Getting Coffee

I will be a little late. Just around the corner.

5/7

All revisions due (Argument Essay, Banksy Essay)

• Extra Credit Due (Sonny's Blues Questions)
• Last Revision Sheet Due

*If you did not attend Monday, I will not have your grade until grades are due 5/20

Evaluations Due Today

Evaluations Click Here

Extra Credit

Click Here For Reading

Reading/Discussion questions for Sonny's Blues

Think about the following questions while you read the selection from James Baldwin's Sonny's Blues. Complete this worksheet for extra credit. Will replace one quiz grade.

1.                  How would you describe the narrator's attitude towards music/life in general? Is he conservative (likes to hold by rules, tends to do what is expected of him), or does he go against society? Write 2-4 sentences, and be sure to cite specific evidence from the text!

2.                  What about Sonny? As above, write 2-4 sentences, and be sure to cite specific evidence.

3.                  Would you say Sonny and the narrator generally understand each others' point of view, or not? 2-4 sentences, cite specific evidence.

4. There are flashbacks in the story you are reading. Compared to the “linear” nature of most stories (the events occur in chronological order), how does the “mixed-up” order of events relate to Jazz music? Be creative, and cite specific evidence.

4/18

No class meeting tomorrow 4/18

Check blog for assignments

4/16 to 4/23

No Class Meeting Tomorrow 4/18

Create an annotated bibliography, include it as your Works Cited page.  Find three sources related to the following topics.  One source must come from JSTOR or EBSCOhost.  Make sure that you are trying your best to find reliable information, especially from certain “newsworthy” sources.  Read the material and provide a brief synopsis/summary for each article or source in your annotation. 

Here are you essay options:

Gun Reform

• Any issues related to gun laws and or reform
• Gun violence
• Statistical information related to guns, firearms
• Race and guns

Women’s Rights /LGBTQIA

• Issues related to abortion rights
• Issues related to the #metoo movement
• Inequalities related to gender

Environment

• Issues related to environmental reform
• Issues related to emission standards and pollution
• Issues related to climate change

Immigration

• Issues related to reform
• Issues related to border security
• Issues related to border culture

Health Care

• Issues related to reform
• Health Care for all
• Issues related to pharmaceutical companies & business  

Essay, Bibliography & Argumentative Checklist Due: 4/23

• Make sure that you address the objectives of each argumentative mode (Toulmin or Rogerian).  
• I will discuss the checklist assignment on our next class meeting 
• 5 pgs. along with your updated annotated bibliography
• 12pt font
• Times New Roman
• Double Spaced
• No Late Assignments Will Be Accepted

4/11

Study for Toulmin & Rogerian argumentative quizzes

I will also be going through a crash course in MLA/APA citations, so if you are unfamiliar on how to cite, you need to be present. 

4/9

Short Essay: Using Visuals to Reinforce Ethical, Emotional, and Logical Appeals

Using 2 of Banksy’s installations, pieces of artwork, or sculptures: Write a short essay (2-3 pgs.) on how Banksy uses his visual art work to evoke ethical, emotional, or logical appeals? 

Consider the following questions when writing your essay:

How does Banksy use satire, parody, or propaganda to comment on sociocultural ideas or conditions? How does he use these ideas to talk about art, consumerism, capitalism, or the environment, society, art, culture, or fashion etc.…? Although outside research is not mandatory, it may help with understanding his artwork. Do not plagiarize or conduct research without first trying to analyze the work on your own. Use the following steps to help you with your essay:

1.    Pick 2 art pieces by Banksy

2.    See if they have a title, sometimes the title of a piece will give you more information about what it is about

3.    Analyze the work/s on your own

4.    What is the bigger idea surrounding the piece/s

5.    Research if necessary

6.    Use five paragraph essay format to write essay

Ø Intro/5 W’s/Thesis (argument)

Ø Body (evidence, support)

Ø Conclusion

You will be graded on the following criteria: (1.) Quality of writing (2.) Clarity, organization of paper, good intro, good closing, well developed paragraphs (3.) meaningful integration of readings and lectures  

4/4

We will be working on a small project dealing with Art and Rhetoric next week.  Define the following and provide responses for the following:

• Define: Parody / Satire / Propaganda (include in your response)
• Look up Banksy, look up the artist's biography and interesting facts
• Watch the following documentary: Click Here
• Write 1 pg response on video (Due 4/4)
• Pop quiz 4/4 

In order to provide context for the lesson next time; I would like for you to look up the following artists:

• Look up artists: Andy Warhol, Jean Michel Basquiat
• Give me some general information on the artists 
• Write 1 page response on WARHOL/BASQUIAT (Due 4/4)

I decided to assign 2 response papers because I need more daily assignments from everyone 

Presentations Due 4/2

Group Presentation INSTRUCTIONS: Part 1

You and your peers will conduct a 10-minute oral presentation (Groups of 4: 15 min). Your focus will be to analyze and construct a formal argument on a reading that we will do this semester.  The reading will lend itself to an open interpretation.  You will be evaluated on your group’s ability to present a relevant, convincing, reasonable argument that will persuade me, along with your audience.  You will also be evaluated on your use and implementation of rhetorical tools and terms discussed in class.  This assignment is worth 20% of your grade. EVERYONE MUST PARTICIPATE and PRESENT.  Failure to participate may result in failing the course. 

RUBRIC/Grading Criteria:

·         You have the autonomy to present any way that you would like.

·         Remember that if you are using Power Point, please limit the amount of information on the slides and instead use note cards

·         Avoid directly reading from slides, face your audience, be prepared and evenly distribute your time among your group members

·         I am looking for a reasonable, convincing, and challenging argument/s

·         Follow the classical model of argumentation: Thesis/Evidence/Support/Conclusion

·         Be prepared for rebuttals or opposing views

“Remember that the very reason for engaging in argument is to try and resolve a disagreement, to show that one claim is more deserving of acceptance than other claims. To succeed in this goal, you need to do more than present compelling evidence; you must also show why your challengers’ views (together with the evidence they present) are either incorrect or flawed” (p.7).

·      Outside sources are welcomed but are not necessary

·      The presentation is time sensitive so make sure that you present within the time parameters

PRESENTATION PROMPT

As a group, your assignment will be to critically think about the feature article from New York Times titled: He Helped Build an Artists’ Utopia. Now He Faces Trial for 36 Deaths There. As a group you will discuss the case according to the article details and come up with your own verdict. As a group you will present a formal argument where you will examine the case along with the evidence provided and attempt to influence and persuade your audience with a reasonable and logical debate. Think of this as a courtroom setting where you will make a case to deliver a sentencing.  Use the rhetorical tools discussed in class to deliver a quality argument.  Please follow the presentation instructions and if you have any question leave me a comment on blogger.       

PRESENTATIONS DUE: 4/2

If you were absent 3/26

If you were absent on 3/26 you need to attend Thursday 3/28 class meeting

• you need to be assigned a group 
• you need to know particulars of the assignment
• if you do not attend you will not be able to participate and will receive a failing grade for the assignment 

For all others: Thursday 3/28 is not a mandatory meeting but I expect everyone to be prepared 

• Get together with your groups and discuss the assignment.
• If you have any questions send me an email or post comment below in the blogger. 

3/26

Begin reading the following article for next week.

• Take notes
• Be ready to discuss
• Be prepared for a quiz
• Write 1 page response

Click Here

3/21

Part 1

Watch the following videos:

• Print the Poem: Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
• Write a 1 page response on both videos (half on one video, half on the other video)
• Pay attention to the oral delivery of each presenter
• What are some of the themes presented?
• Why is the conversation or presentation relevant? 
• What kind of evidence is provided?
• What are some of the challenging views?
• Lastly how do the presenters express their reasoning?

Dr. Maya Angelou

Malcolm X

Part 2

Watch the following video: Click Here For Video

• You will be quizzed on the information presented in the video next class period

Compose your own version of "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou (will count as 1 response paper)

• Keep the same thematic elements in mind for your poem
• Minimum of 4-5 stanza's, at least three lines per stanza
• Please be original and have fun with this
• Type out your poem and we will read them next time in class

Also, please be ready to discuss Malcolm X's interview as it relates to the Ch. 1 notes on arguments.

Welcome

I want to take this opportunity to welcome everyone to our class forum. I will be integrating our readings, announcements, workshops, assignments, and discussions on here.  It would be wise if you begin to familiarize yourselves with the page. I look forward to meeting everyone. Look for more updates soon.