Faith McCullough
April 1, 2009
Period 11
AP English III- Ms. Brown
Comprehension: Hughes offers a list of famous rivers in his poem, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers.” These rivers are located all over the world. These rivers were possibly chosen because they represented the timeline of Hughes’ life. He feels they represent what makes up the kind of person he is. He can relate these rivers back to his home. The Congo river represents his African heritage, the Nile represents his perseverance to strive for the best and the Mississippi represents Hughes’ ancestors gaining their freedom. All of these representations show how the rivers make up Hughes’ life.
Comprehension: In “I, Too” by Langston Hughes, he speaks of a darker brother and by that he means that he is the brother to the white man but just darker. Hughes states that he eats in the kitchen to display to the reader that the white man feels he was not worthy enough to sit and eat at the dining table, so they kept the black man in the kitchen. He also states that he will eat in the kitchen tomorrow showing optimism and having hope for the future. He believes that his day for eating at the table is bound to come. The significance of the title “I, Too,” is to show that Langston Hughes is also an American citizen. He, too, should be able to eat at the white man’s dining table.
Context: The Harlem Renaissance goals were contradicted when Hughes wrote the poem “Mulatto” because the Harlem Renaissance was all about creative expression of the world around you. Not the bad experiences of the past.
Context: In “Note on Commercial Theatre” Hughes is talking about the white race stealing the musical styles and talents of the black race and not giving them credit for it. These same issues aren’t really relevant today because the U.S. developed stricter patent laws and someone could file a civil suit for their rightful property.
Exploration: I think Hughes writes so often about America rather than Africa because Hughes was the kind of poet to write about what he knows and what issues he can identify with while also making it known to the public.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Meaning
1. Koch’s thesis is the only way to protect human life from murder is to not let it happen and to do this, the guaranteed way is the death penalty. The main idea that he wants readers to agree with is that human life and their rights need to be protected.
2. The argument that deals with the death penalty as a deterrent to murder is that the death penalty will scare murderers that they wouldn’t murder. Koch brings up a situation that happened with murderer that was sentenced to life in prison, but they still were able to commit murder. The argument that deals with the death penalty being a form of justice for the murder done is that it gave the murderer exactly what they deserved. Since they gave up someone else’s life, then they should give up their life as well. Both arguments relate to his thesis because they both protect the human life.
Purpose and Audience
1. In this particular essay Koch does not seem to convey a sense of political gain. He just seems to want to get his point across. Koch just wants his audience to how serious this issue is and that it should be stopped with the death penalty. He does not seem to be aiming for votes or political superiority. He wants to make his audience aware that the highest form of capital punishment is the most guaranteed way that murder will not happen.
2. Koch does seem to expect is audience to agree with because he gives reasons on why those who do not agree with him say that the death penalty is not the right way to handle murder situations. Koch set an emotional appeal in his essay. By doing this, he tends to seek a sad and sorrowful reaction from his audience. Giving the readers various examples, showed them that the death penalty was the best option for capital punishment.
3. He places the readers with a responsibility of knowing the difference of state rights and individual rights. They just have to know that that the government can do certain things that citizens and individuals themselves are just not allowed to do. He explains how everyone wants their rights, but they do not want the responsibility that comes along with it. He is just saying you have to do your part in society.
Method and Structure
1. An example of emotional appeal is when Koch talks about the twenty-one year old woman that was assaulted and murdered. Lots of people heard her shouting for help, but they didn’t do anything about it. An example of an ethical appeal is when Koch states his twenty-two years of experience of capital punishment. Lastly, an example of a rational appeal is when Koch explains how though the death penalty is a harsh way to capital punishment, doing absolutely nothing about the situation if far more barbaric and terrible. I think that the emotional appeal is most effective because it goes straight to the heart of the audience. No matter how much someone thinks about a subject, they tend to listen to their hearts. The least effective appeal is the ethical appeal because even though you might be a credible source, you still could have an opinion about a subject that makes no sense at all and agreeing with you just because your credible would be a foolish mistake on the reader.
