These are the quick details for this 4-day assignment.
More specific details are below.
- This is a partner project. Choose someone with whom you can collaborate.
- This person does not have to be in your English class.
- If you want to do it alone you can, but I would encourage you to work with a partner.
- If you can't find a peer partner, you may work with a family member.
- You will write two paragraphs based on this ballad.
- One will be informational with facts about the Vietnam War Protest Era.
- One will be an argumentative/persuasive paragraph analyzing the meaning of the ballad.
Lesson #4 The Ballad
- A ballad is a form of poetry, often a narrative or story set to music. In other words, a ballad is a song that tells a story.
- This ballad is an allegory. An allegory is a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
- As you listen, determine if there is meaning beyond the simple story.
Listen people to a story
That was written long ago, 'bout a kingdom on a mountain And the valley folks below. On the mountain was a treasure Hidden deep beneath a stone, And the valley people swore They'd have it for their very own. Go ahead and hate your neighbor, Go ahead and cheat a friend. Do it in the name of heaven, You can justify it in the end. There won't be any trumpets blowing, Come the judgment day, On the bloody morning after One tin soldier rides away. So the people of the valley Sent a message up the hill, Asking for the buried treasure Tons of gold for which they'd kill. Came the answer from the kingdom, With our brothers we will share, All the riches of the mountain, All the treasure buried there. Now the valley cried with anger, Mount your horses, draw your swords And they killed the mountain people, So they won their just rewards Now they stood before the treasure On the mountain dark and red Turned the stone and looked beneath it Peace on earth, was all it said. Go ahead and hate your neighbor, Go ahead and cheat and friend, Do it in the name of heaven, You can justify it in the end. There won't be any trumpets blowing Come the judgment day, On the bloody morning after One tin soldier rides away. |
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Assignment 4: One Informational Paragraph
- This song was popular in 1969. What was going on in America - morally and politically in the 1960's and 1970's? You should research this, but your grandparents might also be able to give you some insight, and you can use them as a resource.
- Write an informational paragraph about the Vietnam war protests during this era.
American combat troops had been fighting the Communist Viet Cong in Vietnam since 1965.
Some 45,000 Americans had already been killed by the end of 1969. Almost half a million US men and women were deployed in the conflict, and opposition to the war was growing. The Moratorium for the first time brought out America's middle class and middle-aged voters, in large numbers. Other demonstrations followed in its wake. Nixon had already established a gradual program of withdrawal of US forces, but the war continued, supported by his "silent majority" of voters. After an established ceasefire in 1973, US deployment in Vietnam ended. Saigon eventually capitulated to the Communist forces on 30 April 1975. This is part of the article from the website: From: http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/october/15/newsid_2533000/2533131.stm |
I sent you the rest of the article below in case it is blocked.
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More help for your Informational Paragraph:
Write a thesis statement as a topic sentence for the paragraph.
These are some ideas if you’re stuck.
Write a concluding sentence.
Write a thesis statement as a topic sentence for the paragraph.
These are some ideas if you’re stuck.
- In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s the Vietnam War conflict was controversial.
- Protests in the 1960’s and the early 1970’s were aimed at the Vietnam War.
- There were many reasons that people protested the Vietnam War.
- Even though there were protests, the Vietnam War was necessary.
Write a concluding sentence.
Assignment 5: One Argumentative Paragraph
This ballad is an allegory. What does it mean? Is it about the Vietnam War, or is there other meaning? Discuss this with your partner, collaborate, and write an argumentative paragraph together.
Argumentative/Persuasive Paragraph:
Write a thesis statement as a topic sentence for the paragraph. (Your opinion)
These are a couple of ideas if you’re stuck.
How to Write an Argumentative/Persuasive Paragraph (Review)
(Topic Sentence) Thesis Statement: This is the statement of your opinion.
Reasons Supports:
Reason #1 details, evidence,facts, quotes, examples
Reason #2 details, evidence,facts, quotes, examples
Reason #3 details, evidence,facts, quotes, examples
Concluding Sentence: Restate your thesis with more power.
This ballad is an allegory. What does it mean? Is it about the Vietnam War, or is there other meaning? Discuss this with your partner, collaborate, and write an argumentative paragraph together.
Argumentative/Persuasive Paragraph:
Write a thesis statement as a topic sentence for the paragraph. (Your opinion)
These are a couple of ideas if you’re stuck.
- Because this song was produced in 1969, it is obvious that the author was protesting the Vietnam War.
- Even though this song was produced in 1969, the meaning is deeper than just the Vietnam War.
How to Write an Argumentative/Persuasive Paragraph (Review)
(Topic Sentence) Thesis Statement: This is the statement of your opinion.
Reasons Supports:
Reason #1 details, evidence,facts, quotes, examples
Reason #2 details, evidence,facts, quotes, examples
Reason #3 details, evidence,facts, quotes, examples
Concluding Sentence: Restate your thesis with more power.