Rhetorical Analysis

For our next project, we will examine select rhetorical strategies used in live oral communication.

Using one persuasive speech from our recent discussion, complete the following to begin:

• Write an essay that evaluates your chosen speech and discusses its effectiveness. The text should identify, explain, and evaluate the rhetorical strategies that the speaker presents (ethos, logos, and pathos). 

Organization:

• This essay is pretty straightforward in its organization. After all, your job is to evaluate a speech based on its rhetorical use of ethos, logos, and pathos. I'd do a macro-plan like this:
• I. Introduction- thesis
• II. Ethos-how does it work? Evidence? Analysis?
• III. Logos-how does it work? Evidence? Analysis?
• IV. Pathos-how does it work? Evidence? Analysis?
• V. Conclusion
• This essay should use transitional language to tie together sentences and paragraphs.
• The essay should be in MLA format. Please click this link to learn about MLA style. 
• This essay should be ethical. While support from your source in the form of quotations is necessary, you should make sure to properly cite quotations and paraphrase and avoid plagiarism. Always use verbs to introduce the words of others.

Details:

• Draft and peer review (check Blackboard on 3/31 for updated due dates)
• 500-750 words
• MLA format

Stay tuned for the next steps to revise and submit the final version.

Rhetoric and the Art of Persuasion

What is Robinson's main point? List the support he uses for this point? Is he effective? Why or why not?

Pick one of the following persuasive speeches below and list the ways the speaker uses ethos, logos, and pathos.

Visual Aids

Below is a video about using Slides. Please complete your slideshow in the blank Slides I shared with you (so there is no need for you to share it with me as I already own it).

Citing Sources Verbally

Please click here to read the article about citing sources in your speech.

Speech Outline Peer Review

In responding, try to give concrete, specific feedback. Your purpose is to help your partner achieve their goals for this particular assignment. To that end, comments about the outline’s strengths can be as useful as comments about any weaknesses. Remember that what doesn’t work might simply need to be clarified, elaborated upon, or made more precise.

1. Is the thesis clearly communicated? How would you rewrite it in your own words? What is the thesis? 
2. Does the thesis provide the basis of an argument? Can you think of what the opposite or alternate position would be? 
3. Does it seem possible for the writer to address the topic thoroughly within the assignment’s time limit? 
4. Does the writer indicate how they will proceed to address the issues raised by the thesis? In other words, does the outline provide “signposts” for the reader? What moves do you anticipate the writer making? 
5. Are the ideas (main points, claims, arguments) within the outline organized in a logical fashion? If not, what can the author do to address the organization? 
6. Does the outline veer into “book report” mode? That is, does it summarize rather than argue? 
7. Does the writer provide sufficient evidence for each of the claims they intend to make? Do you think they will be able to or do the claims seem potentially difficult to substantiate? What evidence would they need to be persuasive? 
8. Does the writer anticipate counter-arguments or other objections to their claims and address them effectively? 
9. What, if anything, remains unclear in the writer’s outline or notes? Are there references to other texts, authors, arguments, etc., that are insufficiently addressed? Is there any unusual or imprecise language? Does there seem to be a reason for everything that is included in the outline to be there? 
10. What are two specific things you like about the outline? What works particularly well, is particularly clear, or should not be changed? 
11. What two concrete suggestions do you have for the writer as they move forward? Are there any issues you anticipate arising? 
12. Does the outline fulfill the assignment’s requirements? 

Public Speaking

Public Speaking Advice

Oral Presentation

Our next project is to develop and deliver a persuasive oral presentation using your recent research for support (see the annotated bibliography and thesis assignments). Research is meant to probe questions that interest us, carefully study the ideas and records from those who have written before us, and add to the world's knowledge pool. Think of it as detective work, work which draws definite conclusions and makes a persuasive assertion about a question based on an already existing debate.

With conflicting sides of the argument and each article as evidence, develop your own well-reasoned persuasive speech in support of your own view to present as a five-minute oral presentation stating your topic, argument, and supporting evidence.

In addition to clear and appropriate language use, the presentation must include the following:

• Effective organization

• Effective and detailed support from the readings and your own reasoning and interpretation

• Proper use of quotation, paraphrase, and summary

• In-text and works cited MLA citation

Due Dates and Special Instructions (document templates shared with you in Drive):

• Outline 2/27

• Visual Aid 3/5

• Oral presentations-5 minutes 3/10

• MLA format  (the last slide should be Works Cited)

Avoiding Plagiarism

Click here for the lesson.




Click here for the full tutorial to check your understanding.

Annotated Bibliography

Annotated bibliographies are lists of research sources with a summary for each. Click here to see an example.

Directions for the annotated bibliography:

1. Use Opposing Viewpoints, found here, for sources. 
2. Choose at least four sources that best provide a balanced view of the topic. Aim for sources representing each "side" of the issue.
3. Create an MLA citation for each source. Opposing Viewpoints gives the MLA citation within the source. Use citation generators like easybib.com to help with this process if the citation is not readily available in the source itself.
4. Create summaries annotations for each source, approximately 100 words each, which summarize each source.
5. Arrange the citations and annotations alphabetically and include the proper heading and page numbers.

_________________________________________________________________

Checklist for annotated bibliographies:

1. Are there at least four sources?
2. Does each source have an MLA-style citation?
3. Is each source alphabetically ordered?
4. Does each source have an annotation that summarizes the source?
5. Does each summary include the source's main idea and major supporting details?
6. Is each summary in your own words?

Assignments will not be accepted if any of the above is missing.

_________________________________________________________________

Consider using the following templates in summaries:

The article demonstrates _______.
The author argues that _______.
The text goes on to say _______.

Verbs for Introducing Summaries 

Summary

Summarizing Sources

Using the recent topic with which you have been working, find four sources from Opposing Viewpoints which represent different angles on the subject. Write a 100 word summary for each in your notebook.

Graphic Assignment

Writing thesis statements by formula.

Please click here for the assignment directions.

Research

To begin, please complete the following steps:

• Learn about research by reading this section of our text.
• Research a topic by using the Opposing Viewpoints database. Please avoid the following topics:
• abortion, capital punishment, marijuana
• Pick a topic and read several articles supporting different sides of the issue.
• Learn about argumentative thesis sentences by reading this section of our text.
• Develop your opinion on the issue and write a one-sentence argumentative thesis.

Email Exercise

Click here for information about how word and tone choices affect a reader's interpretation of the messages we send.

Exercises:

Formal vs. Informal- State whether the sentence would be classified as either formal or informal. If informal, change it to formal.

1. I am pleased to inform you that you have won our grand prize.
2. I hope all is well with your new career choice.
3. I shouldn’t have gone and missed with it!!
4. I can’t help you with that cuz it’s too hard.
5. Hi, how are you?

Find and correct the errors in the following emails:

1. I’m sorry to tell you but im sick and will not be able to come to class. See ya Wednesday. 
2. I read online that you’re selling business cards. I was wondering how much if i only wanted 500? Is color and a logo extra? Can I see an example before all are shipped or will that cost extra? You seem to have a great business so I hope you can help. Thanks, Jess Higgins 
3. I am a graduate from fmcc college. I got a degree in business and would now like to use it. Your company looks interesting. Can I come in for an interview? I have alot of experience from my schooling and extra cirriculers. I think I can help the company alot. Please respond to my email to let me know. Thanks, Max Oates 

Complete the following writing assignments shared with you in Google Drive for next time:

1. You are frustrated about your mid-term grade in a class. Email your professor expressing your thoughts and asking for advice about improvement.
2. You see a fraudulent charge on your credit card statement. Email the company explaining the charge is not yours and asking for a remedy.
3. You just had a job interview and want to send an email thanking the hiring manager.

Writing Online

Consider this linked article.

Writing

What kinds of writing do we do in our lives?

Make a list of writing you do or are likely to do in the future in the following situations:

• Personal business
• Relationships
• School
• Work
• Other (hobbies, interests, entertainment, etc.)

Share your lists in a group and compile a master list.

Welcome!

Hi, folks. Welcome to ENG 103, your first-semester writing and speaking communication course.

Let's start with some communication activities:

1. Introduce yourself by sharing your name, major, year in school, and a "fun fact" to help us to get to know you better.
2. Some students have anxiety about beginning a new course, especially in some courses, such as math or writing, which may be associated with high student anxiety and expectations. Work in groups to share some of your fears and concerns about starting this course. 

For next time:

• Read Active vs. Passive Reading; Annotating
• Click here for the course syllabus and read it carefully.