ENGLISH 103: Critical Thinking

SPRING 2020

Due: Thursday, 2/13

1. Purchase texts and organize your notebook into three labeled sections: Homework, Journals, Notes.

2. Complete a One page, Typed description of your COURSE EXPECTATIONS (counts as our first Current Event analysis)

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Due: Tuesday, 2/18

1. Read "What is Writing" (pages 1-4)  in Mercury Reader and in a one-page response in the Homework Section of your notebook, describe how your ideas about writing are similar or dissimilar to King's.

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2. Read "Today's Kids are Like Killing the English Language" (pages 7-10 in the Mercury Reader) and 

a. identify the writerś purpose/point

b. identify five phrases or lines that contribute to this message and explain how they do so effectively

3. Print out the PDF file of 103 Readings--available on the "Readings" page at the bottom or emailed to you

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Due: Thursday, 2/20

1. Current Event (Crime)--typed, double-spaced, with 1/4 summary and 3/4 page response/analysis

2. Read "What Adolescents Miss When We Let Them Grow Up in Cyberspace" (271-273, MR)--a. what is his point/goal? b. what three passages/lines help him to prove this point?

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Due: Tuesday, 2/25

1. Choose any three topics of your own and for each one, create a COF, COV, and COP (9 claims total)

Example: Your topic might be capital punishment

COF: CP can effectively deter violent crime.

COV: CP is immoral in that it operates out of vengeance, is employed with discrimination, and uses the state as executioner.

COP: CP should be adopted in all fifty states.

2. Read "Kids in the Mall" (13-15 in Reading Packet)--identify the claim of value (implicit--put into your own words) and list the standards used to make the value judgments

3. Read "Harrison Bergeron" (298-  in MR) and identify the claim that the author is making (implicit) and what type of claim it is (COF, COV, or COP)

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Due: Thursday, 2/27

1. Current Event (Education)

2. Define any FIVE of the following terms without consulting a dictionary. Stipulate a reasonable definition of your own. After you have stipulated your meaning in a sentence (term+ class + special characteristics), then specify through the use of synonyms and examples. Each definition should be 4-5 sentences.

• Handicapped

• Freedom

• An Enemy

• A leader

• Respect

• Right (as in right and wrong)

• An activist

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Due: Tuesday, March 3

1. Read "A View from a Bridge" (8-10 in PDF packet) and in a paragraph (3/4 page) explain how the descriptive example reveals/defines something about people, life, or relationshi

2. Read "I Want a Wife" (page 78 in MR) and write a one-page "re-mix" in homework section called "Why I Want a Husband"--practice using negation to define "husband"

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Due: Thursday, March 5

1. Current Event: California Politics

2. Read "The Case Against Competition" (page 28 in PDF) and complete these questions:

a. What is the claim? What type?

b. What terms are or should be defined?

c. What are the assumptions being made and are they acceptable?

d. Your overall assessment?

3. Read "Mainstreaming my Son" (page 25 in PDF) and complete these questions:

a. What is the claim? What type?

b. What terms are or should be defined?

c. What are the assumptions being made and are they acceptable?

d. Your overall assessment?

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Due: Tuesday, March 10

1. Choose your topic for Essay #1

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2. Read "Bring Back Flogging" (page 20 in PDF) and complete these questions:

a. What is the claim? What type?

b. What terms are or should be defined?

c. What are the assumptions being made and are they acceptable?

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3. Read "Violent Media is Good For Kids"  in PDF) and complete these questions:

a. What is the claim? What type?

b. What terms are or should be defined?

c. What are the assumptions being made and are they acceptable?

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Due: Thursday, March 12

1. Current Event (Hollywood/Entertainment/Sports)

2. Read "The Harmful Myth of Asian Superiority" (35, RP) and identify/explain the elements of A-P Writing:

claims, definitions, assumptions, evidence (consider the standards for strong evidence that we reviewed today--timely, adequate, representative, dramatic, accurate)

3. Work on Essay #1--Choose your topics

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Example for Capital Punishment: COF--CP can effectively deter violent crime; COV--CP is immoral in that it operates out of vengeance, is employed with discrimination, and uses the state as executioner; COP--CP should be adopted as national policy in all fifty states and be carried out within eight years of conviction.

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Due: Tuesday, 9/17

1. Read "A View from a Bridge" (8-10 in packet) and in a paragraph (3/4 page) explain how the descriptive example reveals/defines something about people, life, or relationships?

2. Read "I Want a Wife" (page 78 in MR) and write a one-page "re-mix" in homework section called "Why I Want a Husband"--practice using negation to define "husband"

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Due: Tuesday, 10/1

1. Continue to work on Essay #1

2. Read the following two essays, and for each one, briefly describe the tools (claims, definitions, assumptions, evidence, reasoning):

• "Not All Men are Sly Foxes" (page 22, RP)

• "The Smurfette Principle" (page 214? in Mercury Reader)

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Due: Thursday, 10/3

1. ESSAY #1 in three parts (Final copy/Works Cited, Drafts/Prewrites, Self-evaluation--3-4 sentences explaining your strengths, weaknesses, and expected grade

2. Current Event (Military)

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Due: Tuesday, 10/8

1. Read "The Fish" (page 74, MR)--identify the claim and explain in about 3/4 page how the poet appeals to pathos to make her point

2. Read "The Boston Photographs" (RP) --identify the claim and list the appeals to pathos--is the writer effective in the emotional appeals? (write about 3/4 page in homework section of your notebook)

3. Read "Should Batman Kill the Joker?" (RP) and answer the questions that follow #1-7 (skip #6).

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Due: Thursday, 10/10

1. Current Event (The Arts)

2. Read "Give Children the Vote" (page 82 in Reading Packet): identify her claim, explain the opposing views she raises against her own claim, and assess how well she refutes those opposing views.

