Due 6/15: PBA Presentation Expectations

June 12, 2017 By

VERY IMPORTANT: BE SURE TO TURN IN ANY OUTSTANDING BOOKS! BRING THEM TO YOUR PBA APPOINTMENT.

1. PBA–Independent Research Paper (You must include a bibliography)

Due the day of your presentation:

  • Index cards or notes showing that you have prepared for your opening 2 minute presentation.
  • Copy of your essay for YOU to refer to during the presentation.
  • Your partner’s essay with your notes/questions written on the essay.

Failure to have any of the above means you are not prepared for your presentation.

Expectations for your presentation:

The meeting will last for 30 minutes (10 min per student). The first 2 minutes belong to you. TAKE ME BEHIND THE SCENES OF YOUR ESSAY.

While it is interesting to hear you discuss your thesis and your development of the argument, I am more interested in the thought process behind the essay.  So organize your presentation in this fashion:

* Open with your thesis.

* Then, a little flashback.  Take us through the thought process that led to that argument.  Why did you choose those sources?  How do they help in the development of your argument? Why that argument? What were some of the challenges along the way?  Etc.  All throughout, I expect you to demonstrate great control of the material. (most of the time should be spent here) I am particularly interested in hearing your thoughts on your sources. While you should prepare your notes/note cards for the meeting, I don’t want you reading to me. The notes/note cards are there to show me that you have prepared for the meeting and they are there as a last resort reminder.

* During the remaining time, I and your second assessor will ask you a series of questions. All second assessors are expected to lead the discussion. During this time we might:

  • Challenge an assertion
  • Explore your knowledge/understanding of source material
  • Question your use of evidence. Ask questions if you don’t understand how the evidence is being used.
  • Ask that you clarify a point
  • Ask questions about the development of your thesis
  • Present counter arguments
  • Ask questions about your source material
  • Ask questions that give you an opportunity to demonstrate greater depth of control.

Due 6/12: PBA and More

June 5, 2017 By

Lots of info here, so read closely! Class rosters at the very bottom.

Quoting guidelines for a play! Any quotes that are blocked, should be single-spaced. Ex:

VLADIMIR. But one of the four says that one of the two was saved.
ESTRAGON. Well? They don’t agree and that’s all there is to it.
VLADIMIR. But all four were there. And only one speaks of a thief being saved. Why
believe him rather than the others? (this line should be indented quarter inch)
ESTRAGON. Who believes him?
VLADIMIR. Everybody. It’s the only version they know.

1. Due 6/12–INDEX CARDS–Be sure to have your index cards filled out for our wee brown bags! Remember, this is meant to be wonderfully positive and absolutely anonymous.

2. PBA–Comparative Essay

The following are due Monday 6/12:

  • TWO COPIES of your PBA essay (one for me and one for your partner)
  • Edited first draft with your editor’s name clearly marked at the bottom of the first page.
  • Cover Letter (Guidelines below)

Due the day of your presentation:

  • Index cards or notes showing that you have prepared for your opening 2 minute presentation.
  • Copy of your essay for YOU to refer to during the presentation.
  • Your partner’s essay with your notes/questions written on the essay.

Failure to have any of the above means you are not prepared for your presentation.

Expectations for your presentation:

The meeting will last for 20 minutes (10 min per student). The first 2 minutes belong to you. TAKE ME BEHIND THE SCENES OF YOUR ESSAY.

While it is interesting to hear you discuss your thesis and your development of the argument, I am more interested in the thought process behind the essay.  So organize your presentation in this fashion:

* Open with your thesis.

* Then, a little flashback.  Take us through the thought process that led to that argument.  Why did you choose those quotations?  How do they help in the development of your argument? Why that argument? What were some of the challenges along the way?  Etc.  All throughout, I expect you to demonstrate great control of the material. (most of the time should be spent here)

As you are articulating the hows and whys of your argument (i.e. why this argument, how you proved your argument), feel free to include any last minute points that you would have included had you more time. While you should prepare your notes/note cards for the meeting, I don’t want you reading to me. The notes/note cards are there to show me that you have prepared for the meeting and they are there as a last resort reminder.

* During the remaining time, I and your second assessor will ask you a series of questions. During this time we might:

  • Challenge an assertion
  • Question your application of Existentialism (if relevant)
  • Question your use of evidence. Ask questions if you don’t understand how the evidence is being used.
  • Ask that you clarify a point
  • Ask questions about the development of your thesis
  • Present counter arguments
  • Ask questions about your source material
  • Ask questions that give you an opportunity to demonstrate greater depth of control.

3. Cover Letter (instructions below)

One or two pages
Single-spaced, with a double spaces between paragraphs
Letter format addressed to (top left hand corner):

Sean Leon
The Beacon School
522 W. 44th St.
New York, NY 10036

Sign the letter!

Three paragraphs in all (with an optional 4th opening paragraph)!

Para #1: Optional! A brief introductory paragraph that introduces the purpose of the letter and introduces the contents of the portfolio. Get funky creative in introducing the letter. Leave a trace of your personality here.

