Happy November 1

Class Work

Homework Review

Homework: Write a 1/2 to 1 page "memory" of an experience with your technology. Post in MyCompLab. (25 pts)

Let's start here...Share your introduction with the others at your table. Homework: Write a draft of the introduction to your essay. You will probably revise later as introductions often present themselves as the paper develops. Give it your best shot. (25 pts) Each table will nominate a reader to share his or her introduction with the class.

Homework: Locate statistics related to your "technology". (5 pts.)Post the information in MyCompLab along with the source. (5 pts.) In addition, explain in two sentences if you agree or disagree with the information. (5 pts.) There is a total of 15 points for this activity.

Homework: Locate an inaugural address from the President of the United States of your choice. Either bring a paper copy to class on Thursday or be able to locate it quickly on the computer. We will be looking at persuasive techniques.

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1. Are you a weasel when you write?
2. What are weasel words?
http://voices.yahoo.com/what-weasel-words-1811533.html
3. How advertisers use weasel words...

http://public.wsu.edu/~taflinge/words.html

Writers also use weasel words and other "illogical" techniques...see pp. 112-114 in Write Now (Group activity)


"Double Speak" by William Lutz
http://www.dt.org/html/Doublespeak.html

4. Take a look at the Presidential inaugrial address you selected. Read it. Are there any "weasel words?"
5. Look on-line for a political ad - one from each party. What persuasive techniques are used? (Share with your table - share with the class.)

6. Logos, Ethos, and Pathos ... types of appeals ... see p. 111 in Write Now.

7. Hint: All of these "words and techniques" may seem to be confusing. Here is an easy fix - if a reader finishes your selection and can honestly anser the question, "Does this make sense?" with a "YES!" then you have communicated.

8. Learn to use claims, reasons, and evidence...p. 98 in Write Now. What claim or claims will you make about your "technology"? Why? (Answer with  "because".) Your answers to why/because are your reasons. You need two or three for each claim. Each reason must also be supported with evidence. This is where your research, personal examples, and interviews can be used. Be sure to keep track of your sources.

9. Helpful guidelines for writing a persuasive/argumentative paper:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/argument.htm

10. In-text citations: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/research/mlaparen.html
Also see pp. 384-386 in Write Now for samples.

Homework: Take a look at a sample Position Paper: "Biogenetic Engineering: a Gamble for a Bright Future."
http://www.merlynspen.org/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/29163/search/true

What does the author claim? What are the reasons? What evidence is provided?  Post the answers in MyCompLab. Label each.  Look back at p. 98 in Write Now if you need to review claims, reasons, and evidence.

Homework: Write the body of your own paper. The claim should be in the introduction. You already submitted that. (It answers the question, "What's your point?") The body of the paper will give the reader the reasons why the claim is true. This will be at least six paragraphs. Note your sources with in-text citations. Post in MyCompLab.

Please bring a paper copy to class or be able to quickly locate it on any computer. (Jump drive or e-mail to yourself is fine.)