Unit 4 - The Power of Nature
Analysis 101
Theme: Nature
Big Ideas: Rhetorical Situation, Claims and Evidence, Reasoning and Organization
Skills:
RHS 1.A - Identify and describe components of the rhetorical situation: the exigence, audience, writer, purpose, context, and message
RHS 2.A - write introductions and conclusions appropriate to the purpose and context of the rhetorical situation
CLE 3.B - Identify and describe the overarching thesis of an argument and any indication it provides of the argument’s structure
CLE 4.B - write a thesis statement that requires proof or defense and may preview the structure of an argument
REO 5.C - Recognize and explain the use of methods of development to accomplish a purpose
REO 6.C - use appropriate methods of development to advance an argument
Texts:
All writing assignments will be a major grade and will follow the standard structure of response from students: identify a claim that the author makes in the article or piece of reading, detail specific evidence from reading that supports that claim, and respond to the piece with your own thoughts/opinion/commentary that supports or rebuffs the author’s claim. This should be in paragraph form, 5-6 sentences minimum. Some texts will have different assignments, as noted.
Why Even a Little Nature is Good for Your Brain, Alex Hutchinson: https://www.outsideonline.com/health/wellness/nature-psychology-study/
Excerpts from Nature, Ralph Waldo Emerson (Introduction, Chapter 1 Nature): https://archive.vcu.edu/english/engweb/transcendentalism/authors/emerson/nature.html
Excerpts from Illusions, Emerson: https://emersoncentral.com/texts/the-conduct-of-life/illusions/
Excerpts from The End of Nature, Bill McKibben - handout
Where I Lived and What I Lived For, Henry David Thoreau - *Annotate for the rhetorical situation, anthropomorphism, allusion, and diction choices: https://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/webpub/english/bedguide8e/Public%20Domain%20Readings/Thoreau%20Where%20I%20Lived%20and%20What%20I%20Lived%20For.pdf
Serpents of Paradise from Desert Solitaire, Edward Abbey: *Annotate for the rhetorical situation, anthropomorphism, allusion, and diction choices: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1622524011/lz95org/bz0z0nqzy6tswkneiybv/SerpentsofParadise--EdwardAbbeyEnglishIIIAP.pdf
Other Assignments:
Every Day You Live, You Impact the Planet, Jane Goodall - TED Talk response worksheet: https://www.ted.com/talks/jane_goodall_every_day_you_live_you_impact_the_planet
Contribution to Nature Padlet: https://padlet.com/meredithmohr/7h9813gdy9hakj3j
The Power and Influence of Nature - AP Prompt for Essay #4
Due: November 28 - latest I will take papers is December 5
Last day for late grades: December 7
Revisions due by December 7
Feedback goal December 7 or 8
*timeline for revisions and feedback may be shortened or adjusted due to finals. Essay prompt and overview given October 31
Sources to synthesize and help you in writing:
nonfiction selections: Serpents of Paradise by Edward Abbey, How I Lived and What I Lived For by Thoreau.
Op-eds: science-based reflections on nature: The End of Nature by Bill McKibben, Why Even a Little Nature is Good for Your Brain, by Alex Hutchinson
Poetry: Illusions by Emerson and accompanying essay
Audio: Every Day You Live, You Impact the Planet, by Jane Goodall
Your task:
Take what you have read and learned about the power, influence and experience of nature and write your own reflection on the power of nature. Here are some questions to get you started but you can take this in any direction you choose as long as it is a discussion on nature and how it is related to the human experience.
What is my personal connection with nature? Why do I feel a certain way I do about nature? Where does that come from?
How have/do humans impact the planet they live on? You could discuss an argument of policy and suggest a solution (or join the discourse community already talking about such an issue): global warming, rainforest preservation, conservation efforts, animal rights, etc.
You could reflect on the power of nature - research the impacts of tsunamis, hurricanes, mudslides, avalanches, even instances like Steve Irwin dying after an animal attack. Or you could take it the opposite way and look into people who have undeniably unique connections with animals (Jane Goodall, GoPro has a fantastic documentary on Kevin Richardson who was “adopted” into a pride of lions) how do they do this? What does it suggest about nature and humans? How can we live in harmony with nature? Why is that important?
Length expectation: at least 800 words (about 2 pages)
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