2. The major premise is that before death, murderers admit they were wrong. The minor premise is murderers realize that they were wrong. The conclusion is that all murderers admit they were wrong and realize what they did was wrong before they die. Koch denies the validity of this because this is not necessarily true for all murderers. Some murders might know that what they did was wrong, but they might not all admit to it.
3. Koch’s strategy in countering the argument is that it’s not the method of the death penalty it’s the death of another human being that one thinks is barbaric. I believe that this method was effective because compares finding a cure to diseases to finding a cure to the death penalty.
4. Koch uses the examples of murders and what they have done to innocent victims to display all his points. For instance, the example he gives of the prison victim who was sentenced to life but still had the chance to kill proved that life sentences is not enough to stop murders from murdering. Another example is of the twenty-one year old woman who was assaulted and murdered. This example proved that if the death penalty isn’t pit into place the criminal will become bolder and more confident in his crimes. The only way to destroy this boost of confidence is to show them the same thing can happen to them.
Language
1. Koch portrays a tone of determination. This determination to convince his audience the death penalty is the one and only way to bring murder to an end is the highest level of capital punishment. By giving a lot of emotional appeal, Koch really draws my attention to his argument especially when the corrections officer was murdered by a convict who was already sentenced to life.
2. Koch’s words indicate that he understands what his opponents are saying, but he feels they are just outright wrong. He feels that some of his opponents just were not thinking sensibly.
Writing Topics
1. I use to think that the death penalty was not the way to go when it came to capital punishment, but after reading this essay by Koch, I realized that it really is the only way to deal with the problem up front and personal. Being a Christian, my religion would say that this form of punishment is cruel and that it is not the right way to solve this problem. Though my religion is to not kill anyone at all, I feel that those who deserve the death penalty should get the death penalty. I use to think that life sentences were enough because murders were not out in the open murdering people. After reading the essay and reading his example of what happened in the prison, that one incident changed my view completely. Though I am still contemplating on whether or not to agree with the death penalty or not.
I think now that I have read the essay and thought about all the possibilities, the only reasonable solution is that one should be put to death only if it is for a reason. If the crime was because of self defense and it could be proven as self defense, then one should not be put to death. Why should someone die for defending their own life? If one thinks they can take someone else’s life, why shouldn’t the government take your own life? Yes, the death penalty is a harsh punishment for anyone, but it is the right one if one chooses to take someone’s life in their own hands.
1. Koch’s thesis is the only way to protect human life from murder is to not let it happen and to do this, the guaranteed way is the death penalty. The main idea that he wants readers to agree with is that human life and their rights need to be protected.
2. The argument that deals with the death penalty as a deterrent to murder is that the death penalty will scare murderers that they wouldn’t murder. Koch brings up a situation that happened with murderer that was sentenced to life in prison, but they still were able to commit murder. The argument that deals with the death penalty being a form of justice for the murder done is that it gave the murderer exactly what they deserved. Since they gave up someone else’s life, then they should give up their life as well. Both arguments relate to his thesis because they both protect the human life.
Purpose and Audience
1. In this particular essay Koch does not seem to convey a sense of political gain. He just seems to want to get his point across. Koch just wants his audience to how serious this issue is and that it should be stopped with the death penalty. He does not seem to be aiming for votes or political superiority. He wants to make his audience aware that the highest form of capital punishment is the most guaranteed way that murder will not happen.
2. Koch does seem to expect is audience to agree with because he gives reasons on why those who do not agree with him say that the death penalty is not the right way to handle murder situations. Koch set an emotional appeal in his essay. By doing this, he tends to seek a sad and sorrowful reaction from his audience. Giving the readers various examples, showed them that the death penalty was the best option for capital punishment.
3. He places the readers with a responsibility of knowing the difference of state rights and individual rights. They just have to know that that the government can do certain things that citizens and individuals themselves are just not allowed to do. He explains how everyone wants their rights, but they do not want the responsibility that comes along with it. He is just saying you have to do your part in society.
