Final

Your final presentation will be on Wed. April 28 from 1 -3 in our regular classroom. You will be presenting the research you've compiled for your final paper, also due April 28. This should not be a simple restatement of what you've said in your paper. Rather, it should reflect the key points of your research. Your presentation should be 3 - 5 minutes long, and should include the following elements.

1. Rhetorical situation: introduce us to the subject you've researched

2. Summary: explain your stance, including information on the opposing viewpoint

3. Analysis: describe how you've used rhetoric in your argument; conduct a mini-rhetorical analysis on your own work to describe how you've attempted to be rhetorically effective in your communication.

4. Synthesis: describe how you've synthesized your research-- that is, how you've put together the elements of your various sources to create a cohesive whole. How did you go about conducting your research?

You should also be sure to include visual elements in your presentation, whether that be in the form of pictures, video, Powerpoint, etc. Remember, your peers will be critiquing the rhetorical effectiveness of your presentation, so employ all of your rhetorical skills!

Also due the 28th, at the beginning of the final, are your final Research Paper and Unit Portfolio. Your portfolio should include the following elements.

1. Cover Letter (instructions below)

2. Final Research Paper

3. Printed, annotated sources (only those cited in the paper)

4. Blog assignments

5. Brainstorming activity

6. Outline

7. Rough Draft

**For your final cover letter, please answer the following questions in-depth, and in essay format. Your reflection should be 2 pages, double spaced, with correct MLA formatting. This includes both heading information AND a running head in the top right corner of each page.

How do the contents of this portfolio demonstrate what you've learned this semester? Discuss elements of summary, analysis, and synthesis.

What activities, whether in-class or homework assignments, did you feel were most beneficial to strengthening your understanding of, and proficiency in, writing rhetorically? Why? What activities were most helpful in strengthening your understanding of summary, analysis, and synthesis? Why?

Discuss how you feel your writing has developed over the course of the semester. Use your initial reflection paper on your strengths and weaknesses as a writer, which came in with your first unit portfolio, to determine areas in which you've progressed.

How do you feel the skills you've learned this semester will be beneficial in the future? Be specific in describing individual skills.

What are your future goals as a writer?

Sample Research Paper Body Paragraph

The lyrics in the average hit or popular song of today contains either sexuality or violence, or even both. Most times a song captures one’s attention because of its catchy tune, not because of its lyrics. If a small child has the potential to memorize a few little tunes and nursery rhymes, teenagers and young adults have the potential of memorizing hundreds of songs as they become familiar with songs. When singing the lyrics to a song, many teens or young adults don’t realize the degrading meaning of the lyrics or don’t even realize the words which they are even singing (States Lyrics 12).

*** Keep in mind, this is a student example and not necessarily perfect. However, this paragraph is a good demonstration of a summary of info from one of this student's sources. Note that although it's not a direct quote, it's still cited.

Sample Research Paper Intro Paragraph

Music has become one of the central aspects of society in the United States. It is ever-present in our day to day routines. With the rise of new technology of gadgets such as iPods/mp3 players and the more convenient mp3 file formatting, adolescents and young adults especially have made music more centralized in their everyday lifestyles. Because of vast amounts of storage space, it is certain that teens and young adults have thousands upon thousands of mp3 files varying in different genres of music and artists. Many popular music artists of today have two common factors which have been recognized as having a negative effect on adolescents and young adults. Sex and violence are two key factors found in multiple forms of media entertainment, but significantly in music and music videos. Because of these two factors, the rising generation has become more accustomed to the ideas of sex and violence as a norm in society that happens on a regular basis. Exposure to these two factors can lead to arousals of certain thoughts and emotions or changes in emotions, behaviors, and even actions. Sexual and violent content are portrayed as a current popular fad in music and music videos, when in reality both are highly obscene, highly addictive, and can lead to multiple life altering changes.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

In class today we discussed the final unit of the semester, dealing with the synthesis of your research on an arguable topic in a Research / Issue Paper. Your homework tonight is to complete the brainstorming activities posted to Blackboard. Find this handout at Blackboard > Course Content > Synthesis: Research Paper > brainstorming. Read the entire document, then choose 3 of the activities described and conduct brainstorms on three of your potential topics. As several of these brainstorms require drawing, you should bring it to class hard copy on Wednesday.

