Last Week of Class!

Please bring all of your work on Essay 5 to date to class with you tomorrow.  All of our work for this week will come from those materials.

Week 13: Causal Argument

Practical Argument Readings:

• Chapter 8: “Evaluating Sources” (219-247)
• Chapter 13: "Causal Argument" (353-383)

Presentations:

• "Introduction to Causal Argument" (University of Louisville)
• Tyree Library - "Accessing Library Databases from Off Campus"

Resources:

"Evaluating Sources" (Lakeland Community College)
Tyree Library - "Finding Articles"
Tyree Library - "Is It a Popular Magazine or a Scholarly Journal"

Discussion Questions:

• Post links here to two sources about the same subject - one bad, one good.  Use the accuracy, credibility, objectivity, currency and comprehensiveness criteria to explain how you evaluated each source.
• As you probably know, most instructors (including me) discourage students from using Wikipedia as a source of information.  (Though I should note that the links in the footnote and resource sections at the bottom of the page are usually great sources of information.)  Read "The Top Ten Hoaxes in Wikipedia's First Ten Years" and then set out to find a Wikipedia page on a subject you know a lot about.  Post a link to the page here and assess the page's accuracy.
• Read "Do Employers Using Facebook for Background Checks Face Legal Risk" (PA 244-46).  Answer the five discussion questions that accompany the reading.
• Analyze the ad at the end of this section.  What is its causal argument?  What does it identify as main causes?  Does it identify contributory causes?
• "Contemporary media is encouraging children to grow up too fast."  Create a causal chain that either supports or refutes this statement.

Week 12: Revisions (cont'd)

Practical Argument Readings:

• Chapter 7: "Planning, Drafting and Revising an Argument" - Revision section (208-16)

Resources:

Purdue OWL: Higher Order Concerns and Lower Order Concerns
Harvard University: Revising the Draft

Discussion Questions:

(Please remember that these should be 200-300 words.  I have been seeing many very short posts recently.)

• What are three higher order concerns that you need to address in Essay 2?  What do you plan to do to address each?
• What are three lower order concerns that you need to address in Essay 2?  What do you plan to do to address each?
• Post an original paragraph from Essay 2 and a revised version of that paragraph.  Explain how you have revised the essay and why you made the changes you did.
• Do you plan to revise your thesis for Essay 2?  If so, please post your original thesis and explain how and why you intend to revise it.
• Make an appointment to visit the Writing Lab (G-06) for Essay 2 this week.  Once you have visited the lab, describe here what kind of feedback you received and how you will use it in your essay.

Assignment:

Essay 1 and Essay 2 revisions due Tuesday, November 13.   
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING ESSAY 1 AND ESSAY 2 TO CLASS ON WEDNESDAY.

Week 11: Revisions

Please complete the readings listed on the board Wednesday.  You will not have a discussion post until next week.

• We will spend the next two weeks working on revisions of Essay 1 and Essay 2.  Please print out both essays and bring them to class with you on Wednesday.  You will not receive class credit for the day if you do not bring these with you.

Week 10: Writing About Film Continued

Practical Argument Readings:

• Chapter 9: "Summarizing, Paraphrasing, Quoting and Synthesizing Sources" (249-62)

Resources:

University of Chicago Lab:  How to Write a Movie Review
Dartmouth University Writing Program: "Writing About Film"

Discussion Questions:

(Please remember that these should be 200-300 words.  I have been seeing many very short posts recently.)

• Post the anecdote you plan to use from/about your film.  Explain why you selected it and how it fits your criteria for evaluation.
• Post the criteria for evaluation you have selected for your film.  Explain why you chose these criteria and explain some of the examples you will use to evaluate them.
• Post the plot summary of your film.  Explain how you selected what to include/leave out in your summary.

Assignment:

Essay 3: Film Review, due Friday, October 26.  Please see the assignment sheet and rubric posted to the Lessons page on Angel.

Aspects of Film

There are several aspects of film you might want to review.  I want to break them down into some categories for you to give you a clearer idea of where the properties you have chosen might best fit.

Acting:
Performance
Believability (of portrayal)
Characterization (how well the actor creates the character - mannerisms, habits, etc.)

Plot:
The events we see unfold onscreen.  This is different than story, which includes the events that take place both onscreen and off.  Plot is the "what happens" in the story - the actual events.  This is an important differentiation.

