AP Essay Thesis Statement

Due to unforseen chemistry experiments gone awry (the reason for today's multiple fire drills, I'm told) none of the Langers got the chance to nail down a solid thesis statement. We did have some good brainstorming sessions in each class, however, and we made some progress in each period.

Period 9/10 had the brilliant and insightful Megan Coburn who came up with a jazzy little ditty that we'll ruminate more on here.

Period 11 had JW steppin' up to the plate and delivering what sounded to be a homerun statement--also which we will ruminate more on here.

Period 12 saw Mikey, with his usual style and grace, working up a sound and cogent intellectual proposition. Also one which will be batted around here.

So, as soon as the three of them post what they had in class today, we can begin the discussion. I will log back on periodically to check on the progress and to make the final decision about each period's thesis statement.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU SHARE INFORMATION WITH ONE ANOTHER. IF YOUR FRIEND COULDN'T LOG ONTO BLOGGER TONIGHT, PLEASE TELL THEM WHAT YOUR PERIOD'S THESIS STATEMENT IS, BECAUSE IF HE/SHE DOESN'T HAVE IT, HE/SHE WON'T BE ABLE TO WRITE TOMORROW (2/21/08).

Also, in case I didn't get a chance to fully explain what I am looking for, I just want to remind you that the biggest thing I want you all to focus on is your transitions between ideas and your development of those ideas. Don't limit yourselves to one dimensional thoughts that can be explained in a 7-8 sentence paragraph. Consider the "Breaking Through" article as you write: remember how many smaller ideas she had yoked into one big one? It was multi-dimensional--one larger idea and a bunch of different perspectives and smaller ideas. Try doing that and please feel free to refer to "Breaking Through" as you are writing.

The biggest thing is DON'T PANIC. I know this is new and a little scary for some of you, and we are going to workshop this essay until you feel comfortable with it, so there is no pressure. Good Luck! See you all Monday. Oh--and don't forget the real blog is due Friday!

This Wasn't It, But It'll Do in a Pinch

Definitions schmefinitions. This week,let's try something different. (No, this was not what I was originally going to post, but since just the right words are determined to remain a "secret ingredient", I am thinking that must mean that whatever brilliant and insightful bit of gibberish I was thinking about needs more time to cook). After all the AP test fun is over we are going to do a fun little project called The Quotation Festival. Details to come later, but in preparation for that, this week's blog should have you thumbing through Bartlett's--or just hitching a ride on the Google express under "Quotes"--to come up with a quote you think sums up the aspect of your character you like best. What is it? Who said it? How does it apply to your life? (350-400 words/45pts)

Fear

Over the past few months, we have begun the process of trying to make sense of who we are, what we believe and what morals, values and ideas we are trying to develop. Doing this, while sometimes extremely stressful and dare I say even aggravating, is an integral part of determining our place in the world. For those of you sitting at your computers week after week, cursing me to the fiery pits of the abyss for coming up with questions that make your brains bleed, please know that the reasons above are my motivation. Now, with that said, onto this week's brain blaster!

In your own words, ones that make the most sense to you, define for me the idea of "fear." It means different things to different people; what does it mean to you? What is your biggest fear? What keeps you awake at night? Is whatever your fear now the same as it was when you were a sophomore, a freshmen, an eighth-grader? How has the idea of fear evolved for you? What do you notice about the evolution? From where do you think this fear comes? How do you deal with it? Don't be scared--once it's here, it's out of you! (450-500 words/60pts)