Last Blog Post

This semester, you have created visual arguments, practiced rhetorical analysis, critical thinking, and a variety of other skills.

If you had had the chance to learn something that was not covered in the class, what would it be? Do you wish we had spent more time learning spelling and grammar? Do you wish we had read more fiction? Or, do you think the class addressed the appropriate issues for a Composition I class? Use examples, develop your answer, and "reflect" back upon the semester.

Thanks!

Week Fourteen Blog

Hello!

I hope everyone enjoyed a relaxing Thanksgiving break! For this blog, please focus on the topic you want to use for your brochure. What are you arguing?

In this space, write what you know about your topic. Explain its relevance to society and why people should "care" about the topic you have chosen.

The semester is almost over!

Week Twelve Thought Question

Thank you for your posts regarding plagiarism--what it is and how to avoid it. These are important things to know when you begin incorporating sources into your papers. Remember to use signal phrases and parenthetical citations when using quotes, paraphrases, or summaries.

For this particular blog, please discuss the space that you are analyzing. Describe it and discuss your thesis. What is the deeper significance or meaning that you hope to discover regarding your space? Use David Guterson's article about the Mall of America to help you.

Thanks!

Week Eleven Thought Question

Last week, we began discussing documentation. We will continue to practice with quotes, paraphrases, and summaries.

In this space, please discuss why you think plagiarism is such a problem these days? Why wasn't it as prevalent a few years ago? How can you avoid plagiarism? Why it is so important to avoid plagiarism? Please discuss why you would personally never try to use other people's ideas as your own.

Thanks! I'm anxious to read your replies!

Week Ten Thought Question

This week we will be discussing how to analyze spaces. We will talk about this idea further in class.

Think of a space that might be particularly interesting to analyze. Describe it. Describe who uses this space. How does the design of the room affect the way it is used? Does it affect the way it is used? Does the space shape the people or do the people shape the space?

Do not duplicate other people's answers. Explain your answers fully. We will discuss these in class.

Thanks!

Week Nine Thought Question

You had some really great responses to our question about Vincent and Jerome and how they compared with each other. I must say that even though some of you complain about the blogs, the writing here is often stronger than in your papers--hence, one of the reasons why the blog is a useful tool.

For this week, please post a response to Stephen King's essay "Why We Crave Horror Movies." We will be reading it in class and discussing it. In this space, please discuss whether or not you agree with King's assertions.

Thanks in advance!

Gattaca Part II

Excellent work discussing important themes from the movie Gattaca! I thoroughly enjoyed reading each post! Thanks!

Compare and contrast Jerome (Jude Law) with Vincent (Ethan Hawke). How are they similar and how are they different? What does the movie want us to understand from seeing these two characters and their stories side by side?

Lastly, what is the movie's overall message? How is it relevant to society? Is it relevant to society? Explain.

Good work!