Laurie Ranum

This Outliers Mega Bundle includes the following seven Outliers products: Outliers Argument PromptsThis print-and-go packet includes eight AP-style argument essay prompts based on Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell. Thought-provoking prompts are based on the following subjects that appear in the book: * consequences of misunderstanding success* attitude vs ability * year-round school * school cut-off dates * adversity/opportunity* people do not rise from nothing * sacrifice for success vs socia

This product is perfect for introducing and perfecting academic argument thesis statements. Not only will students learn and craft three types of argument thesis statements, but they will also practice writing complex sentences and compound sentences with conjunctive adverbs, advanced structures for maturing writers. Included in this packet are the following items: * Student Handout - defines Defend, Challenge, and Qualify; demonstrates advanced thesis sentence structure in template form * Two

Part One of this AP Language synthesis project requires students to gather a collection of their own variety of editorial sources on a specific current event of their choice. They then annotate, SOAPSTone, write a precis paragraph for each source, and create an AP-style synthesis cover sheet. Part Two is the planning and drafting of the synthesis essay. Students complete a working outline of the essay on organizational plan sheets and then draft the final. This product also includes a student ex

This product includes a set of five quizzes, each one having fifteen multiple-choice questions, plus one extra credit question for The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan. The quizzes were originally designed for my English I class, where my students read approximately a section a week. On Fridays, students would have a quiz on their reading and participate in a discussion. My purpose for the quizzes was to make students accountable for their reading assignments and to practice multiple-choice str

This intro to rhetorical analysis MEGA BUNDLE includes the following products that are perfect for an introductory unit for Pre-AP English or any on-level ELA class embarking on this rhetorical analysis/argument. Open each preview for a closer look. 1. Argument Analysis + Intro to Argument PowerPoint | Pre-AP EnglishPerfect for analyzing any argument text (essay, editorial, opinion, speech, short chapter of nonfiction, etc.), this rhetorical analysis product includes a student chart which direct

This is a bundle of the following rhetorical analysis products: 1. Rhetorical Analysis Tips Handout2. Rhetorical Analysis Body Paragraph Organizer3. Rhetorical Analysis Essay Organization4. Rhetorical Analysis Thesis Statement Guide5. Rhetorical Analysis Thesis Frame Statements6. Rhetorical Analysis Line of Reasoning Planners7. Rhetorical Analysis Commentary1. Rhetorical Analysis Tips Handout: This AP Language and Composition Handout includes an overview of DIDLS (diction, imagery, deta

This Google Forms final test for Rick Riordan's The Lightning Thief contains the SAME 75 multiple-choice questions in my separate quizzes #1-5, but in final test format. I have included a Google Doc study guide for the final test, which contains just the question stems, minus the answer choices, and organized in the five sections listed below that correspond to my other The Lightning Thief products. I have used this format many times for study guides and found it successful. The study guide qu

One of the best ways for AP Lang students to understand and use parallel construction and other syntactical constructions is have them imitate successful authors' constructions. Students will learn the following syntactical constructions: *Parallel Construction *Antimetabole *Anaphora *Antithesis *Polysyndeton *Asyndeton *EllipsisFor twelve text passages from In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote, representing the above syntactical constructions, students will write commentary for th

This product includes three, three-page reverse outline organizers designed for student essay analysis and reflection for synthesis, argument, and rhetorical analysis. These reverse outlines are an effective method for students to analyze their own writing, thought processes, and organization, and then can be used for revision or for improvement on future essays. They could also be effective in illustrating what another author does in his/her text. A super resource for emphasizing line

This Nonfiction Independent Book Project BUNDLE includes the three products discussed below. I have my students work towards the book presentation for the end of first semester and the written argument book project for second semester in preparation for the argument essay on the AP Lang test. 1. Independent Nonfiction Book PresentationThis creative presentation is an effective and fun way to create an oral argument for an independent nonfiction novel, using rhetorical strategies studied throug

