At a Glance

Here is a quick agenda for the remaining two weeks.

First, debates will continue on Wednesday. Please bring a Works Cited page for the sources you used for both of your topics; do not just bring one for the whole group. I want to see the research you did individually.

Second, the prompt for Essay #3 is on the class website here, a few entries below this one if you haven't noticed (it has since been moved to the page right before this one if you click "older posts" at the bottom of the page). That should explain what is required for the last essay. You should begin thinking about topics. If you have any doubt whether or not your topic is acceptable, ask me as soon as possible. Do not wait until you have written the rough draft to find out that it will not work. If you would like to write about one of the topics you argued for during the debates, that is fine; however, you must take the opposing position.

Third, you must bring a rough draft of Essay #3 to class on Monday, December 6th. We will do our last peer review in class that day. And have our last journal entry that evening.

Fourth, both Essay #3 and the revisions for Essay #2 will be due on Wednesday, December 8th. This is will also be the day of our FINAL (meaning we will not meet during finals week). Please bring a blue book to class during our normal class time. That will be the last time you have to see me.

Finally, almost none of you have gone to the Writing Center this semester, which means if you do not get in there soon, you will lose some easy points. It seems those of you concerned about your grade are not doing everything in your power to help it. :-(

Let me know if you have any questions.

The Beginning of the End

Debates will begin Tomorrow and continue throughout the week.

You and your group should have a good understanding of both of your topics and what you are going to talk about.

Know your fallacies, since you can earn extra points by pointing those out by name in the debate.

You should also have begun thinking about topics for your final paper. The end of the semester is quickly approaching, so this week you should be working on generating ideas for your paper, as the rough draft will be due on Monday (12/06).
Note: you should have received a Microsoft Office file from me via email. This is to help you guys format your essays.

Finally, you should have read the pages about citing sources and evaluating web pages. If you have questions about that, let me know, but remember there is no response due.

Research and Sources

Please read the pages I emailed you entitled "A Troubleshooting Guide to Research."

You should also read the page on Evaluating Web Pages at http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html
Consider the importance of this information beyond just this class.
I have decided you do not need to do a response for both of these assignments, but I HIGHLY recommend you read them in full. They really aren't that long. They should also help you in your debates and upcoming papers (remember the paper requires a scholarly source).

Debate Groups and Topics

Topic #1: EUTHANASIA
Group #1: Bao, John, Sofia, and Mark Stance: Against
Group #3: Caitlin, Kristin, Andrew, and Dominic Stance: Pro

Topic #2: DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL
Group #4: Tabitha, Vanessa, Torie, Amanda Stance: Pro
Group #6: Armand, Tayla, Dustin, Rochelle, and Melissa Stance: Against

Topic #3: LOWERING THE DRINKING AGE
Group #5: Jenny, Melody, Marlene, and Marco Stance: Pro
Group# 2: Ally, Stephanie, Jeff, and Yui Stance: Against

Topic #4: DEATH PENALTY
Group #5: Jenny, Melody, Marlene, and Marco Stance: Pro
Group #4: Tabitha, Vanessa, Torie, Amanda Stance: Against

Topic #5: FULL BODY SCANNERS AT AIRPORTS
Group #3: Caitlin, Kristin, Andrew, and Dominic Stance: Pro
Group #1: Bao, John, Sofia, and Mark Stance: Against

Topic #6: ANIMAL TESTING
Group #6: Armand, Tayla, Dustin, Rochelle, and Melissa Stance: Against
Group# 2: Ally, Stephanie, Jeff, and Yui Stance: Pro

Remember to please check your email and the class website frequently and to stay in touch with your group.

