Honors English 10
Dr. Cooke
“The Chase”
As you read, annotate the text. After you read, go back and look for the answers to the following
questions to help you understand what is going on in the essay.
In addition to the 3 questions provided, you are to come up with another 3-5 for students to use
as a guide and preparation for class discussion.
Your questions should focus on the following areas: Meaning, Purpose and Audience, Method and
Structure, and Language
1. What lesson did Dillard learn from the experience of the chase? Where is her point
explicitly revealed?
2. In her first paragraph, Dillard deliberately shifts from the first person point of view
(using me) to the second (using you). What is the effect of this shift, and how does it
contribute to Dillard’s purpose?
3. How would you characterize Dillard’s style? How does the style reflect the fact that the
adult Dillard is writing from a child’s point of view?
Your presentation should include some information about the author. You should be leading the
discussion. Your questions will help students understand what is happening as well as have a better
understanding of how the author of each essay is accomplishing his/her purpose.
Your discussion should last 30 minutes.
After each presentation/discussion a reflective statement will be written that addresses the points
listed below.
Therefore, be sure in your discussion you address: What might the purpose of the essay be? What
method or methods does the author use to convey his/her message and how is the essay structured?
How does this structure help convey meaning? How does the author use “language” and its features
(use of adjectives, figurative language, vocabulary, use of verbs, special phrases, etc.) to help convey
meaning?
Honors English 10
Dr. Cooke
“Shooting an Elephant”
As you read, annotate the text. After you read, go back and look for the answers to the following
questions to help you understand what is going on in the essay.
In addition to the 3 questions provided, you are to come up with another 3-5 for students to use
as a guide and preparation for class discussion.
Your questions should focus on the following areas: Meaning, Purpose and Audience, Method and
Structure, and Language
1. Describe the epiphany that Orwell experiences in the course of the event he writes
about. (an epiphany is a sudden realization of a truth)
2. In addition to serving as an introduction to Orwell’s essay, what function is performed
by paragraphs 1 and 2?
3. How effective is Orwell’s use of adjectives in describing the death of the elephant? How
do these adjectives convey Orwell’s feelings about his decision?
Your presentation should include some information about the author. You should be leading the
discussion. Your questions will help students understand what is happening as well as have a better
understanding of how the author of each essay is accomplishing his/her purpose.
Your discussion should last 30 minutes.
Honors English 10
Dr. Cooke
“But What Do You Mean?”
As you read, annotate the text. After you read, go back and look for the answers to the following
questions to help you understand what is going on in the essay.
In addition to the 3 questions provided, you are to come up with another 3-5 for students to use
as a guide and preparation for class discussion.
Your questions should focus on the following areas: Meaning, Purpose and Audience, Method and
Structure, and Language
1. What does Tannen see as the fundamental difference between men’s and women’s
conversational strategies?
2. Whom does Tannen see as her primary audience? Analyze her use of the pronoun you in
paragraphs 9 and 19. Whom does she seem to be addressing here? Why?
3. This essay has a large cast of characters: twenty-three to be exact. What function do
these characters serve? How does Tannen introduce them to the reader? Does she
describe them in sufficient detail?
Your presentation should include some information about the author. You should be leading the
discussion. Your questions will help students understand what is happening as well as have a better
understanding of how the author of each essay is accomplishing his/her purpose.
Your discussion should last 30 minutes.
After each presentation/discussion a reflective statement will be written that addresses the points
listed below.
Therefore, be sure in your discussion you address: What might the purpose of the essay be? What
method or methods does the author use to convey his/her message and how is the essay structured?
How does this structure help convey meaning? How does the author use “language” and its features
(use of adjectives, figurative language, vocabulary, use of verbs, special phrases, etc.) to help convey
meaning?
Honors English 10
Dr. Cooke
“Disability”
As you read, annotate the text. After you read, go back and look for the answers to the following
questions to help you understand what is going on in the essay.
In addition to the 3 questions provided, you are to come up with another 3-5 for students to use
as a guide and preparation for class discussion.