3. Consider Essay #2 Prompt

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Due: Tuesday, 10/15

1. Continue thinking about Essay #2

2. Read the two Space Shuttle speeches in RP (pages 41-43) and use your Logos, Pathos, Ethos chart to compare President Reagan's vs. President Bush's speech--which is more effective?

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Due: Thursday, 10/17

1. PREP FOR MIDTERM (See Review Sheet and prepare a 3X5 card with notes)

2. Current Event (Response to an Editorial)

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Due: Tuesday, 10/22

1. Outline DUE for Essay #2

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Due: Thursday, 10/24

1. Current Event (Local Laws/Policies)

2. Essay #2 DUE with outline and self-evaluation

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Due: Tuesday, 10/29

Read these two essays and for each one, create a detailed T-Chart where you list the strengths and weaknesses of the writing. Label your columns with a plus (strengths)  and minus (weaknesses) sign

• ¨The Difference Myth¨ --in reading packet

• ¨The Reasonable Woman Standard"--in Mercury Reader

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Due: Thursday, 10/31

1. Read the example essay for analysis, "The Right to Assume Responsibility" and make notes of its strengths and weaknesses; then read the student response/analysis as a model for what you will do in class

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2. Read "Smokers Get a Raw Deal" from RP, page 24, and note its strong and weak points (consider our tool kit elements)

3. Current Event (Health and Medicine)

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Due: Tuesday, 11/5

1. Read these two essays and make detailed T-Charts for each one--pulling out specific elements from each to demonstrate the strong and weak details--the pluses and minuses:

• "The Case Against Firearms" (Reading Packet, p. 73)--pro guns

• "The Death Penalty" (Reading Packet, p. 63)--anti- death penalty

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Due: Thursday, 11/7

1. Current Event (FREE TOPIC, you pick)

2.  Read these two essays and make detailed T-charts for each one--pulling out specific elements from each to demonstrate the strong and weak details:

• "Why Handguns Should be Outlawed" by Nan Desuka (Reading Packet, p. 70)--con guns

• "Death and Justice" by Ed Koch (Reading Packet, p. 60)--pro death penalty

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Due: Tuesday, 11/12

1. Begin thinking about what essays you will choose for Essay #3--check out the Raising Opposing Viewpoints collection in our library to find a Pro and Con

2. List five topics that would make interesting debate topics; rank them 1-5 (with 1 being the best)

3. Read the two essays on ¨Obesity: Whose Responsibility is it? in your packet/Pro and Con (p. 54-55)--create two detailed T-charts in which you pull out specific elements from each to demonstrate the strong and weak details

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Due: Thursday, 11/14--Current Event (Local Politics)

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CONFERENCE WEEK--No regular classes; meet in H208 to discuss outlines for Essay #3; Current Event (Education)

Tuesday, 11/19 and Thursday, 11/21

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Due: Tuesday, 11/26

1. Continue working on Essay #3 and Debates

Current Event (Crime)--email to professorroe@yahoo.com before Sunday

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING! (No class on 11/28)

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Due: Thursday, 5/21

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2. Current Event--FREE TOPIC--you choose

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Due: Tuesday, 5/7

1. Choose your two essays for Essay #3, A and B

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Due: Thursday, 5/9

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2. Current Event (Local Politics)

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CONFERENCE WEEK--No regular classes; meet in H208 to discuss outlines for Essay #3; Current Event (Education)

Tuesday, 5/14 and Thursday, 5/16

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Due: Tuesday, 5/21

Continue working on Essay #3

Prepare for your debates

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Due: Thursday, 5/23

Continue working on Essay #3

Prepare for your debates

Current Event (Crime)

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Due: Wednesday, 9/26

1. Current Event--Hollywood/Entertainment

2.  Read "The Smurfette Principle"

(from Mercury Reader) and "Not All Men are Sly Foxes" (in Reading Packet) and do the following for each:

a. Identify the claim and type

b. What terms are or should be defined?

c. What are the assumptions being made and are they acceptable?

d. Pull out three major pieces of evidence that you would say is compelling.

3. Work on Essay #1.

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Due: Monday, 10/1

1. Continue working on Essay #1 (due Wednesday)

2. Read "The Harmful Myth of Asian Superiority" (in RP) and identify/assess the tools: claim, definitions, assumptions, evidence, reasoning.

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Due: Wednesday, 10/3

1. ESSAY #1 DUE in three parts: final, typed copy + outline/any prep work (optional) + a self-evaluation (about 4 sentences, typed, explaining the essay's strengths, weaknesses, areas of improvement, and expected grade)

2. Current Event (Military)

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Due: Monday, 10/8

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Due: Wednesday, 10/10

1. Current Event (The Arts)

2. Read "Give Children the Vote" (page 82-, RP)--identify the claim, list the opposing views that Wallace raises to her own claim, and then assess how well she refutes those opponents. 

