The Coolest Research Essay Trick! Save 5-10 minutes per paper!

It's 11:00 AM on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.  Thank God! That means we have 3.5 days left of teaching and 3 days of workshop. I have been grading today--I probably did 3 hours reading Eng. 9 research papers. They are fine for freshman papers. I've spent the afternoon reading about the evils of electric vehicles, the need to keep funding the space program, book banning (she's on the correct side), and ditching daylight savings time--sadly, that one isn't...logical.  They are short, short and take about 8 minutes each. HOWEVER, I am grateful for an idea I came up with a couple years ago that SHORTENS the time spent trying to figure out if their citations match up, if they even USED all the sources on the works cited, OR if they included extra sources they didn't include on the list.

THE TIME-SAVING IDEA....

Here is the key: HIGHLIGHTING!  If this is common practice, forgive me, but I SWEAR I came up with it on my own at least.

On their WORKS CITED list, they highlight each source in a different color (online). THEN, they locate the source within their essay and highlight it the same color. (The next source is in green, for example.)

On these freshman essays with 4 sources each, it's helpful; however, in a longer research paper with twice that many sources it is a huge time saver! 

Anyway, I love it. Otherwise it's like, whew, I'm done responding to another paper, but damn, now I have to play the matching sources game. It's especially irritating when they have one on the citation list that is NOT in their paper (I would look through the paper several times). It's one of the few things I have come up with that ACTUALLY saves me time!  Do it! 

MOREOVER, it helps them know if their sources match up!!!!! 

If you figured this out years ago, you really SHOULD have written a blog entry about it! 

Student Name

Mrs. Tensen

English 9

22 May 2026

Should Homework Be Used in Schools Today?

After a long school day, many students still face hours of homework, raising the question of whether it’s truly helping or just adding pressure. Homework has been used in schools for many years to help students practice skills and prepare for tests. Some people believe homework

improves learning and responsibility, while others think too much homework causes stress and

exhaustion. Homework should be limited because too much of it increases stress, creates inequality, and does not always improve learning.

Too much homework can cause stress and mental exhaustion for students. Many students spend most of their day at school and sports so they end up doing their homework at night even when they are already exhausted and tired. This can have a large negative impact on a student's sleep that is vital for their growth and well being at a young age. The article “Homework: No Proven Benefits” from Edutopia explains that there is little evidence homework improves achievement, especially for younger students(Kohn). This shows that large amounts of homework may not actually improve learning. Instead, it can increase stress and reduce student motivation.

Homework can also create inequality between students. Not all students have the

same resources at home or the same conditions. The article “Education Inequity and Homework” from the University of

San Diego Joseph Lathan says, “Not all students have equal access to technology, quiet spaces, or

help at home” (Lathan). This explains that some students may go home after school and have to take care of a younger sibling or go to work. This creates an inequality between students. While one student might go home and have plenty of time and a quiet space to get work done another student may have no space or quiet time to get work done. This can also be applied to the resources a student might have. Some students may have a computer and good internet to get work done, another student may not, which is also unfair and creates an unfair environment.

Supporters of homework argue that it helps students practice skills and become more responsible. The Harvard Graduate School of Education explains that homework can help students build independence and study habits (Weber). This is true because homework can help reinforce learning and prepare students for tests when it is limited and meaningful. However, too much homework causes stress, reduces sleep, and can negatively affect mental health. Excessive homework creates more harm than benefit.

Picture this. After a long day at school, a student comes home tired from classes, tests, and activities. Instead of relaxing, they have hours of homework to finish while also balancing chores or sports. The student struggles to focus because they are stressed and exhausted. Another student in the same class has a quiet house, strong internet, and parents who can help with assignments. This creates an unfair situation because not all students have the same support at home. By the time the first student finishes their homework, it is late at night and they lose important sleep. This shows how homework creates stress, unfairness, and lack of balance. It proves that students have very different home situations and that too much homework can hurt both health and learning. Sarah Zoloff in  The article “How Homework Affects Students: The Pros and

Cons” from NSHSS explains that “excessive homework can increase stress, harm mental health,

and reduce free time.”

