In class you will write an essay about Unflattening. You will not know the prompt in advance, and the essay will be set up in a similar way as the AP Lang exam's synthesis essay. (Although it looks similar to a DBQ, the sythesis essay is different—your argument takes priority, and you must use the sources to develop your argument.) The essay will have six-to-eight sources, including some pages from Unflattening, along with Donald Hoffman's TED talk ("Do We See Reality As It Is?") and related readings from Approaching Great Ideas. The readings are listed below. You might find it helpful to complete these readings over the weekend, but I will not require you to do so.
Oliver Sacks, "The Mind's Eye," pp. 236-241
Michio Kaku, "Physics of the Impossible," pp. 252-260
John Dewey, "Morality and Education," pp. 400-402
Transcript of Donald Hoffman's TED talk
If you want to preview the synthesis essay, go here.
For Wednesday (Day 2) and Thursday (Day 3): Two things. First, look over your exploratory essay and combine it with your research writing. Make sure that the exploratory essay is consistent with the research writing you've produced. Also, make sure that your research question appears toward the end of the exploratory essay, and your thesis appears no later than the beginning of your research writing, even if you aren't sure of or confident in your thesis. Work on making an appropriate transition between the exploratory essay and the research writing.
Second, come to class with a two part title for your STP presentation that is more specific than the one you provided to Mrs. Chhablani. Have one part refer to your topic (preferably your thesis); the other part could be catchier and more memorable--use an allusion, some kind of figurative language (metaphor, simile, and so on), or a phrase from a quote you researched or heard in an interview. For example (and these are fabricated):
Walking on Water: The Advantages and Pitfalls of High Self-Esteem in Adolescents
"He Was Listening, But He Didn't Hear Me": Silence and Authority in the Parent-Child Relationship
The Cool Side of the Pillow: Sleep and Academic Performance