3. Begin thinking about Essay #2--outline due 10/22; final due 10/24

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Due: Monday, 10/15

1. Prep for the midterm; Review sheet is available in Canvas under "Pages"

2. Prep your notebook for checking

3. Read "Batman Should Kill the Joker" in RP packet and answer Questions 1-7

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Due: Wednesday, 10/17

1. Current Event (Editorial)

2. Continue working on Essay #2

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Due: Monday, 10/22

Outline for Essay #2

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Due: Wednesday, 10/24

1. FINAL draft of Essay #2 (attach outline and 4-5 sentence, typed self-evaluation identifying strengths, weaknesses, areas of improvement for next time, and expected/deserved grade)

2. Current Event (Local Laws/Policies)--consider the CA ballot

3. Bring your "In the Jury Room" response from Monday's class

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Due: Monday, 10/29

1. Read these two essays, and for each one, create a detailed T-Chart where you identify the strengths and weaknesses. Refer to specific excerpts when you describe what works and what falls short:

"Smokers Get a Raw Deal" (in Reading Packet)

"The Reasonable Woman Standard" (in Mercury Reader)

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Due: Wednesday, 10/31

1. Current Event (Health/Medicine)

2. Read "The Difference Myth" in your reading packet and create a detailed T-Chart where you identify strengths and weaknesses of the essay.

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Due: Monday, 11/5

1. Read these two essays and make detailed T-Charts for each one--pulling out specific elements from each to demonstrate the strong and weak details:

• "The Case Against Firearms" (Reading Packet, page 73)

• "The Death Penalty" (Reading Packet, page 63)

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Due: Wednesday, 11/7

1. Read these two essays and make detailed T-charts for each one--pulling out specific elements from each to demonstrate the strong and weak details:

• "Why Handguns Should be Outlawed" by Nan Desuka (Reading Packet)

• "Death and Justice" by Ed Koch (Reading Packet)

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Due: Monday, 11/12

NO CLASS--Happy Veterans' Day!

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Due: Wednesday, 11/14

1. Find your A and B (pro and con) essays for Final Essay (Prompt is available under Canvas "Pages")

2. Current Event on Local Politics

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MONDAY, 11/19 and WEDNESDAY, 11/21

Conference Week-No regular classes

Come to H208 for your scheduled appointment; bring your outline for Essay #3 along with your two primary essays.

Appointment List is under "Pages"--if you did not sign up on 11/7, send me an email requesting one of the remaining spots.

Current Event on Education is due by 11/21 (may be emailed).

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Monday, November 26

Continue working on Essay #3 and Debates

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Wednesday, November 28

1. essay #3

2. Debate prep

3. Current Event on Crime

4. Read all the articles (five short ones) about General Education in your packet (pages 90-97); for each one, identify the claim and then make a small T-Chart to note the strengths and weaknesses of the writings

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Monday, December 3

DEBATES BEGIN

Complete a one page response to the last few pages of your packet that discuss what we have learned about critical thinking 

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Wednesday, December 5

DEBATES CONTINUE

Notebook is due

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Due: Tuesday, 2/20

 

1. Read the Claim Of Value (COV) essay "Kids in the Mall" (page 13 in RP) and

• identify the claim statement (if implied, put it in your own words)

• identify the standards that the author uses to measure the worth of  malls

2. Read "Harrison Bergeron" (page 289 of MR) and

• identify the claim. Is it Fact, Value, or Policy?

• List the elements from the story that help illustrate/prove the claim

 

Due: Thursday, 2/22

1. Current Event (Education)

2. Read "A View from a Bridge" in your Reading Packet PDF, and in a one page response in your homework section, explain how the essay describes/gives examples of certain ideas of life, love, relationships, etc. Consider the main term that you believe is being focused on by the telling of the story.

 

 

Due: Tuesday, 2/27

1. Review the "Defining Major Terms" PowerPoint for the second Tool in the Call-out Kit. Then go to the slide that contains the assignment with a list of seven terms to define--For ONE of the seven, define in 4-5 sentences, using stipulation followed by examples, synonyms, and descriptions, AND using negation--you will have two definitions for the same term

2. Read "I Want a Wife" (page 78 from book) and then, in a page in your notebook, write a "I Want a Husband" essay, using similar style (negation).

3. Read “All the Seven Deadly Sins” (page 196)—Go to a location like a fast food restaurant. Sit down with a list of the seven deadly sins and write about what you see. Try to create your own satire—negation. (1 page)

 

Due: Thursday, 3/1/2018

1. Current Event on Politics

2. Read the following two essays and do the same for each of them...

"Mainstreaming my Son" (page 25 RP)

"The Case Against Competition" (page 28 RP)

a. Identify the claim and type of claim.

b. What terms are defined or should be defined?

c. Identify the assumptions that the writer makes and then explain why they are or are not acceptable assumptions.

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Due: Tuesday, 3/6/2018

1. Begin thinking about your topic/claim for Essay #1 (Due on March 15)

2. Read the following two essays and do the same for each of them...

"Bring Back Flogging" (RP)

"Media Violence is Good for Kids" (RP)

a. Identify the claim and type of claim.

b. What terms are defined or should be defined?

c. Identify the assumptions that the writer makes and then explain why they are or are not acceptable assumptions.

d. Assess the overall effectiveness of the essay. Is it successful?