As indicated, Too much homework increases stress, creates inequality, and does not always improve learning. Homework should be limited so students can have a healthier balance between school and personal life. Students already spend long hours at school, so adding excessive homework only increases pressure. If schools continue assigning too much homework, students may become more stressed, less motivated, and less successful in learning overall.

Works cited goes on its own page

Works Cited

Kohn, Alfie. “Homework: No Proven Benefits.” Edutopia, https://www.edutopia.org/no-proven-benefits. Accessed 18 May 2026.

Lathan, Joseph. “Is Homework Necessary? Education Inequity and Its Impact on Students.” University of San Diego Online Degrees, https://onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu/education-inequity-and-homework/. Accessed 18 May 2026.

“The Pros and Cons of Homework.” Oxford Learning, https://oxfordlearning.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-homework/. Accessed 18 May 2026.

Scott, Cydney. “Does Homework Really Help Students Learn? | Bostonia.” Boston University, 19 February 2019, https://www.bu.edu/articles/2019/is-homework-helpful/. Accessed 18 May 2026.

Weber, Matt. “The Case for Homework | Harvard Graduate School of Education.” Harvard Graduate School of Education, 29 September 2016, https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/edcast/16/09/case-homework. Accessed 18 May 2026.

Zoloth, Sarah. “How Homework Affects Students: The Pros and Cons.” NSHSS, Nation Society of High School Scholars, 4th April 2025, https://www.nshss.org/resources/blog/blog-posts/how-homework-affects-students-the-pros-and-cons/.

FINAL PUSH: Two weeks left and some teachers are packing up? I'm jealous.

 

I'm guessing this may irritate some people (well, it did, so I took it down within a couple hours when I could sense a few people's frustration, but here I go again). Essentially, this early packing up is something I don't understand. :( Maybe it's because I prep kids for an AP Lit and an AP Lang test in May. It puts me a bit behind in other grading, especially addressing late work. My husband fell down a flight of stairs in October, and I missed about five weeks of school this year--a lot. So I am doing a final push now (but I always do a final push). I (call me crazy) started an MLA research paper with English 9 on Monday. Most have the research done, have done a graphic organizer, and will throw together an outline folllowing my example during Monday's shortened period. The paper's very short: 2.5-4 pages. They have to have four sources, an anecdote or a scenario, acknowledgement of the opposition, and a works cited.  I'm giving them the two weeks of class time right before finals week to get it done.

I have been impressed so far! These freshmen have hunkered down this week. This is especially impressive because they just turned in a personal essay Friday (they were also trickling in this week). They are gonna pull it off. So this weekend I will read 3 classes worth of English 9 personal narratives (1.5-3 pages). I  give lots of feedback and allow revision. I refuse to use a rubric on a freakin' personal essay, so I grade it holistically. Next week Friday I will hopefully have most of the research papers so I can grade those over the three-day weekend. (For those, I use a rubric.)

I am "that English teacher" who uses the 3 work days after students leave.  First,  I grade the semester tests and any late work, then finish all pd stuff that I put off because I was busy teaching and grading. Following this, I work on cleaning my room and do book inventory. With grades due Tuesday during the work days, some of the teachers were complaining about having to be there Wednesday. "What are we supposed to do? Look at each other?" Tell you what. I'll have plenty to do. (Am I bragging, complaining, or both?)

AP Lang kids are done (seniors). By the end, AP Lit will have read OF MICE AND MEN, done a group podcast  over OMAM and the other texts from the semester, and  they are also writing a 4-6 page short story! That is their final--I told them to pick 2 pages they want me to respond to, and they were fine with that.  They are working with small groups of reviewers--kinda cool. The freshman semester test will be on paper. At least I'm not prepping a ton at this point! Everything is (almost) assigned and explained (except for inserting citations and freshmen semester test review)--finally, kids just have a lot of work time from here on out. As they work I will be checking research organizers and outlines, helping them work in sources, etc. I won't be planning for next year.

