Assignments and Grades
Assignments and grades will be calculated using the 100% system for each category. I have a rolling revision policy. You can revise any writing assignment within 10 days of it being graded.
Please note that the following policy will apply to you if you aren’t honestly and continually communicating with me about assignments/ extension needs:
Late assignments and make ups
Assignments will receive an automatic 5% reduction in grade for each class period late. Writing is a process. You will have an opportunity to revise your work for a higher grade, so you should turn in your work on time and take advantage of the revision policy.
Assignment Descriptions
Below is an overview outlining the assignments that will make up your final grade. All of your work will be published on your Weebly website and you will provide a link to the blogs under the “Discussions” tab and projects under the “Assignments” tab on Canvas so I can grade them and your peers can see them.
Project 1: Rhetorical Analysis (15%)
You have freedom to rhetorically analyze anything in pop culture that interests you. A movie (think Get Out), a show, a song, a book, a music video (think “All Too Well” 10 minute version), a comic, an article etc.
Analyze:
Requirements:
Project 2: Social Media Post Analysis Presentation + Reflection (15%)
You will find one social media post about the topics discussed during the week you present. Presentations will be on Fridays - refer to the schedule for further details. This presentation is meant to enhance and contextualize the topic we discuss that week. The social media post can be from Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc. It can be anything written, visual, or auditory.
Once you find your post, you will research and write about the credibility and impact of the post. What platform does it come from? Is it based on fact or is it a misinformed opinion? Do proper research to see the accuracy of the message being shared. Do they cite credible sources? Who is the author? Are they credible to be discussing this topic? Are they biased? Do they have an angle? What rhetoric are they using? Is it a fear tactic? What impact do posts like these have on our society and they way we view reality?
The second part of this assignment is a reflection of your own social media consumption. What platforms do you use the most? What is your view/feelings about social media? Does it help or hinder you? How do you get your news/ current events? Do you unfollow people that have differing beliefs from you? How does social media influence and impact your personal life and beliefs? Do you think you have the media literacy to navigate this day in age?
Requirements:
Student Lesson (10%)
As a class we’ve created a Pop Culture Catalog where we’ve listed every major form of pop culture. In groups or on your own, you'll pick a topic from this catalog and do a 5-7 minute lesson teaching our class all about it and its importance and influence on society.
When it comes to your presentation, think about multimodality and your audience (the class). How will you format and divide up the work amongst your group? How can you best present this information to the class? What engages you in a presentation? Are you going to do a Powerpoint presentation? A video? A podcast? A visual gallery? A graphic? It’s up to you to choose your rhetorical mode.
You will have an opportunity to sign up for a presentation date and topic during class.
Due: April 29th - May 3rd
Portfolio (20%)
Things to consider when editing:
-Is this your best work? How is this the foundation to a better developed piece?
- How can the language be changed to improve your message?
-What about sentence structure? Sentence length? What can you do to improve flow?
-Did you write at surface level? Can you further explore a topic or idea you presented?
-Think about your piece being published in a popular website or magazine (New Yorker, Washington Post, Vogue etc.) how would you want the final product to look?
-Could you add more visuals or links/resources to improve the aesthetic and finish?
-Can you connect one of your blogs with another rhetorical artifact? Or project 1 or 2?
Make a Portfolio tab on your Weebly website with your 3 edited pieces and your reflection at the end. Post a link to your Weebly 'Portfolio' tab on Canvas under the 'Assignments' tab.
Timeline:
Assignments and grades will be calculated using the 100% system for each category. I have a rolling revision policy. You can revise any writing assignment within 10 days of it being graded.
Please note that the following policy will apply to you if you aren’t honestly and continually communicating with me about assignments/ extension needs:
Late assignments and make ups
Assignments will receive an automatic 5% reduction in grade for each class period late. Writing is a process. You will have an opportunity to revise your work for a higher grade, so you should turn in your work on time and take advantage of the revision policy.
Assignment Descriptions
Below is an overview outlining the assignments that will make up your final grade. All of your work will be published on your Weebly website and you will provide a link to the blogs under the “Discussions” tab and projects under the “Assignments” tab on Canvas so I can grade them and your peers can see them.
Project 1: Rhetorical Analysis (15%)
You have freedom to rhetorically analyze anything in pop culture that interests you. A movie (think Get Out), a show, a song, a book, a music video (think “All Too Well” 10 minute version), a comic, an article etc.
