Argument Abounds

 Here is the PowerPoint we are using in class on Monday:

building-the-rogerian-paper.ppt .

Click here for the Peer Review Sheet we are using to work on our Rogerian Position Statements.

See you tomorrow!

Here is an electronic copy of the assignment sheet: Rogerian Assignment

In order to write Rogerian argument, you must be able to clearly articulate your opponent’s position (which means their claim and their major support). You must also be able to clearly articulate your own position (your claim and your major support).

You must be able to articulate both of these positions in neutral, dispassionate (not inflammatory or biased) language. Only then can you go on to build the links between the two positions that constitute the Rogerian argument.

On Monday, 3/26, you will bring to class a draft of both position statements necessary for your argument. In peer review groups, we will check to see if you have managed to remain unbiased when stating these two positions. One tool is to use the template “Some people believe….. because… Other people believe …. because ….” In stating these positions, you will not indicate which of the “people” you agree with, and you should be able to state both positions with equal attention and equal value, so that it is not possible to tell which side you are taking. This part comes later in the paper.

To clarify, these two position statements will become part of your Rogerian paper. However, you are NOT writing a draft of the entire paper on Monday, 3/26. You are only writing the two positions, giving them “separate but equal” treatment. This is an important first step in writing a good Rogerian argument, and it is important to do this separately from writing the entire paper.  

P.S. Thanks to Amanda for asking this question!

Be prepared for a quiz on Chapter 12.

Bring in your grammar handbook (Simon and Schuster or other), your theory textbook (Wood), the MLA handout from the library, and any sources you are having trouble citing.

Be prepared to be quizzed on chapters 10 and 11.  

Be prepared to turn in Reading Logs 9 and 10. The directions for Reading Log 10 are stated on the syllabus, but here is a more detailed version:

• READ the sample research paper, “The Big Barbie Controversy” (pages 368-378).
• NOTICE the marginal notations that provide details about proper formatting, organization, and support. Your final paper will look like this!!!
• ANSWER the questions on page 379, based upon the sample paper.

Also be prepared to turn in ALL missing work. Wednesday, March 7th, is the final day that late work will be accepted without penalty. After this date, ONLY work that constitutes a major portion of the course grade (5% or more) will be accepted late, and a penalty will be assessed of 1 full letter grade (10 points) for each late day. This is the policy listed in the syllabus.

As of Wednesday 3/7, you should have turned in the following for a grade:

• READING LOGS 1-10
• CLAIM DETECTION ESSAY
• LOGOS/ETHOS/PATHOS PROJECT
• TOULMIN #1
• TOULMIN #2
• ISSUE PROPOSAL
• 12 TESTS OF AN ARGUABLE ISSUE
• 4 QUIZZES (cannot be made up)

In addition, you have had the following extra credit opportunities:

• Extra quiz (on library presentation)
• Summary/Analysis of State of the Union Address
• Toulmin #3: The Anti-ad
• Various opportunities to earn points on quizzes/reading logs through extra effort and exceptional participation

I hope to have all of the above grades in and averaged by Friday 3/9 for progress reports. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about your progress. Thanks!

Class meets in B-20 of the Library on both

FRIDAY, 3/2 and MONDAY 3/5.

Attendance at both of these presentations is important. Gretchen Terkay will provide us with information about research methods and resources that will improve both the process and the product of our Annotated Bibliographies and Researched Position Papers.

In addition, participation in these activities may count as a daily grade.

Please also remember

Drafts due this Friday, March 2nd. Please review this list of Requirements for Annotated Bibliography.

 Also, please be aware that I have added a new page containing a Sample Annotated Bibliography.  

Wanted: Sample claim detection papers for use in my teaching portfolio! If you are willing to contribute a copy of your paper for this purpose, you will receive my grateful thanks. Since this is for my own professional advancement, I cannot in good conscience offer bonus points, but I really will be thankful, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that your paper was put to good use!

 I would especially like to use your paper if one or both of these is true:

1. You revised your paper significantly from the first draft to the final draft as a result of my comments.
2. You received a grade of A or B on your final draft.

Your name will be removed at your request, and you will receive your original paper back. I need a copy of both drafts and the grade sheet for my portfolio.

A teaching portfolio is used by professors as they enter the job market, apply to other graduate programs, apply for fellowships, etc. It is intended to demonstrate the kind of interaction/feedback the teacher gives to students, etc.

 If you are willing to let me use your paper, please bring it to class on Monday or drop it by my office. Thanks!

Handout from the fallacy files

The Fallacy Files website is extensive … it is easy to become lost while perusing this site!

Some pages to pay especially close attention to include:

The Straw Man Fallacy

Appeal to Misleading Authority

Quoting out of Context

The Black or White Fallacy

The Existential Fallacy

The Writing Center is planning to hold two MLA Workshops. Students will be taught to handle in-text citations and to properly create and format a Works Cited page.

Date(s): Monday, Feb. 27th at 2:00 PM and/or Wednesday, March 7th at 2:00 PM.

Location: Room 411 of the Central Library

Phone: 817-272-2601

There seems to be general confusion about these Reading Logs. I did cover this information in class briefly, but I do realize that we discussed it at the last minute before class was out. For this reason, I am adjusting the due dates:

• READING LOGS 5 and 6 will now be due Friday, 2/23; however, if you have completed the logs, bring them to class tomorrow!
• READING LOGS 7 and 8 will now be due Monday, 2/26.

Please read carefully if you need further explanation of this assignment:

The purpose of these Reading Logs is to either: a) help you find an issue for your research paper, or b) get you started reading the actual research. In order to do well on your issue proposal, it will be helpful for you to have done at least a little reading about your topic.

The articles or essays you will read for these four Reading Logs will be CHOSEN BY YOU so that you are not wasting time reading material that has nothing to do with your research paper.

In order to choose your articles, follow these directions:

• If you DON’T KNOW your research topic, choose essays from the back of your Wood textbook (from the section called “The Reader” at the back). Use the Alternate Table of Contents on page xxiii to find essays that seem interesting to you.
• If you DO know your research topic, first check the Wood textbook Alternate Table of Contents on page xxiii to see if any of the essays in “The Reader” are related to your issue. If so, choose essays from the textbook.
• If you DON’T FIND any related essays, search the UTA library database for articles that may be related to your topic. Everyone should know how to do this, because we did it during the library presentation. Good databases to search include Academic Search Premier and JStor.

After you have CHOSEN your articles or essays (you need one for each Reading Log – a total of four due by Monday), READ THEM to get ideas for your Issue Proposal and/or to get started on your actual research.

After you have read one of the articles or essays, write a brief (150 – 250 word) summary response. This is informal writing intended to help you remember what you read, get ideas that will improve your Issue Proposal, and begin thinking about the available research on your issue. Your Reading Log is for you. The more effort/thought you put into your responses, the more of your research and thinking will be already done when you begin the next section of the Researched Position Paper.

Review chapter 1 (especially pages 24-26) for help in selecting your topic. I have also posted a page entitled “Argumentative Issues,” which lists some ideas that can help get you started. Remember that in your Issue Proposal you will need to be specific and more narrow than a general topic like “war” or “immigration.”

Please review the post entitled “Issue Proposal” for further information. Thanks!