So, busy. I've got circumstances, but I have always been one of those "teach until things close down" girls. How are people covering their bookcases with big sheets of paper, printing things for next year, planning a new prep for next year, doing inventory already? Shoot. I finally asked. "How are you doing all that? I'm buried." They said, "Well, I do it at home on my own time." (I, like many, always work most nights and many hours on the weekend during the year just to keep up.)  They have something figured out that I haven’t.  But I do teach two AP courses.

Wow. I'm the best. Or am I the worst?

I guess this is kind of a bitter post, but I think it's half that I don't get how they pull it off and half jealousy.  At least half jealousy.  Just because I'm still working like mad doesn't mean that they can't slow things down early enough that they can get all the extra tidying up and planning for next year done before the post-student work days. Also, pushing my kids hard until the end feels like a necessity to me. I want them to learn a bit more--learn until the end. In the efficient teachers' defense, I don't know what they're doing with the students, and I'm guessing they did the tougher things earlier and gentler things toward the end. They are closer to being done in so many ways than I am.

Many may think I'm a martyr. But I'll soon be done just like everyone else. It'll be a slog, but like I said, my kids seem into it! It will be not until 5:00 the last day of post-student work days--then I will be done, too. I will be done then, too.

What's more? These other teachers are absolutely effective educators! They will likely offer to help me that last day as they have in the past, because they're so freaking nice (and efficient). It's not their FAULT they're organized or finished the most important things earlier in the semester. I do have wicked ADHD which makes me kind of an outlier. I am admittedly inefficient. But I should give up the judgy bitterness. It's unbecoming and misplaced. Sigh.

Do it your way!!! Be efficient if you're able! 

(Please just don't tell me about being completely ready for everything first semester next year when I'm still under water the last two weeks with kids. It makes me feel kind of defeated.) 

So how do I have time to write a blog post? It's easy to vent. 

Nutshell. I can do this, and  it is not necessary for others to struggle the same way I do just because I have issues. Not sure my backtracking worked.  I am jealous. Please don't give up on my blog! I'll bounce and not complain next time!!!!

Since I posted it a couple hours ago, two other teachers read it making a good defense for being less intense about teaching. One talked about family and balance and the other talked of her health issues--these are important reasons to approach this tough job however you need to!  I did get a message from another woman though, who thanked me for sharing my view on this issue. It was nice to feel a lil' validated! 

After the AP Lit exam...congrats!? :)

 I like AP Lit facebook so much and go on there a lot sharing my blogs and opinions--some popular, some not so much.  But I am always wary about going on the site the day of the test. I don't hear from many of my kids on test day--this year I was gone Wed. because of stupid knee thing. But even had I been there they don't usually come dancing  to my room after the test and exclaim (as some teachers' students do), "The test was so easy! All three essays were great and the multiple choice  questions were not nearly as hard as the ones we do in class." 

Reading those fired up responses makes my stomach drop. OF COURSE, I want to hear the exact same thing, but my students' responses as they trickle slowly in will be all over the board.  Some girl will say she finished the MCT with 25 minutes left and another will say it gave her so much trouble it threw her off for the essay portion. Another will say it all went really well, but then will start talking about trying to come up with the devices she needed to discuss for Q3. Devices for Q3?! Crap.

I think I care too much about AP and the exam, and I always have.  Today I will finally see all my Lit students.  If the variety of responses from the first five are any indication of the rest of the commentary,  I'm going to wonder, "What the heck did I (or didn't I) teach them? " I mean, I have varying ability levels in class, but they all sat in the same room for the last nine months getting the same schtick. Still, there are lots of factors. Mostly, I am so proud of them for taking the test. 

So, today is a party day.  They are supposed to bring food and we'll watch BLACKFISH and everyone can hate Sea World for a few days.  My students are juniors, so we have 2.5 weeks to coast out.  After the movie, we'll likely read OF MICE AND MEN or THE LONG WAY DOWN, and perform the Absurd one-act play The Sandbox by Albee. I promised them no homework for two weeks after the exam.  I'll admit it it--I am anxious to hear what they have to say about the test today--hopefully it won't be a chorus of, "Wow! I just didn't feel ready!" I doubt that.  We left it all on the field.  Now they wait. And hopefully think about anything else! Like I will think about my huge blooming bush!!!

