Saturday, February 16, 2008
CR #5: Book Selection Update
In a 500 word response, please discuss the book you've selected for your final research paper. Explain why you made your selection and how the book may help in your research. Remember that the final research paper is on a topic of your choosing. You may also take the time in this CR to elaborate on possible topics for your paper. DUE Monday, February 18.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Essay #2: Arguing for the Environment on Film
SKILLS:
Analysis of two sources
Searching subject specific databases
The Set-Up: After viewing “Grizzly Man,” a film about the life and death of wildlife preservationist Timothy Treadwell, and reading a variety of essays that deal with human interaction with the natural world, we may begin to see patterns in the way people argue for environmental issues on film and in writing. One productive strategy for developing a deeper understanding of any topic is to engage with a range of arguments that address it, and then to closely and critically examine the key points of disagreement between them.
Prompt: Essay 2 invites you write a 5-6 page essay that analyzes the argument for environmental preservation in "Grizzly Man" and one of the following movies: "Erin Brockovitch", "Happy Feet", "The Candidate", or an environmental film of your choice (visit The Grinning Planet for an extensive list of environmental films). You must use information from at least two scholarly sources you located using subject specific databases, to support the essay.
Questions to Consider (i.e. potential theses): Consider the different perspectives of the relationship between humankind and nature. At what point does a conservationist go “too far”? How does popular media shape American attitudes towards conservation? Can you apply rhetorical strategies to a film? If so, what is the claim of each movie? How does it defend its claim? What is the value of activism and passion? Is it valuable even when that passion is misguided?
Criteria: You will need to search subject databases for two scholarly sources related to your topic. You will also have to choose one of the movies above (or one of your choosing) and watch it carefully, comparing and/or contrasting the argument the film presents with "Grizzly Man". Your paper will need an original thesis that attempts to explain how your chosen film imparts its message. You should use MLA style, and Times Roman or Courier 12 pt font. The paper should be 5-6 pages when double-spaced, but you may play with the margins and line spacing to save paper. You must have a proper Works Cited page. A rough draft should be ready for Friday, February 22, and a final draft is due Monday, March 3rd.
Analysis of two sources
Searching subject specific databases
The Set-Up: After viewing “Grizzly Man,” a film about the life and death of wildlife preservationist Timothy Treadwell, and reading a variety of essays that deal with human interaction with the natural world, we may begin to see patterns in the way people argue for environmental issues on film and in writing. One productive strategy for developing a deeper understanding of any topic is to engage with a range of arguments that address it, and then to closely and critically examine the key points of disagreement between them.
Prompt: Essay 2 invites you write a 5-6 page essay that analyzes the argument for environmental preservation in "Grizzly Man" and one of the following movies: "Erin Brockovitch", "Happy Feet", "The Candidate", or an environmental film of your choice (visit The Grinning Planet for an extensive list of environmental films). You must use information from at least two scholarly sources you located using subject specific databases, to support the essay.
Questions to Consider (i.e. potential theses): Consider the different perspectives of the relationship between humankind and nature. At what point does a conservationist go “too far”? How does popular media shape American attitudes towards conservation? Can you apply rhetorical strategies to a film? If so, what is the claim of each movie? How does it defend its claim? What is the value of activism and passion? Is it valuable even when that passion is misguided?
Criteria: You will need to search subject databases for two scholarly sources related to your topic. You will also have to choose one of the movies above (or one of your choosing) and watch it carefully, comparing and/or contrasting the argument the film presents with "Grizzly Man". Your paper will need an original thesis that attempts to explain how your chosen film imparts its message. You should use MLA style, and Times Roman or Courier 12 pt font. The paper should be 5-6 pages when double-spaced, but you may play with the margins and line spacing to save paper. You must have a proper Works Cited page. A rough draft should be ready for Friday, February 22, and a final draft is due Monday, March 3rd.
Friday, February 8, 2008
CR #4: Matt Williams' Talk
Directions: Write a 1-2 page rhetorical analysis and evaluation of the sustainability talk given by Matt Williams. First, explain the basics of Williams rhetorical situation (what he’s arguing and to whom he’s making this argument). Next, evaluate how successfully he makes his argument by closely analyzing the various rhetorical choices he has made (every word in his talk and every bit of logic he used was a choice—the question is, was it the right choice?). You should be making an overall judgment concerning the persuasiveness of this talk (he was successful/unsuccessful), using specific examples as support for your assertions (show how particular rhetorical tactics he used are strong or weak, overdone or ignored, etc.). Think about the kinds of things we’ve been discussing in class, and that you used in the first paper.
Remember to cover the following when applicable:
• Consideration of rhetorical situation:
• Purpose
• Audience
• Persona
• Use of rhetorical appeals
• Ethos
• Pathos
• Logos
Guidelines:
• 1-2 pages (you’ll probably need 2 to cover everything sufficiently)
• MLA format (1 inch margins, 12 pt. TNR font, double spaced, etc.)
• Offer a thesis that states your evaluation of his argument
• Organize into paragraphs. I’d suggest some sort of brief opening and closing paragraphs, along with well developed body paragraphs that each prove a particular point about the talk.
• Use specifics rather than generalities. Point the reader to particular moments in the talk that prove what you are arguing.
• And as always, proofread!
Due Wednesday 2/13
*We will also be using Williams’ talk as a springboard for discussing good sources. Did you notice how he kept mentioning the credibility of his data sources? Does that sound like one of the appeals to you? (There’s a hint for your CR).
Remember to cover the following when applicable:
• Consideration of rhetorical situation:
• Purpose
• Audience
• Persona
• Use of rhetorical appeals
• Ethos
• Pathos
• Logos
Guidelines:
• 1-2 pages (you’ll probably need 2 to cover everything sufficiently)
• MLA format (1 inch margins, 12 pt. TNR font, double spaced, etc.)
• Offer a thesis that states your evaluation of his argument
• Organize into paragraphs. I’d suggest some sort of brief opening and closing paragraphs, along with well developed body paragraphs that each prove a particular point about the talk.
• Use specifics rather than generalities. Point the reader to particular moments in the talk that prove what you are arguing.
• And as always, proofread!
Due Wednesday 2/13
*We will also be using Williams’ talk as a springboard for discussing good sources. Did you notice how he kept mentioning the credibility of his data sources? Does that sound like one of the appeals to you? (There’s a hint for your CR).
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