English II Agenda: Week of November 12 through 15
Tuesday, 11/12
IRLA #1: New set/new heading. Last set due now. Element #4: Answer the first of the
following questions about your author’s vocabulary in a cohesive paragraph with a clear topic
sentence/thesis statement. Be sure to describe the vocabulary (not necessarily using any of the
words in the second question) and give examples to support your opinion. Remember, very few
questions are simple; that is, there will always be exceptions and qualifications. Answer this
question for the preponderance of your author’s vocabulary.
4. Vocabulary
Are the words simple or fancy? Are they technical, flowery, colloquial,
cerebral, punning, obscure? (And so on...)
Work Period: Our objectives today include answering these text-based questions about the
Wilson speech:
1. What is the author saying about the topic or theme?
2. How does Wilson justify the United State's involvement in the conflict in paragraphs 2—
4? What specific points does he make?
3. What purpose does the first sentence in paragraph 6 serve in the context of Wilson's
speech?
4. In paragraph 9, Wilson distinguishes between a struggle for peace and a struggle for
power. What details from the rest of the speech present/support either side?
5. Wilson takes on the point of view of "mankind" throughout his speech. What
characteristics does he attribute to that word?
Wrap-up: Share your answers to the above questions.
Wednesday, 11/13
IRLA #2: Last set overdue. Describe the relationship between your author’s diction and
vocabulary (see Checklist items 3 and 4). Remember ALL IRLA responses are to be welldeveloped paragraphs with clear topic sentences/thesis statements and EVIDENCE in the form
of specific references to, or quotes from, the text.
Work Period: With your partner, write a solid paragraph that answers your focus question using
the details you selected from the text as the basis for your supporting sentences. Begin with a
solid thesis statement and finish with a statement that sums up your thinking OR raises a related
question your reading has prompted you to wonder about. Refer to your rubric as you write.
Volunteers to share responses?
Wrap-up: Score your own paragraph with the rubric and revise. Staple behind the paragraph and
submit.
Thursday, 11/14
IRLA #3: Describe how sentence structure, diction and vocabulary are all related in your novel.
Work Period: Today we will use your notes and worksheets from texts #5 and #6 to discuss how
each author’s use of language reflects his perspective on their subjects. We will discuss this first
and form several different thesis statements from which you may choose to focus your
discussion. When our discussion is finished, you will use your notes to write a discussion paper
that summarizes your opinion on each author’s use of language to develop and support his
opinion. When finished, the body of the paper should contain a minimum of four paragraphs.
Wrap-up: Which thesis statement best puts forth your opinion on the topic? Do you have any
other ideas for a thesis? Share with class.
Friday, 11/15
IRLA #4: Due Monday upon completion of fifth response. Refer to section 420 in WI to
describe your author’s use of figurative language. Be sure to discuss HOW and WHY your
author uses figures of speech, not just IF or WHEN.
5. Figures of speech
Are there any metaphors, similes, or symbols?
Any other use of figurative language (personification, metonymy, etc.)?
Work Period: Using one of the thesis statements we formulated yesterday, draft a rough outline
for your discussion paper. Some possible forms of organization (exclusive of the introductory
and concluding paragraphs) are:
Body ¶ 1: P.M. George’s use of language to make one point
Body ¶ 2: President Wilson’s use of language to make one similar or opposite point
Body ¶ 3: P.M. George’s use of language to make a second point
Body ¶ 4: President Wilson’s use of language to make a second similar or opposite point
Body ¶ 1: P.M. George’s use of language to make one point
Body ¶ 2: P.M. George’s use of language to make a second point
Body ¶ 3: President Wilson’s use of language to make one point
Body ¶ 4: President Wilson’s use of language to make a second point
Body ¶ 1: P.M. George’s main points
Body ¶ 2: P.M. George’s use of language in making those points
Body ¶ 3: President Wilson’s main points
Body ¶ 4: President Wilson’s use of language in making those points
Your outline should include the specific points you intend to discuss as well as the specific
language used to make those points and the nature of that language.