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Due: Thursday, 3/8

1. CE (Hollywood)

2. Read "Not all Men are Sly Foxes" (RP) and "The Smurfette Principle" (from Mercury Reader) and do the following for each:

a. Identify the claim and type

b. What terms are or should be defined?

c. What are the assumptions being made and are they acceptable?

d. Pull out some of the major pieces of evidence and assess them based on the criteria. Consider whether the essay uses sound induction or deduction.

3. Work on Essay #1.

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Due: Tuesday, 3/13

1. Read "Should Batman Kill the Joker?" (page 16, RP) and answer Discussion Questions that follow, #1-7 (skip #6)

2. Continue working on Essay #1

 

Due: Thursday, 3/15

1. ESSAY #1 DUE in three parts: final copy on top including the Works Cited, other prep work/drafts, a 4-5 sentence, typed self-evaluation where you describe the essay's weaknesses and strengths and give yourself a grade.

2. Current Event (Military)

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Due: Tuesday, 3/20

1. Read "The Fish" (page 74, MR)--make a list of all the vivid descriptions; what is Bishop's claim?

2. Read "The Boston Photographs" (RP) --identify the claim and list the appeals to pathos--is the writer effective in the emotional appeals?

 

Due: Thursday, 3/22

1. Current Event (The Arts)

2. Begin thinking about Essay #2 topics--COP

3.  Read "Give Children the Vote" (RP, Page 82)--find Vita Wallace's Claim. Then identify the opposing views that she raises to her own claim. Briefly assess how she refutes each opposition.

 

Due: Tuesday, 3/27

1. Work on Essay #2

2. Read Peter Singer's "Famine, Affluence, and Morality" (page 44 in PDF) and answer questions 1-10 (abridge #7).

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Due: Thursday, 3/29

1.  MIDTERM

2. Current Event (Editorial)

 

HAPPY SPRING break!

 

Due: Tuesday, 4/10

1. Outline for ESSAY #2

 

Due: Thursday, 4/12

1. Essay #2 DUE with outline and self-evaluation

2. Current Event DUE (laws)

3. Review your In the Jury Room notes to prepare for a discussion.

 

Due: Tuesday 4/17

Read "Smokers Get a Raw Deal" (RP) and"The Reasonable Woman Standard" (MR, page 128) and for each one, write a paragraph responding to the essays, considering the strengths and weaknesses of the main points and evidence.

 

Due: Thursday 4/19

1. Current Event (Health and Medicine)

2.  Read  "The Difference Myth" (RP)--make a detailed T-Chart for each one where you list the strengths and weaknesses of each essay.

 

Due: Tuesday, 4/24

1. Read the essay on capital punishment from Reading Packet (David Bruck's "The Death Penalty" --page 63)--make a detailed T-Chart where you list the strengths and weaknesses of the essay.

2. Read the essay on gun control from Reading Packet (Cassidy's "The Case for Firearms" --page 73)--make a detailed T-Chart where you list strengths and weaknesses

 

Due: Thursday, 4/26

1. CE (Free Choice)

2. Read the counter essay on capital punishment from Reading Packet (Ed Koch's "Death and Justice" --page 60)--make a detailed T-Chart where you list the strengths and weaknesses of the essay.

2. Read the counter essay on gun control from Reading Packet (Desuka's "Why Handguns Should be Outlawed" --page 70)--make a detailed T-Chart where you list strengths and weaknesses

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Due: Tuesday, 5/1

1. Try to find your two essays (A and B) for Essay #3--Check out the Opposing Viewpoints Series in the library

2. Choose any FIVE Current Controversies that you would like to DEBATE about--for each one, write 1-2 sentences explaining why it is a powerful issue.

3. Read the PRO/CON articles in your PDF about Whose Fault is Obesity? Make T-Charts for the two articles to identify specific weaknesses or strengths.

 

Due: Thursday, 5/3

1. Current Event (Local Politics)

2. Continue to look for A and B for Essay #3

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Tuesday, 5/8 & Thursday, 5/10

CONFERENCE WEEK

(No regular classes--come to H208 for your appointment: bring your outlines and your two essays--A and B)

Current Event  is due either at your conference or some time during Thursday; you may slip it under my office door if I am not there.

 

Tuesday, 5/15

1. Continue working on your Essay #3 and debate prep

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Thursday, 5/17

1. Current Event 

 

Tuesday,  5/22 & Thursday, 5/24

CLASS DEBATES 

Complete Scorecards 

Final Current Event (Course Assessment)

Be ready for NOTEBOOK CHECK

 

Tuesday,  5/29

1. Bring final questions about Essay #3 to class

2. MORE DEBATES (if needed)--Complete Scorecards

3. Review for final

 

Thursday,  5/31

ESSAY #3 DUE with outline and self-evaluation (Does this work represent your strongest essay? Why or why not?)

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HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FALL 2014

Due: Thursday, August 28

1. Purchase texts and organize your notebook into three labeled sections: Homework, Journals, Notes.

2. Complete a One page, Typed description of your COURSE EXPECTATIONS (counts as our first Current Event analysis)

 

Due: Tuesday, September 2

1.Read "What is Writing" (pages 1-4)  in Mercury Reader and in a one-page response, describe how your ideas about writing are similar or dissimilar to King's.

