Category: Discussions (Page 2 of 7)

You have no post assignment due for Wednesday! However, I expect you to do several things to prepare for class:

1. Review the Unit 3 Assignment page. In particular, take a look at some of the resources I collected to aid you in completing this project and think about what other resources you might need.
2. If you have not already done so, select which genre you are going to work in for your  Unit 3 Assignment. Think critically about WHY you have selected this particular genre. In other words, how does your selected genre cater to the needs and expectations of your intended audience?

In class on Wednesday, each of you will spend some time searching the internet for a “mentor text”–something you can model your own project off of. If you would rather not use your phone to search the internet, be sure to bring a laptop or tablet.

Be prepared to speak with me on Wednesday about your plans for the Unit 3 Assignment.

For your post assignment over the weekend, you must write a short *tentative* proposal for your Unit 3 assignment.

First, make sure that you closely re-read the prompt for Unit 3:

• Unit 3 Assignment Prompt

Second, review this handout that we went over in class:

• Rhetorical Analysis with a Focus on Genre

Third, explore these examples for some inspiration. Note that these examples are not exhaustive!

• These Op-Ed Columns:
  • “Is Slavery Still Legal in the U.S.?”
  • “There Are Better Ways to Solve a Housing Crisis”
• These infographics and pieces of graphic journalism:
  • Infographic: “Sea Levels Rise”
  • “40 of the Best Infographics to Inspire You” (Includes GMO Infographic We Went Over in Class)
  • Graphic Journalism: “The Untold Story of Sushi in America”
  • Graphic Journalism: “A Climate Change Guide for Kids”
• These X (Twitter) Threads:
  • Thread on Selena Netflix Movie
  • Thread on Women and the Pandemic
• These listicles:
  • “Simple Rules to Eating Healthy”
  • “15 Surprising Facts About Winter Weather”
  • “9 questions you were too embarrassed to ask about Syria”
  • “6 questions to ask that will make caring for older relatives much easier”
  • “10 Things You Didn’t Know About Alcatraz” (Also explore the rest of this website, which is full of listicles!)
• These Instagram Carousels
  • “How to Make an Ancestral Alter at Home”
  • “Moths Are Key to Earth”
  • “How to Break Out of Your Social Media Echo Chamber”
• These TikToks:
  • “Assassin Bugs”
  • “Stem Cells”

Finally, write a proposal of at least 200 words outlining what you plan to do for Unit 3.  This proposal should cover the following:

• A 1-2 sentence statement of how you want to influence your audience. Do you want to teach them something specific? Do you want to change the way they think about a specific issue or topic? Do you want to motivate them to do something? Be as specific as possible, and think about WHY you want to do this.
• The audience you are trying to reach. Again, be as specific as possible.
• The genres that seem to you most well-suited for your purpose. Make sure you EXPLAIN why you find these genres especially appropriate.
• A plan–-How do you intend to get started? What will be your FIRST STEP?
• Anything you might be worried about. What are your concerns about finishing this project?

Post your tentative proposal by Monday, 11/13, TWO HOURS BEFORE the start of class.

For your ELEVENTH post, you will post below a rough draft of your THIRD AND FINAL Reflective Annotated Bibliography entry.

In particular, you will post the SUMMARY and RHETORICAL ANALYSIS of your THIRD resource.

Same deal as last time!

Do not worry if you are unsure if what you produce is “correct.” This is JUST a rough draft! We will be going over them on Wednesday.

Refer to this handout for a very detailed overview of how to write your summary and rhetorical analysis: Structure of Unit 2 Reflective Annotated Bibliography Assignment.

Remember the following:

• In your summary you are just providing an overview of the resource, the kinds of information it includes, and what one might learn by consuming it. Your summary should capture the most important points the author makes relating to your research question. You most likely will not be able to talk about all of the information included in the resource.
• In your rhetorical analysis, you are evaluating how effective YOU think the resource is at achieving its purpose (to inform, to persuade, and/or to entertain) and reaching its
  intended audience. Please incorporate AT LEAST ONE QUOTATION in your rhetorical analysis. Refer to this handout from class: How to Effectively Incorporate a Quotation into Academic Writing

You can also refer to the sample student writing we went over in class, keeping in mind that this sample writing has both strengths and weaknesses:

• Sample RAB Entry
• SAMPLE RHETORICAL ANALYSIS  (Note: This example does not include the summary or key quotes section.)

The summary and rhetorical analysis should be at least 400 words. The summary should be about 1-2 paragraphs, and the rhetorical analysis should be about 2-3 paragraphs.

POST YOUR ENTRY BY 2 PM ON WEDNESDAY, 11/1.