Argumentative Essay
English 250 Spring 2013
NOTE: The syllabus is subject to change and may not list all readings and shorter assignments. Readings
AND Reading Journals are to be completed before the class period for which they are listed. Please bring Envision and The Everyday Writer to class EVERY DAY, and either a print or electronic copy of individual readings to class on the day for which they are assigned. **For photo essays, select 1 image to bring for discussion during class.
Env = Envision: Writing and Researching Arguments; EW = Everyday Writer
Week Dates
1
2
3
Topic and Reading
1/14-1/18 Introduction to Course ;
R- “Ah Wilderness” pp. xiii-xv, 1 – 13 Env;
Chapters 1 - 2 EW;
1/22-1/25 Summary Assignment #1
T- Selected Essay for Assignment #1 p. 175-181 Env
Ch 5 – 10, p. 528 EW
R- Ch. 1-2 Env
Velazquez “In Search of Justice”
Chavez “Wrath of Grapes Boycott Speech”
Ethiopian Pastoralists Photo Essay
1/28-2/1 Begin Visual Rhetorical Analysis
Assignment #2
T- p.33-37, Ch. 1-2 Env
Ch. 3, 4, 11, 12 EW
Rich “Jungleland: The Lower Ninth Ward…”
Smith “34”
Trethewey “Liturgy”
Hurricane Katrina Photo Essay
R- UNICEF “Climate Change & Children”
Bring found ad to class
4
5
2/4-2/8 Visual Rhetorical Analysis
T- Ch. 3, 4, 11, 12 EW
Tuvalu Photo Essay
2/11-2/15 Begin Textual Rhetorical Analysis A#3
T – p. 99 Env
R - Ch 3 Env; p. 37 Writing Project #3
Ch 13 EW
White “Black Women and the Wilderness”
Ray “Ecology of a Cracker Childhood”
Ecuadorian Amazon Photo Essay
In-Class Activities and Assignments
T - Discussion of class policies. Introduce Reading Journal
Assignment. In-Class Writing.
R – Discussion of “Ah Wilderness”
Summarizing McKibben excerpt from The End of Nature
Selection of Assignment #1 Readings
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
T- Introduction of Grammar Presentations Assignment –
Writing with Power!
BRING ROUGH DRAFT OF SUMMARY TO CLASS
R - Summary Assignment #1 DUE
Introduction to Rhetorical Strategies
Identifying Context-Purpose-Audience
T- Writing Presentation #1 Grammar Basics
Overview of Assignment #2 – bring rubric to class
Smith and Trethewey recordings
Emotional v. Logical appeals
Visual Rhetorical Strategies
R- Visual Rhetorical Strategies in Print Media & Film
Analysis of Arguments - Effective Visual Persuasion
Print Media v. Film PPT – class
Nat’l Geo ads – group ID of strategies
T – Writing Presentation #2 Concise Writing
In-class analysis of SUN COME UP
Analysis of Arguments – Visual
CONFERENCES – NO CLASS ON THURSDAY
T- Visual Rhetorical Analysis Partner Practice
R - Visual Rhetorical Presentation #1: Crude
Overview of Assignment #3 – bring rubric to class
Canons of Rhetoric
1
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
2/18-2/22 Textual Rhetorical Analysis (continued)
T- Ch. 3 Env
Ch 19 – 21 EW
Pollan excerpt from The Omnivore’s Dilemma
TableTop Photo Essay
R- Berlau “Our Unhealthy Future Under
Environmentalism”
2/25 - 3/1 Textual Rhetorical Analysis (continued).
T- Ch 6,8 Env ;
House “In Salmon’s Water”
Fisheries Photo Essays (1&2)
R- Berry “Manifesto: Mad Farmer Liberation”
Jackson “Outside the Solar Village: One
Utopian Farm”
3/4 -3/8 Argumentative Essay Assignment #4
T- Ch. 4 Env
Ch 13 - 18 EW
R – Ch. 6 Env
Whitty “BP Cover-Up”
BP Oil Spill Photo Essay
3/11-3/15 Argumentative Essay
T- Ch 5, 7 Env ; Ch 14 - 16 EW
R- Payton “You’re Not Welcome Here”
Mountaintop Removal Photo Essay
3/18-3/22 Spring Break
3/25-3/29 Argumentative Essay
T Reread Payton “You’re Not Welcome Here”; write at least 3 questions for the author
R- Ch 7 Env ; Ch17 – 18 EW
Lopez “A Presentation of Whales”
Non-Charismatic Megafauna Photo Essay
4/1 - 4/5 Argumentative Essay
T- Ch 8 Env ;
Ch. 48-51 EW
Butterfly Hill excerpt from The Legacy of Luna
Protestors Photo Essay
SUSTAINABILITY & FOOD
T – Writing Presentation #3 Use of Quotations
Identifying Rhetorical Strategies in Text
R - Visual Rhetorical Presentation #2: Food, Inc.