 

2. Read "Today's Kids are Like Killing the English Language" (pages 7-10) in MR and answer the following questions:

a. What is the writer's purpose?

b. How does the writer appeal to an apathetic audience? How does he draw the reader into the discussion?

c. Identify FIVE  "power" or "charged" words or phrases that he uses to help strentghen his point and evoke emotions?

d. What major experiences does he draw from to make his case?

e. How does the writer come across to the reader? What is his persona?

 

3. Read "So You Want to be a Writer" (p. 4 of RP) and write a one-page response to her ideas. Do you agree or disagree with them, and why or why not?

 

Due: Thursday, September 4

1. Current Event on CRIME--one page, typed, formatted, with 1/4 page summarizing the issue and at least 3/4 page analyzing.

 

2. Read "What Adolescents Miss When They Grow up in Cyberspace" (page 271, MR) and in your homework section, write a one-page response to these questions:

a. How does this act as a Claim of Fact essay?

b. How well does the writer integrate persuasion to balance the argument?

c. Are the facts sufficient, reliable, and appropriate?

 

Due: Tuesday, September 9

 1. Read the Claim Of Value (COV) essay "Kids in the Mall" (page 13 in RP) and

• identify the claim statement (if implied, put it in your own words)

• identify the standards that the author uses to measure the worth of  malls

• assess the essay in a few sentences

2. Read "Harrison Bergeron" (page 289 of MR) and

• identify the claim. Is it Fact, Value, or Policy?

• List the elements from the story that help illustrate/prove the claim

3. Using the THREE journal topics that we have had so far (family activity centers/gun ranges; baby drop off laws; Castle Doctrine/Self-defense in Theodore Wafer case), creat e claim of Fact, Value, and Policy for each.  The choose TWO controversial topics of your own and write a Fact, Value, Policy claim for each--15 TOTAL CLAIMS

 

Due: Thursday, September 11

1. Current Event (Education)

2. Complete the definition worksheet (available on the Handouts page)

3. Read "A View from a Bridge" (page 8 in RP)  

a. Identify the writer's message? What is he claiming?

b. What terms or ideas are defined to help the reader better understand the overall meaning?

 

Due: Tuesday, September 16

1. Read "All the Seven Deadly Sins" (page 196, MR); then go to a fast food restaurant, coffee shop, mall, etc. and sit down where you can observe people's actions and behaviors. Make a list of all the deadly sins you witness and, using a satirical tone (form of negation), explain in 1 page how the acts qualify as deadly sins.

2. Read "Guys and Men" (page 23, MR); choose TWO closely related words and in 1 page discuss their definitions (similar to Barry's writing). Examples might be fast food and home cooking or women and ladies.

3. Read "I Want a Wife" (page 78, MR) and write a 1 1/2 page response titled "I Want a Husband"--imitating her style and approach but defining a husband

 

Due: Thursday, September 18

1. Current Event on Politics

2. Read the following two essays and do the same for each of them...

"Mainstreaming my Son" (page 25 RP)

"The Case Against Competition" (page 28 RP)

a. Identify the claim and type of claim.

b. What terms are defined or should be defined?

c. Identify the assumptions that the writer makes and then explain why they are or are not acceptable assumptions.

 

Due: Tuesday, September 23

1. Begin thinking about topic for Essay #1

2. Read Violent Media is Good for Kids" (page 32 RP) and "Bring Back Flogging" (page 20 RP) and for each essay,

a. Identify the claim and type of claim.

b. Identify what terms are defined or should be defined?

c. Identify the assumptions that the writer makes and then explain why they are or are not acceptable assumptions.

 

Due: Thursday, September 25

1. Current Event (Hollywood)

2.Read the following two essays and for each one, identify/explain/assess the following:

• the claim

• the definitions

• the assumptions

• the evidence (consider the criteria)

"The Smurfette Principle" (MR) and "Not All Men are Sly Foxes" (RP)

 

Due: Tuesday, September 30

1. Read "Should Batman Kill the Joker?" (page 16, RP) and answer Discussion Questions that follow, #1-7 (skip #6)

2. Continue working on Essay #1 (DUE THURSDAY)

 

Due: Thursday, October 2

1. Current Event (Military)

2. Essay #1: Attach any drafts/outlines/prewrite to the final copy and Works Cited page; also, include a self-evaluation on the back--a 4-5 sentence paragraph (typed) which explains your essay's strengths, weaknesses, and your expected grade

 

Due: Tuesday, October 7

1. Read "The Fish" (MR, page 74) --identify the claim and list all of the ways that the poet appeals to pathos

2. Read "The Boston Photographs" (RP) --identify the claim and list the appeals to pathos

 

Due: Thursday, October 9

1.  Current Event (ARTS)

2.  Read "Give Children the Vote" (RP)--identify her claim, identify the opposing views she raises to her own claim, and assess how well she refutes each opposing view.

 

Due: Tuesday, October 14

1. Complete "You and Your Fallacies" Worksheet (XEROX)

2. Work on Essay #2

 

Due: Thursday, October 16

1. Current Event (Editorial)

2. Study for Midterm

3. Continue working on Essay #2

 

Due: Tuesday, October 21

1. Essay #2 Outline

 

Due: Thursday, October 23

1. ESSAY #2 DUE--attach outline and self-evaluation

2. Current Event (Laws)

 

Due: Tuesday, October 28

1. Read "The Difference Myth" (pages 66-69, RP) and make a T-Chart where you list the pluses and minuses of the argument--describe specific elements that the essay contains that either successfully or unsuccessfully help to prove its claim

2. Read "The Reasonable Woman Standard" (page 128, MR) and write a five paragraph analysis using either the Section-by-Section or Element-by-Element structure.

