Commonplaces Folder

One objective of the AP Language class is to help students become informed, critical citizens. You are therefore expected to take up mature, well-reasoned and supported positions in your writing. In order to do this it is crucial that one become aware of opposing viewpoints on any given topic, acknowledging their respective merits and noting their respective drawbacks, always keeping an open mind and allowing your position to shift and gain nuance . Classically, an argument is not considered complete until the opposing positions are discussed, conceded to, and possibly refuted.

In your Commonplaces Folder, you will gather articles that participate in arguments relevant to informed, democratic citizens. This ongoing collection will provide material, background knowledge, and perspective on current events, an essential for the AP exam, and to a functioning democracy.

Each entry will consist of:
1) A hard copy of the article/column, no more than two months old, and at least two pages (Times New Roman, 12 pt, single spaced). It cannot be a straight news story. It must be taking on a current topic that is of some importance locally, nationally, or globally and address opposing viewpoints. Feature and op-ed articles are a good place to look.

2) An objective summary paragraph that clearly articulates the articles main points. The topic sentence should include the title, author, and source. Is the article taking up one position or discussing multiple positions? Incorporate a discussion of the articles main values/priorities (economic, political, sociological, psychological, religious/spiritual, moral/ethical, practical, emotional, rational, legal, environmental/ecological, historical). Explain. Be specific.

3) Explore 2-4 viewpoints (depending on how many the article addresses): • Begin each viewpoint by numbering and clearly articulating the position supported. Be specific. • Include 2-4 pieces of support/concrete details, quoted or paraphrased, for each viewpoint. Be specific/descriptive. • Analyze the rhetorical strategies used for each piece of support/concrete detail. Organize in a clear linear fashion, or as a dialectical journal. • For an article that clearly takes one position (which will be the case with most op-ed articles), use counterarguments addressed to explore at least one other viewpoint. If the article addresses no counter arguments, or seems unfair to opposing positions, do a bit more research to flesh out a second viewpoint. Clearly contextualize outside support/concrete details with signal phrase.

4) A reflective paragraph with your response to the article and topic. What do you find enlightening? What specific arguments do you find convincing? Unconvincing? Why?

5) MLA Citation: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01

Criteria for grading: • Article meets criteria articulated above (1). • Summary is written in academic language, objective, with varied sentences. • 2-4 pieces of support for each position, correctly/reasonably analyzed. • Reflection is thorough, thoughtful, controlled, and mature.