Para #2: Which creative piece are you submitting for your PBA? Discuss the creative inspiration behind your creative piece. Take me through that process as well. If you are submitting a group project it is imperative to detail your contributions to the final project.

Para #3: Discuss the process of writing the essay focusing on what you believe to be the strengths and weaknesses of the essay. Address how those weaknesses could be addressed. Address the following questions about the comparative essay: What do you think you did well on this assignment? What do you think you could have done better with this assignment?

Para #4: A concluding paragraph (and most important paragraph) that reflects on the year as a whole. You must reflect on yourself as an English student at this point in high school. What do you need to work on in the future? Where do you go from here? How have you developed over the course of this year? I could go on and on; I think you get the idea for this final paragraph. Optionally, you can reflect on your Self at this point in your journey through life. In short this paragraph is about YOU!

Class Rosters: [Read more…]

HW12G: PBA Presentation

June 10, 2015 By

Everything you need to know about your PBA! During the actual 20 minute presentation, each student will share High School poem. After each reading, students will be expected to briefly discuss shared poems. While I am interested in hearing your holistic thoughts on the piece, I also expect to hear nuanced observations about the poem (i.e. language, style, rhythm, figures, etc).  You must comment on at least two of the shared poems.

The following should be stapled together and in this order:

  • Villanelle
  • Confessional
  • Artifact
  • Beat
  • Dream Sonnet
  • Transcendental/Romantic
  • Mimic
  • Double Consciousness
  • Essence
  • High School

Immediately following the original ten poems above you should include the following from your contribution to your group project:

  • Poet Biography
  • Poem (This should be the poem that you explicated)
  • Explication
  • Original Poem

Formatting:

  • Put the heading ONLY on the first page (i.e. Villanelle). Remember, the heading should be your name, Poetry Seminar, date of presentation, and type of poem (i.e. Beat Poem). The heading should be single spaced.
  • Starting with the second page, place page numbers in the bottom right corner of the page.
  • Times New Roman or Arial, font size 12.
  • Double Space everything except for the heading on the first page.

HW10C due 6/9: PBA

June 8, 2015 By

YOU MUST BRING IN A SECOND COPY OF YOUR FINAL DRAFT TOMORROW! This draft will be given to your second assessor tomorrow!

PBA presentations–Expectations for your 30-minute panel presentation:

Each presentation will consist of three 10-minute blocks. Each student is responsible for a BRIEF 2 minute introduction. During this time you MUST establish your context and highlight your thesis (and include any other information that we may need before we move ahead. This might include a point not mentioned in your essay.).

As for us, all questions will be born out of your context paper and the accompanying bibliography.  If you cite it, expect that we may question you on it.  The second assessor’s primary responsibility will be to tap into your knowledge of the context and to challenge your argument.  So, again, be prepared!  Know your sources!  Know the rationale for bringing them together.  Good luck!

As the reader, during the presentation it is your responsibility to ask questions and engage in a discussion that reflects a close reading of the essay. When preparing:

  • Ask questions if you disagree with an assertion.
  • Ask questions if you don’t understand how the philosopher/psychoanalyst is being used.
  • Ask questions about the development of the thesis.
  • Ask questions to give the student an opportunity to demonstrate greater depth of control of Steppenwolf and/or context sources.
  • Ask questions if you don’t understand how the evidence is being used.
  • Present counter arguments.

HW10 due 6/9: PBA

June 8, 2015 By

(All Classes) YOU MUST BRING IN A SECOND COPY OF YOUR FINAL DRAFT TOMORROW! This draft will be given to your second assessor tomorrow!

PBA presentations–Expectations for your 15-20 minute presentation:

The meeting will last for 15-20 minutes. The first 2-4 minutes belong to you. TAKE ME BEHIND THE SCENES OF YOUR ESSAY.

While it is interesting to hear you discuss your thesis and your development of the argument, I am more interested in the thought process behind the essay.  So organize your presentation in this fashion:

* Open with your thesis.

* Then, a little flashback.  Take us through the thought process that led to that argument.  Why did you choose those sources?  How do they help in the development of your argument? Why that argument? What were some of the challenges along the way?  Etc.  All throughout, I expect you to demonstrate great control of the material. (most of the time should be spent here)

As you are articulating the hows and whys of your argument (i.e. why this argument, how you proved your argument), feel free to include any last minute points that you would have included had you more time. While you should prepare your notes/note cards for the meeting, I don’t want you reading to me. The notes/note cards are there to show me that you have prepared for the meeting and they are there as a last resort reminder.

* During the remaining time, I and your second assessor will ask you a series of questions. During this time we might:

  • Challenge an assertion
  • Question your use of evidence. Ask questions if you don’t understand how the evidence is being used.
  • Ask that you clarify a point
  • Ask questions about the development of your thesis
  • Present counter arguments
  • Ask questions about your source material
  • Ask questions that give you an opportunity to demonstrate greater depth of control.

1. Godot–Be sure to have finished the play by tomorrow! (10E and 10H Only)
2. INDEX CARDS–Be sure to have your index cards filled out for our wee brown bags! Remember, this is meant to to wonderfully positive and absolutely anonymous.

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