 

Due: Thursday, October 30

1. Current Event (Health)

2. Read "An Unjust Sacrifice" (in RP) and write a 5 paragraph analysis--using either element-by-element or section-by-section method

 

Due: Tuesday, November 4

Create a list of FIVE current controversial topics that would be interesting to debate. Make a short list for each one of the pros and cons.

 

Due: Thursday, November 6

1. Read the PRO and CON essays for the Death Penalty in your Reading Packet--"Death and Justice" (Koch) and "The Death Penalty" (Bruck)--for each one, make a T-Chart, listing the strong (+) and weak (-) elements (be specific)

2. Current Event (Free Topic)

 

Tuesday, November 11

NO CLASS due to the Veterans Day holiday

CAMPUS IS CLOSED

 

Due: Thursday, November 13

In your Reading Packet (RP), read the articles that address whether we should or should not require General Ed classes. Choose the two that you believe best represent the PRO and CON sides, and then for each one, create a T-Chart to list the specific strengths and weaknesses of those two essays.

Current Event (Local Politics)

 

Due: Tuesday, November 18

1. Continue working on Essay #3 (Comparative Analysis)

2. Read the PRO/CON Essays on "Who is Responsible for Your Obesity?" in your Reading Packet (Pages 54-55); then write a Comparative analysis to argue which one presents the stronger argument, using either the Block or Alternating Method. You may omit the Background and "Your Spin" paragraphs, and you do not need to bring in any evidence beyond the two essays.

 

Due: Thursday, November 20 and Tuesday, November 25

No Regular Classes on those days. Instead, you will meet with me in my office, H219, to discuss your outline and progress on Essay #3

 

Thursday, November 27

THANKSGIVING DAY! 

 

Tuesday, December 2

DEBATES BEGIN

 

 

 

 

SUMMER 2014

Due: Thursday, June 19

Record answers for the first three readings  in the homework section of your notebook.

1. Read "What is Writing" (pages 1-4)  in Mercury Reader and in a one-page response, describe how your ideas about writing are similar or dissimilar to King's.

 

2. Read "Today's Kids are Like Killing the English Language" (pages 7-10) in MR and answer the following questions:

a. What is the writer's purpose?

b. How does the writer appeal to an apathetic audience? How does he draw the reader into the discussion?

c. What are some of the "power" or "charged" words he uses to help strentghen his point?

d. What major experiences does he draw from to make his case?

e. How does the writer come across to the reader? What is his persona?

 

3. Read "So You Want to be a Writer?" and give a one page response to her ideas.

 

4. One page, Typed description of your COURSE EXPECTATIONS (counts as our first Current Event analysis)

 

Due: Tuesday, June 24

1. Current Event on CRIME--one page, typed, formatted, with 1/4 page summarizing the issue and at least 3/4 page analyzing.

 

2. Read "What Adolescents Miss When They Grow up in Cyberspace" (page 271, MR) and in your homework section, write a one-page response to these questions:

a. How does this act as a Claim of Fact essay?

b. How well does the writer integrate persuasion to balance the argument?

c. Are the facts sufficient, reliable, and appropriate?

 

3. Read the COV essay "Kids in the Mall" (page 13 in RP) and

• identify the claim statement

• identify the standards that the author uses to measure the worth of  malls

4. Read "Harrison Bergeron" (page 289 of MR) and

• identify the claim. Is it Fact, Value, or Policy?

• List the elements from the story that help illustrate the claim

5. Choose three broad topics that you are interested in and write a claim of Fact, Value, and Policy for each (NINE total claims)

 

Due: Tuesday, July 1

1. Current Event (Education)

2. Read "All the Seven Deadly Sins" (page 196, MR); then go to a fast food restaurant, coffee shop, mall, etc. and sit down where you can observe people's actions and behaviors. Make a list of all the deadly sins you witness and, using a satirical tone (form of negation), explain in 1 page how the acts qualify as deadly sins.

2. Read "Guys and Men" (page 23, MR); choose TWO closely related words and in 1 page discuss their definitions (similar to Barry's writing). Examples might be fast food and home cooking or women and ladies.

3. Read "A View from a Bridge" (pages 8-10, RP) and explain in a 3/4 page what you think this description/example is reavling (defining) about life/people.

4. Read "I Want a Wife" (page 78, MR) and write a 1 1/2 page response titled "I Want a Husband"--imitating her style and approach but defining a husband

 

Due: Thursday, July 3

1. Current Event on Politics

2. Work on Essay #1

3. Read the following three essays and do the same for each of them...

"Mainstreaming my Son" (page 25 RP)

"The Case Against Competition" (page 28 RP)

"Violent Media is Good for Kids" (page 32 RP)

a. Identify the claim and type of claim.

b. What terms are defined or should be defined?

c. Identify the assumptions that the writer makes and then explain why they are or are not acceptable assumptions.

d. Provide a 1-2 sentence assessment of the essay--how well does it make the case?

