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Unit 2: Joining the Conversation

CO300 Writing Arguments SP15Colorado State UniversityInstructor: Laura Thomas

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Overview

The objectives of Unit 2 include engaging and understanding the following:

Effective use of appeals: logos, ethos, and pathos

Understanding rhetorical situation

Adapting content knowledge, using conventions, shaping argument to purpose and audience

Effective and ethical use of sources

Peer response

Revision practices

Self-evaluation and reflection

Unit 2 builds on the work we’ve done in Unit 1. Now that you have become well-informed about a local issue and listened to the current conversation on it, it’s time to join that conversation and invite to pay attention to it, too.

+To achieve our objectives, we will read, write, and discuss.

Process

Read/Listen—Bitzer, Tannen, Freakonomics, and The Craft of Research,, chapters 7-10.

Rhetorical analysis—understand your rhetorical situation

Toulmin analysis– to test and shape your argument to fit your rhetorical situation

Feedback-Revision—continue through the process of inventing and arranging your blog post.

Wordpress blogging platform—Use a digital publishing space to connect with your audience

Outcomes

Publish an argument aimed at changing thought or action of an audience that includes but is not limited to peers in CO300 regarding the issue you’ve been exploring and refining from Unit 1.

Write an separate Introduction document that contextualizes, evaluates, and reflects on your blog post.

Respond to peers’ blog posts to engage in further conversations about issues with significance to local communities.

Identify opportunities for advocacy projects for Unit 3.

+Bitzer: “The Rhetorical Situation”Understanding the rhetorical situation will help you shape your argument to achieve your purpose with your audience.

Rhetorical Discourse(argumen

t)

Constraints

Exigence Audience

Rhetor

+Tannen: Argument as DialogueOur purpose will be to compose arguments that encourage conversation and problem-solving rather than winning a zero-sum game

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“The Truth is Out There, Isn’t It?”: the psychology of beliefsFacts alone do not determine our sense of what is true, so changing minds requires more than data.

+The Craft of Research:Toulmin analysisA strategy for inventing and arranging arguments that are both sound and persuasive that keeps audience in mind.

Data

Claim

Warrant

+WordpressWe will publish arguments on a Wordpress site, to enable conversation that promotes change.

+Unit 2Schedule overview

Week 7 (March 2-6): Rhetorical Analysis—identifying and understanding the rhetorical situation in which you will compose your blog post

Week 9 (March 23-27): Composing Blog Posts—drafting, getting feedback, and revising to maximize opportunities and manage limitations of the rhetorical situation

Week 8 (March 9-13): Toulmin Analysis—structuring and testing arguments with purpose and audience in mind

Week 10 (March 30-April 3): Joining the Conversation—publishing and responding to posts on our Wordpress site