DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

Welcome Back!

I. Icebreakers & Other Corny Introductions: Two Truths & One Lie

Since you all know one another well and Carmen is the only new kid on the block, we will start with an icebreaker that presumes you all know one another well... and test that knowing.  Meanwhile, Carmen will be getting to know your names.  Here is the process:

  1. On a piece of paper, write down two truths about yourself and one lie.  The object of the game is to see if your group members can guess which statement is a lie.  Don't make it too easy on them (i.e., in her spare time, Carmen plays for the WNBA...LIE!  First, who has spare time?  Second, Carmen can't even dribble though she wishes she could!)
  2. Meet in groups (these will be designated for you).  Give your group members a score. How many people get it right?
  3. Introduce yourself via your two truths and one lie and tell us your group score.

II. Overview of Syllabus and Course Website

  • Please make sure that you read pages 1-8 most closely.
  • Be ready to discuss concerns, curiousities, and questions.

III. Crash First Day Course in Rhetorical Analysis

Rhetorical Study means closely examining the available means of persuasion in a given time and place.  Next week, you will be reading some of the basic nomenclature/ vocabulary.  For today, we will bypass that and just examine a speech--- (one of) the most popular Ted Talk(s) today by Sir Ken Robinson: Do Schools Kill Creativity?

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
First ViewingSecond Viewing
  1. What did you think?  Why?
  2. What stood out for you most?  Try and capture 1-2 sentences.
  3. Why do you suppose this talk is so widely viewed and known?
  4. Why is this talk relevant and/or timely?  What are the social circumstances that make this talk seem relevant today?
  1. Why do people regard Robinson as someone who is credible?
  2. What believable evidence does he provide?
  3. This talk is NOT spontaneous.  It has been carefully crafted; the points & jokes were memorized/decided beforehand. Capture the ordering of Robinson's points and flow of ideas. 
  4. Once you have the ordering, make the case for why he ordered this talk this way.
  5. Who is he talking to?  How do you know that?
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

IV. Partnered Discussions and Writing

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.