Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Class Work
1. Let's look at the homework. What topics are of interest: at school, in the neighborhood, in the valley, in the state, across the nation, around the world? At your table, create a list of at least five for each of the categories listed. Check the magazines. What are the "big" topics?
2. Did you find a topic of interest to you? Why did you select that topic? Why is it important? What do you hope to change?
3. Look for a topic - see pp. 206-207 in Write Now. Select a topic to support or refute. Complete the "Ask Question & Make Decisions" questions with your topic in mind.

4. This was the homework:
#1 Read the editorials for at least two days. Make a list of the topics of interest. Select one letter and discuss its success or failure to convince. What topic did you select? Why?
#2. Complete this question as written in the book. What was your favorite t-shirt, bumper sticker, or billboard "argument?" What made it effective?
#3. Instead of writing a paragraph, make a +/- list. What are the arguments for your selected topic? What are the arguments against your selected topic? Take out your +/- list and share it with your group.
#4 Complete #4 as written in the book. What did you find? What arguments are effective?
Let's discuss.
5. Let's take a look at "Let's Talk About Sex" by Anna Quindlen. 9Write Now, pp. 203-205

Look for: claims, reasons, and evidence. (See p. 202 in Write Now.) Is the topic arguable? Are there two sides? What is Quindlen's main point? Where is it stated?
6. How did Quindlen handle opposing points of view? Is she likely to convince the opposition? Explain.
7. Visual arguments - what do you see? p. 211
8. Group Activity: p. 212 - #2. Convince us. Select one of the broad topics listed or select an agreed up topic for your group. Develop a claim. What evidence is available? (Search the Internet. Search the sources available in My Comp Lab. Search what is available in the library resources. You may NOT include Wikipedia as a source.) Is there enough information?
Homework

1. Follow the guidelines on pp. 213-214 to help you study your topic. Your job is to become an instant expert on the topic of your choice. You must have at least five good sources. You need to identify the opposition and know what they believe and know. Do this in writing.
2. Determine if you will be writing for a friendly or hostile audience. Write a paragraph describing that audience. How old are they? What is their experience with the topic? Why do they need your information? What do they know about your topic already? Is age a factor? What do they need to know to be convinced?
3. Read the student sample on pp. 216-129. Look for claims, reasons, and evidenc. Make a list of each.

Class Work
A. "Why Reality TV is Good for Us" by James Poniewozik http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C421047%2C00.html
B. "When Reality TV Gets Too Real" by Jeremy W. Peters http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/08/business/media/08reality.html?pagewanted=print

C. "When the Patient Is a Googler" by Scott Haig http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0%2C8599%2C1681838%2C00.html

D. "Is There a Doctor in the Mouse?" by Parika http://www.salon.com/2008/01/10/web_doctor/
Group Activity . . . See handout.

3. Writing time. . . Persuasive/Argumemtative Writing




How to: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/argument.htm
Sample essay: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/argument_sample.htm
(Finish going through this for homework.)
Sample essay: "Evening the Odds" Handout only)

Write Now, pp. 203-223 - Position Arguments

Homework

4. Look for a topic - see pp. 206-207 in Write Now. Select a topic to support or refute. Complete the "Ask Question & Make Decisions" questions with your topic in mind.



#1 Read the editorials for at least two days. Make a list of the topics of interest. Select one letter and discuss its success or failure to convince.

#2. Complete this question as written in the book.

#3. Instead of writing a paragraph, make a +/- list. What are the arguments for your selected topic? What are the arguments against your selected topic?

#4 Complete #4 as written in the book.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Class Work

1. We have the computers today. Get with a group of four - yes, you single scholars on the side of the room need to join a table. 
A.  Call up your selected photograph of study. Share your paragraphs with the group. What did you see? What techniques were used? (See pp. 469-473) Did you use the "professional" terms? If so, which ones?
B. Discuss photo sharing sites. What did you find?
C.  With your group, complete #1 on p. 479. One written report per group, please.
D. How can the use and/or discussion of visuals enhance a persuasive essay? Is a picture really worth a thousand words?

*********************************************************
Reality TV - do you watch?
A. "Why Reality TV is Good for Us" by James Poniewozik http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C421047%2C00.html
B.  "When Reality TV Gets Too Real" by Jeremy W. Peters http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/08/business/media/08reality.html?pagewanted=print

Homework

Finish reading about Googling and Reality TV. What do you think? Do you Google/Yahoo/ Bing information when an discussion with an expert would serve you better? Do you watch Reality TV? Do your friends? What's the harm?  (Respond in writing. These are "thought notes." Bring at least one page of notes to class on Thursday. Talk to at least five others.)