This print-and-go packet includes nine AP-style argument essay prompts based on Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer. Controversial prompts are based on the following subjects that appear in the book: * character assessment * ownership of possessions * money* innocence/wickedness * wealth * American life * happiness* living an unconventional life * state of humanityStudent must take a position and support with appropriate evidence. These can be stand-alone prompts or can be incorporated into a boo

This organizational BUNDLE includes the following four products: 1. Rhetorical Analysis Line of Reasoning Graphic Organizers | AP LangThis student-friendly set of rhetorical analysis planners will aid students in developing a sound line of reasoning for their rhetorical analysis essays. Perfect for scaffolding, AP For All courses, and students needing differentiation. Included in this set are the following: * Two rhetorical analysis graphic organizers for any text - one for chunking organiz

Looking for an ongoing assignment in which students become more confident in their analysis and writing skills while staying in touch with current events? This Current Event: Editorials product is perfect for that and more! This current event assignment requires that students find an editorial on a current event, read and annotate, document an MLA citation, craft a precis paragraph, and write a thoughtful response. This product includes the following: * Assignment Handout * SOAPSTone and Precis

This Glass Castle BUNDLE includes the following three products: The Glass Castle Quote Response with Say, Mean, Matter; The Glass Castle Argument Prompts; and The Glass Castle Syntactical Imitations. The product information for each is as follows: Quote Response:In this packet, students respond with commentary in the format of "Say, Mean, Matter" to ten significant quotes from the novel The Glass Castle, by Jeanette Walls. The first page defines the expectations for "Say, Mean, Matter," i

This print-and-go packet includes five AP-style argument essay prompts based on The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls. Controversial prompts are based on the following subjects that appear in the novel: parenting, homelessness, bending the rules, compassion, hate, hypocrisy, and responding to a maxim, or familiar saying. Student must take a position and support with appropriate evidence. These can be stand-alone prompts or can be incorporated into a novel study of T he Glass Castle.Since there

This Outliers BUNDLE contains the following three products: Outliers Argument PromptsThis print-and-go packet includes eight AP-style argument essay prompts based on Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell. Thought-provoking prompts are based on the following subjects that appear in the book: * consequences of misunderstanding success* attitude vs ability * year-round school * school cut-off dates * adversity/opportunity* people do not rise from nothing * sacrifice for success vs social life * rest v

This Outliers MEGA BUNDLE includes the following products: Outliers Argument PromptsThis Google Drive folder includes eight AP-style argument essay prompts based on Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell. Thought-provoking prompts are based on the following subjects that appear in the book: * consequences of misunderstanding success* attitude vs ability* year-round school* school cut-off dates* adversity/opportunity* people do not rise from nothing* sacrifice for success vs social life* rest vs workSt

These Lightning Thief student chapter notes utilize the annotation strategy of Notice and Note from Notice and Note, by Kylene Beers and Robert H. Probst.  The Lightning Thief chapters are organized into five sections:  Chapters 1-5 Chapters 6-9 Chapters 10-14 Chapters 15-18 Chapters 19-22 Students document at least two pieces of textual evidence for each chapter section from each of the following categories: Again and Again patterns and repetitions Tough Questionsimportant questions p

This Just Mercy Mega Bundle includes the following four products: 1. Just Mercy Argument Prompts | AP Lang | Social Justice | PDF & DigitalThis AP Lang-style argument essay collection includes fourteen controversial prompts based on the social justice book Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson. These are just some of the thought-provoking prompt subjects based on Stevenson's arguments in his book: * proximity develops understanding* "Each one of us is more than the worst thing we've ever done."* vict

This In Cold Blood Bundle includes the following products: In Cold Blood: Syntactical Imitations AP Lang | PDF & DigitalIn Cold Blood MC Quiz: Part I "The Last to See Them Alive" | EditableIn Cold Blood Multiple-Choice Quiz: Part II "Persons Unknown" | EditableIn Cold Blood Multiple-Choice Quiz: Part III "Answer" | EditableIn Cold Blood Multiple-Choice Quiz: Part IV "The Corner" | EditableOpen each product to read the full descriptions and open the previews.