After completing the reading from the Penguin Handbook, use one of the "Writing Smart" checklists for evaluating sources. Use either the checklist for websites (found on page 198) or the checklist for evaluating print sources (found on page 205).
Choose one of your sources that you found either during the library research day or outside of class time. Provide a citation in MLA format. Then go through the checklist that applies to your source (web or print) and then write a 1-2 sentence summary of your evaluation of the source. You are welcome to go through each item (Source, Author, etc.) in bullet points, but make sure to give your 1-2 sentence summary evaluation in complete sentences.
Types of comments that will be useful: Based off of the notes you've read on the source, do you agree with the overall evaluation? Is there something your peer has missed about the source that would be important to consider? What might this source be useful for, and what might it be less useful for?
Label to put on post: evaluating sources
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wikipedia Pre-Research: for Tues Mar 3
I admit it. The first thing I do anytime I want to learn about something is I type it in to either wikipedia or google. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. A lot of time I'll learn things that will help me search for more scholarly sources. For example, if I'm researching the global implications of new media, and I type "new media" in on wikipedia, I find out that Andrew L. Shapiro is someone I definitely want to read. I learn that the term "virtual communities" is how people often label the global aspect of new media. I learn that the terms "interactivity" and "media convergence" are commonly used. It doesn't look like I want to use any of wikipedia's sources, but all of a sudden I know a little bit more about new media and know some terms that will be able to help me as I search for other sources.
Your task: spend a few minutes surfing either wikipedia or the world wide web on your topic, or on a portion of your topic. (For example, Jose's topic is applying the nature vs. nurture argument to the potential affects of mechanical engineering on world poverty--rather than trying to get that all in one search, he may just want to search on the nature vs. nurture argument).
Then remind us of your topic and post a bullet list of a few things you learned that will help you as you do your research. This might be information that helps you narrow your topic, important people that have written about your topic, the major debate/sides of your issue, or terms that you might be able to use in searching.
Types of comments that would be useful: find another term, person, online resource, etc. that might help the person when they start their research.
Label to put on post: wikipedia research
Your task: spend a few minutes surfing either wikipedia or the world wide web on your topic, or on a portion of your topic. (For example, Jose's topic is applying the nature vs. nurture argument to the potential affects of mechanical engineering on world poverty--rather than trying to get that all in one search, he may just want to search on the nature vs. nurture argument).
Then remind us of your topic and post a bullet list of a few things you learned that will help you as you do your research. This might be information that helps you narrow your topic, important people that have written about your topic, the major debate/sides of your issue, or terms that you might be able to use in searching.
Types of comments that would be useful: find another term, person, online resource, etc. that might help the person when they start their research.
Label to put on post: wikipedia research
Friday, February 20, 2009
Rhetorical Analysis Reflection: for Friday Feb 27
Write a reflection about the process of writing the rhetorical analysis.
Some questions that may help you think about what to write: (Note: answer these or similar; do not attempt to answer all of them)
Types of comments that will be useful: things you found interesting/insightful, other things you thought of about your own writing process through reading this, parts of the writing experience you may have shared with your peer, etc. Basically, whatever you thought about while reading another person's post that you'd like to share.
Label to put on post: ra reflection
Some questions that may help you think about what to write: (Note: answer these or similar; do not attempt to answer all of them)
- What did I learn about writing through the rhetorical analysis?
- What parts of the writing process were effective? What parts were less so?
- What would I change if I were to do this assignment over again?
- What do I like about my paper? What do I not like?
- How was the rhetorical situation important to writing my paper?
- What did I learn about analysis? What tools of analysis were most useful to me?
- What skills of analysis will I be able to apply to writing/thinking/communicating in the future?
Types of comments that will be useful: things you found interesting/insightful, other things you thought of about your own writing process through reading this, parts of the writing experience you may have shared with your peer, etc. Basically, whatever you thought about while reading another person's post that you'd like to share.
Label to put on post: ra reflection
Anything Globalization Related: for Thurs Feb. 26
Find an article, web page or a blog post about something that matters to you. This might have to do with your major, with current events...anything really. As long as it relates in some way to globalization.
So, for example, if I'm really interested in film and want to do something related to films, then maybe I find a web page about Cinema Novo, a Brazilian film movement. Or an article about the films nominated for Best Foreign Film for the Academy Awards.
If I'm interested in Economics, maybe I find an article about how the American economic crisis is effecting a foreign country. Or about foreign car companies.
NEXT step: include a link to the article/blog post/web page, etc. Write one or two sentences about the subject of the article and its connection to globalization.
Then create a list of six research topics or questions that relate (in some way) to the article/web page, etc. and also to globalization.
For example, if what I found was a web page on Cinema Novo, the following could be my six research topics or questions:
-How is Brazilian cinema novo a reaction against Hollywood films?
-Was Brazilian cinema novo influenced by other foreign film industries?
-What proportion of films in Brazilian movies theaters are actually Brazilian films?
-Do the films being made in Brazil today have any parallels to the cinema novo movement?
-Has the cinema novo movement had any effect on the American film industry?
-What economic pressures limit the types of films that foreign film industries can make?
Types of comments that will be useful: come up with another research question that would fit in the same general subject matter; comment on whether one of the research questions seems too broad or too narrow for an eight page paper and give a suggestion on how to improve it; think of a connection to a similar subject that might give other research topic ideas; etc.