Your online assignment tomorrow (4/13, in lieu of an in-class meeting) will be to dive into your research. Remember, your topic should be arguable and narrowed to focus on a specific aspect or argument feeding into a larger issue. Look for promising sources on the sites we discussed in class (the library website, google scholar, etc.) and focus on finding sites with URLs including .org, .gov, .edu. This will increase the likelihood that you're getting scholarly sources. Once you have found several sources, begin putting together your annotated bibliography. For more information on the content and formatting of this document, refer to the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/614/01/. Remember, you will be required to have 6 (minimum) sources to begin with, and will end up with no more than 3 - 5 final sources. Be sure your annotations (paragraphs of 8 - 10 sentences) are thorough and will prove helpful to both you and me in determining the credibility of each source. Your annotated bibliography will be due hard copy on Monday, April 19, along with your rough draft for peer review.

Your final and most pressing assignment will be to outline your research paper. This should be in roman numeral format as discussed, and should be as in-depth as possible, including quotes, paraphrases, and summaries from each of your sources. This outline will be due hard copy in class on Wednesday. Remember, this can outline can evolve as your research progresses.

So, in summary, here are your required assignments with due dates.

Wednesday, April 14: Outline and Brainstorming Activities

Monday, April 19: Annotated Bibliography and Rough Draft

You have quite a bit to get done, so use this time outside of class wisely to ensure that you meet these deadlines!

Assignment for April 9

As we begin our Research Paper (Synthesis) Unit on Monday, it will be important for you to come to class prepared with potential research topics in mind. Today's assignment will be the first step in your topic inquiry. Please answer the following questions on your blog.

1) Think about the kinds of subjects you like to talk about outside of class with friends, co-workers, parents and family, etc. Make a list of these topics.

2) Complete the following idea-starters:

a. My friends and I like to argue about .

b. I think it is wrong when . . .

c. I wish I could convince someone that . . .

d. I am definitely opposed to . . .

e. Someone believes . . .; however, I beieve . . .

f. I wish this university would address the problem of . . .

g. I think we should pass a law so that . . .

3) Read through some current newspapers and note the stories that interest you. Think about why they interest you; is this an issue that you would like to know more about? One caveat is in selecting current topics from newspapers you may choose a topic that has very few related sources. Be sure to select a current topic that has a history to it or a topic that can be related to a larger issue where there should be sufficient material.

4) Choose one topic from the lists you have made. Spend some time writing down words, ideas, and phrases that come to mind when you think of that topic.

5) Do some preliminary research on your topic.

a. Does the library have any reference sources that would help with researching your topic?

b. Does the library's online catalog list any books that appear to be on your topic?

c. Can you locate any periodical articles that the library can access that pertains to your topic?

d. Using a standard web search engine can you locate any web sites that discuss your topic?
What are they?

6) If you feel that you can locate enough sources on your topic then approach your classroom instructor with your idea and make sure that this topic is appropriate for this assignment.

7) Remember the library has a staff of professional librarians that can advise and assist you in the research process.

After answering these initial questions, please read pages 130 - 142 in your DK Handbook on evaluating sources. Write a minimum 150 word summary of what you learn in this section, also to be posted to your blog.

Finally, come to class with a list of at least 5 potential topics to work with on Monday. Keep in mind, anything you choose to write on must be ARGUABLE. Rather than writing a "research" paper think of it as an "issue" paper. For example, you may be interested in global warming. Rather than discussing the entire topic, take a stance and prove to me using your rhetorical skills that your stance is feasible. Tell me that reducing the number of cars on the road will solve the global warming problem, using your research to back up your argument. We'll go into this in more detail on Monday, but for now make sure you're thinking of issue topics with two sides. Your list may be either typed or handwritten, but must come to class hard-copy on Monday.

Updated Schedule

Here is your updated schedule for the rest of the semester.

4/12: Final Draft Rhetorical Analysis and Portfolio DUE, Intro to Research Paper (Synthesis Unit)

4/14: Research Paper Instruction / Intro to MLA

4/15-4/16: Online Research, Compile Annotated Bibliography

4/19: Rough Draft Research Paper / Final Annotated Bibliography DUE

4/20: Research Paper Conferencing

4/28: Final Exam 1 - 3, Final Research Paper DUE

Final Paper and Portfolio

Remember, your final Rhetorical Analysis (2-4 pages) will be due in class on Monday, with your completed unit portfolio and cover letter.

