BLOG ASSIGNMENT CALENDAR
Date Assigned
M/T: 8/11-8/12
W/Th 8/13-8/14
M/T 8/18-8/19
Blog Assignment and Explanation
Blog #1: Patriotic Speeches.
Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation – Franklin Delano Roosevelt – December 8, 1941
Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death – Patrick Henry – March 23, 1775
George Washington – Farewell Address – December 23, 1783
Douglas MacArthur – Duty, Honor, Country
John F Kennedy – Inauguration Address
Barack Obama – Key Note Address to the Democratic National Convention 2004
Some may consider these speeches the most famous patriotic speeches of all time. Choose one
and read it carefully. Post an excerpt from the speech. Analyze a rhetorical strategy the speaker
used to get his message across.
Read at least three other blog entries.
Comment and pose questions.
Respond to questions or comments posted on your blog.
Blog #2 America’s Voice.
“I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman
“I, Too, Sing America” by Langston Hughes
“America” by Claude McKay
“Indian Singing In Twentieth-century America,” by Gail Tremblay
“next to of course god America I” by e.e. cummings
Find and read at least two of the above foundational poems from celebrated American authors.
*You may also choose a poem not on this list if one comes to mind. Post some relevant background
info about the poet. Compare and contrast the nuances of each poet’s use of diction and imagery.
W/Th 8/20-8/21
Read at least three other blog entries.
Comment and pose questions.
Respond to questions or comments posted on your blog.
F/M 8/22-8/25
Blog Self-Assessment due
T/W 8/26-8/27
Blog#3: Defining a Modern American
Find a primary source, photograph, article, speech, etc. that defines what it means to be an
American today. Post the text, provide some background information, and analyze the rhetorical
strategies used to get the point across.
Th/F 8/28-8/29
Read at least three other blog entries
Comment and pose questions
Respond to questions or comments posted on your blog
Blog #4: Iconic American Image
Research and find your own idea of an iconic American image. This image does not need to be one
that has been reproduced across a range of media, but it should represent a significant historical
event and elicit a strong emotional response.
As you research your iconic American image, keep in mind the three elements of significant images:
 It is widely recognized as representative of a significant historical event.
 It evokes strong emotional response.
 It has been reproduced across a range of media, genres, or topics.
There are pictures everywhere on the Internet, in print media, and in history books. Post your iconic
T/W 9/2-9/3
Th/F 9/4-9/5
image and include a description, title, and explanation of why/how it is “iconic”. Discuss the
rhetorical strategies the author uses to get his/her message across.
Read at least three other blog entries
Comment and pose questions
Respond to questions or comments posted on your blog
M/T 9/8-9/9
Blog Self-Assessment Due
Choose Personal Read book
W/Th 9/10-9/11
Blog #5: American Dream Part 1
Post the title and summary of chosen book. Read a 1/3-1/2 of the book. Post an excerpt from this
portion that gives insight to how the American Dream has stayed the same throughout history.
Analyze a rhetorical strategy that the author uses to get his/her message across.
F/M 9/12-9/15
Read at least three other blog entries
Comment and pose questions
Respond to questions or comments posted on your blog
T/W 9/16-9/17
Blog #6: American Dream Part 2
Post an excerpt from this portion that gives insight to how the American Dream has changed
throughout time. Analyze a rhetorical strategy that the author uses to get his/her message across.
Read at least three other blog entries
Comment and pose questions
Respond to questions or comments posted on your blog
Th/F 9/18-9/19
M/T 9/22-9/23
Final Blog Assessment of the Quarter