Cultural Research: Using Research to Make an Argument

Prompt:
Choose one of the two national cultures you have been researching to write about. Use your research notes to convince the reader that the national culture you have chosen is exciting and vibrant. Use MLA format to cite your sources. (This means including parenthetical citations and a works cited page.)

Critical Reading

After you've finished creating your own poetry prompt, poem, and open response, you're ready for a new challenge.

We're going to get back to practicing critical reading skills but this time we're going to use the PSAT, because we've talked a bit about getting ready for college. The PSAT is a test that sophomores and first semester juniors often take before they take the SAT. Preparing for the PSAT will help prepare you to take the MCAS in the spring of 2015, the PSAT in the fall of 2015, and the SAT during the spring of 2016.

PSAT Critical Reading Practice Questions

"Insomnia" and "When They Sleep" Constructed Response

Write a poetry exercise based on the poems "Insomnia" by Marge Piercy and "When They Sleep" by Rolf Jacobsen. Then, write a poem using the exercise you created.

Finally, write a constructed response in which you explain how the poem you created relates to "Insomnia" and "When They Sleep". Develop your answer with relevant and specific details from the three poems. (Don't forget about the ANSWER Key approach.)

Open Response #1: Advice to Freshman

What advise would you give to this year's freshman? Be specific. Use detail. Explain your answer.

[Write your open response in a Google Doc. Share the document with me at jcook@gloucesterschools.com.]