Morning Sun Passage Multiple choice passage Nov. 30

You had an opportunity to take this multiple choice test collaboratively. Tests for cleared absences need to be made up before the break.

Follow a Columnist check

If you are on track with completing your project on time, you should have
- researched your columnist
- have 3 columns read and annotated
- have a precis written for each column

I will check for 2 annotated columns this Friday

Fallacy Poster - due Thursday (sign up Wed)

On the poster, include:
1. name of fallacy
2. example of fallacy
3. visual
4. Analysis of fallacy
* 1. What specific fallacy or fallacies have been committed?
* 2. What specific evidence in the author’s language or reasoning points to that particular fallacy?
* 3. Is the overall argument made by the author cogent? Is it persuasive?
In other words is it a
- reasonable argument (when the conclusion is likely) or
a false argument (when the conclusion is improbable).

Follow a Columnist Project - Due December 16 - start this weekend

In order to keep abreast of public dialogue over national issues, you will choose one columnist to follow. Choose 5 columns, preferably consecutive columns
Links to columnists and journalists are below.
You will find names of columnists and links to their site.
Archives can be searched on some of the columnist’s sites, but many publications require payment for articles older than one or two weeks. Therefore, check your columnist’s web site weekly.
1. Choose one columnist and begin reading one column a week.
2. Annotate each column per the assignment (see link on right side of this page)
3. Write a precis for each column
4. Choose one column

Columnists

Creators Syndicate
Here you will find columnists categorized according to their political predisposition. Look under "conservative opinion" or "liberal opinion." Remember: you will benefit more if you engage with a columnist you are inclined to challenge.

Real Clear Politics
Links to columnists and all things political

The Drudge Report
Scroll down the home page for links to newspapers and columnists

Blue Eagle Commentary
Links to over 700 columnists

In Defense of Prejudice - Precis, annotated article, & Questions due Monday

Now that you have read and discussed In Defense of Prejudice, write a precis on the article. Monday please bring
1. Precis typed, sentences separated
2. Article annotated
3. Questions

Read the following article In Defense of Prejudice
Due Tomorrow
In Defense of Prejudice Annotation & Questions

1. Chunk article for content - how can you group ideas in the article? (arguments, assumptions, evidence) & purpose (discuss, propose, evoke) of each section (how ideas are organized)
2. Annotate article for
a. Speaker’s tone & tone shifts (serious / humorous)
b. Stylistic devices & effect (logos, pathos)
Anecdotes
Historical evidence
Examples
Personal experience vs. Facts
Allusions (identify)
Diction that evokes a certain tone Uncontroversial – diction – presents contrasting idea to rally audience (pathos)
Syntax – short / long sentences for effect

What is his most effective evidence?

3. What do you know about the Speaker from reading this essay?
4. Originally published in 1982, how would Rauch’s ideas be received today?
5. Who is his audience and what assumptions does Rauch make about the audience?
6. What is his purpose? Find evidence in the passage to support this?
7. Rauch advances a controversial argument: that we should allow prejudice to be expressed rather than to repress or eradicate it. How in the opening paragraphs, does he establish himself as reasonable, even likeable person whose views should be heard? Where else in the essay does he create this persona? Why is persona (or ethos) important in ethical argument?
8. What does Rauch mean by “intellectual pluralism” and where else does he use examples to refer to this idea?
9. Rauch defines the position antithetical to his own as “purism”. Why does he choose this term rather than another? What does it mean?
10. What counterarguments does Rauch raise and refute? How effective is he at refuting these? Explain why.
11. Rauch ends with quotations from Toni Morrison and Salman Rushdie. Why? What do their experiences as writers add to his argument? Are there other effective allusions?

Where do you stand politically?

In order to start understanding politics, it is essential to know where you stand.
politicalcompass.org is a website that helps you understand your views on politics beyond the typical democrat, republican, left, right labels. Read about the website and scroll down until you see Take the test - click here to start.
They ask a series of questions.
Bring in a paragraph description of your results and your personal thoughts about the result.
1. Summarize your results
2. Do you agree, disagree with the results and why?
3. Do you think political stance can be defined with a test and why?
4. If you had to label yourself without taking this test, how would you describe yourself and why?