I'll be glad when the AP Lang test is over, too. I only have 10 seniors taking that one. They did a full practice essay test yesterday, and I had them choose 2 of the 3 for me to respond to. Tragically, I also get a short (4 page) APA research paper from them this weekend. I seriously am here to make them hate their lives (or me mine), I think. (Their last day is next Thursday!)

Anyway, CONGRATS to you on the accomplishment of helping your kids prep for a really challenging exam! Huzzah!  For some of us, one down! Here's something else to be grateful for--an owl posing on my garage! I'll keep my cats inside.

P.S. I did disassociate this year at school. GTA. My husband fell down a flight of stairs and it was months later when he was a week from coming home....more on that eventually. I didn't know temporary amnesia was a thing.

AP LIT BODY PARAGRAPH Q2--possible format for an E/C point

 

OR......

HERE is the key for everyone at this point to score a 4/6, 5/6, or 6/6 on Q1 and Q2!
1. Discuss several examples of specific EVIDENCE (quotes) 
2. Mention the  device 
3. Discuss the purpose of the device (COMMENTARY ) 

However, if you do not include quotes (specific EVIDENCE) or do not mention DEVICES or do not offer explanations of their purpose (COMMENTARY) you will get 3/6.

AP LANG: Q3--over 25 quick ideas and Dani's kickin' essay

This is what I tell my kids about Q3!  I truly spend the least amount of prep time on this one.  Yesterday they did the one about American possessions and people preferring to talk about a new video game rather than their epic life events. I told them this is one they could potentially save 5 min6utes on (only one person did). I also tell them that at least TWO different examples with LOTS of COMMENTARY is key. Example student essay at end that colleagues on

AP LANG facebook all say is a 6/6 due to voice! 

QUESTION 3: Argument Essay QuickAdvice

1. GOAL--persuasion (if you're not developing an argument you missed the point)

2. Must have a THESIS (statement of your stance/opinion)

3.  THESIS should at least partially answer the question posed in the prompt!

4.  You have to answer the question the prompt asks--not the question you wish it asked! Otherwise, you can't score above 3/6.

5. A way to set up a thesis: "Although many may feel that _____________, thesis goes here______________________.

5.5. Consider starting intro with a scenario

5.75. OR just write a traditional intro with some sort of qualified universal truth followed by thoughts that lead to a thesis.

6. Line of Reasoning will come naturally with a thesis and topic sentences with transitions. (See blog on how easy LOR actually is) https://tracetheelateacher.blogspot.com/2026/03/demystifying-lor-for-ap-english-relax.html

7. Body paragraphs--each is a mini argument proving/addressing your thesis/stance

8. Body paragraphs: Topic Sentence/Example(claim) /Support

9. Support is COMMENTARY--go heavy on explanation

10. Cool conclusion!!! Can be short (3-4 sentences)

11. You can start conclusion with a question if you are up against time

12. Conclusion: final reflective thoughts, touch on universal truth

13. Consider who this will affect most and why/how?

14. Conclusion's last line? consider a call to action!!!!

15.  THIS ESSAY can definitely be voice-driven! 

16. That said, use your sophisticated punctuation (colons, semi colons, dashes)\

17. Vary your syntax with purposeful repetition, the occassional question/answer

18. A question/answer mid-paragraph can lengthen  your commentary!

19. You have to sound like you CARE about this prompt (whether you do or not)

20. It should be fresh, interesting, and convincing

21. Anecdotes are a go!

21.5. It is FINE to use PERSONAL EXPERIENCE *develops ethos if appropriate for this question

22. Scenarios are a go! A quick scenario can be good for an intro or to further develop a point!!

23. Rebuttal section can be GOOD--it shows you have looked at at least the main objection other side would offer. It also adds commentary and a fresh angle