Method and Structure
1. An example of emotional appeal is when Koch talks about the twenty-one year old woman that was assaulted and murdered. Lots of people heard her shouting for help, but they didn’t do anything about it. An example of an ethical appeal is when Koch states his twenty-two years of experience of capital punishment. Lastly, an example of a rational appeal is when Koch explains how though the death penalty is a harsh way to capital punishment, doing absolutely nothing about the situation if far more barbaric and terrible. I think that the emotional appeal is most effective because it goes straight to the heart of the audience. No matter how much someone thinks about a subject, they tend to listen to their hearts. The least effective appeal is the ethical appeal because even though you might be a credible source, you still could have an opinion about a subject that makes no sense at all and agreeing with you just because your credible would be a foolish mistake on the reader.
2. The major premise is that before death, murderers admit they were wrong. The minor premise is murderers realize that they were wrong. The conclusion is that all murderers admit they were wrong and realize what they did was wrong before they die. Koch denies the validity of this because this is not necessarily true for all murderers. Some murders might know that what they did was wrong, but they might not all admit to it.
3. Koch’s strategy in countering the argument is that it’s not the method of the death penalty it’s the death of another human being that one thinks is barbaric. I believe that this method was effective because compares finding a cure to diseases to finding a cure to the death penalty.
4. Koch uses the examples of murders and what they have done to innocent victims to display all his points. For instance, the example he gives of the prison victim who was sentenced to life but still had the chance to kill proved that life sentences is not enough to stop murders from murdering. Another example is of the twenty-one year old woman who was assaulted and murdered. This example proved that if the death penalty isn’t pit into place the criminal will become bolder and more confident in his crimes. The only way to destroy this boost of confidence is to show them the same thing can happen to them.
Language
1. Koch portrays a tone of determination. This determination to convince his audience the death penalty is the one and only way to bring murder to an end is the highest level of capital punishment. By giving a lot of emotional appeal, Koch really draws my attention to his argument especially when the corrections officer was murdered by a convict who was already sentenced to life.
2. Koch’s words indicate that he understands what his opponents are saying, but he feels they are just outright wrong. He feels that some of his opponents just were not thinking sensibly.
Writing Topics
1. I use to think that the death penalty was not the way to go when it came to capital punishment, but after reading this essay by Koch, I realized that it really is the only way to deal with the problem up front and personal. Being a Christian, my religion would say that this form of punishment is cruel and that it is not the right way to solve this problem. Though my religion is to not kill anyone at all, I feel that those who deserve the death penalty should get the death penalty. I use to think that life sentences were enough because murders were not out in the open murdering people. After reading the essay and reading his example of what happened in the prison, that one incident changed my view completely. Though I am still contemplating on whether or not to agree with the death penalty or not.
I think now that I have read the essay and thought about all the possibilities, the only reasonable solution is that one should be put to death only if it is for a reason. If the crime was because of self defense and it could be proven as self defense, then one should not be put to death. Why should someone die for defending their own life? If one thinks they can take someone else’s life, why shouldn’t the government take your own life? Yes, the death penalty is a harsh punishment for anyone, but it is the right one if one chooses to take someone’s life in their own hands.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
MLK Questions
Faith McCullough
January 20, 2009
Period 11
AP English III- Brown
Rhetorical Structure: Figures of Speech
1.Alliteration- the repetition of initial sounds in adjacent words or syllables
Allusion- a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication: an allusion to Shakespeare.
Metaphor- a figure of speech in which a word for one idea or thing is used in place of another to suggest a likeness between them
Simile- a figure of speech in which two dissimilar things are compared by the use of like or as
2. The opening phrase of King’s speech is an allusion to Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. This was an appropriate and strong way to begin his speech because both speeches were strongly significant in history.
3. Declaration of Independence- “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”
Bible- “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together”
4. “Let freedom ring form the mighty mountains of New York.”
5. “…from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.”
6. “I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.”
7. This figure of speech was a metaphor comparing segregation to slavery. Those words gave his audience some vivid imagery to picture. It also makes his audience feel as though they were one of the people in slavery. King was saying that slavery has ended, however the segregation and discrimination against African Americans has still exist among them even now.
