Word choice practice!!! Visual Thesaurus

Today we discussed word choice: how to master the nuances of meaning in English. Reading widely is one way (and the best, I think); but here is a unique way to explore the differences in meaning between similar words: Visual Thesaurus. This is the most developed product; you can use it for a two-week trial for free, and then subscribe. The UA Library is not subscribed, apparently. The website has some useful features that you can use without subscribing.

• http://www.visualthesaurus.com/

Here are some other similar sites, not as well developed, but apparently free.

• http://visuwords.com/
• http://graphwords.com/
• http://www.lexipedia.com/

Week Ten Overview (Blogs 30-32)

Welcome to Week Ten!

On Monday, we finalized the grading rubric for Paper #2: Rhetorical Analysis, and spent some time writing a reflection about your learning to this point in the class, which you should have then posted as Blog 29: Reflection. I also asked you to write a one-minute paper on the "muddiest point" in your understanding of rhetorical analysis. 

On Wednesday,  we discussed the results of the muddiest point papers, and talked more at length about the O in SOAPSTone: Occasion. We also discussed the reading for Friday, and spent some time in groups discussing the rhetorical situation for your public argument, especially defining the Audience.

Reading for Friday: Student's Guide Chapter 11 - Public Argument. 
Not only does this chapter present a good overview of the aspects of the rhetorical situation you need to consider, but it also provides many useful charts and resource lists, as well as examples of public arguments. The chapter includes three sample public arguments: you will choose one to analyze and write a blog post on (see blog prompts below):

1. A letter to the governor of Arizona by a UA student (pp. 220-222)
2. A video made by a UA student and posted on YouTube (pp. 222-223)
3. The University of Arizona website: www.arizona.edu  (pp. 223-225)

Blogs:

BLOG 30:Analysis of a Sample Public Argument
Choose one of the three examples in the Student's Guide chapter 11 to analyze. Read or view it carefully and answer the questions in the Student's Guide regarding it.

BLOG 31: My Proposed Public Argument
Write a blog post describing the ideas you have about a public argument you might like to make. Describe the basic rhetorical situation: the message, the audience, the purpose.

BLOG 32: Initial thoughts about the Audience for my Argument
Explain why there is no such thing as a "general public." Then explore the following questions about the potential audience for your Public Argument:

1. WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN OR IMPACTED BY THIS ISSUE?
1. DEMOGRAPHICS: AGE, RACE, GENDER, LOCATION, EDUCATIONAL LEVEL
2. STAKEHOLDERS - WHO HAS THE POWER TO INFLUENCE THIS ISSUE?
3. SPECIFIC VALUES OR BELIEFS
2. HOW FAMILIAR WILL YOUR AUDIENCE BE WITH YOUR ISSUE/TOPIC?
3. ASIDE FROM YOUR IDEAL AUDIENCE, WHO ELSE MIGHT ENCOUNTER YOUR ARGUMENT?
4. WHO MIGHT BE HOSTILE TO YOUR ARGUMENT AND WHY?
5. WHAT BASIC INFORMATION WILL YOUR AUDIENCE NEED TO HAVE TO UNDERSTAND YOUR ARGUMENT?

Blog Post 29: Rhetorical Analysis Reflection

Spend some time reflecting on what you learned in the process of writing your second paper. Write a few paragraphs summarizing your reflection. Here are a few ideas for prompts, but you are not bound to these: 

1. What did I learn from this assignment about my own writing process?
2. Is this a more successful paper than the last? Why?
3. What is one thing I wish I could have done differently?
4. What did I Iearn about the importance of rhetoric and rhetorical analysis?
5. How can I apply these lessons to my work in other classes?

Post this blog and comment on three other classmates' posts.

Project #3 Overview: The Public Argument

During the next few weeks, we will be looking at examples of public speech, such as the political speech and the newspaper editorial; we will be discussing the major forms of argument; finally, we will be working to apply all the skills you have learned so far to project #3: make your own public argument. 

You did it!!

D2L Dropbox is open!

The D2L dropbox is now open to submit your rhetorical analysis paper. The deadline is 11:59 PM tonight (Sunday Oct 25), unless you have already requested an extension, by email.