 

Due: Tuesday, July 8

1. Current Event (Hollywood)

2.Read the following two essays and for each one, identify/explain/assess the following:

• the claim

• the definitions

• the assumptions

• the evidence (consider the criteria)

"The Smurfette Principle" (MR) and "Not All Men are Sly Foxes" (RP)

 

3. Finalize Essay #1--include final draft with Works Cited, any rough drafts, and a 4-5 sentence, typed, self-evaluation, explaining the strengths and weaknesses of your essay

 

Due: Thursday, July 10

1. CE (Military)

2. See Depression Photos (in RP): which of the three images is the most compelling and why? What are some of the possible claims that can be derived from these messages?

3. Read "The Fish" (p. 74, MR) and answer Questions on Meaning #1,2 and Questions on Rhetorical Strategy and Style #1 (page 77)--Consider what details/descriptions stand out in the poem and how they further her claim.

4. See the "Six Flags New Orleans" photo (page 255-57, MR) and answer Questions on Meaning #1,2 and Ques. on Rhetorical Strategy and Style #1,2

5. Read "The Boston Photographs" (RP) --identify what the claim is and make a list of the points/words that best appeal to pathos.

 

Due: Tuesday, July 15

1. CE (Art)

2. Prep for Midterm and for Notebook Check

3. Begin Working on Essay #2--Choose your claim of policy

4. Read "Give Children the Vote" (RP) and identify the claim, explain which terms should be defined, discuss the assumptions she is making, identify the opposing views she raises against her own claim and then assess how well she tries to refute them.

 

Due: Thursday, July 17

1. CE (Editorial)

2. Outline for Essay #2 (ROV method)--consider also including your images

3. Read "Should Batman Kill the Joker?" (page 16, RP) and answer Discussion Questions that follow #1-7

 

Due: Tuesday, July 22

1. CE (laws/Politics)

2. Essay #2 DUE (include outline and self-evaluation)

3. Read these two essays and for each one, create a detailed list of the strengths and weaknesses. Use a T-Chart.

a. "The Reasonable Woman Standard" (page 128, MR)

b. "The Difference Myth" (RP)

 

 

Due: Thursday, July 24

1. CE (Health)

2. Read two essays--"Death and Justice" (RP) and "Why Handguns Should be Outlawed" (RP)--complete a T-chart with strengths and weaknesses for each one.

3. Choose one of the above essays and write a 5-paragraph analysis in your notebook (about 2 pages)

 

Due: Tuesday, July 29

1. CE (Free Topic)

2. Bring Essay #3 Outline and Two Essays (A and B) to your conference in H208. Please be prompt.

3. Read "The Death Penalty" (RP) and--along with the essay you previously read ("Death and Justice") and then write a comparative analysis using Block or Alternating Method (omit Background paragraph and Your Stance paragraph)

 

Due: Thursday, July 31

1. Bring three copies of a working draft for Essay #3. This should include the first 2-3 pages of your paper--intro, background, and the first element of contrast for the analysis.

2. CE (Politics)

DEBATES BEGIN--Please print out your scorecards and  your Notebook Checklist

 

 

February 2014

 

Due: Tuesday, February 18

Record answers in the homework section of your notebook.

1. Read "What is Writing" (pages 1-4)  in Mercury Reader and in a one-page response, describe how your ideas about writing are similar or dissimilar to King's.

 

2. Read "Today's Kids are Like Killing the English Language" (pages 7-10) in MR and answer the following questions:

a. What is the writer's purpose?

b. How does the writer appeal to an apathetic audience? How does he draw the reader into the discussion?

c. What are some of the "power" or "charged" words he uses to help strentghen his point?

d. What major experiences does he draw from to make his case?

e. How does the writer come across to the reader? What is his persona?

 

Due: Thursday, February 20

1. Current Event on CRIME--one page, typed, formatted, with 1/4 page summarizing the issue and at least 3/4 page analyzing.

 

2. Read "What Adolescents Miss When They Grow up in Cyberspace" (page 271, MR) and in your homework section, write a one-page response to these questions:

a. How does this act as a Claim of Fact essay?

b. How well does the writer integrate persuasion to balance the argument?

c. Are the facts sufficient, reliable, and appropriate?

 

Due: Tuesday, February 25

1. Read the COV essay "Kids in the Mall" (page 13 in RP) and

• identify the claim statement

• identify the standards that the author uses to measure the worth of  malls

2. Read "Harrison Bergeron" (page 289 of MR) and

• identify the claim. Is it Fact, Value, or Policy?

• List the elements from the story that help illustrate the claim.

 

3. For these four topics, construct three claims--one Claim of Fact, one Claim of Value, and one Claim of Policy  (12 claims total)

• energy drinks

• stand-your-ground laws

• scream/cool down/time out rooms at public schools

• prison overcrowding

 

Due Thursday, February 27

1. Current Event on Education

2. From the final slide of the Defintions Part 1 PPT, follow the instructions about defining 5 terms.  Visit  http://professorroe.wix.com/english103

3. Read "I Want a Wife" (page 78 in MR) and write at least a 1/2 page response called "I Want a Husband" that defines a "husband" in a similar way to how she defines a "wife"

 

March 2014

 

Due Tuesday, March 4

1. Read "All the Seven Deadly Sins" (page 196, MR); then go to a fast food restaurant, coffee shop, mall, etc. and sit down where you can observe people's actions and behaviors. Make a list of all the deadly sins you witness and, using a satirical tone (form of negation), explain in 1 page how the acts qualify as deadly sins.

2. Read "Guys and Men" (page 23, MR); choose TWO closely related words and in 1 page discuss their definitions (similar to Barry's writing). Examples might be fast food and home cooking or women and ladies.

