English 1B: Composition, Critical Reading, and Thinking

Welcome to Scott Lankford's English 1B Blog

We'll use this space to post sample tests, essays, and other useful links for writing your papers.

Samples for Essay #1

Here are some sample "A" essays from the first assignment on Socrates Cafe.  To get your "A" essay posted, just click on the comment button and paste the text of your essay into the box.  Or, if you want to remain anonymous, email me a copy of your masterpiece at lankfordscott@foothill.edu.  I'll post it without your name attached.

Sample Reading Test #3

Question:  What does Phillips mean by "asking the right questions" (Phillips 127)?  What does this question have to do with the rest of the book?

Sample for Essay #3

Here are sample "A" essays written about Greg Sarris's novel Grand Avenue.  Why not let other students inspire you to write your own English 1B masterpiece?

Logical Fallacies in Plain English

Here's are two links to great websites that explain common logical fallacies -- well as the basics of inductive and deductive reasoning.

Fallacies Defined

Fallacies Explained

Slam Poetry Links

Yosimar Reyes, "For Colored Boys Who Speak Softly"

Plato's Symposium Rocks

Here are several modern versions of the speech from Plato's Symposium known variously as "The Myth of the Egg" and "The Origin of Love" or "Aristophanes Speech."

Here's the text of the classic old translation from the 1800s by the famous Plato scholar Benjamin Jowett.  Very Victorian (and hence a bit prudish), but still considered the "standard" version.

Jowett translation 

Next here's the Hollywood film version from the hit 1990s play Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Hedwig "The Origin of Love"

Here's another cartoon version using the same soundtrack.

Cartoon Version--The Origin of Love from Hedgwig

Sample Reading Test #1

English 1B Reading Test #1

Test Question:  In your opinion, what is the most convincing view of Eros presented in Phillips book thus far?  In other words, which of the many opinions about Eros Phillips presented do you find yourself agreeing with most fully?  Why? To explain your answer, be sure to include a wide variety of quotes and examples.

 

Sample Test 1 for Socrates in Love

 

TEST QUESTION:  How does Socrates define the proper role of eros in human life?  How does eros in this sense differ from more destructive forms of human desire?  Do you agree, disagree, or both agree/disagree with Socrates ideals?

 

Sample Student Essay Self-Evaluation

Here's a link to the sample student evaluation for my English 1A classes.  The format for the English 1B self-evaluation is exactly the same.  You can find detailed instructions for the Self-Evaluation in the Top Ten Tips handout packet.

Sample Self Evaluation

Sample Student Essay 2 on "Ten Poems to Change Your Life"

Here are just a few of the "A" essays on Housden's book Ten Poems to Change Your Life from Spring 2010

Online Encyclo-Video: Who Was Socrates?

A basic intro to some frequently-cited "facts" about the life of Socrates -- but remember, these are all based on speculation. 

Socrates on the Encyclopedia Channel

Nietzsche wrote of him, “That ugly derisive Athenian freak and rat-catcher, forcing the arrogant youth to shiver and cry, was not only wisest among all talking-heads ever living, he was also as great in his silence.”

Before the judges sent him to his death, the great philosopher Socrates said, “I shall not give up my philosophy as long as I breathe.”

The Origins of Love

Here's a link to the Hedwig and the Angry Inch performance (based on Plato's "Symposium").

Hedwig and the Angry Inch on "The Origins of Love"

Same Video with Lyrics