What is Your Path?

Read the essay, Walking the Path Between Worlds by Lori Arviso Alvord.  What aspects of her community did she have to leave behind, and what was she able to hold on to? Discuss specifically how Alvord conveys these aspects of community using ethos and pathos appeals, figurative language, imagery and shifts in tone.

Additionally, put yourself in her place. When you move on to your post secondary life, what aspects of YOUR community do you think you will have to leave behind? And what things do you hope to hold on to?

Are Americans Obsessed with Sports?

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/05/american-sports-fanaticism-was-born-in-the-i-great-gatsby-i-era/276049/


Do Americans have a healthy relationship with sports? Why or why not.  What is the article arguing? Do you agree or disagree? Are sports in integral part of a society? Why or why not?

Fitzgerald and Dorothy Parker

Scott Fitzgerald was born and raised Catholic. He eventually denounced his religion, but died running from it. A good friend of his, Dorothy Parker, at his funeral said, "The poor son-of-a-bitch. What he knew was true hounded him, no matter how much he believed that he had ceased to believe it."

How is this evident in The Great Gatsby? Are there characters who exemplify this quote? What is the "moral of the story" in regards to this novel.

The True Meaning of Christmas

A Doubtful Christmas is a story about the value of hard work.  Read this enjoyable, true story and answer the following question:  Have we lost the true meaning of Christmas?  Choose a side and argue it.

Talk Much?

Find a quote that embodies your tentative thesis. Then, tell us your plans for your paper. This weeks blog will be short, but sweet. You need only provide the quote and a 2-3 explanation of your plan. Work hard on your research! And be ready with that on Monday.

Walt Whitman, Mark Twain and Frogs.

In Slang in America, Whitman makes an interesting point when he describes the regionalism of slang. Throughout the second half of the essay, Whitman maintains that slang is part of America but begins to explore various nicknames and slang used in different regions.   Read "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" by Mark Twain which addresses the mannerisms of a gold-mining camp in California. Consider the argument being made by both authors and the way in which their pieces support or refute perceptions of slang and the common man.

The Feast of Christ the King

This Sunday is the Feast of Christ the King. "What does that mean," you say? Use this link to discover what the feast celebrates and why and make an argument about why this feast is essential to Christians of our time. Why and how is it relevant to 2016? The feast is not just celebrated by Catholics, but by all christian faiths. Please underline your thesis and make a well formed argument. You may use quotes from the article as well as quotes from this Sunday's readings, response and or gospel. You will find a link to all of those on the right hand side of the article. And happy Feast of Christ the King to all of you!!