My (busted) Shoes

So I mentioned that you guys have to go online to Turnitin.com and look at the comments I gave you on Essay #2 and see what you think I would give you. Remember to consider formatting, lateness, and page/word length when evaluating your own work. I want you to give me an honest opinion, not what you hope I would give you if I slipped and fell in to a pool of radioactive opium. Explain why you are giving yourself this grade in a short typed response.
Here are the criteria I grade on:
Prewriting: (Includes Outlines, Rough Drafts, and most importantly Peer review - which is the main thing I look at)

10 points

Clarity: (Includes syntax, grammar, word choice, verb tense, awkward sentences, and overall coherence)

20 points

Flow: (Includes having one clear main point per paragraph, having those paragraphs in some sort of logical order, and transitioning between those paragraphs, as well as between the ideas within them)

20 points

Details: (Details are specific elements from the advertisement/movie/game. Note: too many details can be bad, as it will begin to look like summary)

10 points

Analysis: (Includes an explanation of the details, the appeals, the audience, and any other element that is important within the ad/movie/game)

20 Points

Form: (These are the easy points. They Includes a proper title, introduction, thesis, and conclusion, as well as minor formatting issues, such as the header. Note: This is not the only category that suffers when a paper is not formatted correctly or long enough)

20 points

Total = 100 points

It's Science!

Sometimes, when I am just sitting around in front of my computer, avoiding the work I have to do (much like you guys), I take a minute to watch an Internet video or two.
Granted that I am a rather strange guy, here is one that I think is interesting and even relevant to our class.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMFPe-DwULM
It is not an assignment and it is not very long, but I recommend watching it for no other reason than learning something.
It's about magnets, and there are some technical phrases used, but do not let that distract you, or turn you off, as it is not really about technical stuff at all. It is about analysis.
I also think that if you had a science teacher in your life who had as much passion as Richard Feynman here, you probably would not be so repulsed by mere mention of technical jargon such as "electrical forces".

If you watch it, you may discover something that I have been talking about all semester, which is that the skills of analysis go far beyond just an English class. All disciplines are interrelated.
Even the fields of study perceived to be the opposite of English (the sciences for instance) rely heavily on a person's ability to explain "why". In fact, the problems many of you are facing in analyzing why something means "this" or says "that" is because you are not sure what you are permitted to assume. If you watch it, I would be happy to discuss your thoughts with you. :-)

Just thought I'd share.

Something Wal-Mart This Way Comes

I have mailed you all some pages containing some fallacies that I want you to familiarize yourself with. In addition to the fallacies in the reading, you should find one of your own and document it (meaning you research it yourself). The only page requirement for this portion of the assignment is that it sufficient enough to explains the fallacy in your own words, where you found it, and contains any other information you think is important.

Second go to: http://www.southparkstudios.com/guide/809/
And watch the episode of South Park relating to Walmart.
In a one page response, consider: How it compares to "The High Costs of Low Prices"?
Although it is crude, analyze the argument of the show.
You might also consider things like: What is the show's stance on Walmart?
How can you tell? Does it use any of the fallacies?

Finally, you should begin thinking about your topic for the next essay.

Essay #3: Argumentative Essay

Swanlund

English 101

Rough Draft Due 12/06/10
Final Draft Due 12/08/10

Essay Assignment #3 – Argumentative Essay

Arguments are a part of everyday life and a major component of your college work. In fact, I believe you can become a better citizen if you know how to disassemble arguments and create your own, as you will be able to make choices for yourself and question those made by people around you – or even those in power. I also believe that if you cannot argue your point, you are a detriment to your cause, as you must not only believe in something and support it, you must also know why. So for this essay you must write a well-developed, cohesive paper that states a point and supports it. Additionally, you must support your point with at least one scholarly source, as knowing how to research an idea before arguing it is extremely important.

Write a 4 page paper minimum (roughly 1,400 words) in which you argue a position. This position can be virtually anything: taking a side on a political controversy, propose a policy change, provide an answer to a personal crisis, something you want, etc. Whatever your topic, you must focus on a debatable point—something someone could, theoretically, at least, disagree with. However, you must pick something that can be supported with evidence, so try to stay away from faith based arguments (things like abortion and so on). If you would like to argue on something that often uses a faith-based argument but approach it in a different way, you may talk to me.

Additionally, you must avoid fallacies. Fallacies in your argument not only weaken your ethos on the position, as they show you do not have a grasp of logic, they do not provide a valid argument, and thus will not satisfy this assignment.

