Octber 31, 2013 - Thursday

Class Work


Think about it:

Television is often blamed for having a harmful effect on children.
Do you think this criticism is merited?
In what ways does TV exert a negative influence on children?

In what ways does TV exert a positive influence on youngsters, or does it?  

 Now, substitute "reality television" for TV in the above statement.

• Can the same be said about Reality Television?
• Does it have a harmful effect on children?
• Does it have a harmful effect on adults?
•  Is there anything positive about it for either audience?
• What did your research show? Prove your stance.

"Becoming a Videoholic by Robert Barry (Handout) This essay is also found on the Internet, but it takes a bit of seeking to find! Search in Yahoo by typing in the title and the author. It is the first PDF file. Scroll down once you download as the first page you see is questions only.

In "Becoming a Videoholic," student Robert Barry writes about the subtle addiction to using the VCR. His essay is an informational process analysis. What is his purpose in writing about this topic? Does he reveal this purpose to his reader explicitly or implicitly?

Using Transitions:

Look for transitions in the essay. Underline or highlight them.

http://www.studygs.net/wrtstr6.htm

 

 
Using Evidence to Convince

Before you can convince others, you must know what they already feel about the topic.

1. Are these television addicts, casual viewers, or folks who only read books?
2. How old are they?
3. Are they professionals, students, or struggling folks?
4. Are they likely to agree or disagree with you?
5. What are their likes and dislikes?

Knowing the answers to these questions will help you develop reasons why they should believe and agree with you.

Now, look at your research. What seems to be the best proof that Reality Television in general or a specific reality show, such as Duck Dynasty, has a positive OR negative impact on that audience; therefore, it should be embraced or avoided.

You must take a stand! You should not write this paper and support both sides.

• What counts as evidence?
• What kind of evidence is best?
• How much evidence is enough?

This will be a "brief " or outline of your paper. Basically this is using the Claim/Reasons/Evidence chart we used in the past.

Look at the chart on the board.

Work on it now. Post in MyCompLab. (Due Tuesday)

Take a stand - state your claim.
Provide three reasons.
Provide two pieces of evidence for each reason. List the sources you will use.

You may begin your rough draft once you post your "brief".

Class Work

A,  Discussion about the reality of reality shows. What did you watch? What did you discover?
What ratings would you give these shows? Why do we watch? Should we?
B.  Conduct research. (5 minutes each question ...finish at home if necessary) We will share after each round of research.
(Group by show or type of show to conduct the research.)

1. What is the definition of reality TV?
2. What is the history of reality television shows? When did they start?
3. Who watches?
4. How many watch?
5. How many reality shows are on television today? You might consider breaking it down by station. (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, TBS, History, Travel, Food Network, Disney, etc.)
6. Are there any dangers associated with these shows? Find evidence.
7. Are there any plus factors associated with these shows? Find the proof.
8. How real are the people in the shows?
9. What "fame" or "infamy" comes to those who star?
10. How do these shows compare to dramas and comedies that air?
11. How much money is generated by these shows?
12. What toys, gizmos and gadgets are now available because of the show? How much money is being generated by the sales, or are they selling? (SHOW ME THE MONEY!)
13. Who sponsors these shows? What does this tell you about the viewers?
14. Have there been any negative or positive incidents reported in the news that could be related to these shows?
15. Ask at least three others what they think of your show. Be sure to record their exact words. Get the correct spelling of each name.
16. What other questions should be answered? Some will come to mind as you conduct research.

Pick ONE type of reality show or one reality show to use for your research. This may be the one you watched for homework. Or, you may change shows.
C. Keep track of your sources in EasyBib if you wish. Print an MLA style bibliography. www.easybib.com
D. Take notes in WORD. Post your notes and your working bibliography in CANVAS. Your notes and working bibliography are due on Thursday.


********************************************************************
Homework

1. Enhance your research. Fill in the gaps. Be ready to begin writing on Thursday.

October 24, 2013 - Thursday

Class Work

1. Peer Editing Activity . . . You need to have your essay available for viewing in a Word document. Have it showing on the screen or have a paper copy. Take a few moments to get ready.

Homework: Write the final draft of the definition paper. Post in MyCompLab. (100 points)

2. What do you think about Reality TV? Do you watch any of these popular shows:

• Duck Dynasty
• Real Housewives of ___________________
• Honey Boo Boo
• Pawn Stars
• Gator Boys
• Alligator Hunters
• Ice Road Truckers
• Storage Wars
• American Pickers
• Etc. (Let's add to the list!)

