerners colonized Africa?
• What are some exact effects of the colonization on Africa? on the West?
• What are some well-known African/Western people’s opinions on the colonization?
• How is Africa different today because of colonialism?
• What methods were used to colonize Africa?

13 Things Fall Apart 3 // Due the week of Dec. 2, 2014

Hi Everyone!

Go ahead and finish the book over the next two weeks and write 5 discussion questions!

Thanks!

12 Things Fall Apart 2 // Due the week of Nov. 17, 2014

Hi Everyone!

This week, read chapters 7-13 of Things Fall Apart and write 5 discussion questions. You can find the free online book on my previous post (look below).

Email me if you have questions or can't find the post!

11 Things Fall Apart // Due the week of Nov. 12, 2014

Hi Everyone!

This week you will read the assigned reading in Things Fall Apart and write 5 discussion questions.

You can find the book free at:

Read Online Free

Email me if you have questions!