Remember to place your thesis statement at the end of the introduction in which you clearly articulate your topic and your stance regarding your topic, so that your argument is explicitly clear from the beginning. You will also need to include a counterargument in which you recognize and address the major opposition to your view point. As always, papers shorter than the four-page absolute minimum will be severely penalized or summarily failed, depending on how short the essay is. There will be no second chances on this one. If you anticipate wanting to revise, you might want to get your paper to me before the deadline; however, this does not guarantee that I will get to it before the end of the semester, so try to turn in your best work the first time around. Talk to me if you have questions. I am happy to help.

Choose a topic you are interested in and write a well-developed, cohesive essay arguing your point. Make sure you acknowledge the opposing side’s argument in a counterargument and include at least one (no more than three) scholarly source.

The essays must be:

- Double spaced                                                          

- **Typed in 12-pt Times New Roman font**

- **At least 4 full pages long.**

- and Follow MLA guidelines for citations and format

Note: Failure to comply with these specifications will result in an unredeemable loss of points.

Warrants, Claims, Fallacies, Oh my!

First, you guys should have gotten two emails. (Check)
The Elements of an Argument (Warrant, Claim, etc) were broken into two emails, but the files should be in the correct order. Please, read those 9 pages. They are not that long. Try to familiarize yourself with the ideas and terminology. You do not need to write a response, but I recommend doing what you have to to understand them.

Second, please bring your partner evaluations for Essay #2 if you haven't already.

Finally, if you have not yet presented, you will go on Monday, so make sure you are prepared.

Peer Reviews and Workshops

Please bring copies of your peer review for Wednesday's class. Make sure both you and your partner's names are on it and that it is clear who was the author and who was the reviewer.

Also, make sure you go to the Writing Center before the end of the semester. Since you guys are supposed to be working on revisions this week, that is a great way to help your revision and get the points for going to the Writing Center. (Two kittens, one stone)

There is a workshop this Friday, November 12 at 2:30 in UH-319 (please note, that is not actually in the Writing Center itself). This workshop will count for a visit to the Writing Center but don't assume all workshops will count.

Presentations and Papers

Tonight's homework is rather simple: find at least one person to read your essay and return the favor. You can meet in person or email each other your papers, but you need to get some feedback. Do not correct each other's papers, but do offer each other constructive criticism. That means pointing out what is off topic or detrimental to another person's grade AND pointing out what is especially good so that student knows what he/she is doing right. Try not to be mean, but know that not pointing these things out means you do not care, and that is even meaner.
Also, for Wednesday's class, please bring an updated rough draft of this essay.

Presentations will begin on Wednesday (11/03) and will continue on to next week. There is a sign up sheet on my door so come by and put your name down. Be warned: those who do not sign up on their own by Wednesday will be given an empty slot, and that could mean that you will have to go Wednesday.
Be prepared (even if you think there is no possible way that you could go that day) -- those who are not prepared will lose points.
Note: There is roughly 27 of you, so that means that around 9 people will have to go each day. Take a look at your number and with a little application of arithmetic, you will have a general idea of which of the three days you are going to go on. Make sure that if you are close to the 9th or 18th position, you are ready.

+ Being prepared means knowing your material, having something prepared to talk about, and knowing how or where to find and quickly display your advertisement for the class. Being prepared also means effectively using your 4-5 minutes.

During the week of presentations, and after the essay has been turned in, I recommend you spend time revising Essay #1, as the revision for this essay is due (hard copy with highlighted changes) at the end of November (11/29).

Finally, Essay #2 will be due Friday (11/05) so that you guys have a few extra days to work on it. Remember, I want to see proper formatting and work that you feel best showcases your writing, as well as your analytical abilities.
Also note that if you were absent for peer review, or are unable to find a partner, you need to go to the Writing Center and go over your paper with a tutor. Remember to get them to stamp your rough draft before you leave. You must do this before you turn your Final Draft in for the points to count.

Please come talk to me or send me an email if you have any questions.