TODAY’S GOALS Return class focus to argument, persuasion, and rhetorical strategies Learn basic strategies for creating an original thesis or argument Evaluate unit 3 multimedia projects

MEDIA PROJECT EVALUATION We will be spending the next 20 minutes or so of class time evaluating the final projects of our multimedia groups from unit 3 Please pay close attention and then answer the questions provided on the survey links of the class website Your input will have an effect on the grade of your fellow classmates Be sure to pay attention to: Main idea/thesis: is this clear, strongly stated, and does it have an informative purpose? Viewer engagement: how well does the project capture the attention of its intended audience? Genre conventions: how much does the project sound like professional media of the given type Primary research: is this the focus of the project and is it presented in a rhetorically effective manner? Secondary research: does this support the project’s main idea, and is it properly documented?

ARGUMENT- THE HEART OF RHETORIC 2 main parts: Truth seeking : diligent, open-minded, and responsible search for the best solution to a problem, taking into account all available information and points of view Persuasion: the art of making a claim and justifying it convincingly so that the audience is moved towards your position Why are these two components together problematic?

ARGUMENT- THE HEART OF RHETORIC 2 powerful words that can be used for forming and supporting arguments: “should”: when used as part of a thesis or argument, this proposes a best possible solution while at the same time acknowledging the information within is not necessarily a universal fact. “because”: adding a ‘because’ subordinate clause to your thesis allows you to support it with the best reasons or evidence you have found. This can also be used as the basis of your forecasting in closed form prose.

SITUATION Found on A&B 340 A bunch of starlings build nests in the attic of a family’s house, gaining access to the attic through a torn vent screen. Soon the eggs hatch, and every morning at sunrise the family is awakened by the sound of birds squawking and wings beating against the rafters as the starlings fly in and out of the house to feed the hatchlings. After losing considerable early morning sleep, the family repairs the screen. Unable to get in and out, the parent birds are unable to feed their young. The birds die within a day. Is this cruelty to animals?

GROUP ACTIVITY - FORMING AN ARGUMENT In your new unit 4 groups Answer the following questions in response to the situation we have just read: 1.Would you consider the family’s act an instance of cruelty to animals? Why or why not? Generate at least two reasons for both sides of the argument, and use these to form arguments supported by a “because” clause. Ex: The family’s act constituted cruelty to animals because the starlings were doing minimal harm and they way they killed the birds caused needless suffering. 2.What could the family have done about the starlings in the attic besides the solution they used? Try to generate at least 3 alternative solutions. 3.Select one of the solutions you came up with in question 2. Form an argument that proposes a solution to the problem, like a hypothetical thesis, using “should” to indicate it is a proposal, and add a “because” clause to support it with at least one reason. 4.Imagine you are a lawyer arguing this case in court. Choose a side and then provide a brief argument (20-30 seconds) that you could use to persuade the jury to your side

GROUP ACTIVITY 2: DEBATE BRAINSTORM In your debate group, brainstorm ideas that you can use for the debate. Make sure to answer the following: 1.What are three speaking points that you could use? What rhetorical appeal might each of these be? 2.What are one or two points you think your opposing group will try to make? How might you refute them? 3.What are one or two pieces of information you know about your topic that weaken your argument? How might these topics affect your angle of vision?

HOMEWORK Read A&B