Rules of the Herd

Carefully read the short passage below.

The black philosopher’s idea was that a man is not independent, and cannot afford views which might interfere with his bread and butter. If he would prosper, he must train with the majority; in matters of large moment, like politics and religion, he must think and feel with the bulk of his neighbors, or suffer damage in his social standing and in his business prosperities. – Mark Twain from Corn-Pone Opinions

For the quote above, you must provide a clear explanation of the writer's assertion, then defend, challenge, or qualify it, noting the complexity of the issue and acknowledging any possible objections to your point of view.

Limit: 300-400 words posted to the blog

For the curious and/or culinary: Corn-pone

Autumn of the Multitaskers

Take another look at the multitasking article and identify the overall claim/assertion (the glossary of The Language of Composition has a good definition if you need one). Then, identify the claim/assertion in each section of the article (handily, sections are indicated by a drop cap).  Blog your results by Wednesday.


By the way, Nate found a good NPR story on this subject. You can read it or listen to it here. Aside form looking at assertions, this topic goes well with our metacognition papers as we seek to learn how to use our brains most effectively.

Oh, and check the calendar...

Side note: Here is a really graphic blog on texting while driving that I found while looking for a picture of someone running off a road in Wyoming. ONLY for those with strong stomaches. It is the result of an accident. Seriously only for those with strong stomaches.

Oh, and I thought all of these cartoons were funny and I couldn't decide which one to use.

 

That Assertive Angel

For your homework, blog your response to the following prompt:

Assertion Journal: The Angel in the House

Defend, challenge, or qualify the following assertion noting the complexity of the issue and acknowledging any possible objections to your point of view: the angel in the house is dead and no longer lives in the imaginations of either women or men.

Remember to explain the assertion, provide support for your position, and address the counterargument.   Responses should be 250-350 words.

Pop Culture: Crazy Mess or Amazing Restorative

Your task is this: defend, challenge, or qualify the following assertion in 300-400 words. Feel free to use any of the pop culture essays or videos that we have read thus far to help inform your argument.

Robert Thompson, professor of media and culture at Syracuse University, said, "We may be surprised how capable American popular culture is of dissolving even the most horrible of historical events."

In doing so, American popular culture does not necessarily distort history as some would contend, but helps Americans overcome psychic and moral trauma, restoring America's optimism and futurist[1. Look up this word.] outlook.

Due Monday, March 22nd. Please blog this. :)

Your $15 deposit for the AP test is due Tuesday March 23rd! If you have an issue with making that deadline, please talk to me.

Speaking of crazy messes, also read Watching TV Makes You Smarter by Steven Johnson on page 766 of our textbooks for Monday.

Assertion Journal: Work

Carefully read the short passage below.

"For there is a perennial nobleness, and even sacredness, in Work." -Thomas Carlyle

For the quote above, you must provide a clear explanation of the writer's assertion, then defend, challenge, or qualify it, noting the complexity of the issue and acknowledging any possible objections to your point of view.

Limit: 300-400 words

Rules of the Herd

Carefully read the short passage below.

The black philosopher’s idea was that a man is not independent, and cannot afford views which might interfere with his bread and butter. If he would prosper, he must train with the majority; in matters of large moment, like politics and religion, he must think and feel with the bulk of his neighbors, or suffer damage in his social standing and in his business prosperities. – Mark Twain from Corn-Pone Opinions

For the quote above, you must provide a clear explanation of the writer's assertion, then defend, challenge, or qualify it, noting the complexity of the issue and acknowledging any possible objections to your point of view.

Limit: 300-400 words posted to the blog

FYI: The extra credit ranged from 1-6 points in the Papers category.  I know that doesn't seem like a lot, but 6 points is like raising the Lord Chesterfield paper a full grade (10%).

That assertive angel

For your homework, blog your response to the following prompt:

Assertion Journal: The Angel in the House

Defend, challenge, or qualify the following assertion noting the complexity of the issue and acknowledging any possible objections to your point of view: the angel in the house is dead and no longer lives in the imaginations of either women or men.

Remember to explain the assertion, provide support for your position, and address the counterargument.   Responses should be 250-350 words.

Assertions on the Omnipresent Box

Carefully read the short passage below:

“The omnipresent box sitting somewhere in our homes, workplaces, and just about everywhere else has a much greater hold on our lives than we think.”   – Corbett Trubey from The Argument Against TV

For the quote above, you must provide a clear explanation of the writer's assertion, then defend, challenge, or qualify it, noting the complexity of the issue and acknowledging any possible objections to your point of view.

Limit: 300-400 words
Due: Blog for Tuesday April 1st (this is NOT an April Fool's joke)

As we begin our papers this week, I recommend that you also read pages 129-173 in the Everything's an Argument packets I gave you a couple of weeks ago.  It will help you think more clearly about how you craft and structure your argument.  This does not need to be completed tonight, but it might help you to do it before the weekend.

Homework and the AP Test

AP Test

The AP Program Director needs to know how many people will be taking the test this on May 14th (that's your only option).  As there are multiple classes and to count the people from last semester, I set up an online poll.  Go here to let me know if you're taking the test or not.

If you are taking the test, you need to put in a deposit of $15 by March 20th.  Don't give me the money; it goes to the bookkeeper.

Homework

Based on the Talbot essay, other readings, and your own experience, blog a thoughtful response to the following assertion:

"There is little to no value in recognizing students for academic achievements. Education isn't about competition; the whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows." (the final clause was written by Sydney J. Harris)

As I said in class, we will finish our group proposal arguments tomorrow.  We will present them, possibly arguing vehemently about the relative merits of various proposals depending on how varied your thinking is.

To C or not to C? Depends on whether or not you know the answer...

Ah, multiple choice.  It seems like it should be so easy...

For this evening, work on the first ten questions in your packet.  They are the ones that go with the reading that begins "It is not easy to write a familiar style."

• For all the questions, identify what type of question it is.  For instance, is it a diction question or does it deal with description, tropes, antecedents, etc.?


• For the questions you missed, figure out why you missed it.  To do this, look at the line of thinking that led to your answer and then examine the line of thinking that leads to the correct answer.  Make sure you know why the correct answer is the correct answer.

Tomorrow we will take a look at one way gender is affecting the current election and you will have the opportunity to defend, challenge, or qualify the assertion: the angel in the house is dead and no longer lives in the imaginations of either women or men.

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