Journal 10

Let's do a simple brainstorm again. You are going to be working in groups to create an interesting and original blog about some issue in American culture. Your options are endless. I've had students write about the weird things people do while driving; I've had students write about the greatest football tackles of all time; I've had students document the bizarre and extreme plastic surgeries that celebrities have and the public response. The idea is to pick something that you think will really, really excite your audience because it's fun and interesting and shocking, etc. Blogs are meant to entertain.

You don't need to respond to a peer, but write a paragraph thinking about some ideas that you would be interested in doing. Be specific and think original. When you get into groups, this will help speed up which idea you decide to do together and you can get started on a plan for the group work days next week.

FYI, these are my favorite projects of the semester because my students always do really wonderful topics and we have a good time looking at them on present days ;)

Journal 9

For this journal, I want you to find a complex image--an advertisement, a political cartoon, a commercial, a photograph, etc--and paste it into your post. Analyze the image using 2-3 of our key terms, like you would in your paper. I encourage you to consider posting the image you want to use in your paper that way I can respond if I see one that just isn't going to work well; plus, you'll have some peer response to help you.

In your peer response, I want you to again choose another key term (that the author hasn't used) and add to their analysis in 3-4 sentences. Really try to give them some ideas/details they could use for another term. This will be helpful as you start your drafts.

Journal 8

We need to continue practicing how to rhetorically analyze an image. So, choose one of the images from this week's reading and do the following: 1) Identify, in a thesis statement, the argument the image is making and 2) Use one of our key words to analyze it (medium, purpose, audiences, design, structure, subjects, logos, ethos, pathos, or kairos)

In your response to a peer, continue their analysis by using a DIFFERENT key term.

Journal 7

Time to recall the skills we learned for paper one, rhetorical analysis. We are beginning a unit that will ask you to analyze visual arguments: bumper stickers, posters, political cartoons, advertisements, commercials, photographs, etc. You've read about visuals aimed at politics and advocacy and should be able to define what will be our key terms for this unit: subjects, purpose, audiences, contexts, medium, structure, and design. Of course, we will also need logos, ethos, pathos, and kairos. Choose one of the images in the series from today's reading and answer all three questions Beyond Words poses for that image.

In your response to your peer, you may want to reflect on how their analysis makes you see the image differently than you did before. You may want to add analysis they missed. You may want to challenge their analysis and present a counterargument to the argument the image makes. You have many options, but remember that we are down to our last three journals so you'll want to think about answers that give more than a basic response.

Journal 6

It's time to think about counterarguments; in other words, how do we address and present opposing views? To begin, consider the excerpt below. In response to the question "Should animals be kept in zoos," Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus of Columbus Zoo, answers affirmatively since zoos provide both education and conservation. Read his response below and provide the counterargument. So, like you did for your issue question and working thesis statement, what opposing claims and because clauses can you come up with to argue that animals should not be kept in zoos? Write your answer in paragraph format rather than a bullet list like we did for that assignment.

"Zoos have to educate the public about the value of animals so that they understand the importance of conservation. After a fun experience at the zoo, people leave with a newfound knowledge and understanding. How are they going to learn these things if they don’t get to see the animals? Zoos and aquariums give people an appreciation for the animals. They need to see, listen to, and smell an elephant. Viewing an animal on TV does not give a person the same kind of love and respect for the creature as seeing it in person does.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is the major accrediting body for zoos in North America . AZA’s standards require excellence in animal care and welfare, conservation, education, and research before a zoological park is eligible to receive their stamp of approval. Accredited zoos all over the country are actively supporting conservation projects in the wild. Most zoos are actively involved in numerous projects to preserve and rescue a wide range of endangered species from elephants to amphibians. In 2007 alone, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium raised over $716,000 for field conservation. Because of tireless conservation efforts, species like the snow leopard and the mountain gorilla have overcome near extinction and will have the opportunity to see future generations."

Journal 5

Using what you learned about introductions from The Curious Researcher reading, check out the feature article in Beyond Words on page 50, "Watching TV Makes You Smarter." Think about how the opening of the piece is structured. How does the author include a hook? How does the author address the context and background information? What is the thesis? Where is it located? In your response to this journal, I want you to give some thought to the first several paragraphs of this piece. It's a short article, so you may want to read the whole thing, but you will at least need to read up to subheading "Revised Intelligence" to answer this journal effectively. It is important, however, that you reference specifics from The Curious Researcher in your answer.

New Blog Title

Please join me in congratulating Oyuki on our great new blog title!!!