Prezi Thoughts

Please leave a comment that answers the following questions:


What are your thoughts on Prezi versus Powerpoint?


Would you use Prezi again in a different class if you had the option?


What did you like and not like about Prezi? Please be specific about what you think you needed more personal instruction on when it comes to Prezi.

In Text Citation Workshop

This game allows you to drag and drop parts of the citation for MLA and APA Works Cited.


Student Paper Example with in-text citations


MLA in-text citation guide PowerPoint


MLA Documentation for Tables, Figures, and Examples


Full Length MLA paper with documentation 

Academic Language vs. Colloquialisms

What is a colloquialism? informal/formal - well know snippet of known language.
How is this related to voice? Makes it more personal, personality of the writer.
How is voice related to academic language?
Using your own voice in an academic discussion to direct your audience is also considered...

Mixing Academic and Colloquial Styles

Connors and Lunsford: Mellow, bad old days, folks,
Fast Food Nation: nutcase/lunatic/maniac/ loopiness/eccentric
Smitherman: ovah, dem; formal for who black audience; language that is used with a specific audience.
Anzaldua: Tex Mex,

When to Mix?
Audience - professional writing for professional situations, formally
Purpose - what do you want to do with your writing.

Graff  "Hidden Intellectualism"

What's the hook? Everybody knows some young person... laying the 

What is the thesis? Is it explicit (meaning, he says something like "In this paper I...") What does not occur to us...

What is the so what/who cares? From the hook, it should be everyone. Read further, targeting staff and teachers by saying realize that academically smart even though you are talking about pop culture. School board who teaches; telling students they are not dumb, smart in other ways. 

Consider colloquial and metacommentary? Are these similar? "Hood" "hillbilly" - descriptions of people; clean cut; On the one hand, in short; 

Language, Audience, and Metacommentary: Asians in the Library

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNuyDZevKrU

First of all, what's her place and why is it important to her?
How does Alexandra use transitions as metacommentary?
How does Alexandra use metacommentary to get her point across?
Does she use metacommentary to clarify anything? What exactly?
Does she use personal stories? What are they?

Response to Asians in the Library
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zulEMWj3sVA

In Other Words....

Using Metacommentary

What is metacommentary?  explain yourself further, so people are not questioning your exact view or what you mean (in other words, by saying X, I mean X, my point is)

-          Moves in general conversation - inside class, explain my meaning, I mean this, i don't mean this; giving directions; I want my hair cut like this, not like this/that)

-          Work claims in ways such as elaboration, generalizations, and distinguishing from other confusing claims.

To Clarify and Elaborate

-          Misinterpretations - may be missing the overall argument, mislead your audience. may think that you are not a credible writer.
Te

-          Page length - usually people fall short because they state everything early, run out of things to say.

Postman’s metacomentary: So what? tv media is less coherent than print media. making the claim. In the title (metacommentary), public discourse.

Previewing: It is my intention in this book...

Describing: But to avoid the possibility....

Singling out your argument: But to avoid...(don't misinterpret).

Titles as Metacommentary

Titles or Headlines as Meta

Subtitles (Introduction, Special Sections, Conclusion)

How is the title They Say, I Say meta?

Other Moves in Meta

How are responses to objections metacommentary?  Negative Nellie: I think you are wrong about legalizing marijuana. I have an aunt who was killed by a guy driving stoned. Everyone I know thinks it should be illegal. Everybody who smokes it has mental issues.  Positive Polly: While Negative Nellie may claim that everybody that smokes has mental issue, I would answer that there have been elected presidents who have admitted to smoking marijuana. For example, President Barack Obama admitted to smoking when he was a kid: "I inhaled frequently. That was the point" (Easymoke.com).

So what? and Who cares? as metacommentary

What templates can you use to respond to naysayers/objection?

In the "Family Guy" piece from Friday's homework, how does the author use humor to make her point in the argument? Can this be considered metacommentary? Why or why not?

Argument with Family Guy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcL6DwSufMI&feature=related – Ultimate Power Universe





Practicing Moves with Metacommentary
Using at least two different types of metacommentary templates, create metacommentary that should come somewhere within the following partial thesis statement from the Transitions classwork. Post it as a blog post.

Legalization of marijuana is a good idea DESPITE THE FACT Thousands of illegal immigrants farm marijuana on the West Coast. Billions of dollars are made every year in the United States in marijuana sales, but it is not taxed. This financial problem is a recurring issue. (Template 1).

Legalization of marijuana is a good idea DESPITE THE FACT Thousands of illegal immigrants farm marijuana on the West Coast. Billions of dollars are made every year in the United States in marijuana sales, but it is not taxed. This financial problem is a recurring issue. (Template 2).

The Naysayer

What is a naysayer. Example of someone who disagrees argument. Need to present all possible views. Makes you sound more legitimate that you care enough to back yourself up. 

Anticipate Objections - discuss what objectors might say. You will probably object that I have misrepresented X work here, and I concede....."

Represent Objections Fairly - Support of other side has less credibility. You need to explain why objections are present. And who is actually objecting.

Answer Objections - Relate it back to your topic, disprove it if you can, discuss it as a valid theory to help explain.

Transitions and Other Connective Devices

As a Result

Transitions
- addition - also, and, besides, moreover, however, in fact,
- example, for instance

Legalization of marijuana is a good idea DESPITE THE FACT Thousands of illegal immigrants farm marijuana on the West Coast.

Pointing Words - refers back to something you have said earlier.
these, that, this, those, his, he her, she, their.

Legalization of marijuana is a good idea DESPITE THE FACT Thousands of illegal immigrants farm marijuana on the West Coast. Billions of dollars are made every year in the United States in marijuana sales, but it is not taxed. This financial problem is a recurring issue.

Key Terms - Terms that are not understood, not common knowledge, have to define it. Repeat it because it is important. criticism, statement, important key terms, relate to central idea, which is (thesis) Answer the "criticism" he received. statement, twice.

Legalization of marijuana is a good idea DESPITE THE FACT Thousands of illegal immigrants farm marijuana on the West Coast. Billions of dollars are made every year in the United States in marijuana sales, but it is not taxed. This financial problem is a recurring issue. Key terms are: legalization, illegal, marijuana, taxation.

Repetition - saying the same thing, but saying it in a different way.

Looking at Exercise #1...
Birkenstein -

Transition Words: and, regardless (switching from one point to another); Even; (though not all) , usually (connecting two thoughts); However, changing subjects, unexpected complexities; because.

Key Terms: American Dream (try to define, what passage is about; because is it not the same for every person); rags to riches (look at the thesis); individual responsibility; unexpected complexities; overlooked; propaganda.

Point Terms: my goal (pointing to familiar story, idea as a whole), it (pointing to American dream and its pervasiveness); they (Americans/most people); their (individuals); they are dealing with a set (critics); their (stories).

Repetition:

The Economist


1. What do you understand about the "American Dream" from the introduction to this article?
2. What does Paragraph  2 and 3 discuss? Are the discussions in contradiction with one another or do they agree with one another? Why?
3. What three key issues does Paragraph 5 bring up. Why is is it necessary for the audience?
4. The last four paragraphs mirror what from Unit III? 


What is the Hook?
What is the Thesis?
Does it answer:
So what?
Who cares?
Who should care?
Who has something at stake here?

Identify the major connections as described in "As a Result":

Oral History Contact

Where are you in the process of contacting and interviewing. Give a brief timeline with names and ideas.

Annotation Blog Example (Print Source, Academic Journal, MLA)

Witherspoon, Gary. “Language and Culture and Culture and Languages.” International Journal of American Linguistics. 46.1 (1980): 1-13. Print.