Your questions should focus on the following areas: Meaning, Purpose and Audience, Method and
Structure, and Language
1. What is Mairs’ thesis? Restate it in your own words.
2. What does Mairs compare and contrast in this essay? How does the comparison help her
achieve her purpose?
3. How would you characterize Mairs’ tone in this essay? Point out specific sentences and
words that establish it. What is the effect?
Your presentation should include some information about the author. You should be leading the
discussion. Your questions will help students understand what is happening as well as have a better
understanding of how the author of each essay is accomplishing his/her purpose.
Your discussion should last 30 minutes.
After each presentation/discussion a reflective statement will be written that addresses the points
listed below.
Therefore, be sure in your discussion you address: What might the purpose of the essay be? What
method or methods does the author use to convey his/her message and how is the essay structured?
How does this structure help convey meaning? How does the author use “language” and its features
(use of adjectives, figurative language, vocabulary, use of verbs, special phrases, etc.) to help convey
meaning?
Honors English 10
Dr. Cooke
“Fatso”
As you read, annotate the text. After you read, go back and look for the answers to the following
questions to help you understand what is going on in the essay.
In addition to the 3 questions provided, you are to come up with another 3-5 for students to use
as a guide and preparation for class discussion.
Your questions should focus on the following areas: Meaning, Purpose and Audience, Method and
Structure, and Language
1. What lesson might readers take from Peck’s essay?
2. Peck is cautious in the words she uses to refer to overweight people, preferring terms
such as “woman of substance” (paragraphs 6 and 10) and “heavy person” (10) over the
judgmental terms that some people have used to describe her (and that she has caught
herself thinking about others). Why, then, does she use the obviously insulting “Fatso” as
the title of her essay?
3. Peck’s comparison relies heavily on example, focusing on a series of incidents from her
own life. Choose two examples, and consider what each contributes to Peck’s point.
Your presentation should include some information about the author. You should be leading the
discussion. Your questions will help students understand what is happening as well as have a better
understanding of how the author of each essay is accomplishing his/her purpose.
Your discussion should last 30 minutes.
After each presentation/discussion a reflective statement will be written that addresses the points
listed below.
Therefore, be sure in your discussion you address: What might the purpose of the essay be? What
method or methods does the author use to convey his/her message and how is the essay structured?
How does this structure help convey meaning? How does the author use “language” and its features
(use of adjectives, figurative language, vocabulary, use of verbs, special phrases, etc.) to help convey
meaning?
Honors English 10
Dr. Cooke
“Private Language, Public Language”
As you read, annotate the text. After you read, go back and look for the answers to the following
questions to help you understand what is going on in the essay.
In addition to the 3 questions provided, you are to come up with another 3-5 for students to use
as a guide and preparation for class discussion.
Your questions should focus on the following areas: Meaning, Purpose and Audience, Method and
Structure, and Language
1. What is Rodriguez’s main idea about public and private language?
2. Where does Rodriguez shift his focus from public language to private language? Why
does he treat private language second? What effect does he achieve with the last
paragraph?
3. Notice the figures of speech Rodriguez uses: for instance, “My words could not stretch
far enough to form complete thoughts” (paragraph 13); “a blaring white memory” (14).
What do these and other figures of speech convey about Rodriguez’s feelings?
Your presentation should include some information about the author. You should be leading the
discussion. Your questions will help students understand what is happening as well as have a better
understanding of how the author of each essay is accomplishing his/her purpose.
Your discussion should last 30 minutes.
After each presentation/discussion a reflective statement will be written that addresses the points
listed below.
Therefore, be sure in your discussion you address: What might the purpose of the essay be? What
method or methods does the author use to convey his/her message and how is the essay structured?
How does this structure help convey meaning? How does the author use “language” and its features
(use of adjectives, figurative language, vocabulary, use of verbs, special phrases, etc.) to help convey
meaning?
Honors English 10
Dr. Cooke
“Mother Tongue”
As you read, annotate the text. After you read, go back and look for the answers to the following
questions to help you understand what is going on in the essay.
In addition to the 3 questions provided, you are to come up with another 3-5 for students to use
as a guide and preparation for class discussion.