Theme:
What the story is about on a grander scale.  This is really the philosophical meaning of the film or its deeper implications.  To use an example - the plot of Mystic River is three childhood friends being brought back together when one of their daughters is killed.  The theme, however, is the lasting scar that a single event can have not just on a person but on an entire community.

Screenwriting:
Dialogue
Believability (of events)
Pacing
Story

Cinematography:
Camera angles
Camera placement/distance/movement
Lighting
Color (of lighting/lens filters)
Types of lenses and/or film used

Special Effects:
Realism
Animation
CGI
Effectiveness

Sound:
Atmosphere
Diegetic Sound (sound that takes place within the story being told on screen - footsteps, music that is being played in a club where the characters are, etc.)
Extradiegetic Sound (sound that is not part of the story - music that creates atmosphere or tension but is not part of the story, voice-over narration)

Editing:
Types of cuts
Effectiveness of cuts
Continuity
Pacing - editing can be very important in action films; for instance, the average length of scene in a film is 2-3 minutes. (The average television scene is 3 minutes.)  A slow-moving film or a period piece might have longer scenes (The Social Network opens with a 5 minute scene) while a film with a lot of action will have shorter scenes (often less than1 minute).  Shorter scenes make the film feel as if the action is moving faster; longer scenes do the opposite.

Setting:
Time period
Place
Situation
Props
Costumes
Set Design

There are many more obscure ones that I could add, but most of you are unlikely to be using them.  Also, I am sure there are some that I have not thought of here.  Please, if you have something you are not sure about, drop me a line for clarification.

Week 9: Writing About Film

Practical Argument Readings:

• None

Resources:

University of Chicago Lab:  How to Write a Movie Review
Dartmouth University Writing Program: "Writing About Film"

Discussion Questions:

• Post a viewing response to Mystic River.  This is fairly open-ended.  Did you like it?  Hate it?  Why?  You can comment on character, plot, theme, filming techniques, anything that caught your attention about the film. Remember, though, this is a response, not a summary.*NOTE:  Everyone must answer this as one of his/her discussion posts.
• Post your selection for the film review assignment here.  Explain why you selected it and which elements of the film you believe you will review.
• Post a clip from your selected film and analyze it using one of the techniques explained in the "Writing About Film" link.  Be sure to let us know which technique you are employing.
• Post an outline of your proposed film review.

Assignment:

Essay 3: Film Review, due Friday, October 26.  Please see the assignment sheet and rubric posted to the Lessons page on Angel.

Week 8: Writing About Film

Practical Argument Readings:

• Chapter 14: “Evaluation Arguments” (385-415)

Resources:

University of Chicago Lab:  How to Write a Movie Review
Dartmouth University Writing Program: "Writing About Film"

Discussion Questions:

• Using the "Structuring an Evaluation Argument" outline on pages 388-89 (PA), write an evaluation of your favorite (or least favorite) film.
• Find a movie clip on YouTube and analyze it using at least 3-5 filmic aspects listed in the Glossary section of the Dartmouth "Writing About Film" page linked above.  Include the clip in your post.
• Review the "Kinds of Film Papers" section on the Dartmouth "Writing About Film" site linked above.  Choose one of the kinds of papers, and use it to write a short analysis of one of your favorite (or least favorite) films.
• Read "Harry Potter's Girl Trouble" in PA (411-13) and answer question two on page 413.
• Write a response to Exercise 14.8 on page 414 of PA.

Week 7: Rhetorical Analysis

Homework:

FOR CLASS WEDNESDAY:  Bring two typed, MLA formatted copies of your body paragraphs to class for review.

Resources:

You may use any of the speeches with videos from the following two sites for Essay 2.  Please do not use the text only speeches (though you may review the text of your chosen speech to help you review it more closely).

http://www.politico.com/p/pages/dnc-2012-speeches/
http://www.politico.com/p/pages/rnc-2012-speeches/

Discussion Questions:

• No discussion questions this week.  Focus on completing your essay.

Assignment:

Essay 2, due Friday, October 5th at 11:59 pm.  The assignment sheet is posted to the Lessons page of Angel.

Week 6: Rhetorical Analysis

Homework:

No readings this week.  You should be focusing on analyzing your selected speech for Essay 2.

