Blog Post #7

In this post, I'd like you to think about one of your favorite videos/webpages/form of digital communication and start to break down what it's doing. Create a 300-word post, adding the hyperlink to the site/video and examining it. Consider what its visuals/text tell you about its creators and its audience. Who are they? How do we know? Think about its medium and its design principles. Why choose these elements to create the message? Think about its organization. Is it easy to follow?

Please post your 300 word analysis to your blog by 8 am on Wednesday, April 16. Let me know if you have any questions.

Post #6

Over the break, I'd like you to think about what kinds of information your group still needs to make its argument effectively. To that end, each of you should find a new source of research and report about it in blog #6. You'll find a new source and write up a short summary about it. This summary should include what information it contains, whether it is credible, and how you think this information will contribute to your argument. The post should be no less than 300 words. Make sure to include the citation at the end.

This post is due Monday, March 24 by 8 am. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Post #5

For this blog post, I'd like you to begin thinking about what you'll be arguing in your group speech. Choose one of the argument systems that we talked about in class on Wednesday (Classical, Rogerian, Toulmin, or Monroe's Motivated Sequence) and begin to formulate your group's argument in those terms.  Avoid being simplistic, wherever possible, using the structure to explore the possibilities of the argument. Discuss the types of evidence you have or, in lieu of having it, the types of evidence that you'll need to prove this claim. You should write at least 350 words.

Additionally, to get our work started for Friday, I'd like you to think about the group work you've done in the past and the possible snafus you might experience. With that in mind, write 1-2 sentences about a behavior (or behaviors) that you would like your group members to agree to follow throughout the duration of your time together. 

Please post by Friday, March 14 at the beginning of class (8 am). As always, let me know if you run across any questions!

Post #4

For this post, I would like to identify the stakeholder that you'll be taking on for your stakeholder speech, whether it be an individual or a group. Write a sentence delineating how this stakeholder connects to your group's issue and why you chose to tackle this stakeholder. Then, I want you to find a source written or produced by your stakeholder; read it and summarize the argument being made by your stakeholder in it. Make sure to use evidence where possible to support your summary. Also, include a citation in MLA format for the source you found.

All in all, the post should be a minimum of 300 words. Please post by 8 am on Friday, February 7. As always, let me know if you have any questions or run into any trouble finding sources!

Post #3

For your third post, I'd like you to reflect on the topic speeches that you did in class on Monday. To help you do this, please watch the Class Capture of your speech, available on Blackboard. (The link for the Class Capture is on the left toolbar--click it, open the folder, and the only class capture available should be labeled "Topic Speeches.") As painful as it may be, watch your speech and take notes. Think about what you did well and what you would like to improve. Take notes not only on the content, but on your delivery, as this is your "default" delivery setting. Write a reflection of 150-200 words and post it on your blog.

Please post by the beginning of class (8 am) on Friday, January 31. And as always, let me know if you have any questions.

Post #2

For your second post, I'd like you to consider topics that you might like to tackle for this semester's projects. Remember, it should be a "public controversy that is currently in the news at the local and national levels." To help you gather ideas, mine the brainstorming activities we've been completing for possible issues. Or visit a few websites, checking out what hot topics are in the news lately. Here are some helpful sites:

• Room for Debate NYT (http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate) 
• The Year Ahead in Court Battles (http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/01/the-year-ahead-in-court-battles/282670/)
• The Great American Gender Debates of 2013 (http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/12/the-great-american-gender-debates-of-2013/282419/)
• Top 10 Legislative Issues to Watch for in 2014 (http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/gov-2014-legislative-issues-to-watch.html)

Ultimately, I'd like you to post three possible topics that you want to work with and why you want to work with each. Be as specific as you can, writing about 50 words for each. This will help you start to not only narrow possibilities, but begin to articulate material for your first speech.

Please post by 8:00 am on Friday, January 24. Let me know if you have any questions.

Post #1

For your first post, I want you to begin to take notice of all of the arguments that are happening around you. Try to counteract Carr's argument that we can only shallowly consider the world around us. Examine objects, ads, texts, words spoken by you or others for the possible arguments they make. Pick five things that you notice that interest you. Tell us what they are, what argument(s) you think they make, and why they are interesting to you. You should write about 100 words for each item you notice, totaling 500 words for the post.

Please post by Monday, January 20th at 11:59 pm.