Your questions should focus on the following areas: Meaning, Purpose and Audience, Method and
Structure, and Language
1. For Tan the phrase “mother tongue” has a special meaning. How would you summarize
this meaning? Why does Tan feel so deeply about her “mother tongue”?
2. How can you tell that Tan is not writing primarily to an audience of Asian Americans? If
Asian Americans were her primary audience, how might this essay be different?
3. Tan divides her essay into three sections, the second beginning in paragraph 8 and the
third beginning in paragraph 18. What is the focus of each section? Why do you think
Tan divided the essay like this?
Your presentation should include some information about the author. You should be leading the
discussion. Your questions will help students understand what is happening as well as have a better
understanding of how the author of each essay is accomplishing his/her purpose.
Your discussion should last 30 minutes.
After each presentation/discussion a reflective statement will be written that addresses the points
listed below.
Therefore, be sure in your discussion you address: What might the purpose of the essay be? What
method or methods does the author use to convey his/her message and how is the essay structured?
How does this structure help convey meaning? How does the author use “language” and its features
(use of adjectives, figurative language, vocabulary, use of verbs, special phrases, etc.) to help convey
meaning?
Honors English 10
Dr. Cooke
“The Tipping Point”
As you read, annotate the text. After you read, go back and look for the answers to the following
questions to help you understand what is going on in the essay.
In addition to the 3 questions provided, you are to come up with another 3-5 for students to use
as a guide and preparation for class discussion.
Your questions should focus on the following areas: Meaning, Purpose and Audience, Method and
Structure, and Language
1. What is the Broken Windows theory? How does it explain increases or decreases in
crime in particular communities?
2. Given its subject and purpose, why is the cause and effect analysis the most appropriate
method for this essay?
3. Gladwell generally maintains a reporter’s neutral tone throughout the essay. In
paragraph 3, however, he writes, “Worrying about graffiti at a time when the entire
system was close to collapse seems as pointless as scrubbing the decks of the Titanic as
it headed towards the icebergs.” Why do you think that Gladwell made this shift in tone?
Your presentation should include some information about the author. You should be leading the
discussion. Your questions will help students understand what is happening as well as have a better
understanding of how the author of each essay is accomplishing his/her purpose.
Your discussion should last 30 minutes.
After each presentation/discussion a reflective statement will be written that addresses the points
listed below.
Therefore, be sure in your discussion you address: What might the purpose of the essay be? What
method or methods does the author use to convey his/her message and how is the essay structured?
How does this structure help convey meaning? How does the author use “language” and its features
(use of adjectives, figurative language, vocabulary, use of verbs, special phrases, etc.) to help convey
meaning?
Honors English 10
Dr. Cooke
“Cultural Baggage”
As you read, annotate the text. After you read, go back and look for the answers to the following
questions to help you understand what is going on in the essay.
In addition to the 3 questions provided, you are to come up with another 3-5 for students to use
as a guide and preparation for class discussion.
Your questions should focus on the following areas: Meaning, Purpose and Audience, Method and
Structure, and Language
1. Ehrenreich’s thesis does not become clear until paragraphs 12 and 13. What is her
thesis?
2. What are the two main cause and effect relationships that Ehrenreich explores in this
essay? How are these central to her purpose for writing?
3. How would you describe Ehrenreich’s tone in this essay? Is it consistent throughout?
Your presentation should include some information about the author. You should be leading the
discussion. Your questions will help students understand what is happening as well as have a better
understanding of how the author of each essay is accomplishing his/her purpose.
Your discussion should last 30 minutes.
After each presentation/discussion a reflective statement will be written that addresses the points
listed below.
Therefore, be sure in your discussion you address: What might the purpose of the essay be? What
method or methods does the author use to convey his/her message and how is the essay structured?
How does this structure help convey meaning? How does the author use “language” and its features
(use of adjectives, figurative language, vocabulary, use of verbs, special phrases, etc.) to help convey
meaning?
Honors English 10
Dr. Cooke
“Salvation ”
As you read, annotate the text. After you read, go back and look for the answers to the following
questions to help you understand what is going on in the essay.
