Today we discussed the readings from Unit 4 under “Ethical Dilemmas,” which will help students draft the practical solutions part of their Open Letter essays.
Homework
1. Prepare for the Midterm Exam by following the preparing guidelines on the Midterm Exam page. Remember that only small/marginal notes are acceptable on your article. If you have more, you will be given a fresh copy of the article to work with. Do not arrive late! Ensure you have your article with you (extras will not be provided) and a working pen/pencil. We will start the exam immediately at 8:30am.
2. Write a 1-2 page typed proposal for the topic of your Open Letter essay. To be collected on Wednesday, 10/17.
a) In the proposal, you should fully explain the issue on which your letter will focus. Oftentimes there will be a smaller story that speaks to a larger issue. For example, Jennifer Lawrence’s open letter about being paid less than her male costars in Hollywood speaks to the larger national issue of the gender pay wage gap. Similarly, if your focus is on a smaller/local problem, you must also identify the broader issue at hand. Again, your chosen topic/issue must be current and widely under debate.
b) You must also outline to whom your letter will be addressed (i.e., your audience). Be specific – do not just simply say, “My letter is for everyone.” What is your goal in appealing to this audience? What tone do you feel is best in appealing to the audience? What methods/techniques would be best employed?
c) Discuss what support you will need to write your letter. In terms of secondary sources, what do you need to read to better familiarize yourself with the issues? What kinds of sources will you draw from? What are the best sources to use in addressing the issue and your particular audience? How will you establish your own credibility?
d) Discuss your potential solution to the issue. What do you see as the cause of the problem and how can we best approach fixing it?
3. Prepare for Grammar Quiz on Topic 4: Capitalization & Quotes to be held during Week 9.
