The American Identity Unit

Goals

To help prepare your for the Synthesis Essay on the APLaC Exam.

To help you understand how to synthesize texts on the JRP.

To comprehend and apply the Toulmin Model.

To explore issues of Americaness and American Identity.

Themes

Schooling

Who decides and what constitutes a school curriculum?

What does it mean to be a valedictorian or the best in your class?

What constitutes school? Is school even necessary?

Gender Issues

What does it mean to be masculine or feminine?

Should men and women be treated the same or differently?

How does the media affect our understanding what it means to be masculine or feminine?

The Immigrant Experience

What is the American Dream?

Is it still relevant today?

How do immigrants shape American society?

How does American society shape immigrants?

Toulmin Model

The Toulmin Model is an analysis tool that takes a 360 degree look at an argument.

The Liu Method, SOAPSToneR, and Close Reading look at the Foundation/Architecture/Music of an argument.

The Toulmin Model examines the assumptions and unstated claims that an argument poses.

Synthesis Prep

As a way to help you prepare for the Synthesis Essay on the APLaC exam, you will be completing a Synthesis Prep Sheet in class.

We will be shifting from synthesizing 3 texts, to 4 texts, to 6 texts to help you prep for the Summative Essay at the end of the unit.

A Note about the Final

The Final for the Semester in APLaC will be your JRP:

1. Essay

2. Oral Defense

o However……

On the day of Finals, you will have the two hour block to complete a practice Multiple Choice Exam and the Summative Synthesis Essay for this unit.

The Summative Synthesis Essay will be entered in the grade book for 2nd semester.

Some Texts Examined

“I Know Why the Caged Bird Cannot Read” – Francine Prose

“Best in Class” – Margaret Talbot

“Let Teenagers Try Adulthood”–Leon Botstein

“There is No Unmarked Woman”– Deborah Tannen

“Mind over Muscle” – David Brooks

“Always Living in Spanish” – Marjorie Agosin

“Mother Tongue” – Amy Tan

Formative and Summative Assignments

Formative Summative

1. Close Reading – Beats2. Supplemental Reading:

Close Reading and Practice Argumentative Essay

3. Synthesis Prep4. Socratic Seminar5. Toulmin Model Worksheets6. Practice Multiple Choice

Exam7. “Avalon” Study Guide8. Study Questions from The

Language of Composition

1. In-Class Synthesis Essay

Please Stand for Think on Your Feet