Why My Vote Matters

Post your Voices of Democracy Essay here, on the blog. To get in the window of 3-5 minutes, your essay should be a minimum of 390 and a maximum of 650 words. 

Edit your essay and be sure that it is good. The veterans from the VFW post take this very seriously and really enjoy listening to what young people have to say about the United States of America. Make sure you are respectful of them. Perhaps you might consider doing some research about the VFW to learn more about your audience. 

On Monday, you will turn in a

1. paper copy of the essay with your name on it. Use proper MLA format

2. a disc or a zip drive marked with your name

3. permission slip

DO NOT SAY YOUR NAME ON THE RECORDING!!!!!!!!!!!!! It will be disqualified. 

Tell Us About Your Topic!

Write a 250 word summary of what you know about your topic so far. At the end of your summary, write a tentative thesis statement.

When you are commenting, you are to comment a question asking for clarity on something your classmate has written.

So, if you were asked a question, you must answer it.

Put on the boxing gloves....

Time to argue....

1. Give us a scenario in which someone is proposing something that you either agree with, or disagree with OR
 2. something you are proposing to someone else.
THEN, write a letter making an argument for or against what it is the person or group of people is considering.

For example,
1. You school is considering extending the school day an extra hour.
2. You have just had a birthday, and you were hoping your parents would extend your curfew but they didn't. Argue for a one hour extension.

So, first you need to choose a scenario and tell us what it is, then, you pen them a letter. You must use 5 of the 6 logical means we discussed in this last chapter.
Enthymeme
Historical Example
Comparison
Fable
Maxim

Be creative, and BE SURE your letter is fully developed. (ie make sure your blog isn't too short!)

Top Down versus Bottom Up

Since this is homecoming weekend, I am going to make this short and sweet. You need to make two arguments, one should be deductive, one should be inductive. Use this link or your book to figure out what these mean and how to design an argument so that it is deductive or inductive. Label your arguments A. and B.

Inductive and Deductive Reasoning

When commenting, choose a classmate and try to guess which statement is deductive and which is inductive.

The Powers of a Good Cry

Using the rhetorical triangle as your guide, complete a rhetorical analysis of this commercial. What is the argument of the ad? Is the ad effective, why or why not? Which of the three rhetorical appeals is dominant in this ad? Defend your choice.

Scarecrow Ad

PS. Do not be afraid to conduct a little research on the ad. You can read criticisms, you can look up the year it was released, etc. How was it received by the public etc?

PSS. Make sure you have read section 2, chapter 3 and have taken Cornell notes. We will have a quiz Monday or Tuesday.

Good One George!

Now that you have done a close reading of George Washington's "A Faithful Friend to the Army", you will write a rhetorical analysis. Which appeal, ethos, pathos or logos predominates? Your analysis should reflect that.

If you are struggling, take a look at the questions on pages 40-41. Also, make sure you include in  your introduction the kairos of the speech. That is a good way to set the stage for your analysis.

One more thing, make sure you comment on the posts of AT LEAST two classmates. And each comment, if you want full credit, should be a minimum of 20 words and should discuss the content of the post. Do not tell someone they did a good job. You are supposed to be either qualifying what they wrote or challenging it. Wimpy comments will not get credit.

Lou Gherig, What a Speech!

Watch this short video of Lou Gehrig, and then read the speech in it's entirety  Then a well developed essay, complete a rehtorical analysis of the essay paying close attention to the kairos.
What is the rhetorical situation? You may have to do a little research on this, but what is the kairos? And how do the surrounding circumstances contribute to the effectiveness of the speech?

While in our time the word rhetoric may suggest deception, this speech reminds us that rhetoric can serve sincerity as well. No wonder one commentator wrote, "Lou Gehrig's speech almost rocked Yankee Stadium off its feet."

Why is this an effective speech? First of all, rhetoric is always situational. It as an occasion-the time and the place the text was written or spoken. The occasion exists within a specific context-the circumstances, atmosphere, attitudes, and events surrounding the text. Purpose is the goal the speaker wants to achieve. In the case of Gehrig's speech, the occasion is Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day. 

Your essay should also address the speech itself. Complete a close reading and point out some strategies that Gehrig employs that make this one of the most famous speeches of all time.

350 word minimum. Even though the speech is short, there is a lot to say about it.