Third WeekActivity
3.1 Reading and Class Cafe Assignment Initial
post due Wednesday each week
Reactions
to others due by Sunday each week.
Reading Assignment: Chapter 3
Writing Arguments (45-56)
Chapter
3 comes a little early for us since your first paper is actually an analytical
summary more than an argument, but we will still skim it. It focuses on how to
write an argumentative paper, and we may return to some of the ideas in a few
weeks when you begin to formulate your own positions and write about them. Note
you are only responsible for pages 45-56.
• Skim
pages 45-52, and if you are someone who needs help getting started with a
paper, you may pay closer attention to the brainstorming, drafting, and
revising advice.
• Read
more closely pages 53-55 because we will discuss these concepts in the class
café this week in order to participate more fully in the conversation
surrounding the controversial topic for your first paper (An Analysis of the
Sources of Disagreement in a Controversy).
Class Café Assignment
After
you have read pages 53-55, join us for some discussion activities in the class
cafe. We will work with the assertion NBC
should have released the Virginia Tech shooter’s videotapes and we will have three café table
discussions this week: "playing the believing and doubting game,"
“brainstorming for pro con because clauses,” and “analyzing sources of
disagreement.”
• At the table where we are playing the
believing and doubting game, you should submit two posts. In the first one, you should write one
short paragraph that argues for the assertion. In the second post, you should
write one paragraph that opposes it. In other words, you post one paragraph
that agrees with the assertion that NBC was justified in their release of the
shooter’s videotapes and post another paragraph that condemns the assertion.
(Note: you can read the articles and interviews below to help inform your
statements, or you can write from your own experience and values.)
The
goal of this table is to practice seeing an issue from both sides and
understanding the complexity surrounding it. • At the table where we are brainstorming
for pro con statements, we will practice a key structural component to argumentation: the because clause. Be sure you have read about this
exercise in your book pp. 54-55. You should read through our position
statements posted at the believing/doubting table and sort out some pro con
statements. Look at why some could support NBC’s airing of the tapes (PRO) and
why some would attack their decision (CON). Post one response to the table with
at least two PRO because clauses and two CON because clauses. For example, NBC
should have aired the tapes because . . / NBC should not have aired the tapes
because . . .
The
goal of this table is to begin formulating reasoning to support a claim. The because clause provides ONE reason to support a given assertion, and you
will use these kinds of statements in your upcoming writing assignments.
• At the table where we are analyzing
sources of disagreement, we will get a chance to discuss the articles for Paper 1. Post your
thoughts on these articles. Part 1 of your post should summarize the various
voices in the discussion: What position does each take in the controversy? What
are the main reasons given in support of the each position? Part 2 of your post
should begin to analyze the sources of disagreement: do the authors disagree
about facts and their relevance, about underlying beliefs, values or
assumptions, or do they disagree about both? When I say “voices/authors” I am referring
to NBC News, Steve Adubato, Allahpundit, Michael Welner and Lionel Shriver
•
Required Readings for Café Discussion and Paper #1 “NBC News
statement on gunman’s video”
By NBC
News, April 19, 2007 “Airing Cho
‘manifesto’ was a very ‘tough call’’: Sometimes some people will be angry no
matter what you do”
By
Steve Adubato
MSNBC
News, April 20, 2007
“Should NBC have
aired Cho’s video?”
Posted
by Allahpundit
HotAir
blog, April 19, 2007
“Psychiatrist:
Showing Video Is ‘Social Catastrophe’” By ABC
News, April 22, 2007
“What the
Killers Want”
By
Lionel Shriver
Washington
Post, April 22, 2007 P. B01
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