What makes these shows so popular?

3. Let's play the doubting/believing game! You will need paper and pen or the laptops . . . your choice. Listen for the rules.



Read the article from TV Guide and see if their points are points you would make.
http://omg.yahoo.com/news/why-reality-tv-good-us-220500198.html



Also, read "When Reality TV Gets Too Real"
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/08/business/media/08reality.html?pagewanted=all

Homework

1. Watch one "reality" TV show.
Create a Plus/Minus chart.
On the plus side, note what was real.
On the minus side, note what was staged.

In addition, write a paragraph or two and try to convince your readers to watch or not watch the show.

Post in Canvas. (15 points)

October 22, 2013 - Tuesday

Class Work

1. Sharing art . . . at your table, share the art slide you located. Select one person from each table who will share their work with the class.

 2. How is your research coming along? Have you filled in all of the spaces on your graphic organizer? What questions do you still have?

 3. Let's look at some samples:

• First, let's define what it means to be someone from Arizona. Take a look at the chart - how would you fill in the spaces?
• "What is a Yankee?"

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/definition.htm

• "A Few of My Favorite Things" (handout)
• "Break it to Them Gently" (handout)
• "The Notebook" (handout)
• "Quiet Heroes" (handout)

As we study these essays, look for the categories in the graphic organizer. How did the author define the topic?

• Dictionary Definition?
• Historical Information
• Literary/Media link?
• Personal definition/example?
• News about the word?
• Definitions of others?
• Famous quotations?

It is time to get started. Here is an outline that should help you:

http://www.northland.cc.mn.us/owl/Doing%20the%20definition%20essay.htm

For homework: Read one more sample essay that is included in the link above.

Write your draft. Post it in MyCompLab. (25 pts.)

October 17, 2013

Class Work

1. How is your research coming along? How many spaces have you completed on the graphic organizer?
2. I would like to see your annotated bibliographies - either print a paper copy or simply make it visible on the computer.
3. Looking at art - Locate a piece of art - photo, sculpture, painting, or other medium which represents your chosen topic.
Let's practice:
 Looking at Art

• What is the title of the work? How does the title help you to understand the message? What is the message?
• How does this work relate to your topic? Discuss.
• What is the most obvious image in the work. To where is your eye drawn?
• Look at the colors. Are they symbolic? Would the message be different if the colors were different? Explain.
• Study the shading and shadowing. How do these elements impact the overall message?
• How do the lines and angles impact your eye as you study the work?
• Who is the artist? When was the work created? Is the artist's message about a specific event in history? What was going on in the world when the work was created? Is the art universal - speaks to people of all times and in all places, or is it limited to the audience for whom it was created.
• How does the work relate to us in 21st century America?

Time:

 

Here are some other questions to consider when looking at art:

http://www.kinderart.com/artspeak/artart3.shtml

Post a paragraph or two in Canvas - yes, in CANVAS. The space is available in Assignment #10. Include the picture in the post. Give credit to the artist, if known. Paragraphs should read like paragraphs, not lists.

Consider looking up a bit of information about the artist and the work. Why was it created? When was it created? Was it popular at the time? Does the title of the work give you any hints about the art? Where was it created? Do you know where this art is kept today?

On Tuesday, you will share your art selection with the class and lead us through the questions and explain how that work of art relates to your term. This of this like an art gallery tour, and you are the docent!


4. Sample essay: "I Know It's an Object, But is it Art?
5. "What is a Yankee?" http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/definition.htm

Tips for writing a definition paper are also available on the link listed above.

6. Let's look back at your graphic organizers for writing definition papers. How is your research coming along? What information do you still need to locate?
For homework, continue with the research. Add to your annotations as you locate information about your term. Bring your notes/annotations/research/graphic organizers to class on Tuesday.
 

 

Class Work

1. Returning to the topic . . .At your table,  make a list of relationships. The list might include the best relationship you know of. Perhaps it is the love a mother has for her child. Maybe it is the affection one has toward a partner.  It could be the excitement of a new relationship. It might be the love a husband has for a wife and a wife has for her husband after many years of marriage. What about friendship? Love lost even counts.

2. Sharing of Love Songs...do this at your table / Groups of 3 or 4/

After viewing/listening/reading lyrics, share what is similar and what is different about these songs... What makes them  popular?

