Presidential Oratory and Rhetoric

Objectives:

• Improve application, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis skills.
• Recognize rhetorical techniques and their effects.
• Develop argumentation skills through the study of models.
• Recognize differences in language and style over time.
• Discover common themes/ideas/subjects in presidential rhetoric.
• Learn American history through presidential biography and oratory.
• Improve speaking, listening, writing, and presentation skills.

Reflection Activity:

• Explain what you have learned about the power of persuasive writing, rhetorical techniques, and the similarities and differences among the speeches we have read. 
• Why is presidential rhetoric so important, especially today?
• What have you learned about American ideals through your engagement with the literature? How have those values changed and/or remained the same over time?
• What techniques can you use to improve your own writing?

Transcendentalist Notes

Symphony No. 1--The Transcendental,
Richard Pousette-Dart (1942)

Scholars: Copy and paste the following post into a Word document; then place it in your binder. You may also handwrite if you prefer.

Speech in the Virginia Convention Assignment

St. John's Church, Richmond Virginia--Site of Patrick Henry's Famous Speech--
March 23, 1775 at the Second Virginia Provincial Convention.
122 delegates were present from the colonies. 

Speech in the Virginia Convention Assignment

• Read the selection carefully. Take copious notes. Look up the definitions of words that you do not know.

English III--Vocabulary List Four

Due April 17, 2018

Directions: Copy the vocabulary words. Most of them have been taken from your textbook; some words/terms may not be typical vocabulary words (for example, names of places or allusions to famous things); nevertheless, you should know them. 

• Look up the definitions and parts of speech of each word. Write both in your notebook. (You must handwrite this assignment; not type, or cut and paste).