Label to put on post: globalization
So, for example, if I'm really interested in film and want to do something related to films, then maybe I find a web page about Cinema Novo, a Brazilian film movement. Or an article about the films nominated for Best Foreign Film for the Academy Awards.
If I'm interested in Economics, maybe I find an article about how the American economic crisis is effecting a foreign country. Or about foreign car companies.
NEXT step: include a link to the article/blog post/web page, etc. Write one or two sentences about the subject of the article and its connection to globalization.
Then create a list of six research topics or questions that relate (in some way) to the article/web page, etc. and also to globalization.
For example, if what I found was a web page on Cinema Novo, the following could be my six research topics or questions:
-How is Brazilian cinema novo a reaction against Hollywood films?
-Was Brazilian cinema novo influenced by other foreign film industries?
-What proportion of films in Brazilian movies theaters are actually Brazilian films?
-Do the films being made in Brazil today have any parallels to the cinema novo movement?
-Has the cinema novo movement had any effect on the American film industry?
-What economic pressures limit the types of films that foreign film industries can make?
Types of comments that will be useful: come up with another research question that would fit in the same general subject matter; comment on whether one of the research questions seems too broad or too narrow for an eight page paper and give a suggestion on how to improve it; think of a connection to a similar subject that might give other research topic ideas; etc.
Label to put on post: globalization
Rhetorical Analysis Rough Draft 2: for Tues., Feb. 24
Post the second draft of your rhetorical analysis.
We'll talk about comments (and hopefully should be able to do both of them) in class.
Note: We are meeting in the computer lab on Tuesday, room 4057. That means you don't need to bring a printed copy of your rhetorical analysis.
Label to put on post: ra draft
We'll talk about comments (and hopefully should be able to do both of them) in class.
Note: We are meeting in the computer lab on Tuesday, room 4057. That means you don't need to bring a printed copy of your rhetorical analysis.
Label to put on post: ra draft
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Analyze a Scripture - for Friday, Feb. 20
Choose a scripture or scripture story from any of the standard works. Do a short rhetorical analysis of the scripture/scripture story. You could analyze anything--are there appeals to authority when Nephi is lecturing Laman and Lemuel? Is there an allusion in the Doctrine and Covenants that really brings home the point? Does the organizational structure of the Sermon on the Mount convey a certain message?
Label to put on this post: scripture analysis
Label to put on this post: scripture analysis
Rhetorical Analysis Intro. - for Thursday, Feb. 19
Seeing as a complete rough draft of your rhetorical analysis is due on Thursday (bring a printed copy to class), for this blog post you'll just post a portion of what you're already writing.
What to post: the introduction of your rhetorical analysis. This will probably be the first paragraph or two of your rhetorical analysis.
Suggestions for the types of comments to make on each other's posts:Analyze the thesis--does it make an argument about the overall rhetorical intent? Will it provide a through line for the entire paper? Analyze the hook--is it interesting and engaging? What makes you interested to read this particular analysis? What might make you more interested? Analyze the tone--is it appropriate for an academic audience? Analyze how the writer is introducing the audience--is it relevant for their thesis? Finally, you could give suggestions on rhetorical approaches the writer could use to improve the analysis (for example, making the analysis kairotic).
Label to put on the post: ra intro
What to post: the introduction of your rhetorical analysis. This will probably be the first paragraph or two of your rhetorical analysis.
Suggestions for the types of comments to make on each other's posts:Analyze the thesis--does it make an argument about the overall rhetorical intent? Will it provide a through line for the entire paper? Analyze the hook--is it interesting and engaging? What makes you interested to read this particular analysis? What might make you more interested? Analyze the tone--is it appropriate for an academic audience? Analyze how the writer is introducing the audience--is it relevant for their thesis? Finally, you could give suggestions on rhetorical approaches the writer could use to improve the analysis (for example, making the analysis kairotic).
Label to put on the post: ra intro
Friday, February 6, 2009
Poem Analysis: for Feb. 12, 2009
Rhetorically analyze a poem from a song:
-Have a thesis about the overall intent effect of the song of an audience.
-Travel up Mount Rhetorical analysis at least twice (identify a tool, discuss the appeal, answer "What is the effect on the audience? Why?").
-Tie back to your thesis.
Either before or after your analysis, include the lyrics to the song.
Label to put on your post: poem analysis
-Have a thesis about the overall intent effect of the song of an audience.
-Travel up Mount Rhetorical analysis at least twice (identify a tool, discuss the appeal, answer "What is the effect on the audience? Why?").
-Tie back to your thesis.
Either before or after your analysis, include the lyrics to the song.
Label to put on your post: poem analysis
Publishing Your Opinion Editorial: for Feb. 10th, 2009
"Publish" or share your opinion editorial, in whatever manner you choose. Make it meaningful--to people that may be effected by reading it.
Write a paragraph about the experience of publishing or sharing your opinion editorial. Were you happy with what you had to share? How did people react to it? How does the act of publishing or sharing your writing with an actual audience change the act of writing or how you think about writing?
Label to put on post: publishing
Write a paragraph about the experience of publishing or sharing your opinion editorial. Were you happy with what you had to share? How did people react to it? How does the act of publishing or sharing your writing with an actual audience change the act of writing or how you think about writing?
Label to put on post: publishing
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