1. We will begin with the sharing of the art. Here was the assignment.
Locate a work of art featuring your gadget! Include it in the following:
A. Create a visual electronic representation of your gadget. You may include a professional artist's or photographer's work.
B. Give credit to the source. This can be as simple as a PowerPoint page or two. Or, you may use one of the many sites that are out there to help you organize your visuals.
Consider taking pictures of the gadget. Consider taking pictures of users, yourself included.
C. Bring the "project" to class on Tuesday. You are limited to three slides. We will share these.
D.Be sure your work is on a Jump Drive! No exceptions! 30 points for the PowerPoint - 20 points for sharing.
If you have not saved your work to a jump drive, you may borrow mine for this activity.
This is how the presentation will go:
A. Show the art. Explain why you selected this particular piece of technology. Explain what the artist is saying about the work of art. If there are symbols in the colors, explain what they represent. Example: Red often represents courage or anger, depending on what else is going on. White often stands for purity or for oblivion depending on the rest of the work. Think. Make some connections.
B. Explain how you plan to use this information in your essay. What do you want others to know and to do about your selected technology?
As you listen, think of a question to ask the presenter, or think of a statement to make about the art or object. I would like to hear at least two remarks per presentation. I will keep track.
(You will be given two slips of paper. Write your name on each. When you ask a question or make a statement, give your name slip to me. Five points will be awarded per question for a total of 10. Post "finished" MyCompLab so that I can award the points.)
2. Let's take a look at the writing assignment:
Technology – Friend or Foe?
For this essay, you are writing to convince the opposition. Consider the dangers and advantages of technology. For this essay, you must pick a side. Think of this essay as a debate on paper. You must know what the opposition thinks, but you do not support that point of view.
I. Introduction –
a. Identify the specific technology you will be discussing – cell phone, computer, automobile, dishwasher, microwave, GPS, etc.
b. Capture the attention of the audience in the normal way with startling statistics, an interesting anecdote, a quotation from an expert, lines from a song or poem, a thought provoking question, etc. In short, make sure that what you say makes the reader want to know more.
c. In addition, state your thesis – make your point of view clear! (Some of you may be taking a creative approach. See me if this is the case.)
II. The body of the paper will do several things –
a. Convince the reader that their either need or do not need the technology.
b. Provide a brief history of the specific technology you plan to discuss. What was life like before its invention? When was it invented? How has it evolved? What is its story?
c. Provide clear evidence to support your point of view. You must have proof from
i. At least three experts/sources.
ii. A current news source such as a newspaper or magazine article or news cast.
iii. An interview with at least one user.
iv. A personal anecdote.
v. Lines from literature – poem, short story, or novel. Use lines from "The Veldt", “There Will Come Soft Rains”, or other SciFi literature.
vi. Strong statistics from an expert source.
vii. Reference to an art selection.
The body of the paper will be several paragraphs in length.
III. Conclusion –
Wrap it up for the readers. Leave them with a call to action to either give up or get the gadget you are supporting. Be sure they know why they need or do not need one. Consider:
a. Convenience
b. Cost
c. Safety
d. Environmental impact
e. Impact on society
Guidelines/Tips:
http://www.canberra.edu.au/studyskills/writing/introductions
http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/intros.html
Let's take a look at some. Each table will be given an introduction to review. Discuss:
A. Would you want to read the rest of the essay? Explain.
B. If the answer is "yes", what made it interesting?
C. If the answer is "no", what would have worked better? Give specific suggestions.
D. Think about the guidelines we reviewed in class. Is your assigned introduction a good one? Why or why not?
See the following:
Group 1: P. 425
Group 2: p. 257 - fist two paragraphs under "Join the Flock!"
Group 3: p. 203 - first three paragraphs under "Let's Talk About Sex."
Group 4: p. 163 - first two paragraphs under "Soulful Survivor Sewing"
Group 5: p. 159 - first two paragraphs on the page.
Group 6: p. 101 - first three paragraphs on the page
Be sure to read the title of your assigned work. To what extent is the title a part of the introduction? How important is the title? What are the features of a good title?
http://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Catchy-Title-for-Your-Paper/Essay
4. Now it is time to put YOU into the essay by providing a personal story or experience.
Consider including some of the following:
A. First memory of the object
B. Good experience
C. Bad experience
D. Recent use
(Details are important. Consider the use of the five senses in your memory. Conversation is important. Dialogue makes writing come alive.)
Homework: Write a 1/2 to 1 page "memory" of an experience with your technology. Post in MyCompLab. (25 pts)
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)
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.
