Week 7: please read the instructions carefully

I have seen many posts that assert that certain papers or videos do not have an argument. The purpose of this class is to realize that everything is an argument, that we all have our prejudices, and that people use different tactics and reasoning when constructing and supporting their beliefs.

Your goal for this week's initial blog:

1) Identify the thesis of both people in the following video.

2) Identify which person you believe used the best tactics and supported his argument the best (not necessarily the viewpoint you agree with), and describe what those tactics were, and how they were supported.

3) Make a counterargument to the point of view that you believe was best supported, and identify how the opponent in the argument could have better supported his side.

I know that both men have decent arguments, but you must do more than acknowledge this perspective.

As a trial, rather than responding to three people, respond to one person (someone who has no other comments, preferably, unless that is not possible), and engage with that person's point of view. Remain respectful. Then, each student must also respond to the comment(s) on their initial blog. This will encourage meaningful dialogue rather than a quick, "You made a good argument, &tc."

Please use support in your response to your classmate: from the video, from other sites, and/or from that classmate's initial post. Because you must give your classmates a chance to engage in the conversation, please 1) post initially by Monday, 2) construct your one response by Wednesday, and 3) post the final response by Friday, midnight. If you have questions, please let me know.

Week 6

Sorry, again, for the lateness of this post. All I want you to do this week is compare and contrast two websites:

http://www.peta.org and http://www.humanesociety.org

Read the About Us page for each, and then browse the websites, watch some videos, read some articles, and answer the following questions:

1. Who is the audience for each website?
2. What gives each website its credibility?
3. How do these websites compare with each other in their audiences, goals, and rhetorical approaches (logos, pathos, ethos)?
4. How do the websites compare with what you thought about these organizations in the past?

Please be thoughtful in your answers.

As usual, your first post is due by Monday. Try to get the post done before class, and then respond to three of your classmates by Friday. Please try to give reasons for agreeing and disagreeing with evidence from the website, or any personal experience you have with these organizations. Stay academic and professional.

Week 5

Re-write the blog to include the rhetorical analysis of the Davidson essay (which we will go over in class); initial posts due asap, and responses to your classmates due by Friday midnight. Read Ch. 5 127 (The claim)-129 to help guide your blog response.

I'm keeping the original assignment below. Listen to the song and come to class prepared to discuss.

41)View the words as a whole; note phrases you like, and think about why you like them.

  2) Circle and look up any unknown words; define the words in the margin.

  3)   As always: explain what argument this song is trying to make, and explain what methods (logos, pathos and ethos) they use.

  4)   Write a paragraph explaining your experience with the first three steps, and work in the information you gained from each step, as well as the information in number four.

Watch Video - Week 4

Sorry about the lateness of the post. Here it is... What I would like you to do is watch the post before reading the questions. This post may create mixed emotions from you, so be prepared; it's fairly controversial.

I'm sure most of you are no strangers to musicians taking up causes that affect them directly. Pink supports PETA, Pearl Jam spoke out against the Bush administration, Radiohead supports the environment, and the list goes on.

For your consideration:

1. What makes this source credible? (Think about the information in the video and the speakers)
2. In this video, what do you agree or disagree with? Give explicit information about either or both.
3. Who is this band's audience?
4. What is this band's purpose in creating this video, and how do they achieve it? (Logos, Pathos, Ethos, and/or a combination; which do they use primarily? Why do you think that?)
5. Does his video, ultimately, persuade you of the band's intentions? Why or why not?

Please answer all the questions in paragraph form. This week, points will be deducted if all the questions are not answered.