24.  Rebuttal--you can concede--opponent is partially right, BUT consider this..

25. Rebuttal--otherwise blow opposing point out of the water!

24. Defending the idea in the prompt works!

25. Challening the idea in the prompt works and is sometimes more interesting!

26. Qualifying in some cases makes you sound more logical--"For most people" instead of "Everyone feels..."   

26.5. Try  not to let qualifying make you seem indecisive--use INTENTIONAL qualification

27.  Ummmm....go back and read the darn prompt. Are you answering THE question they are asking?

28. See PEER HUGO and SEE IT below for possible topic ideas

Dani's voice-driven essay on Baca's comment about Americans caring about possessions. I think her third paragraph is the best.

In a 2019 interview, award-winning poet and memoirist Jimmy Santiago Baca commented that we in America would rather talk about possessions and play video game epics rather than talk about the “epics” in our own lives. I believe Baca’s claim is wildly misconstrued, and a gross simplification.

Nowadays, goods and services are more expensive than ever before. Many people can’t purchase the latest gadget, the newest car, or the most advanced house. The average Joe doesn’t have these possessions to talk about. Most citizens aren’t talking to their friends about their new Switch 2; they’re saying, “Hey, I made you in Tamogachi Life 2, you should come over so we can make you marry Gojo Satoru.” On social media, ordinary people aren’t taking a picture of their new iPhone; they’re taking pictures of themselves and their friends on vacation or prom. We aren’t focused on possessions, we’re focused on experiences. Especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, when we couldn’t do that for two years.

I would also disagree strongly with his stance on our apparent disinterest in stories. Look around, people won’t shut up about their family, their stories, their friends. There are YouTubers with millions of subscribers who just share stories of their family and friends. If his statement is true, how could this be possible? Even in my own personal life, I couldn’t tell you what cars my friends have, or what kind of Xbox or PlayStation they bought, but I do know how their dad annoyed them the other day, or how their dad met their mother.

I also find it very out of touch the way Baca describes his stance. “We’d much rather get on the computer and play video games and enact some cataclysmic epic than to talk about the epics in our own lives.” I’m not Frodo; I don’t have an epic adventure to drop the ring into the volcano. Nor do I have a mission to defeat a corrupt empire. The average person doesn’t have a grand story. We’re just trying to make it through, in a crazy, messed-up, upside-down world, where 3% of people hold 100% of the power. This is why many play computer games, to escape, to feel wonder that isn’t really possible in our average lives, with taxes, debt, and homework. We can’t really throw away our 9-5s to go on an adventure, or leave behind kids and elderly family members, some of whom are responsible for, and have to be with them. I would also say that average things like having children and getting a dream job are great epics, but contrary to Baca’s point, we do talk about these things. All the time, in fact, you can’t get away from it. On Facebook, there are myriad and myriad pictures and posts of children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. You can see what we Americans value. It’s so clear to see it's glaring. I myself am not a parent, but I quickly became close with an infant from a family friend. She’s only one three/quarters, yet I have over two hundred pictures of her on my phone. I don’t have as many images of possessions on my phone; in fact, most of the pictures on my phone are of friends, family, and memes, because I value relationships.

What we put out into the world defines what we value. The endless pictures of vacations and events on social media show us that we value experiences. The baby photos and videos of infants and toddlers dancing, singing, and drawing show that we value family. While some people do post about possessions, they’re often influencers, and so, it’s their job to do so. I know many people who are into cars because that’s what they like. They go to car shows with their friends and family and take pictures of cars because it’s what interests them. In the same vein, a nature-centered person would collect leaves or rocks to show to their friends. Again, with every possession, it all circles back into a value of friendship and human interaction.

