The Power of Language

This week in ELA, we will explore the way language moves us, persuades us, reveals information to us, or hides information from us.

On Monday, we begin with The Boston Photographs from 1975. You will assume the roles of the Editorial Board of the Boston herald, and you'll time-travel back through history to make a controversial decision about whether or not to print photos taken by Stanley Foreman. You will need to defend your decision with clear examples and a passionate defense.

On Tuesday, we look at the Rhetorical Triangle--learning about terms like ethos (credibility), logos (logos), and pathos (emotion). We will look at how creators of texts use these appeals to create meaning--and to persuade us to agree with them!

For the remainder of the week, you will becomne expert salespeople, as you craft your own presentations to seel an odd item that Mr. Reynolds gives you (it may even be his tiny bottle of free toothpaste which he received free on a plane ride from the U.S.A. to India years ago.,..so watch out!). You'll employ the Rhetorical Triangle to create a commercial for your product.

Meanwhile, we will investigate how language works in our society to often "trick" us in believing things that we might not even notice...

Be ready to learn a ton and have fun doing it!