Arrangement, Structure of Argument
Thesis!
T – Writing Presentation #4 Revisions
Peer Review – BRING ROUGH DRAFT A#4 TO CLASS
Planning & Revision Strategies
R - Visual Rhetorical Presentation #3: Gasland
Genres of Argument
Voice, Tone, and Format
T – Writing Presentation #5 Fragments
Textual Rhetorical Analysis Assignment #3 DUE
Prewriting, Research Proposals, Evaluating Sources
R - Visual Rhetorical Presentation #4: The End of the
Line
TED TALK Garbage Patch
Claim-Data-Warrant on Off-shore drilling
T – LIBRARY RESEARCH DAY – Meet in front room of Parks Library
R - Visual Rhetorical Presentation #5: The Last Mountain
Submit thesis statement, informal outline, annotated bibliography for Argumentative Essay. Topic may not be changed after instructor approval of your thesis statement and outline.
ACTIVISM & INDIVIDUAL IMPACT
T – Writing Presentation #6 Mechanics I
VISITING WRITER Andrew Payton
R - Visual Rhetorical Presentation #6: Dive!
Peer Review – BRING ROUGH DRAFT A#5 TO CLASS
Integration of Sources
T - Visual Rhetorical Presentation #7: If a Tree Falls
LAST DAY to hand in Visual Rhetorical Written Analysis
Assignment #2
Audience, POV, and Genres of Argument
OPTIONAL CONFERENCES – NO CLASS
THURSDAY
2
13
14
15
16
17
4/8-4/12 T Louv “A Life of the Senses” - NO RJ
R- Field Trip to Brookside Park
RAIN OR SHINE!
4/15-4/19 PHOTO ESSAY PRESENTATIONS
4/22-4/26 T- PRESENTATIONS, cont.
R- Final Reflective Rhetorical Memoir
Assignment #5: Portfolio
Lopez “American Geographies”
Re-read McKibben excerpt from The End of
Nature
4/29-5/3 Assignment #5: Portfolio
T- Writing Presentation #7 Mechanics II
Visual Design, Presentation Etiquette Revisited
R Argumentative Essay Assignment #4 DUE
Meet at Main Shelter Area of Brookside Park
PHOTO ESSAY PRESENTATIONS
T- PRESENTATIONS
R- In-class reflective essay (pt. 4 of Portfolio)
Discussion of elements of final reflective rhetorical memoir, revision v. editing; summarizing v. analysis.
5/6 - 5/10 Finals Week
T – Revision Strategies, Self-Reflection in Writing
Work on Portfolio with Revisions continued.
R- Student course evaluations completed in class.
Final Reflective Rhetorical Memoir Assignment#5
Portfolio DUE during final exam time designated by the university.
Assignments
Units and Grade Distribution
Unit 1: Memoir/Summary
Unit 2: Analyzing Visual Rhetorical Arguments
Visual Rhetorical Analysis
Unit 3: Analyzing Textual Arguments
Textual Rhetorical Analysis
Unit 4: Researching
Argumentative Essay
Oral Presentation of Arg. Photo Essay
Other
15%
15%
15%
5%
Final Reflective Rhetorical Memoir
Reading Response Journals
Class Participation/Attendance
Documentary Film Presentation
Writing Lesson Group Presentation
20%
15%
5%
5%
5%
All work completed outside of class should be typed, printed and stapled before class. Make sure you have a backup copy of all work before you turn it in to be graded. Keep all graded assignments for potential revisions. Major essays will be penalized one letter grade (e.g., from B to C) for each class period they are late. Absences during presentations will result in a zero for that assignment, unless you notify me beforehand and reschedule.
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