Friday, March 28, 2008

Rant






Bill Maher is a comedian who hosts a show on HBO, "Real Time with Bill Maher." His political observations and witty humor bring current issues to life. Often he closes his show with rants on timely topics. In the attached rant he criticizes the pharmaceutical corporations which he says have created the poor health in our country all for the sake of big business; healthy and dead people are not profitable. Rather, sick people are good for business. I am offering you Bill Maher and this specific rant as an example of someone who has taken a position on a current topic, who has included researched evidence, while at the same time has employed his own unique style and voice to his argument. Also, pay attention to how he starts his rant-- he uses pertinent, interesting facts to hook his listener.

Look on You Tube for his rants about the pharmaceutical industry.

Your new task is to post a rant about your topic on your blog. State your position and let it rip! Before you begin, you might want to look at other examples of rants. If you would like, you can even video tape your rant and attach it to your blog.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Just the Facts

Go through your notes and locate 10 specific facts which argue your position most effectively. Consider posting them as a top 10 list.

What the Experts Say

What do the various authorities say regarding your topic and specifically your position on the issue? Remember there are different angles that you can pursue when establishing an individual's authority. Select 5-8 quotations which capture best support your position on your issue. Indicate the individual's "claim to expertise."

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Articulating Argument #1

Now that you have taken notes on your first subtopic, write a paragraph in which you support your position through this argument. Do not refer to your notes. Instead, let the information settle in your mind and write what you now know. Be sure to connect the argument with your position on the issue.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Blog Buddies

You have each been assigned to collaborate with two classmates during this research process. Over the next weeks, you will visit your blog buddies' blogs and offer comments, advice, and questions. For your first collaborative blogging, consider the following stems....
I am really interested in learning....
Something else I would like to know....
Have you considered....
Certainly you can respond in your own manner and offer comments that you feel will aid your buddies as they venture along their research journey.

Monday, March 17, 2008

The Pros and Cons

Now that you have completed preliminary reading on your topic, summarize the two sides of the issue. Then explain which side you will be arguing and why?
  • What does the pro side say/think/believe?
  • What does the con side say/think/believe?
  • Which side will you be arguing? Why?

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Up and Running-- First Post

Now that you have set up your blogs, take a little time customize them so that they reflect you and your topic.

Over the next three weeks, I will be posting the prompts for your posts on our class blog. The links to your blog and those of your fellow classmates will also be posted on that blog. I hope that you will have a chance to read what some of your peers are researching and will offer constructive comments and questions that will help them advance along their research paths.
As I mentioned in class, this is not a forum for personal or inappropriate remarks. Please keep the seriousness of this task in mind and allow this experience to be a fruitful one.

With that said, your first posting should be an overview of your topic. You might address some of the following questions: What is the issue? What is the controversy surrounding it? Why have you selected the issue? What is the research question?