We do not have computers on Thursday - bring your notes on paper.

October 20, 2011 - Thursday

Class Work
1.  Get ready to submit your comparison/contrast essay. 

• Place the final copy on top
• The draft goes under the final
• The peer editing sheet is on the bottom

2. Before you give the draft to me, let's check the MLA formatting one more time.
http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/academic1/mla-style-papers/
http://www.calstatela.edu/library/guides/3mla.pdf
(Make corrections in pen/pencil. Show that you know how to format.)

3. When you are satisfied that the formatting is correct, submit your essay.

4. Back to the GUM review . . . return to the group with which you were working on Tuesday. Get ready to share.

• Identify the topic of review
• Share the rules
• Give your examples
• Use the challenge questions

5. More GUM issues:

• Possessives
• That/which/who
• Pronoun/Antededent agreement
• Point of View

Refer to the information in Write Now.

Homework
1. Read Chapter 25 in Write Now: Visual Rhetoric Strategies.  See p. 479. Try your hand at exercises #2 and #3.
2. Bring your work to class. Either have a paper copy of the graphic you selected for #2, or be able to get to it on line.  Be sure you identify the collention studied for #3, and be able to get to it on line.

October 18, 2011 - Tuesday

Class Work

1.  Take out your draft of the Comparison/Contrast essay. We will be peer editing. You may use the computer to view your draft or you may use a paper copy. You will have your paper read by three editors. The first will be the Content editor. The second is the Clarity editor. The third is the Editing editor. You may select your own readers. For ease, please place yourselves in groups of four.

 You will be the Detail editor. Did you include the following details:
Prediction?


Observation?

Statistics?

Comparison- then and now?

Expert/plain folks testimony?

Analysis?


2.What else do you need to do to make your paper perfect?

3. GUM concerns - You will be working with a group to come up with a review of one of the following:
A. Avoiding run-on sentences
B. Avoiding fragments
C. Avoiding the incorrect use of commonly misused words: Their/there/they're; here/hear; too/two/to; where/wear; your/you're (More than one group will work on these. Assignments TBD)

Guidelines: You will create a "poster" showing each in a correct sentence. You may illustrate the poster for visual impact and memory aid. You need to provide an explanation of each word. You may use the computer to create the visual poster or you may have a big piece of poster paper - group choice.

You need to come up with a three question quiz that will test the knowledge of the class on correct usage and application.

Homework

1, Complete your comparison/contrast essay. It is due Thursday.  Bring the final copy, the draft, and the peer editing notes. The final copy goes on top.

October 13, 2011 - Thursday

Class Work

1. What have you decided to compare and contrast?
2. How do you plan to organize - point by point or item by item? (Review)
3. How will you support your comparison?

• Prediction
• Observation
• Statistics
• Comparison- then and now
• Expert/plain folks testimony
• Analysis

4. Think about your introduction. Which product do you prefer? How can you lead the reader from the beginning to know that? http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/intros.htm
5. Think about your conclusion. How can you leave the reader to believe you? http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/endings.htm
6. Thesis Statements . . . How do you present your message? What's your point? http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/thesis.htm
7. Review of Comparison/contrast essay writing http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/comparison.htm

Homework
1. Write the draft of your essay. Pay attention to the organization, introduction, and conclusion. Be sure you stay organized. Let the reader know which item you prefer. Bring it to class on Tuesday.
2. Do not use "I think," "I feel," or "I believe". Also avoid "in my opinion". You are the author. What you write is what you think, feel, and believe. The paper is also your opinion. You do not need to state that again.
3. Start your Works Cited page. EasyBib is your friend! http://www.easybib.com/

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Class Work
1. What did you find out about the the two products you selected for web site study?
2.  Let's learn to compare and contrast in an organized manner:
A. Point by point
B. Item by item
Take notes.
Also see pp. 452-459 in Write Now. In addition, go to Resources>Writing>Writing Purposes>Writing to Compare and Contrast in MyCompLab.
3. What ads did you locate to identify the use of pathos, logos, and ethos. In addition, identify the advertising techniques used. (See list in last Thursday's blog.)


4. Taking a look at sample comparison/contrast essays:
http://www.eslbee.com/comparison_contrast_essays_models.htm
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/comparison.htm

5. MyCompLab - check to see new assignments. A diagnostic is due on Thursday.

Homework
1. Finish the assignments listed in MyCompLab. Your completion is posted for me on the site.
2. Think of two items/services/activities to compare and contrast.