Tobin / Eng 2
NAME: _____________
To Honor or Rebel?
http://www.naacpldf.org/event/50th-anniversary-%E2%80%9Cbloody-sunday%E2%80%9D-selma-alabama
On March 7, 1965, hundreds of citizens were brutally attacked as they attempted one of a series of marches from Selma to
Montgomery to protest racial discrimination in voting and consequent exclusion of Black voters from the democratic
process.
These demonstrators' sacrifices resulted in Congress's enactment of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, considered one of the
most important pieces of legislation in our nation’s history. The Voting Rights Act has since been reauthorized by
Congress, and upheld by the U. S. Supreme Court, on four different occasions over the past four decades.
Write about another situation in America where people have rebelled against their culture. Or write about a time where
people have been punished for honoring their culture. If you would like, you may discuss a personal example instead of an
American example.
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ASSIGNMENT
This week, we will look at the artwork of Ai Weiwei, a Chinese artist and activist who arguably honors
yet rebels against his culture. Your job will be to determine if Weiwei honors his culture throughout
his art or if he rebels against it.
ESSAY QUESTION: Does Ai Weiwei’s art honor or
rebel against Chinese culture?
STEPS
Check off each step as you complete it. 
COMPLETE!
1. Complete the initiation activity on honoring/rebelling.
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2. Gather background information on Ai Weiwei.
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3. Analyze various examples of Ai Weiwei’s artwork in cultural context.
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4. Determine whether Ai Weiwei honors his culture or rebels against it.
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5. Create an introductory paragraph that includes background info
as well as a thesis statement.
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6. Write your first body paragraph to support your thesis. Use examples
of Ai Weiwei’s art to support your claim.
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7. Complete the mini-lesson on concession/refutation.
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8. Write your second body paragraph. This is your concession/refutation.
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9. Write your conclusion. It should solidify your stance and make a larger
connection to the concept of honoring/rebelling against your culture.
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10. Turn in a typed draft of this four-paragraph essay on Friday.
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11. Conference with a peer.
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12. Turn in your final essay on Monday. This is the first test grade of Q3.
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Name: ____________________________________
Taking Notes on Ai Weiwei
Directions: As you watch the video on Ai Weiwei, answer the questions below in detail.
Source of Video: The National
Title of Video: “Ai Weiwei”
Date of Publication: September 6, 2013
1) RETURN TO THIS QUESTION THROUGHOUT THE VIDEO:
a. What are key quotes from the video about Ai Weiwei?
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2) According to Ai Weiwei, what is China’s current condition?
3) According to Ai Weiwei, what is an artist’s duty?
4) When was Ai Weiwei arrested, and why was he arrested?
5) What was Ai Weiwei’s time in prison like?
6) After his time in prison, how has he been spending his days?
7) How has Ai Weiwei’s time in prison affected him?
8) List and describe different works of art, at least three, by Ai Weiwei.
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Tobin / Eng 2
NAME: ________________
Ai Weiwei – Chinese Art
“Art & artists have always played a role in challenging political power, and that’s because of
art’s unique ability to communicate directly to the public.” – Christiane Amanpour
DIRECTIONS:
1. BELOW, YOU WILL SEE PHRASES TO GUIDE YOUR NOTES
a. Meaning—take notes, explain what that phrase is talking about
2. FOR HOMEWORK, WATCH THE CNN CLIP
1. Han dynasty urn artwork #1 (helpful tip: it looks like a vase)
2. Han dynasty urn artwork #2 (helpful tip: it looks like a vase)
3. The Olympics
4. Earthquake in Sichuan Provence
5. Government/Police reactions to his art
6. Impact of his upbringing on his art
7. Meaning behind his use of imagery
8. Connections between politics, art, and humanity
Directions: For your paper, you have to quote from the sources. Use the following chart to organize
your research on Ai Weiwei.
Source 1:
Honoring Tradition
Rebelling against Tradition
Source 2:
Honoring Tradition
Rebelling against Tradition
Outline
Introduction
Background Information to Lead into Thesis:
Thesis (Answer research question):
Body Paragraph 1
Topic Sentence:
Textual Evidence:
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Closing Sentence:
Body Paragraph 2 – Concession / Refutation
Topic Sentence (Concession):
Textual Evidence to Support Concession:
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Textual Evidence to Support Refutation:
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Closing Sentence:
Conclusion
Thesis Reworded:
Reviewing Points:
Connecting to America’s Current Situation or a Call to Action: