Corporate Sponsorship

• Read the following (slightly modified, but actual AP) prompt. Post your comment in response by TUESDAY, November 30th at midnight.

For years corporations have sponsored high school sports. Their ads are found on the outfield fence at baseball parks or on the walls of the gymnasium, the football stadium, or even the locker room. Corporate logos are even found on players’ uniforms. But some schools have moved beyond corporate sponsorship of sports to allowing “corporate partners” to place their names and ads on all kinds of school facilities—libraries, music rooms, cafeterias. Some schools accept money to require students to watch Channel One, a news program that includes advertising. And schools often negotiate exclusive contracts with soft drink or clothing companies. Some people argue that corporate partnerships are a necessity for cash-strapped schools. Others argue that schools should provide an environment free from ads and corporate influence. Using appropriate evidence, write a short response in which you evaluate the pros and cons of corporate sponsorship for schools and indicate why you find one position more persuasive than the other.

• Respond to two of your classmates' comments, one in which you agree with and one in which you disagree with by FRIDAY, December 3rd at midnight. Be sure to also provide appropriate rationale for your responses.

Giving Thanks

• Notes: I am very impressed with those of you who posted on last week's blog ("Song Birds"). As a whole, the comments were creative, on topic, and appropriate for a rhetorical analysis. Keep working on the "so what?" piece. Once you have identified the rhetorical devices, always bear in mind, what is the point? What is the effect? How does it contribute to the work as a whole? These skills will be particularly useful for your final. *hint, hint* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
• Your comment: During this week physically away from school, take some to reflect on your life. As we discussed with creating loving, prosperous relationships (The Crucible, Act II), each individual's life maintains a balance of good and bad. Your perpetual task is to keep the positive experiences outweighing that of the negative. In this reflective spirit, I'd like you to think optimistically.
•   Describe ten things in life in which you are grateful; explain why. Be creative. If you are blessed with family and/or friends who support you, then obviously you are grateful for them. Don't take up one of the spots on this list with something you should be saying to these people everyday. 
• My example: I make my own family/friends do this activity with me each year. One year, when it was my turn to say what I was thankful for, I said, "Two-ply toilet paper." Of course, everyone laughed, which was my intention. However, I was also serious. I went on to explain my rationale: the importance of our modern sewage system, running water, and comfortable toilet paper - not tree bark or even our own hands, as it has been throughout history.

Deadline: TUESDAY, November 23rd at midnight                     
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• Commenting on others': Focus your comments on two classmates' comments that particularly strike a chord with you for some reason: is it emotionally appealing? is it creative? is it funny? is it well-written? is it riddled with grammatical errors? is it boring? does it effectively or ineffectively address the prompt? Give each of your peers feedback on how well he or she addressed the topic, as well as why you chose to comment on their particular comment. Be honest - this is for your grade and theirs.

Deadline: FRIDAY, November 26th at midnight


*Reminder: There will be a new blog posted, as always, on Thursday evening (November 25th).

Song Birds

• Your comment:

Review the lyrics to the following songs. Decide on ONE song to focus your analysis. In approximately three well-organized paragraphs, analyze the rhetorical strategies that the artist(s) uses to convey his or her attitude toward his or her subject. Avoid merely summarizing the song lyrics; analyze the rhetorical strategies that are used to convey some sort of argument. You can think of this in two parts: 1. What is the intended effect? 2. To illustrate the artist's attitude (or tone) toward his or her subject? 

Reminders:  

• You need a thesis statement to guide your analysis (refer to your handouts). This should probably include the identified strategies. 
• Cite the title of the song and artist within the first few sentences of your analysis. 
• Incorporating direct lines (citations) from the song boosts your credibility. 
• Feel free to look up accompanying videos and/or the songs being played for further assistance.

a)  "Replay" - Iyaz
b) "Wake Up" - Coheed and Cambria
c) "The Back of Your Hand" - Dwight Yoakam 
d) "Ballad of the Green Beret" - Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler and Robin Moore
e) "Last Kiss" - Pearl Jam 
f) "Mama" - Boyz II Men 
g) "Say it Ain't So" - Weezer
h) "Heartless" - Kanye West 


Deadline: Monday, November 15th at midnight

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• Commenting on others': 

 Focus your two comments on two classmates who did not analyze the same songs as you did. How effective was each analysis? Give each of your peers feedback on how well he or she addressed the prompt. Be honest - this is for your grade and theirs.

Deadline: Friday, November 19th at midnight

Child on Trial

1. Read the following article: Child Sued for Negligence


2. In your comment, complete each of the following steps. Label each step:
       Note: Address either step a1) OR a2).
      Step a1) In a one to two paragraph thoughtful analysis, explain the basic facts of the situation and the potential outcomes that may result. This step should be in third person POV and identify different elements of logos, ethos, and pathos.  

     Step a2) Create a chronological cause and effect chart of all of the different actions completed as described in the article. Conclude with an overall "so what?" statement at the conclusion of your chart.
        *Everyone: 
      Step b) Assume the persona of one of the following personalities: the 4 year old girl, Juliet Breitman; her mother, Dana Breitman; the elderly woman, Claire Menagh; the judge, Justice Wooten; or Juliet's lawyer, James P. Tyrie. Write a creative and informative 500 word journal entry (mostly like in first person POV) describing the bicycing accident as it happened from his or her perspective. You may also choose to write about the pending trial from one of the character's POV. Please use your imagination, but base your journal entry on actual facts from this article.
       Word of caution: You may want to do this in a Word Document or Google Docs first and save it. This may end up being too long for a single comment; therefore, you might need to post one or more comments.
           *Deadline: Monday, November 8th at midnight  


3. Respond to at least two of your classmates' comments by completing the following steps:
      Step a) Comment one person who did the same step as you and another who chose the opposite. Find one thing that this person did really well and another that could be improved upon - be specific.

      Step b) For those same people, constructively give three pieces of feedback on their journal entry. At least one pieces must be kudos.

      Step c) End your comment with a question about this blog and/or their work on this blog for the writer to consider. 

            *Deadline: Friday, November 12th at midnight