The Greatest Movie Ever Sold

Choose one image/ad from the film and complete a brief analysis of it. Be sure to consider how your reaction and understanding of that ad is shaped by the way you encountered it. If applicable, be sure to talk about being able to watch the "construction" of the ad in the boardroom scenes for Ban, Sheetz, etc.

due 9/14

30 Days

Choose one scene from the "Minimum Wage" episode that you found particularly memorable and/or persuasive. Remember that in a documentary (and all reality TV), a director has at her disposal infinitely more footage than can appear in the final film. Why did the director choose to include *this* scene? What is its purpose and how does it further the film's ultimate argument? Also, what rhetorical appeals is the scene drawing on? (Ethos? Pathos? Logos?)  Finally, what role did the filming technique itself play in the effectiveness of the scene? (Was it a handheld camera shot? Was it set up by the "stock footage" of Columbus? What about the camera angle?)

Remember that blog posts need to be at least 300 words.  Due 9/12.

practice post

Try adding a comment just to make sure that you can.

Letter to Dr. Phillips

Introduce yourself to the class by telling us a little bit about yourself. Be sure to address the following topics:

• your major and professional goals after graduation
• your language background--home language(s) and languages you've studied
• writing experience (in English and other languages)
• professional experience and professional writing experience
• hobbies and interests

Remember that blog posts need to be at least 300 words long and that you need to send me your blog user name by Friday's class.

due Friday, 9/31

Editorializing

We spent quite a bit of time in class analyzing the structure and argumentation of editorials. Now is your chance to respond to the content of those arguments. Choose one of the four editorials and write a response. Consider the argument, its strengths, weaknesses, and the kinds of evidence employed.

due 5/17

If Tufte Came to Dinner

What would you say to Tufte if you had the chance to meet him? What questions would you have for him? What would the two of you argue about? What common ground would you find?


Then consider: What guidelines would Tufte suggest for you as you prepare for Thursday's presentation?


due 5/17

Professional Discourse: What I Know So Far

Spend a few minutes blogging about what you've learned so far in your research. What kinds of claims do you think you can make about writing in your field? You might also find it helpful to read other students' responses, even if they are from different fields.

due 5/3 by class