Edwards Paper Due Monday!

I have decided on a "dual" turn in for the Edwards paper. So, please bring a print copy (this will determine if it's on "on time") and submit through Turnitin. The course number is: 13702636. You already have the password.


Here are some resources for you:

Analysis Rubric
Quotation Incorporation
Transitional Elements
MLA Formatting

Due Friday

You need to bring a print copy of your complete Edwards introduction and body paragraph for revisions on Friday.

This powerpoint explains the assignment and provides you an example on a different text than the one you are writing on. It is intended to show you the process for your own essay. Again, you are writing on Edwards NOT Mather.

You should have your chart that we worked on in class and at home that has prepared you for writing this paragraph. In addition to this chart, please use your Musings packet and feedback on your antithesis essay to inform your writing.

Debate Transcript and Grammar Info and Sentence Structure Packet

If you are interested in using the presidential debate for your Fallacy/Appeal assignment, there are several variations of the transcript available online. Some are more complete than others, and most offer some type of analysis. Since I want to avoid any perception of bias, I am not going to choose one transcript over others to link to this webpage. However, if you do a search for "Trump Clinton debate transcript" you can choose the transcript that best meets your needs.

Remember, you have many other options for completing your assignment that do not involve the debate.

The sentence structure packet is available here.

Due Wednesday

Fallacies in Contemporary Politics

1. Choose a 20th century contemporary political text of some sort (in many ways, the more recent the better). This may include, but is not limited to, speeches, editorials, articles, or debates. You could watch Monday evening's presidential debate, you might look at the RNC or DNC speeches, you might consider campaign adds, or you could read George Wallace’s “Segregation Now, Segregation Forever” speech that I have posted on the website (I cut significant chunks of the speech out in the interest of brevity, FYI). Or, you could simply do a search on your own.

2. Identify within that text one logical fallacy, and one rhetorical appeal (ethos, logos, or pathos). The paper that you turn in should have a brief paragraph that identifies (through quotation or summary) the fallacy or appeal, and then analyzes the intended effect that this is having on the audience. If you'd like extra practice, follow the "where/what/how/why" progression that you learned from the Musings packet.

Here is the link to the George Wallace speech.

Due Monday

Please add 2-3 more examples to your Edwards chart. Remember you should have a column on the left for "where" and "what" device you're talking about and one on the right where you are writing down HOW that device is creating fear for the audience.

Practice Grammar
Practice Grammar explanations

Fallacy slides and Edwards reading

Fallacy slides from yesterday.

As you do your Edwards reading, pay close attention to how he's using techniques and details to have a persuasive effect on his audience. You should be able to identify what his persuasive goal is and how his techniques are successful for his particular audience.

Due Wednesday

Phrase and Clause information.

Phrase and clause practice exercises.

Due Tuesday and Looking Ahead

Please review the following notes on Parts of Speech. Most likely this is all review for you, but it is necessary knowledge as we move on to more exciting grammar concepts. There is additional information as well as practice exercises (on the left) available here.

For Tuesday, please bring your red books to class.

Looking ahead:

Reading due Thursday: Cotton Mather "Wonders of the Invisible World." Red Book. (75-78)
Reading due Friday: Jonathan Edwards "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." Red Book (70-73)

Rubrics

The rubric for transitions is available here. Please note that the concept of "transitional thinking" refers to connecting backwards to the previous idea: in addition to my dog, I have a cat. In this example, we assume dog was previously mentioned.

The rubric for antithesis content is available here.

Updates and Upcoming Assignment

Please make sure you will have the Smith and Bradford reading completed for Friday. See previous post for details.

Antithesis/Thesis Practice Writing Assignment

Your first writing assignment is due Monday, 9/19.


Step 1: Select a topic of your choice that you would like to write practice antithesis/thesis paragraphs with. You might consider something from:
 Music
 Movies
 Politics/Policy
 Food
 Hobbies, Sports, activities
 (Anything else that interests you—if you’re unsure about your topic, check with me first)

Note: Sometimes topics like "hamburgers are better than pizza" can be a challenge because people struggle to adequately explain their supports. In that way, a topic with more substance might prove easier. However, if you can elaborate on why hamburgers are better than pizza with sufficient detail, then that topic would be acceptable.

Step 2: Following the guidelines in the “Musings” packet, write an Antithesis/Thesis statement with 2 POA points. Remember to focus on the concept of opposing, not just opposite. (Note that you’re not writing an entire introduction, just the antithesis/thesis).

Step 3: Write a corresponding antithesis paragraph. Make sure to remember your qualifying transition. You should have 3 pieces of evidence to support your antithesis paragraph and use standard paragraph format, which means you should adequately explain each example and have a summary sentence in your paragraph.

Step 4: Write a corresponding thesis paragraph. Make sure to use an appropriate contrasting transition word that acknowledges your antithesis, and clearly state your thesis and POA point for that paragraph. You should have 3 pieces of evidence and use standard paragraph format.

We are not writing a second thesis paragraph.

We are not writing a conclusion

Step 5: Proof read your paragraphs, checking for conventions errors and appropriate transitions and making sure that you match the structure given to you in the packet.

Other information:

I will post scoring guide information about this assignment after we have discussed it in class.
On average, these papers are about 1 1/2 pages, typed and double spaced. If your final paper does not involve a staple, it may be an indication that you did not provide sufficient elaboration of evidence for your supports.

Due Monday, 9-12

Due Monday:

Please read Musings, part II. The link is available in the previous post.

Looking ahead:

Our first reading from the red book will due on Friday, 9/16. Our discussion will be on the passage from John Smith (42-47) as well as the passage from William Bradford (48-54). We will be paying careful attention to what we know about each speaker, occasion, audience, purpose, subject, and tone.

Due Friday 9/9

Please read part of the Musings Packet for Friday and make sure you understand the key ideas. Note that part one ends of the top of page 7. This is a document that we'll be using a lot, so if you do better with a paper copy, you might want to print one out for future use.

Due Tomorrow, 9/8

Please review the syllabus with your parent/guardian and return a sheet acknowledging your understanding of its policies. The link is available here.