Helpful Resources

Writing

I will often reference the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL).  This is a fantastic resource that offers 200+ free resources.  You can find help for research, writing, grammar, style guides, and professional writing.  Excellent examples are also provided.

https://owl.english.purdue.edu


Oral Presentations

There will be several instances throughout the school year in which students will be expected to give presentations, both informal and formal.  I often hear students say, "I don't 'do' presentations!"  Here's my response:  Do you walk into math class and say, "I don't 'do' fractions!"  Do you walk into science class and say, "I don't 'do' lab experiments!"  Do you walk into foreign language class and say, "I don't 'do' verb conjugations!"?  Of course, you don't!  Instead of thinking and saying, "I don't 'do' presentations!" how about saying, "I CAN do this presentation!"?

I can empathize with students and their fear of public speaking.  I, too, used to become anxious when knowing I had to speak in front of an audience, but by making the effort to at least try, you are already taking your first step in decreasing your fear of public speaking.  It does get better each time you do it.
And here's the good news:  your presentation typically goes better than you expected!

Practicing in front of family and friends is one way to feel better prepared for your presentation.  I am always available to work with students one-on-one before or after school or during my lunch time in order to help a student overcome their anxiety.

Knowing how to speak effectively is not just an "English class" thing; it is a life-long skill you will need in order to be successful in your college and/or career goals!

I have included some links that students may find helpful when preparing for a presentation and/or wanting to reduce their anxiety of public speaking.  For anyone who isn't sure how to effectively start or end a presentation, you can find what you need at one of these links, specifically any of the last 4 :

http://www.lehigh.edu/~incso/PDFs/publicspeakinganxietypamphlet.pdf

http://www.extension.harvard.edu/hub/blog/extension-blog/3-tips-overcoming-fear-public-speaking

http://www.stanford.edu/dept/CTL/Oralcomm/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20OvercomingSpeechAnxiety.pdf

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fear-of-public-speaking/AN01979

http://go.owu.edu/~dapeople/ggpresnt.html

http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/oralpres.html

http://www.canberra.edu.au/studyskills/learning/oral

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/technical-writing/oral-presentations-tips/

Here is the link to the American Literature Author Presentation assignment for the class:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/184aNdAjJXDM8bC92vBXCwVrYU6zfWR0P5vvyeg0_Rys/edit?usp=sharing

Here is the link to the rubric I will be using to grade the above presentation:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u2HyNbZ1FjKa7jW1uQguuHEeLCnkdex9H1wraFPEYdY/edit
?usp=sharing

Assignment:  Go to the following link, print the document, and complete.  You may also copy and paste the assignment onto a new Google Document, complete it, and share with me at senter_m@nrschools.org.  Please title the document Presentation Assignment.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iRkaNxVHMDrZKl9F9tH66seWWDjz7y-QfwYht6tDl-Y/edit?usp=sharing

Literature

The following link will take you to a glossary of literary elements and their definitions.

http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/general/glossary.htm