In addition to the 3 questions provided, you are to come up with another 3-5 for students to use
as a guide and preparation for class discussion.
Your questions should focus on the following areas: Meaning, Purpose and Audience, Method and
Structure, and Language
1. Why do you think Langston Hughes wrote “Salvation” as part of his autobiography more
than two decades after the experience? Did he want to criticize his aunt and the other
adults in the congregation? Did he want to explain something about childhood or about
the distance between generations? What passages support your answer?
2. Why do you think Hughes chose narration to explore the themes of this essay? Can you
imagine an argumentative essay that would deal with the same themes? What might the
title be?
3. Hughes relates his experience in an almost childlike style, using many short sentences
and beginning many sentences with And. What effect do you think he is trying to achieve
with this style?
Your presentation should include some information about the author. You should be leading the
discussion. Your questions will help students understand what is happening as well as have a better
understanding of how the author of each essay is accomplishing his/her purpose.
Your discussion should last 30 minutes.
After each presentation/discussion a reflective statement will be written that addresses the points
listed below.
Therefore, be sure in your discussion you address: What might the purpose of the essay be? What
method or methods does the author use to convey his/her message and how is the essay structured?
How does this structure help convey meaning? How does the author use “language” and its features
(use of adjectives, figurative language, vocabulary, use of verbs, special phrases, etc.) to help convey
meaning?
Honors English 10
Dr. Cooke
“Homeless”
As you read, annotate the text. After you read, go back and look for the answers to the following
questions to help you understand what is going on in the essay.
In addition to the 3 questions provided, you are to come up with another 3-5 for students to use
as a guide and preparation for class discussion.
Your questions should focus on the following areas: Meaning, Purpose and Audience, Method and
Structure, and Language
1. What distinction is Quindlen making in her last paragraph when she says, “They are not
homeless. They are people who have no homes”?
2. Quindlen uses examples to support an argument. What position does she want readers
to recognize and accept?
3. How might Quindlen be said to give new meaning to the old cliché “Home is where the
heart is” (paragraph 4)?
Your presentation should include some information about the author. You should be leading the
discussion. Your questions will help students understand what is happening as well as have a better
understanding of how the author of each essay is accomplishing his/her purpose.
Your discussion should last 30 minutes.
After each presentation/discussion a reflective statement will be written that addresses the points
listed below.
Therefore, be sure in your discussion you address: What might the purpose of the essay be? What
method or methods does the author use to convey his/her message and how is the essay structured?
How does this structure help convey meaning? How does the author use “language” and its features
(use of adjectives, figurative language, vocabulary, use of verbs, special phrases, etc.) to help convey
meaning?
Honors English 10
Dr. Cooke
“Mind Over Mass Media”
As you read, annotate the text. After you read, go back and look for the answers to the following
questions to help you understand what is going on in the essay.
In addition to the 3 questions provided, you are to come up with another 3-5 for students to use
as a guide and preparation for class discussion.
Your questions should focus on the following areas: Meaning, Purpose and Audience, Method and
Structure, and Language
1. What assumptions does Pinker seem to make about the readers of this essay? Are the
assumptions correct in your case?
2. Identify at least three types of evidence that Pinker uses to support his cause-and-effect
analysis. How effective do you find this evidence? Is any one type more persuasive than
the others? Why do you think so?
3. How would you characterize Pinker’s tone in this essay, particularly when he is
describing the concerns expressed by media critics? To what extent does the tone
influence your receptiveness to his argument?
Your presentation should include some information about the author. You should be leading the
discussion. Your questions will help students understand what is happening as well as have a better
understanding of how the author of each essay is accomplishing his/her purpose.
Your discussion should last 30 minutes.
After each presentation/discussion a reflective statement will be written that addresses the points
listed below.
Therefore, be sure in your discussion you address: What might the purpose of the essay be? What
method or methods does the author use to convey his/her message and how is the essay structured?
How does this structure help convey meaning? How does the author use “language” and its features
(use of adjectives, figurative language, vocabulary, use of verbs, special phrases, etc.) to help convey
meaning?