TODAY’S GOALS Peer review the second draft of your strong response essays Perform and analyze the first of our class debates (gun control) Introduce research writing and the synthesis essay

CLOSED FORM PROSE REVIEW: Obligatory closed form prose elements: Thesis Topic Sentences Forecasting and fulfillment Transitions Engaging Introduction Conclusion Textual evidence: quotes (varies by genre) Important thesis elements: Answers a thesis question Short/concise (Usually one sentence. No more than 2-3) Main idea of the essay Strongly stated Active voice

STRONG RESPONSE CONTENT REVIEW: Blended Strong Response elements: Ideas critique Rhetorical Analysis Reflection Article Strong Response Thesis elements: Personal Opinion Respond to the overall rhetorical effect Reflective (optional) Possible Strong Response Forecasting Strategies: Overall rhetoric Style Personal opinion Individual rhetorical appeals Sequential analysis Angle of vision Individual rhetorical strategies and effects

GROUP ACTIVITY 1: FINAL STRONG RESPONSE EVALUATION: Pair up with one other student with whom you have not done a peer review before 1.Identify the writer’s thesis. Examine the essay and take it word-for-word from the text. Does this respond to the rhetoric as well as the ideas of the source analyzed? 2.Identify the writer’s forecasting. Also take this directly from the text. Which of the strong response structures does this fit (sequential, response type, or rhetorical focus? Is this forecasting fulfilled? 3.Read through the writer’s introduction. Does it sufficiently engage the reader’s attention? Does the writer name the text to be examined and the author who wrote it? 4.Does the writer sufficiently: analyze the rhetoric in the article (they should, at minimum, analyze all three rhetorical appeals and provide a quote or opinion on each)? 5.What seems to be the student’s stance on the topic? How is this related to the author’s view in the ideas critique? 6.In the reflection section of the essay, how does the student relate the subject to their own life? What personal experience have they had to shape their viewpoint? When you have finished answering the questions, share your findings with the writer. See if you both agree on all the answers. If there is disagreement, determine where this occurs in the paper and how you can revise it.

DEBATE MODIFICATIONS! After both sides of the issue have presented their arguments, a specific and contemporary issue related to the topic will be presented to the group You will be asked to provide a solution or defend your position based on this problem/situation presented You will have 3 minutes to prepare Each side will have 2 minutes to make their case with the pro side going first

DEBATE STRUCTURE The pro-group for each issue will open the topic and introduce their first speaking point to prove their argument. They will have 90 seconds to speak. The opposing group will then have 90 seconds to refute and bring up their speaking point. This will proceed back and forth until each group member has spoken at least once After the main speaking points have been covered, the final 2 minute session will begin where each side will have the opportunity to speak on the contemporary issue presented today The two groups not taking place in the current discussion will judge and vote for the winning side.

DEBATE GRADING SYSTEM Arguments 50% At least 5 salient main points Utilize all rhetorical appeals Arguments are rhetorically sound Propose a solution(s) Counterarguments 20% Did the group take advantage of any rhetorical weak points? Time Management 10% Are all speaking points adequately explained? Individual Participation 10% Groupwork 10% How well coordinated is the group? Do speaking points overlap?

DEBATE JUDGING AND VOTING Write out: 1.Your name 2.Your group topic 3.Your side on the group topic 4.The group and side that you are voting for (based on which side you think presented the most effective argument)

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES-GUN CONTROL John Paul Stevens, former Supreme Court Justice, recently proposed that the 2 nd Amendment should be reworded to “the right of the people to keep and bear arms when serving in a militia shall not be infringed.” Should the 2 nd Amendment protect individual citizens’ right to bear arms, or should it only apply for potential militia members which may have been the founding fathers’ original intent? Last fall, the House of Representatives passed a budget amendment that blocked that District of Columbia’s gun regulations, leaving only federal (minimal) regulations in place. This will lessen restrictions on assault rifles, background checks, high capacity magazines, and registration requirements. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie advocated and introduced this amendment, saying that it would stop the DC government from infringing on the rights of “law-abiding citizens who simply want to defend themselves.” Do limitations on the use of assault rifles, high-capacity magazines, and background checks prevent citizens from defending themselves? Are assault rifles and other military- grade weaponry necessary for home defense? What about the possible risks of collateral damage?

INTRO TO RESEARCH WRITING What is the main goal of research writing? What is a research question? What is a synthesis question? What kind of a thesis should we create in synthesis writing?

RESEARCH WRITING ROLES 1.Reporter of information 2.Reporter of the current best thinking on a problem 3.Conductor of original field research in response to an empirical question 4.Reviewer of a controversy 5.Advocate for a position in a controversy 6.Analyzer of a question who positions him/herself within a critical conversation Which of these will be most important for our synthesis research writing?

SYNTHESIS ESSAY Formal, closed form prose Takes part in an academic conversation with the sources that are analyzed on the topic Thesis must be clear, original, credible, and strong 1,000+ words 4 source minimum

A&S ESSAY TOPICS Problems with technology (Antisocial behavior, suicide and cyberbullies, technology effects on the middle class) Problems involving health & food (American obesity, fresh food, food processing considerations, negative health effects) Problems involving education and the economy (cost of a higher degree, rising college debt, how class affects education, student loan debt slowing spending) Problems involving sleep (sleep effects on children, sleep and education, ADHD and sleep disorders)

SOURCE TYPES: Primary Sources: History: Novels, diaries, speeches, newspaper accounts, letters, official records, photographs, artifacts Media: tv shows, movies, advertisements, documentaries, Medical: clinical trials, patient records, experimental research, public health data Secondary Sources: History: scholarly analysis of an element of history, book reviews, opinion essays Media: reviews of tv/movies, scholarly analyses of media, documentaries, op ed pieces, Medical: science textbook, high tech articles, medical blogs, experiment/product reviews Peer Reviewed articles: These will usually be secondary sources Almost any type of article published in an academic journal. All published scientific research papers. Most published literary analyses Must undergo evaluation by a board of experts in the field before publication

Each of these different types of sources will have different: Angle of vision Level of ethos of the writer Amount of ethos granted when referencing Institutional affiliation (this will also affect ethos and angle of vision)

SOURCE EVALUATION CRITERIA Reliability Credibility Angle of Vision Degree of Advocacy

CRITERIA COMPARISON Print Sources Reliability Credibility Angle of Vision Degree of Advocacy Web Sources Accuracy Authority Coverage Disclosure of Advocacy Currency

GROUP ACTIVITY 2: ANALYZING SOURCE RHETORIC In your debate groups Answer questions 1-3 on page 535 and question 4 below: 4.Describe the reliability, credibility, angle of vision, and degree of advocacy of the Women Against Gun Control site and the Million Mom March

HOMEWORK: Read A&B p Select a topic for your synthesis essay (it may be helpful to view several of the sample articles provided) Strong Response Final Draft Due to turnitin.com tomorrow 7/21 by midnight