Your portfolio should include the following elements.

1. Cover Letter

2. Intro Paragraph

3. Tool List

4. Rough Draft

5. Final Draft

6. Newspaper Activity (in-class)

Your cover letter should be one page, SINGLE - spaced (double spacing wouldn't allow as much room as you'll need), 12 pt. Times New Roman font, with 1 " margins. It should be in correct cover letter format, which incorporates the following:

Top Left:
Your Name
Date
Course Info
(double space)
Dear Professor Reschke:
Type your letter here, with double spaces between paragraphs only.
(Double space)
Sincerely,
Your Name

The cover letter serves as a sort of summary for your unit experience. It is also the written equivalent of my first impression of your portfolio. Here, you should touch briefly on the content of each of the assignments. Most importantly, you should discuss how you feel this unit will aid you in accomplishing your overarching goals for the course, as well as your future writing goals.

Online Class Tuesday, April 6

As we will not meet in class Tuesday, April 6, please participate in these online activities and assignments in preparation for creating your first draft rhetorical analysis paper.

First, please read the article "What in the world is rhetorical analysis" posted to Blackboard > Course Content > Rhetorical Analysis > Rhetorical Analysis PDF. Following your reading, please access the student rhetorical analysis paper (also on Blackboard) and respond to what you observe in this paper, illustrating good and bad elements in this student's writing based on the critical reading questions provided in the "What in the world" article. Do they support their ideas with examples from the text? Do they have any holes in their logic? Do they maintain an academic tone in their writing? Does their paper contain each of the elements (summary, rhetorical situation, audience awareness, in-text citations, etc.)? This response should be no fewer than 250 words and should be posted to your blog by class time on Wednesday.

Also, please skim Part 9 on editing and proofreading in your DK Handbook to prepare for grammar discussion in class Wednesday.

Finally, you should begin working on your first rough draft of the rhetorical analysis, due hard copy in class Wednesday. This draft should include your intro paragraph, body paragraphs on each of the tools you'll analyze, and a conclusion.

Homework DUE March 30

Today we discussed what to expect in the Rhetorical Analysis Unit. For tomorrow, you should come to class prepared with a 1-paragraph article proposal. In this paragraph, you should identify which Contemporary Reader article you've chosen to analyze, as well as your reasons for choosing that article. Why do you feel it would lend itself well to this assignment? After briefly looking over the article, how / where do you feel that it contains enough of the rhetorical to conduct a 2-3 page analysis? Be prepared to defend your choice if asked. This will require you to look through several articles to determine what you feel is the best for this assignment. This will be due in class, hard-copy, on Tuesday.

Blog Assignment for Thursday, March 25

This assignment will be brief, as you'll have your hands full completing the final draft of your paper. Please go to the following web page and read the PDF handout.

https://my.hamilton.edu/academics/resource/wc/Revision_First_to_Final_Draft.PDF

With these drafting steps in mind, I'd like you to write a response of about 200 words on your blog about your personal writing process. Does your experience line up with the steps outlined by Williams? How does your method differ? What do you feel was most effective / ineffective about your writing method? What will you do differently on upcoming papers?

This response should be posted by class time Friday, March 26.

Final Paper

Remember, your final Summary and Analysis Paper is due on Monday, March 29. This paper should be 2 - 4 pages in length, and should be formatted according to MLA stipulations as discussed in class. As a reminder, your paper should include the following elements.

1. The rhetorical situation surrounding the speech-- who, what, where, why, when (kairos), intended audience, etc.

2. Summary of the speech

3. Analysis of the speech

4. Conclusion

NOTE: As you revise, watch for any use of "me" "my" and "I." Remember, you're the behind-the-scenes expert. Take yourself out of the equation to better focus on the speech.