3. Read "A View from a Bridge" (pages 8-10, RP) and explain in a 1/2 page what you think this description/example is reavling (defining) about life/people.

 

Due Thursday, March 6

1. Current Event on Politics

2. Read the following two essays and do the same for each of them...

"Mainstreaming my Son" (page 25 RP) and "The Case Against Competition" (page 28)

a. Identify the claim and type of claim.

b. What terms are defined or should be defined?

c. Identify the assumptions that the writer makes and then explain why they are or are not acceptable assumptions.

d. Provide a 1-2 sentence assessment of the essay--how well does it make the case?

 

 

Due Tuesday, March 11

1. Begin thinking about Essay #1 topic (see the prompt)

2. Read the following two essays in your Reading Packet and for each one, identify and explain the following:

a. the claim

b. the definitions of unclear terms

c. the assumptions

d. the effectiveness

*"Bring Back Flogging" (page 20 RP) & "Violent Video Games are Good For Kids" (page 25 RP)

 

Due Thursday, March 13

1. Current Event (Hollywood)

2.Read the following two essays and for each one, identify/explain/assess the following:

• the claim

• the definitions

• the assumptions

• the evidence

"The Smurfette Principle" (MR) and "Not All Men are Sly Foxes" (RP)

 

Due Tuesday, March 18

1. Read "Should Batman Kill the Joker" (RP) and answer the questions that follow.

2. Work on Essay #1

 

Due Thursday, March 20

1. Current Event (Military)

2. Finalize Essay #1--include final draft with Works Cited, any rough drafts, and a 4-5 sentence, typed, self-evaluation, explaining the strengths and weaknesses of your essay

 

Due Tuesday, March 25

1. Read "The Fish" (page 73, MR) and answer Questions on Meaning #1-3 and Questions on Rhetorical Strategy and Style #2,3

2. Read "The Boston Photographs" (RP, page 38) --identify the claim/what is her purpose; write about a one-page response in which you explain how the writing appeals to pathos.

 

Due: Thursday, March 27

1. Current Event (Art)

2. Read "Give Children the Vote" (page 82, RP)--identify her claim, list the opposing views she raises to her own claim, and then assess how well she attempts to refute each opposing view.

 

Due: Tuesday, April 1

Read "Famine, Affluence, and Morality" (RP); answer questions 1-10 (abridge #7)

 

Due: Thursday, April 3

1. Current Event (Editorial)

2. Study for Midterm

3. Work on Essay #2

 

SPRING BREAK April 8 and 10

 

Due: Tuesday, April 15

Outline Due for Essay #2

 

Due: Thursday, April 17

1. Read "The Reasonable Woman Standard" and make a detailed T-Chart listing the strengths (+) and weaknesses (-) of the essay

2. Current Event (Laws)

3. ESSAY #2 DUE with outline and Self-evaluation

 

Due: Tuesday, April 22

1. Read "The Difference Myth" (RP) and "Smokers Get a Raw Deal" (RP) and write a five-paragraph analysis for each one, using both the element-by-element and the section-by-section method of analysis

 

Due: Thursday, April 24

1. Current Event (Health)

2. Read "The Holocaust" (MR, pages 68-71) and "The Perils of Indifference" (MR) and make T-charts for each where you list the positives (+) and negatives (-); then, for each one, identify whether the essay fails or succeeds at proving its point.

 

Due: Tuesday, April 29

Make a list of FIVE topics that you would find interesting to debate. Then, identify some of the pros and cons for each one (at least three each)

 

Due: Thursday, May 1

1. Current Event

2. Read "The Case for Firearms" and "Why Handguns Should be Banned" and make T-Charts for each one, identifying specific strengths and weaknesses for each one.

 

Due: Tuesday, May 6

1. Look at the SCC Library website to search the Opposing Viewpoints book series, and try to find your two primary essays (A and B) for your Comparative Analysis (Essay #3)

2. Read Koch vs. Bruck, Death Penalty essays (A and B) in RP, pages 60-65--create a detailed T-chart for each, identifying the strengths and weaknesses.

 

Due: Thursday, May 8

1. CURRENT EVENT (Local Politics)

2. Read Pro and Con "Should Soda be Allowed for Welfare Recipients?" (RP)--Write an abridged comparative analysis, using block or alternating method

 

Due: Tuesday, May 13

1. Continue to work on Essay #3

2. Work on Debate Preparation

3. Read Pro and Con "Should Obesity Problem be Blamed on Fast Food Restaurants?"  (RP)--Write another abridged comparative analysis, using block or alternating method

 

Due: Thursday, May 15 & Tuesday, May 20

CONFERENCE DAYS

Come to E312 for your scheduled appointment

Bring your Essay #3 Outline and your Pro and Con Essays

BRING YOUR CURRENT EVENT

 

Thursday, May 22

NO CLASS

Work on Essays and Debate Prep

 

Tuesday, May 27 & Thursday, May 29

Finish up Advertisement Presentations

Current Event on Crime (Due 5/27)

Final Current Event on Course Assessment (Due 5/29)

DEBATES on both days (volunteers go first)

Complete the Debate Scorecards

Notebook Collected

 

Tuesday,  June 3

Review for Final

 

Thursday, June 5

FINAL EXAM

ESSAY #3 DUE

 

HAPPY SUMMERTIME!!!!

Congratulations on getting to the end of

English 103!