Microaggression Video: Five-minute Supplement for TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

Microaggressions. We just read To Kill a Mockingbird, and I wanted to connect the text to the present, connect the novel's issues of prejudice more to the students. Our small Iowa school has a muchly much caucasian majority student body--only three-four people of color in each section. I came across this video with a couple of joggers who stop and chat. It gave us a chance to talk about the guy's intentions--how he probably wasn't trying to insult her about her race, but he was unwittingly committed to "othering" her. (video link at bottom of post)

I later showed it to one of my Asian students (so subtle, I know) from AP Lit and asked her if she thought it was appropriate for freshman after reading TKAM. She said she was worried that some might think it was funny for the wrong reasons. I told her that wasn't the reaction--from the moment he says (with emphasis), "Where are you FROM," some of the freshmen kind of quietly gasped, knowing he'd crossed the line. Chloe was nicely surprised to hear that, I think, but I certainly understood her concern.

In English 9, after watching the video, we talked about how when the students themselves are "messing" around with friends and making jokes about such things and think it's just funny, maybe they should consider what's going on. It's maybe funnier to one of them than the other. I then asked my freshman if I should have shown the video, and one said, "probably not." One of my few students of color in the room then said, "Show the video." That made it worth it for all three classes.  

The Korean woman in the clip eventually makes fun of the caucasian guy who had kept insisting that she tell him where she's from (San Diego); at the end she talks energetically in a British accent--the voice of his "people." One younger boy said that she could have been nicer and "just explained" how it made her feel. I said, "Why should she have to?"

Anyway, I think the discussion with the freshmen was useful, and I had a great conversation with my girl from AP Lit--she was so helpful and interesting and forthcoming. She and I had been discussing Grapes of Wrath one-on-one for twenty minutes before I showed her the video. As for Steinbeck's text, we talked about questions she had crafted, and I brought up the consideration of a feminist perspective. Then I asked her if they were any people of other races in the novel at all. She said, "no," but that she thought that oppression was still effectively addressed--she thought Grapes "definitely shows prejudice about where someone's from." I agreed, and added that there's clear prejudice concerning social class.

So this is probably a blending of two topics, but  I'm glad I used the video. (See link below) The actors are great. I think the last part is supposed to be funny. Or maybe not? After all, nobody laughed all day.

 This will take you there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWynJkN5HbQ

Demystifying LOR for AP English: Relax, They've Got This!!!

 AP LIT: So much is so hard already--let's make LOR a little easier!

(Jump to LOR recipe--it's at the bottom)

Brian S. runs our AP Lit facebook page! I love that site! This week he posted a query about how to help his kids understand Line of Reasoning. I saw lots of what I thought were on point responses to his question as is always the case with that group. 

But I think it's just so much easier than the College Board makes it seem.  I would love to get feedback on this from people. I am maybe oversimplifying things?

Here's my thought.... line of reasoning = logical organization.

Since middle school for sure,  I think most students have been exposed to the five-paragraph essay. That set up is just a classical (Aristotelian) argument which is an LOR. (see below)

_________________________________________

Classical Argument Structure (simple terms)

Introduction with a thesis (in AP Lit--an assertion addressing the prompt)

Support (in a standard format maybe three body paragraphs sharing reasons with evidence)

Conclusion (In AP Land, I say, "keep it short." If my kids are running out of time I tell them to write a quick paragraph discussing the final 2-3 sentences 
(if a Q2) and they can address 1 of 2 things:  do these sentences add new information that enhances the piece or how do these last sentences differ from the opening of the piece.  Then I tell them if they want a quick kinda cheesy way to end they can just tag on, "The author leaves us to contemplate....." and they can make a comment about the character or the universal condition.

THERE,  I also made it harder than it is!!!  See the formula below for an always win LOR.

THE LOR RECIPE (no AP reader can logically dispute this)

A. Intro with thesis (try to "answer" the question)

 B.  Body paragraphs that each begin with a topic sentence that includes a transition. "In the following paragraph the tone shifts from _____________ to _____________." or "Nearing the conclusion of the selection, ..."

 C. Conclusion if time (maybe not as important in an LOR?)

_______________________

GOOD LUCK!  I seriously tell them the LOR will come naturally if they discuss the passage chronologically; otherwise, if they make sure they use transitions in their topic sentences they're golden. Stay golden.