Part 1:Read Thank You for Arguing, by Jay Heinrichs (ISBN-10: 0307341445)

This casual, but classically inclined introduction to the art of rhetoric will lay the foundation for our studies throughout the year.  Heinrichs introduces the reader to an abundance of Greek and Latin rhetorical terms—you should consider creating flash cards for rhetorical terms.  A 50-pt objective quiz will assess your understanding of this book on day three of the school year.

Link:http://www.amazon.com/Thank-You-Arguing-Aristotle-Persuasion/dp/0307341445

Part 2:Read East of Eden by John Steinbeck

No 20th-Century writer is more quintessentially American than John Steinbeck.  In East of Eden, the novel he regarded as his best, Steinbeck works his signature acuity for character and landscape into an allegory modeled around the ancient story of Cain and Abel.  It’s a long book, and I’ve chosen it deliberately to test your endurance.  Most kids, however, find that’s it’s also an especially engrossing book.  Don’t get discouraged when you first pick up the book.

Your assignment is to closely read and annotate the novel.  Therefore, I recommend that you purchase your own copy.  As you read, and after you’ve finished, reflect on character, theme, and style.  What was Steinbeck’s purpose in writing the novel?  How can the novel be read as an allegory?  How does Steinbeck achieve through language his unique depiction of landscape?  Are his characters simple or subtle?  Does the novel succeed?  Can art, such as literature, communicate something that uncontrived, informational language cannot?

There will be an in-class essay (54 pts) on East of Eden on day five of the school year.

Part 3:Read, collect, and respond to 4 editorials/op-ed pieces (not letters to the editor or informational features), two from each of the following newspapers:

-The New York Times (www.nytimes.com)

-The Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com)

Print or online–either is fine.  Obtain the printed newspapers, locate the opinion pages, and clip editorials of interest to you.  Or go online, click on Opinion, and print editorials of interest.

Select a total of four editorials (two from The NY Times and two from The WSJ).  For each of your four editorials, type a 250-word double-spaced response.  Critique the writer’s argument.  Do you agree or disagree, or is it more intelligent to qualify the writer’s argument?   Write with confidence.  Explain yourself.  Do you have proof to support your claims?  Pay attention not only to the writer’s conclusion, but also to his/her reasoning.  Avoid mere summary of each editorialist’s argument.  Attach the clipped article to the corresponding response.  This assignment is due on day two of the school year.