Class Assignment

Tuesday 25 October 2011
Everyone turned in their book reports on Augustine Farmer's Boy of Tagaste.  We reviewed the chapters we had read of our new book St. Patrick Missionary to Ireland.  Everyone seems to be enjoying the book.  One thing we learned is how Patrick learned Gaelic, the language of the Celts.
Some of these names are really hard to pronounce.  Therefore, we will just do our best! 
We began the process of writing a persuasion paper.  This is a very hard concept to  acquire as well as a long process.  You are not going to make A's when you are just learning how, so please, don't let your "grades" or the fact that I write all over your paper in a colored pen, keep you from doing your best.  I promise that you will end up with a better grade than when we first began.  I cannot promise you all an A because all of you will not do your very best, even though that is what I would love to see!  Bear with me as we learn this hard concept. Try to enjoy yourself in this learning process.  Ask questions, tell me what you don't understand, talk to me.  Otherwise, I won't know what has you stumped.  Teenagers are the world's best at persuasion when it is verbal and when the topic is something they really want to do!!  Put those powers to work in class too, please!
We are taking a little time off from reading our book to get in the groove of persuasion.  However, if youwant to read St. Patrick, please do!  We will get back to it on Friday.

Your assignments are:

Tuesday and Wednesday 26-27 October 2011
1. Using the handout I gave you, write a rough draft of your persuasion paper.  Remember, if you want to give your friend a name you may, but it is not required.  Write your first draft as if you are really talking to someone your own age and someone you know well.  I would prefer it NOT be a member of your family.  Make it truly a friend.

Suggestion: write your draft on Wednesday, put it away.  On Thursday, take it out and re-read it, making changes RIGHT on the paper as you want to and as you read it.  Change those things you don't like, add things, check spelling and sentence structure, etc.
The reason I tell you to do this the next day is because you will be able to see your paper more clearly if you have not just finished writing it.  Try it and see.
DON'T rewrite your paper.  Keep it messy, that's ok.  Remember, this is your first draft.  Changes are good!  Good Luck!