FOR CLASS WEDNESDAY:  Select your speech for Essay 2.  Review it and take extensive notes.  Bring those notes to class on Wednesday, as we will be working with them.

Resources:

You may use any of the speeches with videos from the following two sites for Essay 2.  Please do not use the text only speeches (though you may review the text of your chosen speech to help you review it more closely).

http://www.politico.com/p/pages/dnc-2012-speeches/
http://www.politico.com/p/pages/rnc-2012-speeches/

Discussion Questions:

• Provide a direct link to your selected speech.  Post your outline for Essay 2 for peer feedback.
• Provide a direct link to your selected speech.  Post your first body paragraph for Essay 2 for peer feedback.

Assignment:

Essay 2, due Friday, October 5th at 11:59 pm.  The assignment sheet is posted to the Lessons page of Angel.

Week 5: Rhetorical Analysis/Logical Fallacies

Practical Argument Readings:

• Chapter 5: “Understanding Logic and Recognizing Fallacies” (89-126)

Presentations:

Check frequently for added links

• Common Logical Fallacies (Auburn University)

Resources:

"Why Bambi Must Go"
"Citizenship to Go"
"UC Problem: When Academics Are Advocates"
"When All Else Fails, Rob the Poor"
"A Big Ask"
"Tutor Trouble"
"Catholics Won't Go Quietly"
"In Arizona, More Birther Buffoonery"

Discussion Questions:

• Review one of the political videos in last week's agenda post for logical fallacies.  Which ones can you find?  How likely do you think the average viewer would be to notice them?  How do they effect your own perception of the effectiveness of the speech?
  
• Choose one of the editorials listed in the Resources section above.  Using the "Template for Rhetorical Analysis" on page 85 of PA as a model, write a brief analysis of your selected reading.
• Choose one of the editorials listed in the Resources section above.  Answer the "Identifying the Elements of Deductive Argument" questions on page 102 of PA of the "Identifying the Elements of Inductive Argument" questions on page 112 of PA.  Explain why you selected the set of questions you did.
• Choose one of the editorials listed in the Resources section above and analyze it for rhetorical fallacies.  Identify the fallacies in the article and explain how and why the writer uses them and whether they undermine his/her overall argument.

Agenda Week 2 - Repost

Practical Argument Readings:

• Chapter 2: “Thinking and Reading Critically” (33-51)
• Chapter 3: “Decoding Visual Arguments” (53-65)

Additional Readings:

“Bound to Buy: The Ten Types of Consumers that Overspend”

Resources:

“Objectification of Women in Comic Books” video

Stanford University index of alcohol advertisements

Discussion Questions:

• Watch the “Objectification of Women in Comic Books" video.  Find an image of a contemporary superhero, male or female.  Post that image here and analyze the physical feasibility and logical purpose for the pose, body shape, and costume.
• Find a screencap from one of your favorite shows, films or video games.  Using the “Template for Responding to Visual Arguments” on page 65 of Practical Argument as a loose model, explain what messages the image sends.
• Perform a critical analysis of Gerard Jones’s “Is Violent Media Good for Kids” (PA 36-9) using the “Questions for Critical Reading" on page 49 of Practical Argument.
• Choose one of the advertising images from the Stanford University index of alcohol advertisements.  Include it in your post, and explain its subject, audience and purpose as well as how it appeals to ethos, pathos and/or logos.
• Read “Bound to Buy: The Ten Types of Consumers that Overspend.”  Do any of these categories describe you?  Have you ever made a purchase that falls into one of these types of consumer behavior?  What motivated it?

Agenda Week 1 - Repost

Practical Argument Readings:

• Introduction: “Understanding Argument” (3-9)
• Chapter 1: “The Structure of Argument” (9-16)

Discussion Questions:

• Post an introduction to the course blog.  Tell us a bit about you.  Where are you from?  What’s your major?  What do you like to do when you’re not in class?  Why did you decide to take ENC 1101 online?  Be sure to tag your post “introduction” so I can easily sort it.

