The Death Penalty

"The following is an article from NPR about the death penalty. After reading the article, take a position about whether or not the death penalty should remain part of the United States criminal justice system. You must incorporate at least one outside source in your response.

http://www.npr.org/2011/12/15/143736447/death-sentences-drop-to-historic-lows?ps=cprs



Treat this (and all blog posts) as a synthesis essay. In other words, take a position, come up with reasons for your stance, find a source(s) that supports your reason(s), and then discuss the connections to larger social issues. Your response should basically consist of a thesis statement and one solid body paragraph. If your reason, source, and analysis/connections are solid, you don’t need to write a book here."

Home Schooling

With contemporary education being ostensibly in disrepair, many individuals are considering alternative forms of education for their children. One of the most common, "alternative," methods is homeschooling. Synthesizing from three sources--two from your packet and one online source of your own choice--construct a response that identifies the key issues associated with homeschooling and examine their implications for both students and parents.

(Hint: Notice that there are two parts to this prompt. AP stands for answer the prompt; so do it! Happy writing.)

Drug Testing Welfare Recipients

"Check out this article from the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/us/states-adding-drug-test-as-hurdle-for-welfare.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1318348709-n+qDLowhd0sUnSL9VNLgHw

After reading the article, defend, challenge, or qualify the decision to require drug tests of welfare recipients. Use at least one outside source for support.

Remember, your source is a means of addressing and discussing some larger social/universal issues of the prompt. You’d do well to brainstorm those issues before finding a source and replying."

Off-Shore Drilling

Having friends is a nice thing:



"Here’s an article from the NY Times about a new measure to open additional offshore drilling sites off American coastlines:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/09/science/earth/us-to-open-new-areas-to-offshore-drilling.html


For years, Americans have debated the merits of expanding offshore drilling for oil. Environmentalists oppose expansion, while oil industry leaders support expansion.

Take a position on what factors are most important when considering expansion of offshore oil drilling in the U.S. Be sure to incorporate at least one outside source into your response. Remember:

1. Identify the source. “According to an article by Natasha Brown” doesn’t cut it. Who is Natasha Brown? What is the organization or news site for which she writes? If it is an organization, what is its mission?

2. Use your sources TO SUPPORT YOUR IDEAS. Do not merely summarize the sources."

Dropouts Will Save Our Economy?

It is always appropriate to cite one's sources. This week's prompt comes directly from an AP colleague named Mr. Bell who runs classroom blogs as well. Anyway, check out what he has to say and then embrace the prompt:

"This is an interesting article from last weekend’s New York Times: (copy the URL and paste it in your address bar.)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/opinion/sunday/will-dropouts-save-america.html?ref=opinion

Before you read this article, let me be clear: I do not in any way condone this author’s prescription for success or turning around the economy. I (almost) completely disagree with him, and if this were my space to argue, I’d argue a pretty strong case against his stance. That said, this is your space.

You may defend, challenge, or qualify his position on the usefulness of college degrees. Be sure to incorporate an outside source, identify that source, and use it to address some larger social issues/deeper implications raised by this article."

Blogging for AP

Dear APES (Advanced Placement English Students),

You were given directions to make a blog. You will have to complete Micro Blogs (100 word posts about your 10 day trinket(s)) on a daily basis during academic cycles, and Macro Blogs (250+ word arguments in relation to pop culture) twice a week during shop cycles. (These MUST be completed during weekdays, not weekends.)

Now, all I want you all to do, once you have created your blogs--please, folks, try and use your name (e.g. MrFreitas.blogspot.com)--is add a comment on this post that identifies your blog URL. Also, feel free to read and professionally comment on your peers' blogs. Any blogs that use and correctly cite other students' blogs will receive a higher grade. Enter into conversations!

Remember, I do check these almost daily and randomly grade them. So, do your work.

Sincerely,
Mr. Freitas