1. Do Now-Persuasion
Think of something you tried to persuade a parent, a teacher, or a friend to do or believe.  It could be to buy or pay for something, to change a due date or a grade, to change a rule or decision, to go somewhere, or some other issue.  What kinds of arguments did you use?  Did you use logic?  Did you use evidence to support your request?  Did you try to present your own character in a way that would make your case more believable?  Did you try to engage the emotions of your audience?  Write a short description of your efforts to persuade your audience in this case.

2. Do Now
What does being alive mean to you? How do you value life? What makes life challenging? What makes it worth living? Describe a few examples that help show your thinking about how people should value life.

3. The Value of Life

4. Value of Life
Each text we read in this unit defines “life” in its own way. We will discuss and explore the definitions and ideas put forth by these texts.
You will enter the conversation with your own opinions and insights. As such, your voice is a valuable contribution to the discussion about how we value life.

5. Essay Prompt
The following excerpt is from Steve Jobs’ Commencement Address at Stanford University. Read the passage carefully. Then write an essay in which you explain Jobs’ argument and discuss the ways in which you agree or disagree with his views. Support your position, providing reasons and examples from the readings in this module. You may also choose to include personal observations and experiences when appropriate. Organize your essay carefully.

6. Synthesis Essay How to Answer:
Investigate a variety of sources, both print and visual
Choose which of the sources to include in your presentation
Respond to these sources and discuss how they relate to your thesis (position)
You must:
Relate it to the thesis/claim
Use specific examples (personal and otherwise)
Use selected sources to support the major point

7. William Shakespeare’s Hamlet
What do you know about the play Hamlet?
Character List: King Hamlet
Prince Hamlet
Claudius
Queen Gertrude
Horatio
Rosencrantz &Guildenstern
Polonius
Ophelia
Laertes
Fortinbras

8. Hamlet ‘s Soliloquy
Background At this point in the play, Hamlet feels that he is in a crisis. His father died a few months earlier under mysterious circumstances. Hamlet discovers that his father was secretly murdered—by Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius. Making things even worse, Claudius then marries Hamlet’s mother. Hamlet does not know what to do about this knowledge. He wonders whether he can trust anyone or if perhaps he is going crazy. As you first read the text, focus on what you see as the “big picture” Hamlet describes. Based on this first reading, would you say that Hamlet is an optimist or a pessimist? What are your reasons for thinking so?

9. Use your annotations and translations to answer the following questions:
What is the big issue in Hamlet’s soliloquy?
What claim or argument about the value of life does Hamlet make?
What do you think about the Hamlet’s claim? (More than a one sentence response. Really explore your opinion and feelings about his claim).