Posting Reminders

I am glad to see the majority of your have worked out all of the kinks and are posting regularly.  However, please review the following two items with regards to blog posts:

1. Blog posts are due by 11:59 pm on Friday.  Responses are due by 11:59 pm on Sunday.  Late posts are not accepted.  I will take the catch up posts which have been added up to this point, but as of now, I will no longer count late posts.
2. Please label your discussions posts with both "DP" and the current week number.  I use these labels to filter posts for grading, so if you don't label your post, it may not be graded.  You can easily go back and update your old posts right now to ensure that I don't miss them.

You are doing a great job with blogging - keep up the good work!

Week 4: Intro to Rhetorical Analysis

Practical Argument Readings:

• Chapter 4: “Writing a Rhetorical Analysis” (67-87)

Presentations:

Check frequently for added links

• Rhetorical Situation (Purdue OWL)
• "The Art of Persuasion: Intro to Rehtorical Analysis (Chaparral Star Academy) )

Resources:

Michelle Obama at the Democratic National Convention:

Ann Romney at the Republican National Convention:

Discussion Questions:

This week, I would like you to answer one question from each of the following question blocks.

Block 1

• Post the image you plan to use for your essay here.  Review the Comprehension Clues checklist on page 54-5 of PA and apply it to your image.  What do the factors reviewed there (or in last week's PowerPoint) tell you about your image?
• Post the image you plan to use for your essay here.  Answer the Questions for Responding to Visual Arguments (PA 63) as they pertain to your image.
  

Block 2

• Watch the speeches posted above (I know they are long).  Choose one of the videos and analyze its rhetorical situation, appeals and rhetorical strategies.  Which parts of the speech effective or ineffective?  Why?  Which of the speeches do you think is most effective?
• Choose one of the speeches above.  Using the "Template for Rhetorical Analysis" on page 85 of PA as a model, write a brief analysis of your selected speech.

Agenda - Week 3: Planning Your Essay

Practical Argument Readings:

• Chapter 7: “Planning, Drafting and Revising an Argumentative Essay” (189-216)

Bedford Handbook Readings:

• Part I: “The Writing Process” (1-35 only)

Presentations:

Check frequently for added links

• Constructing Arguments (Purdue OWL)
• Understanding Visual Arguments (Texas Collaborative for Teaching Excellence)

Discussion Questions:

• Review the assignment sheet for Essay 1.  Find the visual artifact you wish to use for the essay and post it here with a brief outline and explanation of your main points and your working thesis.
• Review the checklist "Questions about Your Essay's Supporting Evidence" on PA 208 and apply it to "Going Green" (PA 212-16).  Post your answers here.
• Review the checklist "Questions about Your Essay's Structure and Style" on PA 209 and apply it to "Going Green" (PA 212-16).  Post your answers here.
• Review the "Checklist for Assessing the Writing Situation" on BH 3-4.  Determine the subject, audience and purpose (rhetorical situation) and sources of information for your upcoming essay.
• Review the "Understanding an Assignment" checklist on BH 9.  Apply it to the assignment sheet for your upcoming essay.  Post your analysis here.

Assignment:

Essay 1, due Friday, September 14th at 11:59 pm.  The assignment sheet is posted to the Lessons page of Angel.  (NOTE:  Since we started off with a half week, I am giving you a couple of extra days for this assignment.)

Important Reminder

Please remember that your discussion posts should be 200-300 words long.  I have also added the label "DP" for you to mark them with to make them easier to identify for grading.

Thanks!

Introductions and Getting Started

We'll be easing into using Angel and the course blog over the first week of the course.
One thing you can do to get started is email your preferred email adress to tania.darlington@sfcollege.edu.  I will need your address to give you posting permissions to the blog, so the earlier you email me, the more quickly we can get started.
Once you have been added as a blog author, post an introduction to the course blog.  Tell us a bit about you.  Where are you from?  What’s your major?  What do you like to do when you’re not in class?  Why did you decide to take ENC 1101 as a hybrid course?  Be sure to tag your post “introduction” so I can easily sort it.

Welcome to Writing About Popular Culture

Welcome to our class blog.  While blogging for a class may be new to you (or maybe you're an old pro!), I find it is one of the easiest ways to foster discussion and pool resources for a hybrid course like ours.

This page will be the hub of our class.  I will be posting assignments, instructions, and resources here regularly, so you should be checking here every day.  Since we only meet face to face once per week, we'll be using this blog as a virtual classroom, and you should expect to see new information here almost every day.

I look forward to getting to know all of you and hearing your opinions over the next several weeks!