Category: English and Literature : English

How have the expansion and contractions of empires affected European self-understandings? Please consider this question across two major periods of European history (defined above)

Rhetorical Analysis Essay
Purpose: To write an essay that conveys and supports an original claim about how rhetorical elements create meaning.
 Learning Objective: To closely examine the ways in which the rhetorical moves of a text shape information; and to construct and support an original claim based on that examination. 
Analyze a Movie Trailer. 
Your job is to watch the Bad Boys Ride or Die movie trailer and offer a detailed analysis of the rhetorical moves of the trailer. 
Process:  Watch it a few times and note your initial reactions. Watch the trailer again a few times and this time closely observe the elements. The trailer relies in part on pathos; the trailer is hoping to elicit emotion in the viewer. Examine at least three rhetorical moves (music, scene editing, lighting etc.) that the trailer uses in its attempts to bring forth this emotion and how these are working. Make sure you are clear on both what the emotion is and how it is created. 
Synthesize your findings into a thesis-driven essay that makes an argument about your chosen trailer, a message it conveys, and how it succeeds at selling the film. 
Avoid stating the obvious. For example, statements that an action movie trailer is appealing to fans of action movies, or that a cartoon is for children, are not compelling arguments. Instead, examine how your chosen trailer appeals to varied audiences in different ways. Finally, consider this, the trailer you’ve chosen is not only trying to elicit feelings in viewers, but it is also connecting that emotion to a message. Why does this matter and how does it sell the larger film?
Remember: your job is to analyze the trailer, not the film. The trailer’s purpose is two-fold: to convey a message and sell a film. Analyzing a whole film requires a different approach. I recommend you choose the trailer of a film you have not seen to avoid completing this assignment incorrectly.
Audience: Your audience is someone familiar with the trailer but not familiar with the deeper meanings of the trailer. Your job is to explain to them how the trailer creates meaning and what the underlying meanings of the trailer are. 
Format: Minimum 750 words, typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 pt. font, with MLA (or APA) heading, pagination, and title.
Citation of your chosen source is required in either a Works Cited (MLA) or References (APA) page

Describe the tone of the father and son’s dance in Theodore Roethke’s “My Papa’s Waltz”?
Write a 700-800 word essay consisting of at least five paragraphs. The introduction should provide a brief overview of your main argument and supporting points. The body should provide textual support for your thesis and minor points. Note: A minimum of two direct quotes are required for each body paragraph. Each direct quotation should have an in-text citation, and the source should be documented on the Works Cited page. The conclusion should restate your thesis statement, topic sentences, supporting sentences, and offer a smooth close. Follow MLA format (Times New Roman, double-spaced, 12” font, 1” margins, heading, and header). Be sure to edit carefully. Note: No first person pronouns. No second person pronouns. No past tense verbs. No informal language. No offensive language.

Compare the graphic novel Charley’s War and the propaganda posters that were used in Canada during World War One, which can be below found in the attached documents.
When comparing the two media sources, please explain the similarities and differences between the two with these three given points:
1) A definition and discussion of the political ideology of “patriotism” and whether you believe it is a positive or negative construct for a country.
2) What are the ideals that are being presented in the propaganda posters? Explain with specific examples.
3) Are those same ideals being shown in the graphic novel, which was written roughly 60 years after WWI and not long after WWII. Explain with specific examples.
Be sure to include an introduction, three points of the similarities and differences, and a conclusion (5 paragraphs total).
Thank you.

What are some other turning points in American history that historians have emphasized or should emphasize? How might these other turning points influence where new American history surveys begin and end?

The Assignment: 
In an argumentative essay of 2,000 words or more, address the following prompt. This essay should feature a well-developed thesis and appropriate evidence to support your claims. You must engage and cite at least one essays from in this class (either one I assigned, one you found for a homework assignment, or one found by one of your peers), and three outside nonfiction articles. Be sure to provide thorough analysis of all quotes and examples, and include your own argument based on your perspective on the topic.
The Prompt:
Pick an ongoing or recent social issue, political event, or newsworthy situation to focus on. Provide some context for this issue. Describe the situation, who is affected, and why it is occurring. Describe the different perspectives or stances on this topic. Why do people feel the way they do? What is your stance? Use examples from articles and your own experiences, observations, or perspective to support your claims. Please do not use the same topic you used for Essay #1.
Research:
The outside sources can be any nonfiction essays of your choice. You may choose to use news articles, personal essays, research essays, academic articles from the DVC Library database, or any combination that relates to your topic. The outside essays may bring a new perspective on the topic, present a counter-argument to the assigned text(s), or provide an example that supports your claims. If you choose to cite news articles, your sources should be legitimate news outlets that adhere to journalistic standards. (Note that this does not mean that the source is unbiased; all writing has some form of bias.) I recommend news sites like The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Democracy Now, NPR, BBC,  The Nation, The Atlantic, The Guardian, The Economist, etc. (You are not required to use these; they are simply suggestions.) It would be most helpful if your articles are in-depth rather than a few brief paragraphs. You may also use opinion pieces but be sure to be aware of the author’s intention.
Formatting:
This essay will be in MLA format. This means it will be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point font (I prefer Times New Roman), with page numbers and your last name on each page, and a header on the first page. Your title should be original, and you must include a Works Cited page. Be sure to include in-text citations in the body of the essay. For help with MLA formatting and citations, please see the handouts on Canvas in “Resources for Essays.”

How and why have certain Americans tended to view themselves and their nation as “exceptional”?  How has this notion shaped American culture, politics and economics?

How have its geopolitical, geographical, and cultural parameters shifted? What do these shifting assignations signify? How are they useful for historians? How do they illuminate or obscure important themes in European development?

2A. Utilizing the textbook, discuss anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. 
2B. What are the characteristics of each and what are some risk factors associated with the development of these disorders? 
2C. What treatments are available and how effective are they?
5A. According to the the textbook, describe the characteristics of adolescent friendships. 
5B. Discuss how cell phones, the internet, and social media impact relationships during adolescence. 
5C. What does the “How Social Media Makes Us Unsocial” video say about this topic? 
5D. How does social media impact your own life?
6A. Summarize in detail “The truth about teen depression”.
6B. What points does the speaker make about teenage depression and suicide attempts?
6C. Describe factors that may contribute to suicide attempts and strategies for prevention. 
6D. Do you think high schools do enough to identify student depression?  Why or why not? Support your answer

When and why have these definitions changed and varied?  What impact do these definitions have on how historians have approached and written about the nation’s past?