English 9A

The information below explains the topics for the 3 major assessments found within your e2020 course framework. Keep in mind that there are 5 main components to this course: the three listed below, the successful completion of all other e2020 work, and your book project.

The responses to each of the three assignments below must reflect thorough, quality, introspective thinking presented in polished, high school level writing. In-class workshops will be given for each of these assignments.

Journal

Full Prompt

Lesson:Making a Connection: The Desire to Conform

Journal Question: / Think about the different social groups that you belong to. Choose one of the "in-groups" in your life and identify and describe the values and norms for this group. Then, evaluate whether or not you personally agree with the values and norms of the group. If you have trouble thinking of the values and norms of your group, think about what is "normal" behavior for the group--what values are shared in that group? How would you know if someone did not fit in?

Journal

Full Prompt

Lesson:Media Literacy: Media Bias and the Power of Language

Journal Question: / You just read about a variety of ways that language choices can affect individuals. Language can act as a powerful tool to uplift people, but it can also offend and exclude. Poorly chosen words can injure others, sometimes without the speaker even knowing it. Think back on your own life and describe a situation in which you felt excluded or offended by another individual's language choices. This could have been last week, or it may be an incident from when you were a small child. Describe the event and how it made you feel. Do you feel any different about it when you look back on it now?

Lesson Name: Writing: Literary Analysis - "After Twenty Years"

Full Prompt

In the story "After Twenty Years" by O. Henry, two friends are about to reunite at the same place they parted twenty years before.

After carefully reading "After Twenty Years," write a multi-paragraph essay analyzing the author's message. Be sure to use specific details and examples from the text to support your response.

As you write, remember your essay will be scored based on how well you:

·  develop a multi-paragraph response to the assigned topic that clearly communicates your thesis to the audience.

·  support your thesis with meaningful examples and references from the text, carefully citing any direct quotes.

·  organize your essay in a clear and logical manner, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.

·  use well-structured sentences and language that are appropriate for your audience.

·  edit your work to conform to the conventions of standard American English.