Update Nov. 11

Bellwrite: Summarize Ballard's argument from the Veteran's Day assembly today. Then respond to it.

We learned that an effective summary must include a summary of the thesis, the main supporting points, and the conclusion. We worked together to create an accurate summary of Ballard's presentation. Then we responded to it.

We set expectations for all assignments submitted in this class:

1) Typed (handwritten if appropriate)
2) MLA format/professional appearance
3) Respond with complete sentences
4) Deep reading

Students received their "Promised Land" assignment back. We talked about two aspects of the analysis that we need to do better on.

First, when identifying the background events that have occasioned the speech, it is important to look for how the background events created a need for the communication about the promised land. For example, when Moses talks to the Israelites about the promised land covenant, he is doing so after they have wandered in the wilderness for forty years. They were led out of Egypt by God's hand, but could not enter the promised land yet. Why? Because they were not yet prepared to obey the covenant. They had reverted to the idolatry of Egypt when they worshipped the Golden Calf and they had proved themselves unprepared for the higher law. Thus, they had received the lower or Mosaic law and had to learn obedience by a law of penalties. Forty years of re-education had prepared them, but now they would be tested again as they entered the land of Canaan which was already occupied by people who worshipped false gods. Their ability to keep the covenant Moses is about to describe would determine whether they could enjoy liberty, protection, and prosperity in that land. This is the type of background analysis students should conduct for these scriptures.

Second, when analyzing HOW the speaker says, it is important not only to identify the rhetorical strategies used (i.e., strong diction, repetition, metaphors) but also to explain why those rhetorical strategies are effective.  For example, when the Lord gives His covenant to Abraham, he uses the simile of comparing Abraham's offspring to the dust of the earth. This simile emphasizes the infinite number of progeny that Abraham will receive if he is faithful to the covenant. Certainly the dust of the earth cannot be counted; likewise the offspring of Abraham, if he is faithful, will include all the peoples of the earth. Certainly the image of trying to count the grains of dust on the earth gives one a sense of the overwhelming scope of this promise--beyond comprehension.

Homework:
Students are asked to redo the analysis of any ONE of the Promised Land passages. They are also asked to reconsider and deepen their responses to the Central Questions (at least a paragraph response to each). This assignment should be typed and is due tomorrow.