Argument Abounds

Please notice that a project is due next Wednesday, February 7. This project is worth 3 daily grades. The project requires that you demonstrate understanding of the terms and concepts LOGOS, ETHOS, and PATHOS by creating three different versions of the same argument. Each version will be approximately 250 words (one typed double-spaced page), for a total of three typed pages.

Directions:

Choose an audience to whom you will argue. You may write your argument to a professor, an employer, a parent, or a significant other. Chose an issue about which to argue, keeping your audience in mind. For example, if your audience is a professor, you may wish to argue that you deserve an “A” in your course. If your audience is an employer, you may wish to argue for a raise.

PART 1 LOGOS: Write your argument once using logical proof to support your claim.

PART 2 ETHOS: Write your argument again using proof of your personal credibility and/or using support from authoritative sources to support your claim.

PART 3 PATHOS: Write your argument one last time, using an appeal to the emotions of your audience.    

New directions for Reading Log #3:

Using newspaper or magazine, locate a headline or title to serve as an example of each type of claim:

• Claim of fact
• Claim of definition
• Claim of cause
• Claim of value
• Claim of policy

Briefly explain your reasoning for choosing to classify the claim in that particular category.

Today in class, we discussed the difference between response and analysis as it pertains to the Claim Detection Assignment. Here is the PowerPoint example:

drafting-the-claim-detection-essay.ppt

The deadline to enter your essay in the KITE RUNNER ESSAY CONTEST has been extended to FEBRUARY 2, 2007.

 Students who did well in their 1301 courses are strongly encouraged to submit their essays!

In addition to the prize money (up to $500), winning this contest would look fabulous on applications to graduate school, scholarship applications, etc. Winners will have the opportunity to participate in enriching campus activities, as well.

Please contact your 1301 teacher and/or visit http://www.uta.edu/uac/one-book/contests-2006-07 for further information!

Thanks!

This Peer Workshop Form will be used in class on Friday. Final essay grades are based upon process as well as product, and peer review sessions are a mandatory part of the writing process. Missing peer review sessions will significantly affect your essay grade. If, however, you must miss class on a peer review day due to an unavoidable circumstance, you may print the Peer Workshop Form (linked above) and take it to the writing center for completion.

For your convenience, I am also providing you with a copy of the Grading Criteria for Claim Detection Essay. I hope this document may be useful as a checklist for revision.

Happy writing!

Here is the PowerPoint we used today to discuss the Claim Detection Essay:

claim-detection-essay.ppt

Please check out the syllabus revision. this document reflects changes made to accomodate the snow/ice day and to allow sufficient time for us to complete our first essay assignment. Please note that the first draft of the CLAIM DETECTION ESSAY is still due on Friday, January 26th, but the final draft is now due Friday, February 2nd.

I forgot to mention in class that the STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS is scheduled for Tuesday night, January 23rd. This is an excellent opportunity to see the wonders of argumentation theory in practice. Extra credit is available for students who would like to watch this speech and write a 250 word report (one page, double-spaced). Your report should address the major claims made in the address and comment upon them based upon the elements of TRACE.

 This assignment may replace your lowest daily grade, quiz grade, or one reading log assignment. Due: Monday, January 29th.

Here is a copy of the assignment sheet for the first major assignment, the Claim Detection Essay:

Assignment Sheet for Essay 1

Remember that this essay is worth 10 percent of the course grade. A draft is due on FRIDAY, JANUARY 26th , and the final essay is due MONDAY, JANUARY 29th!

Because of the interactive nature of any argument, a course in Argumentation Theory naturally requires good attendance and class participation. Even when we are all in attendance, class discussion may sometimes lead in unexpected directions. Fortunately, we have access to technology that allows us to recap class discussions which may have gone awry. Blogging allows us to say those things we forgot to say during class, get reminders of important dates and assignments, etc.

 I provide this blog as a service to you. This blog provides you with 24-hour online access to your syllabus, which eliminates the problem of lost copies. It provides you with a way to ask questions and receive clarifications in a format which will help the entire class. If you have a question about an assignment, chances are good that you are not the only one who is confused. Posting the answer here helps everyone.

I ask for your participation in several ways this semester:

1. Please check the blog regularly.
2. Please be respectful of one another in your comments.
3. Please provide your name when commenting.
4. Please ask confidential questions over email, not on the blog.

Thanks for your cooperation! It is going to be a great semester!