(10th) Discussion #17

All right, sophomores! Time to look at some product advertising! Study the three images above before continuing on with this assignment. Consider your rhetorical triangle as well as any appeals or fallacies being made by the company.

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Discussion Topics (choose only one!):

1. Explain the bias of the company in EACH AD (so talk about all three) -- what do they believe about their product, and why is this bias not exactly the truth? Prove your answer with evidence from the images. 
2. Explain the specific audience the company is trying to reach in EACH AD (so talk about all three). How does this compare to what the audience of Lego toys was 10-20 years ago? Prove your answer with evidence from the images and your background knowledge.
3. Explain the rhetorical appeals AND fallacies hidden in EACH AD (so talk about all three). Which was the most successful in conveying its message, and why? Explain using evidence from the images. 

Directions:

• Choose a discussion question, and answer it completely according to the directions. Indicate in your comment which discussion question you are answering.
• Use the pen name you provided at the beginning of the year.
• Use correct spelling and grammar at all times.
• In order to receive an "A," you must not only post your answer, but comment on a peer's ideas as well. Please remain positive and polite when doing so. 

Due Date: This post will remain open for comments and discussion until Monday, February 4, 2013 at 5:00 PM; after this time comments will close. 

(9th) Discussion #17

Welcome back, freshmen. I have an interesting challenge for you this time which involves the following materials:

• your notes about sonnets
• the poems/lyrics you chose for your poetry project
• some creativity! 

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Your job is to turn a stanza (or two) of one of your chosen songs/poems into a sonnet. Below is an example from the winner of a contest given by the Washington Post:

O proud left foot, that ventures quick within
Then soon upon a backward journey lithe.
Anon, once more the gesture, then begin:
Command sinistral pedestal to writhe.
Commence thou then the fervid Hokey-Poke,
A mad gyration, hips in wanton swirl.
To spin! A wilde release from Heavens yoke.
Blessed dervish! Surely canst go, girl.
The Hoke, the poke -- banish now thy doubt
Verily, I say, 'tis what it's all about.
        -- by "William Shakespeare" (Jeff Brechlin)

Sound familiar? Here are the original lyrics:

You put your left foot in, you put your left foot out,
You put your left foot in, and you shake it all about!

...and so on. You see? Note that this is not a true sonnet, because it has only 10 lines. However, you get the idea!

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So, here are your instructions in detail:

1. Choose one of your poems/songs that you were asked to find for class.
2. In your post, please give us the title of the work, the stanza(s) you are using, AND the sonnet you created from those lines.
3. Please choose between ITALIAN, SHAKESPEAREAN, or BLANK VERSE style of sonnet, and do your best to follow the style.
4. Don't worry about using weird language like in the sample! Use the language of the lyrics/original poem as much as possible. 

If, by chance, you have completely forgotten everything about sonnets and your notes are unavailable, here are a couple of handy links:

• http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/writing-a-sonnet.html
• http://slb-ltsu.hull.ac.uk/awe/index.php?title=Three_types_of_sonnet 

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REMINDERS:

• Use your pen name when posting. 
• Follow all directions for your assignment. 
• To achieve an "A" score, complete your assignment, AND comment on a peer's sonnet. 
• Please TRY this!!! You are using a pen name, and comments are meant to be helpful, so if you make an error on your sonnet or it's not "perfect," IT'S OKAY!!!! 
• Have fun with this! 

This assignment is due on  Monday, February 4, 2013 at 5:00 PM. At 5:00 PM comments will close.

(10th) Discussion #16

Sophomores, please note that during this semester the discussions will be structured differently. Every two weeks a new discussion will be posted; you must comment on each post.

This means that you will make three posts per six weeks; you may comment at any time during the two-week period that the post remains open. 

Do not e-mail me posts after discussions have closed!

Also, these discussions will require some reading, so do not skip over the selection(s) I give you!

You must answer using short-answer question format learned last semester in class. Begin with your thesis/main idea, and then explain your answer using your own ideas as well as quotations from the text.

It is highly encouraged that you respond to the posts made to your peers in addition to making your post; you may agree/disagree with this person, and explain why. Students wishing to achieve an "A" for the assignment will follow this suggestion.

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http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/political-ad-tracker/most-recent

Copy and paste the above link into your browser to watch the following political advertisements from the 2012 presidential elections:

• Mitt Romney "Failing American Workers"
• Barack Obama "Since When?"

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Discussion topic choices:

• (#1) Explain which candidate appeared to be most defensive about this topic, and explain why you think so.
• (#2) According to what you see and hear in the advertisements, which of the two did you find most persuasive, and why?
• (#3) Which rhetorical appeals/fallacies did you recognize in these advertisements, and how did they affect your ability to believe the content of the advertisements?

Directions:

• Answer all questions in the comments section of this blog using the pen name you provided to me at the beginning of the year.
• Use correct grammar and spelling at all times when making your comments. No textspeak!
• Please tell me which discussion topic you have chosen in your comment.

Due Date: This post will remain open for comments and discussion until Monday, January 21, 2013 at 5:00 PM; after this time comments will close.

(9th) Discussion #16

Freshmen, please note that during this semester the discussions will be structured differently. Every two weeks a new discussion will be posted; you must comment on each post.

This means that you will make three posts per six weeks; you may comment at any time during the two-week period that the post remains open. 

Do not e-mail me posts after discussions have closed!

Also, these discussions will require some reading, so do not skip over the selection(s) I give you!

You must answer using short-answer question format learned last semester in class. Begin with your thesis/main idea, and then explain your answer using your own ideas as well as quotations from the text.

It is highly encouraged that you respond to the posts made to your peers in addition to making your post; you may agree/disagree with this person, and explain why. Students wishing to achieve an "A" for the assignment will follow this suggestion.

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Sonnet II by William Shakespeare

When forty winters shall besiege thy brow,
And dig deep trenches in thy beauty's field,
Thy youth's proud livery so gazed on now,
Will be a totter'd weed of small worth held:
Then being asked, where all thy beauty lies,
Where all the treasure of thy lusty days;
To say, within thine own deep sunken eyes,
Were an all-eating shame, and thriftless praise.
How much more praise deserv'd thy beauty's use,
If thou couldst answer 'This fair child of mine
Shall sum my count, and make my old excuse,'
Proving his beauty by succession thine!
   This were to be new made when thou art old,
   And see thy blood warm when thou feel'st it cold.

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Discussion topic choices:

• (#1) Explain how Shakespeare uses imagery and metaphor to compare life to warfare.
• (#2) Explain how Shakespeare feels about beauty in this poem.
• (#3) Explain the lesson of aging Shakespeare is trying to convey through this poem.

Directions:

• Answer all questions in the comments section of this blog using the pen name you provided to me at the beginning of the year.
• Use correct grammar and spelling at all times when making your comments. No textspeak!
• Please tell me which discussion topic you have chosen in your comment.

Due Date: This post will remain open for comments and discussion until Monday, January 21, 2013 at 5:00 PM; after this time comments will close.