8. “One hundred years” and “With this faith”
9. One effect of his repetition of “I have a dream” was the fact that not only did King have a dream and he believed in his dream, other African Americans even some whites believed that this dream would become a reality. Another effect of his repetition it would have a tendency to activate a person’s goals and ambitions. Someone might have thought that this goal or dream would never come to pass, but by repeating it gave them the drive to have faith in all their dreams.
10. The most powerful and moving part of King’s speech to me is the part where is talks about how “sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.” This section of his speech appealed to me the most because it gives me a visual image on how men and women of all color would one day sit together. It’s hard to even imagine that there was so much segregation those years ago and to see the progression that our nation has gone through is amazing. Now blacks, whites, Hispanics, and all other nationalities and ethnicities can go to school together, eat together, and befriend one another. It would be amazing to see how young people would be able to discuss the wrongs of our forefathers and have the heart to make them right. The young and the old would be able to unite as one people and join hands to share their nation.
Understanding the Dream
1. King’s dream is to bring all races together and become equal, just as it says in the Declaration of Independence. He didn’t want one race to be greater than the other. He also wanted the country to unite to make United States a nation where all nationalities could come together and be one. Dr. King believed in equal opportunity for all. He wanted to see true justice, educational opportunity, and fair employment for men and women. Dr. King’s vision of equality was magnified in his I Have a Dream speech.
2. Some of the injustice acts against African Americans that was cited in his speech was when King states how “America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked insufficient funds.”
3. American Dream- freedom and equal opportunity for all, a stable income for a happy family with a beautiful house
January 20, 2009
Period 11
AP English III- Brown
Rhetorical Structure: Figures of Speech
1.Alliteration- the repetition of initial sounds in adjacent words or syllables
Allusion- a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication: an allusion to Shakespeare.
Metaphor- a figure of speech in which a word for one idea or thing is used in place of another to suggest a likeness between them
Simile- a figure of speech in which two dissimilar things are compared by the use of like or as
2. The opening phrase of King’s speech is an allusion to Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. This was an appropriate and strong way to begin his speech because both speeches were strongly significant in history.
3. Declaration of Independence- “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”
Bible- “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together”
4. “Let freedom ring form the mighty mountains of New York.”
5. “…from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.”
6. “I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.”
7. This figure of speech was a metaphor comparing segregation to slavery. Those words gave his audience some vivid imagery to picture. It also makes his audience feel as though they were one of the people in slavery. King was saying that slavery has ended, however the segregation and discrimination against African Americans has still exist among them even now.
8. “One hundred years” and “With this faith”
9. One effect of his repetition of “I have a dream” was the fact that not only did King have a dream and he believed in his dream, other African Americans even some whites believed that this dream would become a reality. Another effect of his repetition it would have a tendency to activate a person’s goals and ambitions. Someone might have thought that this goal or dream would never come to pass, but by repeating it gave them the drive to have faith in all their dreams.
10. The most powerful and moving part of King’s speech to me is the part where is talks about how “sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.” This section of his speech appealed to me the most because it gives me a visual image on how men and women of all color would one day sit together. It’s hard to even imagine that there was so much segregation those years ago and to see the progression that our nation has gone through is amazing. Now blacks, whites, Hispanics, and all other nationalities and ethnicities can go to school together, eat together, and befriend one another. It would be amazing to see how young people would be able to discuss the wrongs of our forefathers and have the heart to make them right. The young and the old would be able to unite as one people and join hands to share their nation.
Understanding the Dream
1. King’s dream is to bring all races together and become equal, just as it says in the Declaration of Independence. He didn’t want one race to be greater than the other. He also wanted the country to unite to make United States a nation where all nationalities could come together and be one. Dr. King believed in equal opportunity for all. He wanted to see true justice, educational opportunity, and fair employment for men and women. Dr. King’s vision of equality was magnified in his I Have a Dream speech.
2. Some of the injustice acts against African Americans that was cited in his speech was when King states how “America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked insufficient funds.”
3. American Dream- freedom and equal opportunity for all, a stable income for a happy family with a beautiful house
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
