First of all, I told you I would repost the prompt. Here it is:
•We understand that Helen’s abduction from Greece influenced the beginning and outcome of the Trojan War, but her influence over ten years of fighting is tentative. Basing your answer on the literature reviewed about the Trojan War, defend, challenge, or qualify the assertion that Helen is completely to blame for the Trojan War. You must include four references from your sources, including the image, and make your stance clear through your thesis statement.
I know. It's long. You will all be cursing my name later this weekend. However, this type of prompt is shown on the AP Language exam, and forces you to evaluate lots of sources in a very short amount of time. At least we're using sources we talked about all week, and I am giving you the weekend to prepare.
Today, in class, I asked you to highlight the key terms within the prompt that will help you negotiate the question.
1. Helen's role in the war. What we know for sure, according to mythological account, is that Paris stole Helen from Menelaus, taking her to Troy. What is contested is how people then felt about her. Some claim that she is absolutely to blame for the entire Trojan War conflict, and others claim that she is, merely, a pawn in a game. ...Or maybe, she's both? You need to decide. Then, stick with that stance, all the way to the end of the essay.
2. DEFEND, CHALLENGE, and QUALIFY. This is what the question is asking you to do about the opinion you form regarding Helen, in the context of the literature in your Trojan War packet.
To clarify: To DEFEND is to state that you agree Helen is the cause for the entire Trojan War. To CHALLENGE is to state that you disagree that Helen is the cause at all - something else is to blame. To QUALIFY is to state that Helen may have/have not been partially responsible, but there are other perspectives/motives we need to consider as well.
3. Organizing your essay. The only full sentence you are allowed to have on your 3"x5" notecard is your THESIS STATEMENT. This sums up your argument, but you also need to defend that statement completely. NOTHING ELSE SHOULD BE IN YOUR ESSAY THAT FAILS TO DEFEND YOUR THESIS! PERIOD!
So, let's pretend you have your thesis. Now, you need to begin structuring your approach to the essay.
A. How are you going to defend your thesis? Choose 2-3 points that you think help to prove your thesis statement as correct. Make these your topic sentences for your body paragraphs.
B. What evidence do you have to prove your point? Again, your topic sentences need to be reinforced by your evidence. This is where that Trojan War Literature Packet comes in handy. All the information you need to defend a point is right there in your hands. USE IT. OWN IT. Make like you're the expert and explain away.
C. Discuss it. Make sure you fully discuss your points and evidence to make certain the reader understands exactly what you want to come across. If you feel like you're dumbing it down, you probably aren't...you are just being thorough.
Several people had questions for me to answer regarding this prompt and what's allowed. Here's some of what I can answer...
1. Are we allowed to use the lit packet on the test?
Yes.
2. Are we allowed to use the Mythology book on the test?
Yes, but against my advice. I would find the information you would want to use, paraphrase it, and put it on your note card. You will not have the time to flip through your book and finish your essay.
3. Are we allowed to use a notecard?
Yes. The notecard should be 3" x 5". You may write on the front and back. You may also type up your notes, but the print must be large enough so that a magnifying glass is not necessary.
4. What are we allowed to write on the notecard?
In short, your complete thesis statement and organized, bulleted notes. THAT'S IT.
5. How long do you want the essay. Aim for 4 paragraphs (1 intro, 2 body, 1 conclusion). More or less writing depends on how focused, thorough, and detailed you wish to be.
6. What are you looking for in the essays?
I want to know that you can form an opinion and defend it. I also want to know if you can organize your writing, confining your paragraphs to a single discussion strand. I also want to see if you can fully answer the prompt (every. single. part. of. it.). Be eloquent, thorough, and focused!
Let me know if you guys have questions...post them right here on the blog. I will respond as soon as I can, as I will only have intermittent access to a computer (I have my phone; it's just a bit more difficult that way).
