Rhetorical Analysis - Due by 7:00am on Dec. 4

In this blog you will be doing a rhetorical analysis of a speech, article, editorial or news story.  This blog is based on the premise that all writing is aimed at a specific audience for a specific purpose (i.e. an argument).  Your task is to determine the purpose (not just the subject) of a piece of writing and explore the strategies and literary devices used by the writer to achieve this goal.

Begin by introducing the article you analyzed, stating the full name of the author and article, and putting the rest of the source information in the works cited section on the bottom of the blog.  If you found the article online then a link should be included.  Next, offer a concise, but thorough, summary of what the writer says and an analysis of the argument's rhetorical components.  These may include:

• How does the author establish his/her credibility (ethos)
• The purpose (to assert, inquire, negotiate or dominate)
• The significance of the medium (speech, academic periodical, popular newspaper, etc.)
• The context
• The reasons (logos) given as support
• The emotional appeals and/or mood created by the author (pathos)
• Literary techniques utilized in making the persuasive case (metaphors, repetition, alliteration, etc.)

This blog should be 300-400 words (two of which should be vocabulary words) and it should be edited to perfection.

4.2.d (analyze rhetorical devices)
3.3.a (conventions)
3.2.e (transitions)
3.2.a (support and evidence)

Student Choice

What do you want to say, research, present that you haven't had a chance to yet? This is your chance!

You design this blog. The requirement is 300-500 words. At the beginning of the blog, you just need to say what your goal was before you write the actual blog. (i.e. I chose to do a summary of different personal stories around my issue OR I chose to do a review of another website that I have found very informative OR I am writing a research piece on why _______ happens OR this is my recommendation blog about what people should do about ________, etc.)

Incorporate two vocabulary words into your blog.

This blog will be graded on the following standards:
3.2.c (appropriate language for content)
3.3.a (conventions)
3.1.d (manipulate elements of style to appeal to the senses of the reader)
3.2.e (enhance flow of ideas through transitional words)
3.2.g (draw a conclusion)

Research Blog

Time to research! Choose one of your questions from the "10 questions" in class and look for answers! This should be a pretty BIG question with more than a "yes" or "no" answer.

Use the Internet, the public library databases, and the school library. Find as much info as you can. Then, write an expository essay (written to explain with an identifiable intro, body, conclusion) of 600-800 words that reports what you've found. In class on Thursday, we will be reviewing what makes a strong essay and a strong thesis statement.

A few things to remember: 3rd person point of view, clear, supportable, identifiable thesis, each body paragraph focused on one point that supports thesis, and conclusion synthesizes what you've found.

The blog should be edited to perfection and include two vocab words that are used effectively.

Sources: @ least three with both in-text citations and a works cited at the bottom.

Standards: 3.2.a, 3.2.d, 3.2.e, 3.2.g

Interpret Data

In this post you will interpret the results of your poll. 

I want you to connect the results of the poll to what you learn through your research and then evaluate the connection.  Do the class results mirror what you are finding in other areas of your research?  Are the class results significantly different?  If so, why do you think that is.

At this point in the semester you should be getting deeper into your research and learning more about your topic.  To help with that endeavor, I want you to incorporate at least two reputable sources (no Wikis this week).  For a 4 on the sources standard you will need to complete an annotated bibliography (located at the bottom of your post) explaining why your sources are reputable.

Post a Poll - Due October 22

21st Century Learning Poll

This week you are going to do two things.

1) Add a poll to your blog.  First go to Design and then Gadget.  Scroll down until you see a link for "Create a Poll."

2) Respond to this posting (comment) with at least two things you have learned about your topic that you didn't know before.  If you have trouble then you are not digging deep enough in your research.

Current State of Affairs - Due October 14

Subject: Current State of Affairs

Sources: Must be credible/well-known sources; list the two sources at the end of the blog in correct MLA format.  Also, cite your sources within your text as well.

Purpose: To explain the issue/topic as it stands today. What are the current beliefs about this topic, arguments about it, and research about it. What are people saying NOW? Or, how is it organized, set-up or dealt with nowadays?

Vocab: Effectively incorporate one vocab words (underline it in the text for credit)

Other: 300-500 words

Standards:
3.3.a (conventions)
3.2.d (vivid and precise word useage)
3.2.c (address audience needs - anticipate and answer what we need to know about your topic)
4.1.c (credible, relevant and appropriate sources; add an annotated bibliography for a 4 on this standard)

Background Blog

Here's What You Need to Know To Write Your First Real Blog--

Subject: Background Information

Purpose: To explain the basics about your topic clearly-- the history of the issue, why it's of concern or interest, who's involved and why, etc.  In this blog I want you to anticipate questions that the other students in class will have about the background of your topic and address as many of the questions as possible.

Audience: The other students in class.

Sources: You must use two reputable sources.  List your two sources at the end in correct MLA format- use easybib.com OR "The OWL at Purdue" to review MLA formatting if necessary

Other Requirements: At least one page in length (type in Word and copy and paste), spell checked, correct conventions

Please Note--

Blogs turned in past the week's due date will not receive a grade. HOWEVER, in order for the next blog(s) to count, you must make up the missed blog. In other words, if you don't complete this blog on time then you must complete it before next weeks will count.

You will be graded based on:
3.2.c - Address audience needs and anticipate audience questions or misunderstandings.
3.3.a - Conventions.