In order to teach English to second language learners, one must fully understand the history of the language first. This article takes the approach of how the American culture has changed the essence of the English language and how Latin-based words and phrases have found a niche not only in American pop-culture, but politics as well. At one point Witherspoon discusses how border languages have, “changed the social context of the human conversation, and one must be open to dialogues that intermingle the culture of language in order to fully understand the conversation of impending globalization” (11).  This article supports my theory that English Only laws will only further drive a wedge between multilingual classrooms if all that is focused on is the American history of language, therefore cutting out everyone else that also has had, has, or will have a voice in the socialization of the American classroom. What needs to be further discussed at the theoretical level is how English Only laws not only affect the multilingual students, but also affect native English speaker attitudes toward these students. This is highly relevant considering problematic education legislation in Arizona and Texas that has eliminated Latino culture and language studies from the classroom and textbooks.

Class Cancellation and Changes to Friday Class

Hi all. I am sorry I had to cancel class. Because of this, I have moved Wednesday's reading and discussion to Friday. Therefore, we will workshop and turn in your Unit II work Monday in class. You must be there Monday in order to receive credit for the Unit II assignment. 

All homework for Monday still stands. We will talk more about it Friday in class. 

The Maguey

Intaglios

Stone sculptures on and in the earth symbolizing ways of life of the indigenous populations to that region. Some anthropologists believe they were built to amuse and entertain the gods. These are the Blythe Intaglios.    

They are made up of three locations. Included are a human figure at each and an animal figure at two of the locations. The largest human figure measures 171' from head to toe. Their age could be more than 2000 years, but they are at least 450 years old.

According to the Mohave and Quechan tribes of the Lower Colorado River, the human figures represent Mastamho, the creator of earth and all life. The animal figures represent Hatakulva, one of two mountain lions/persons who helped in the creation. In ancient times sacred ceromonial dances were held in the area to honor the creator of life. (hows.org.uk)

Last One: Nazca Lines in Peru

Allegory in Clay

Paste your Blog Address Here

Post your address here.

Introduction to Summer English 102

 We have 10 weeks to discover who we are, whether it be students, teachers, engineers, nurses, mothers, astronauts, or basket-weavers. During this time, I challenge you to also contemplate what you want out of your education, especially when it comes to learning through writing. During the first week of the semester I will introduce you to Plato's "Allegory of the Cave." While the history of ancient rhetoric dutifully connects to today's issues of media, television, and other technologies of communication and states of being, my intent here is to guide you on a "place-conscious" journey. What is "place?" What is place-based writing? How can narrative writing about environment sequence into a committed argument for change? We must learn about where we live -- the past and present -- before we can make an argument for the future. We do this through listening, reading, watching,  which in turn develops into investigation, interpretation, and argumentation.

A Blog?

As your instructor, my first goal of this course is based in its environment: let's go paperless. This is going to be challenging for me, as well as for you, I am sure. But let's give it a shot. Everything you will need to participate in this class will be found on Blackboard and in the one textbook for the class, Graff et al's "They Say, I Say." (Ok, so almost paperless....)
This class blog is an experiment. There are lots of blog options out there through Wordpress, Edublogs, and even Blackboard, but Blogger seems the easiest to use (in my opinion). So that we stay in sinc, we will all be using this blog server. You may try and make an argument for Wordpress; I am open to considering it if you really want to use it.  Each of you will be charged with weekly blogs related to course assignments and reading, and also evaluation and reflecting on your "place." Daily writing, as assigned, will also be created on the blog, unless otherwise instructed. Yes, these plogs are open sourced to all classmates. Therefore, a big part of the class will be based in trust, respect, and civil discourse.  More info on all of this as the weeks and Units progress.

Rhetorical Blogging

Blogging is a great way to brainstorm, freewrite, and keep photos for assignments and presentations. It can also be a handy peer review and assessment tool. Some of you may know a lot about blogging, some of you may know very little. It is all about playing around with the software, clicking buttons, uploading and linking. Take your time, as your neighbor, look at tutorials. We will talk about blogging throughout the semester, learning bits at a time about the genre. Blogging is a big part of public rhetoric and argument today, and discussing with others about what we see, how it effects others, and how it effects yourself is just the beginning of your journey "out of the cave." If you have any input on how to better utilize blog tools and content, let me know, and if you want, you can have time during class to show me and your peers what you have discovered.