"The Words of Chief Joseph"

Compare this speech with the Declaration of Independence. What similarites and differences do you find in purpose and techniques?

Please respond to this post by 8:00 p.m. Sunday March 9, 2008.

Orwell's "A Hanging"

Identify the clues whereby Orwell lets his readers know that he is subjectively and sympathetically involved with the subject matter - capital punishment - as well as the "subject" who is being put to death.

Please respond to this post by 8:00 p.m. Tuesday February 26, 2008.

Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant"

"Shooting an Elephant" is a striking example of how a government official uses the language of narration to convey political ideas. What political ideas does Orwell convey? How does he convey them? Is his message conveyed directly or indirectly? Explain.

Please respond to this post by Monday February 25, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

After reading Lincoln's "The Gettysburg Address," identify persuasive techniques. Be sure to use textual evidence to support your response.

Please respond to this post by 6:00 p.m. Wednesday February 20, 2008.

Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Comment on the differences between the two drafts. How and why is revising for these brief passages important? How and why is diction (choices about words) important? Given the historical context of 1861, can you speculate about specific reasons changes were made? Comment on the rhetorical effectiveness of each of the two drafts.

Submit your responses to this post by 6:00 p.m. Tuesday February 19, 2008.

The Constitution of the United States Post II

Address the following questions focusing on the major sections of The Constitution of the United States:

a. What does each of the seven articles cover?
b. Comment on the various lengths of articles. Comment on the order of the articles.
c. Note that Article V creates a living Constitution, one that can be changed when Congress "shall deem it necessary." Comment on some of the more well-known amendments and discuss what events were the occasion for their passage. Discuss the concept of occasion in writing: the occasion of a work is the cause that brings about or precipitates the writing of the work.
Discuss the occasions and contents of the specific additions to the Constitution: Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10), Amendments 13, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, and 25

Respond to this post by 6:00 p.m. Wednesday February 13, 2008.

The Constitution of the United States

What was Thomas Jefferson's view of constitutions in his letter to Samuel Kercheval? How might that view influence the way he conceived of the United States Constitution?