ALSO, and this is VITALLY IMPORTANT:

Your first portfolio will be due on Monday. This should be a folder of some sort (preferably not a 3-ring binder, as those get a little bulky) containing all of your work from this unit. This includes

1. "Science Courses" summary

2. "Girls We Really Are Our Own Worst Enemy" summary and analysis

3. Comparison / Contrast of the previous 2 articles

4. Summary Paper Outline

5. Summary Paper Rough Draft

6. Final Summary Paper

AND In-class activities

1. Newspaper article analysis

2. "I Have a Dream" summary

The first page of your portfolio should be a reflection on the unit. What do you feel are the most important things you've learned thus far? How have each of the assignments added to your knowledge? What do you hope to learn in future units? Feel free to be creative with this. It should be one page, double spaced. For an example of the required format (don't confuse this with the required content, however) of a cover letter, refer to the following website (scroll down to Sample Cover Letters).

http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/career/guides/cover_ltr.shtml

Online Lecture and Assignment

As class was cancelled today, you will have an online lecture and assignment. Please refer to the Course Content section on Blackboard. There, you will find a file titled "Using Sources." Read this for information on summarizing, quoting, and paraphrasing. Then, PRINT and read the article titled "Science Courses Key to Future Jobs" which is also posted to the Course Content section of Blackboard. You will need a 150-word summary of the article (no opinion, just summary based on the description of summarizing from the handout) as well as a 150-word response to what is being said in the article. Bring your summary / response typed and printed on Monday, as well as the printed copy of the "Science Courses" article. You will also need your Contemporary Reader and the assignment that was due today. Email with questions.

Homework for March 5

In your Contemporary Reader, read the blog article "Does College Matter?" starting on page 467. Read the initial posting, as well as all of the responses to that post. On your blog, complete the following assignment.

In the initial posting, locate at least 3 examples EACH of the author's use of ethos, pathos, and logos. Describe the qualities of each of your examples that allows it to fit into that category of rhetorical appeal.

Then, write your own response to the issue, along the lines of the responders in the article. This response should be no less than 250 words, and should be posted to your blog.

In your book, highlight each example of an apostrophe use and label each as either a possessive apostrophe, or as an indication of letter omission. Bring your Contemporary Reader with you, highlighted and labeled, on Monday.

This assignment is due, posted to your blog, by midnight on Friday, March 5.

Welcome!

Welcome to English 990 Section B01! One of the key elements of our course will be our online days. On these days, you will be required to do critical reading, as well as to create polished writing. It's easy to assume that these will be free days, as we won't meet in our classroom. HOWEVER, the blog posts that you create here will be included in each of your unit portfolios for a substantial amount of points. Assignments will be due, posted, by class time the day after the online day. It's important that you do these assignments in a timely manner, as assignments posted to your blog late will not be accepted. This is the only exception to the 10% off per day late policy outlined in your syllabus. As this is a second block, and somewhat accelerated, section, expect these assignments to take about 2 hours.

You may ask, 'Why are we using a blog in an English class?'
When students graduate from university and begin their careers, the bulk of their writing will not be done with pencil and paper, but rather on a word processor. Therefore, writing classes ought to be set [both in the classroom, as well as] in realistic environment utilizing the writing aids of a computer. Since most universities have computer labs with Internet access, writing teachers can easily create classes utilizing blogs that allow students the chance to write and submit assignments in class. Combined with essential discussion and lecture from the teacher, the utilization of both class and student blogs can effectively maximize student access to class materials and exposure to teacher feedback. (http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Johnson-Blogs/)

For your first assignment, you'll need to set up your own blog, follow this link to the online tutorial.
http://weblogs.about.com/od/creatingablog/ss/BloggerTutorial.htm
**Your blog must be created on blogger.com**

Once your blog has been set up, email me at krobinson_150@yahoo.com with the address you've chosen. It should be whatevernameyouchose.blogspot.com
For example, the address for the course is http://english990sectionb02.blogspot.com

Once you've gotten your blog set up and the link emailed to me, go to the following link to listen to an audio account of how one teacher is using blog technology to teach female students in Bangladesh.
http://rising.globalvoicesonline.org/blog/2008/03/15/kathryn-ward-on-the-benefits-of-blogging-for-bangladeshi-women/

After listening to this interview, write a response of no fewer than 250 words answering the following question. What do you feel are the benefits of incorporating online instruction in the English class? You may use examples from the audio you've listened to. This should be posted to your blog by selecting New Post at the top right of your screen. Write your response in the space provided, including a title. When finished, select the orange Publish Post option below the text box to submit.