2. Think about a childhood friendship. Think of the "who, what, when, where, why, and how" of that relationship. ( Group according to birthday months . . . Jan/Feb/March = Group 1, April/May/June = Group 2, July/Aug/ Sept = Group 3, Oct/Nov/Dec = Group 4.

• Tell the others in your group about that friend or those friends. Person with the birthday closest to today begins. Sharing goes around the circle clockwise.
• Now that you have heard the stories of others, what is similar about the early friendships? What differs?

3. Think about your first sweetheart. This might have been a childhood crush. The person might have someone you knew from the neighborhood or from school. Perhaps your first "crush" was on someone who never knew you even liked him or her. Talk about it in your groups. Did the relationship end painfully or happily? Discuss.

Homework: Read: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22952-2004Apr18.html "Boy Friend: Between Those Two Words, a Guy Can Get Crushed"

Decide who in your birth-month groups who will be A, B, C, and D.

Answer the following questions:
     A. Copeland refers to the Greek myth of Tantalus who is punished by the god who deny him the ability to reach water to quench his thirst or to pick succulent fruit that hangs just beyond his grasp. Conduct a bit of research on the myth ... read more... and explain why Copeland used this literary allusion in her opening. Are there additional examples in the essay that could be linked to the myth?
     B. How does Copeland support her view that although no one talks about the "friend-crush", it is actually quite common?
     C. Copeland believes that it is usually the male in the friendship who is  "crushed." Why do you think that males are more apt to be the "victims" in a friend-crush . . . or are they? Support with evidence from the article and from your observations in life.
     D. How does Matt Brochu's crush story end? How does the columnist finally come to an understanding of his crush? Was the ending a surprise? Was there evidence in the essay that pointed to the conclusion?

Discuss as a group on Thursday. Share answers. As a group, post in Canvas. List all names on the answer sheet. Post in the person's spot whose name is closest to the beginning of the alphabet. You will post on Thursday. A space will be provided for the posting. Be ready with your part.


4. Think about  your first true love. How did you meet? How long did it last? How did it end, or did it? Discuss at your table.

5. Now it is time to come up with a topic. What one word related to relationships will you define?

6. Begin working on the Definition Graphic Organizer. (handout) For homework, continue your research. Keep an annotated bibliography in EasyBib. www.easybib.com
Don't forget to start a new project before creating entries. I will check annotated bibliographies on Thursday. You will need to call up your project on EasyBib or give me a paper copy. This is a work in progress. There is no space for posting just yet.

October 10, 2013 - Thursday

Class Work

1. First, participate in a peer editing activity. Remember, the writer must take a stand. You topic relates to some aspect of Body Art. The paper should be 3-5 pages long.

• Have the paper showing on the screen in a Word document. You can copy/past it from MyCompLab into Word.
• Sit in groups of four - no exceptions!
• Listen carefully to the directions.

For homework, write the draft copy of your essay. Use MLA formatting. Post in MyCompLab. (50 pts.) Use the space for the DRAFT. Do NOT post in the Final Copy space.

*************************
Bring in the lyrics to a popular love song. You may also include a YouTube link if one is available and is appropriate for a PG13 audience.

2.Back to the relationship topics...

Tina Turner once sang, "What's love got to do with it?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu8KFlfzk3Y

In class on Tuesday, we briefly talked about the advantages and disadvantages of on-line dating.

For homework, you will need to read an additional article.

Handout only: "Virtual Love" by Meghan Daum

As you read the article, look for what Daum says are the advantages and disadvantages of on-line dating. In addition, answer questions 1-8 under Thinking About the Text. Post your answers in MyCompLab. You do not need to type the questions. Be sure to number your answers. Answers need to be written in complete sentences. (40 pts.)

What is the answer to Tina Turner's question? What is love? How does it impact relationships?

Discussion: What is the best relationship you know of? Perhaps it is the love a mother has for her child. Maybe it is the affection one has toward a partner.  It could be the excitement of a new relationship. It might be the love a husband has for a wife and a wife has for her husband after many years of marriage.

Handout: "Private Lives" Read the article. Underline at least three powerful words, lines, or phrases. Post them on sticky-notes. Place on the board. Be sure to read what has already been posted before posting yours. If the same lines have been selected, place your note by the one already there. A discussion will follow.

We are moving toward the next writing piece which will focus on a definition of a term related to relationships. Think broadly. You will not be limited to "love stories." We will study more possibilities next week.