Analyze:
- Who is the author? (director, producer, artist, writer etc.) What is their background? Their exigence/inspiration to create this piece?
- Who is their intended audience? And what does that say about this piece? Did they reach their intended audience?
- When did this piece come out? And how is it a reflection of that time?
- What rhetorical choices does the author make to send their message? What is the message? Do they successfully convey it?
- Identify any pathos, logos, ethos used to send the message.
- Is there a larger history behind the message? Does it have any connections to other popular culture/media forms?
- How does this piece impact society and culture as a whole?
Requirements:
- 800-1,000 words.
- Find at least 3 supporting sources.
- Format: Site in whatever format your major/career practices. Examples: Psychology: APA, English: MLA, Chicago: Business, History, The Arts.
Project 2: Social Media Post Analysis Presentation + Reflection (15%)
You will find one social media post about the topics discussed during the week you present. Presentations will be on Fridays - refer to the schedule for further details. This presentation is meant to enhance and contextualize the topic we discuss that week. The social media post can be from Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc. It can be anything written, visual, or auditory.
Once you find your post, you will research and write about the credibility and impact of the post. What platform does it come from? Is it based on fact or is it a misinformed opinion? Do proper research to see the accuracy of the message being shared. Do they cite credible sources? Who is the author? Are they credible to be discussing this topic? Are they biased? Do they have an angle? What rhetoric are they using? Is it a fear tactic? What impact do posts like these have on our society and they way we view reality?
The second part of this assignment is a reflection of your own social media consumption. What platforms do you use the most? What is your view/feelings about social media? Does it help or hinder you? How do you get your news/ current events? Do you unfollow people that have differing beliefs from you? How does social media influence and impact your personal life and beliefs? Do you think you have the media literacy to navigate this day in age?
Requirements:
- 800-1,000 words.
- Find at least 3 supporting sources.
- Format: Site in whatever format your major/career practices. Examples: Psychology: APA, English: MLA, Chicago: Business, History, The Arts.
Student Lesson (10%)
As a class we’ve created a Pop Culture Catalog where we’ve listed every major form of pop culture. In groups or on your own, you'll pick a topic from this catalog and do a 5-7 minute lesson teaching our class all about it and its importance and influence on society.
- Identify all of the forms that this media exists (music, film, shows, merch, makeup, food, venues, etc.) What influence has this media form had on other popular culture?
- Consider why it matters and the effect it has had on culture and identity formation.
- This is an opportunity to do a deep dive on this topic and include everything you’ve learned so far in the class about rhetoric: (Include all that are applicable to your topic.)
- Rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos)
- Author/audience
- Importance of context/time period it was created
- Multimodality
- Symbolic convergence
- Symbols/ visual communication
- Language formation
- Identity/ideology
- Feminist perspective
When it comes to your presentation, think about multimodality and your audience (the class). How will you format and divide up the work amongst your group? How can you best present this information to the class? What engages you in a presentation? Are you going to do a Powerpoint presentation? A video? A podcast? A visual gallery? A graphic? It’s up to you to choose your rhetorical mode.
You will have an opportunity to sign up for a presentation date and topic during class.
Due: April 29th - May 3rd
Portfolio (20%)
- Choose 3 pieces you’ve written for class to edit and improve. Your portfolio will showcase your best work.
- Write a reflection (500 words): What did you take away from the class and why is rhetoric important?
Things to consider when editing:
-Is this your best work? How is this the foundation to a better developed piece?
- How can the language be changed to improve your message?
-What about sentence structure? Sentence length? What can you do to improve flow?
-Did you write at surface level? Can you further explore a topic or idea you presented?
-Think about your piece being published in a popular website or magazine (New Yorker, Washington Post, Vogue etc.) how would you want the final product to look?
-Could you add more visuals or links/resources to improve the aesthetic and finish?
-Can you connect one of your blogs with another rhetorical artifact? Or project 1 or 2?
Make a Portfolio tab on your Weebly website with your 3 edited pieces and your reflection at the end. Post a link to your Weebly 'Portfolio' tab on Canvas under the 'Assignments' tab.
Timeline:
- Mon: In class - work on editing your portfolio.
- Wed: In class - work on editing your portfolio.
- Fri: In class - work on editing your portfolio/ get feedback from peers.
- Wed: Portfolio is due by midnight.