Friday, November 22, 2013

My students are amazing!!  You guys blew some minds...

Brainstorm reflection  (Due December 3)
Reflection Questions:
1. Describe the project and give it context.
2. What have you learned about rhetoric, ideology, and the American experience?
3. How did you connect to this project?  What did you like most about learning about these topics?
4. What was difficult/challenging about this project?  What would you do differently if you had it to do over again?
5. What have you discovered about your own emerging ideology as a young American?

Odds and Ends
1. Student Survey:  Why Animas?
2. Student Survey:  Dress Code
3. I have learned....
4. Op-Ed due at midnight

Famous Rhetoric:  JFK's inaugural speech (Jan 1961)

Wednesday, November 20, 2013


Monday, November 18, 2013

Exhibition Week: Monday-Wednesday

"Students should not only be trained to live in a democracy when they grow up; they should have the chance to live in one today."--Alfie Kohn


Agenda for these three days:
1) Critique
2) Refinement
3) Get inspired!


THURSDAY:  GRADED REHEARSAL
OFFICE HOURS:  Tuesday AND Wednesday after school


Critique:  Whole Class
1)  Someone should time each presenter
2)  We will examine the same questions as last week's critique, so audience members should jot down notes on the following:

  • Strengths
  • Perspective (Is it clear and effectively transmitted?)
  • Appeals and Rhetorical Devices
  • Audience Impact
  • Refinements and Suggestions

3)  Feedback Session:  Presenter should take notes!

Friday, November 15, 2013

Odds and Ends...
1.  Sign-up for Critique!
2.  Graded rehearsal Thursday
3.  Let's name this thing!
4.  Op-Ed due next Friday.
5.  Office hours next Tuesday after school if you need more help or practice.


Group Critique


WORK TIME!!  Let's get this done


Weekend Homework:  Project Beautification!  Your project should be complete and ready to practice in its (semi)final form on the day of your critique.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Starter:  Jot down and share with a partner the following:
1) your plans for your oral project
2) your struggles
3) which Aristotelian appeals you will use
4) which rhetorical devices you will use

Models
Music:  "Masters of War" by Bob Dylan
Oratory examples
Discuss:  What makes for good oratory?

Work time!
If you did not conference with me yesterday, you must today!!

DRAFT DUE TOMORROW!!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

"If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter."--Blaise Pascal

Draft Feedback Debrief
1. Read and reflect on my feedback.  
2. Pair share:  What are the greatest areas of refinement that you need to make on your Op-Ed?
3. Look over "Common Issues in your Op-Ed Articles."  Read over your draft and check the boxes that you think apply to you.
4.  Deadline pushed back:  due by midnight on Friday, November 22.


Rhetorical Discourse Performance Project
1.  Exhibition is scheduled!  November 21 (next Thursday) at iAM studio!  Where my coordinators at?
2.  Models of political discourse, done creatively:
3.  Consume more models related to your topic and/or your medium?
4.  If you are struggling with turning your topic into a creative oral piece, talk to me about how you can craft a different piece of discourse that expresses ideology.
5.  EXIT TICKET:  Describe to me your plan for your oral discourse project IN DETAIL!!!

Friday, November 8, 2013

What are the expectations of the oral project?

What are some handy devices for effective oral discourse?


Rhetorical Devices Activity
1.  In groups (or solo if you choose), come up with original examples of each rhetorical device.  You may draw on the course concepts or make up silly examples.  I recommend that for at least some of them, you play with political ideas.  Think about how politicians and other rhetoricians can use the devices.
2.  Record your examples on this Google Doc.
3.  Review the examples of year peers.
4.  Consider how you might incorporate some of the devices into your own project.


HOMEWORK OVER YOUR FOUR DAY WEEKEND
Brainstorm and plan your oral project!  Once you have a plan, begin to draft and create it!



Thursday, November 7, 2013

Peer Critique!

Critique Guidelines

Review Setting up Quotations!

Complete draft due to me by email by the beginning of class tomorrow!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Brainstorm in partners.
1.  What should we call our exhibition?
2.  Tell your partner what you are thinking about for your oral project.


Op-Ed Self Critique


Revise Draft for Peer Critique tomorrow!

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Gallery Walk:  Ashley's Project

Model Critique:  Read and analyze one of the Op-Eds from "The Morality of Politics and Justice" project.
1.  What is the thesis of the piece?
2.  How does the Op-Ed effect you as an audience member?
3.  Using the list below, give three pieces of concrete feedback to the essay.

Common features of an Op-Ed
  • Shorter paragraphs
  • Concise writing
  • Each paragraph has one idea or topic
  • Punchy sentences that are engaging
  • Logos, ethos, and pathos (pathos should not be overdone!)
  • Reader is left with a suggested solution, resolution, or recommendation for action
  • Evidence is used effectively throughout
  • Every paragraph supports the thesis
  • Refutes point(s) of the opposition
  • Conclusion drives the point home

Monday, November 4, 2013

Model  Op-Ed:  Would we rather invest in preschools or prisons?  
By Nicholas Kristoff, The New York Times

Using the rubric, "grade" Kristoff's Op-Ed

Together, discuss to what degree Kristoff's article contains these common features of Op-Ed pieces:
  1. Shorter paragraphs
  2. Concise writing
  3. Each paragraph has one idea or topic
  4. Punchy sentences that are engaging
  5. Logos, ethos, and pathos (pathos should not be overdone!)
  6. Reader is left with a suggested solution, resolution, or recommendation for action
  7. Evidence is used effectively throughout
  8. Every paragraph supports the thesis
  9. Refutes point(s) of the opposition
  10. Conclusion drives the point home

WORK TIME!  Draft #1 Due Tomorrow