Peace, children. And remember, the case study is there to help you (and it's also due on Monday). :-)
•We understand that Helen’s abduction from Greece influenced the beginning and outcome of the Trojan War, but her influence over ten years of fighting is tentative. Basing your answer on the literature reviewed about the Trojan War, defend, challenge, or qualify the assertion that Helen is completely to blame for the Trojan War. You must include four references from your sources, including the image, and make your stance clear through your thesis statement.
I know. It's long. You will all be cursing my name later this weekend. However, this type of prompt is shown on the AP Language exam, and forces you to evaluate lots of sources in a very short amount of time. At least we're using sources we talked about all week, and I am giving you the weekend to prepare.
Today, in class, I asked you to highlight the key terms within the prompt that will help you negotiate the question.
1. Helen's role in the war. What we know for sure, according to mythological account, is that Paris stole Helen from Menelaus, taking her to Troy. What is contested is how people then felt about her. Some claim that she is absolutely to blame for the entire Trojan War conflict, and others claim that she is, merely, a pawn in a game. ...Or maybe, she's both? You need to decide. Then, stick with that stance, all the way to the end of the essay.
2. DEFEND, CHALLENGE, and QUALIFY. This is what the question is asking you to do about the opinion you form regarding Helen, in the context of the literature in your Trojan War packet.
To clarify: To DEFEND is to state that you agree Helen is the cause for the entire Trojan War. To CHALLENGE is to state that you disagree that Helen is the cause at all - something else is to blame. To QUALIFY is to state that Helen may have/have not been partially responsible, but there are other perspectives/motives we need to consider as well.
3. Organizing your essay. The only full sentence you are allowed to have on your 3"x5" notecard is your THESIS STATEMENT. This sums up your argument, but you also need to defend that statement completely. NOTHING ELSE SHOULD BE IN YOUR ESSAY THAT FAILS TO DEFEND YOUR THESIS! PERIOD!
So, let's pretend you have your thesis. Now, you need to begin structuring your approach to the essay.
A. How are you going to defend your thesis? Choose 2-3 points that you think help to prove your thesis statement as correct. Make these your topic sentences for your body paragraphs.
B. What evidence do you have to prove your point? Again, your topic sentences need to be reinforced by your evidence. This is where that Trojan War Literature Packet comes in handy. All the information you need to defend a point is right there in your hands. USE IT. OWN IT. Make like you're the expert and explain away.
C. Discuss it. Make sure you fully discuss your points and evidence to make certain the reader understands exactly what you want to come across. If you feel like you're dumbing it down, you probably aren't...you are just being thorough.
Several people had questions for me to answer regarding this prompt and what's allowed. Here's some of what I can answer...
1. Are we allowed to use the lit packet on the test?
Yes.
2. Are we allowed to use the Mythology book on the test?
Yes, but against my advice. I would find the information you would want to use, paraphrase it, and put it on your note card. You will not have the time to flip through your book and finish your essay.
3. Are we allowed to use a notecard?
Yes. The notecard should be 3" x 5". You may write on the front and back. You may also type up your notes, but the print must be large enough so that a magnifying glass is not necessary.
4. What are we allowed to write on the notecard?
In short, your complete thesis statement and organized, bulleted notes. THAT'S IT.
5. How long do you want the essay. Aim for 4 paragraphs (1 intro, 2 body, 1 conclusion). More or less writing depends on how focused, thorough, and detailed you wish to be.
6. What are you looking for in the essays?
I want to know that you can form an opinion and defend it. I also want to know if you can organize your writing, confining your paragraphs to a single discussion strand. I also want to see if you can fully answer the prompt (every. single. part. of. it.). Be eloquent, thorough, and focused!
Let me know if you guys have questions...post them right here on the blog. I will respond as soon as I can, as I will only have intermittent access to a computer (I have my phone; it's just a bit more difficult that way).
Peace, children. And remember, the case study is there to help you (and it's also due on Monday). :-)
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