HW:
Bring 2 COPIES complete rough draft to conference time. Conferences will be held instead of W and F class. Conferences will meet Wed - Thurs in ELY BESIDE SUBWAY.
Class:
Get out and look back over the sample research essays I handed out last time.
in your notes:
1. Describe how these two student writers balance using their sources while making their own argument. (Can you draw it as a diagram or a picture?)
2. HOW does each seem to use her/his sources?
3. What do you learn / consider regarding writing your own research paper as you read these sample essays? (in what ways are these essays "good guides," and in what ways are they not?)
GOOD INTRODUCTIONS
*MOST good introductions do MOST of the following*:
1. entices the reader to read on
2. presents a question or problem worthy of a 5-6 page paper
3. acknowledges the sources you will utilize and situates your reading of your primary text in relation to these sources
4. explains the importance / significance of your project
5. explicitly states its argument
6. provides a road map as to how the paper will unfold
7. defines key concepts or terms
How do you see the authors of the sample essays accomplishing these?
What of these criteria are important to accomplish in your essay intro.? How can you accomplish these?
Monday, November 28, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Susan Sontag Regarding the Pain of Others
OUTLINE
Sontag starts off by addressing the changing notion of the responsibilities of someone who visually represents war, either in paintings or photos.
Sontag starts off by addressing the changing notion of the responsibilities of someone who visually represents war, either in paintings or photos.
Mon 11/21, HW for 11/28
Class:
1. Brief discussion of Regarding the Pain of Others and possible connections
2. Look over sample annotation
3. Choosing Sources
4. Handback D'Agata responses
HW:
1. Annotated Bibliography due on Mon 11/28
2. Also, please read the two sample research essay handouts. Pay careful attention to how these student writers balance source information and their own ideas/argument.
3. The rough draft of your research paper is due at our conference, which will take place W 11/30 - Fri. 12/2.
Possible Sources
I. Sources we've read as a class:
1. "Is Google making Us Stupid" by Nicholas Carr
2. "Why I Blog" by Andrew Sullivan
3. "The Numbing of the American Mind" by Thomas de Zengotita
4. "Braindead Megaphone" by George Saunders
5. "Regarding the Pain of Others" by Susan Sontag
6. "You, Yes, You Are Time's Person of the Year" Time Magazine
II. Sources from the Sources Page
III. Sources (particularly Scholarly Sources) you have found using the library research database
IV. Any other essays from our OTHER WORDS textbook
*Ideally you want a variety of sources that relates directly and indirectly (i.e. you do the work of relating them / applying them) to your topic.*
Possible Connections for Susan Sontag's "Regarding the Pain of Others."
Susan Sontag focuses her essay primarily on the image. Her claim that "we only remember the photographs" seems to support George Saunders analogy of megaphone man. What Sontag is interested in with regard to visual images is parallel to what Saunders is discussing with regard to the talking heads of the news media...
Sontag's argument is also linked to some degree to what Nicholas Carr argues in "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" Both authors are interested in discussing what they feel is an overload of information. While Sontag worries that repeated viewing of horrific photos shocks and desensitizes, Carr worries that search overload causes us to become mere decoders of information. According to Sontag, viewers tacitly sanction whatever is depicted in a photo simply by viewing it. According to Carr, the more we use Google the more our brains begin to function like it. The photo and the Google search, then, both exercise a great amount of power over us. They both come to exist as part of our understanding of how the world works, or of what is normal, and both of these authors want to point out the possible dangers associated with these worldviews.
Sample Annotation
In his essay, "The Numbing of the American Mind," Thomas de Zengotita expresses a level of surprise that most Americans "moved on" so quickly after 9/11/01. Zengotita explains that this happened because we are so over-stimulated by an onslaught of information, that we can only react by becoming partially numb. Zengotita shares with Susan Sontag, author of "Regarding the Pain of Others," an interest in exploring the possible effects of desensitization. I see Zengotita's claims as an extension of Sontag's. While Sontag primarily considers the desensitizing affects of war photos, Zengotita considers the desensitizing effects of the onslaught of partially fabricated images many Americans confront daily. Both of these authors are also interested in what these images teach us. Sontag claims that horrific images inform our memory, but she worries visual images do not help us understand. Perhaps most notably, she claims that even viewing a photo sanctions what it depicts in some way. Zengotita is concerned that we are unable to take the time to understand the images we see, and so what we are taught by such images are increasingly nuanced strategies for "moving on." I will attempt to apply Zengotita's argument to my analysis of the role of the text-message in society. If Zengotita were to study text messages, he would likely view them as a means by which texters keep moving. Text messages may actually be evidence that we have learned very well how to keep moving, and sending and receiving texts might be evidence of how we practice our need to keep moving. Another thing Zengotita's essay makes me wonder with regard to text message is to what degree they serve to give the text sender and receiver a sense of connection with the overly digitized world? From this perspective, it may be possible for me to argue that text messages serve a vital need of providing connection and reassurance within an increasingly aggressive onslaught of stimuli. The possible irony here is that text messages are also themselves part of the information overload.
1. Brief discussion of Regarding the Pain of Others and possible connections
2. Look over sample annotation
3. Choosing Sources
4. Handback D'Agata responses
HW:
1. Annotated Bibliography due on Mon 11/28
2. Also, please read the two sample research essay handouts. Pay careful attention to how these student writers balance source information and their own ideas/argument.
3. The rough draft of your research paper is due at our conference, which will take place W 11/30 - Fri. 12/2.
Possible Sources
I. Sources we've read as a class:
1. "Is Google making Us Stupid" by Nicholas Carr
2. "Why I Blog" by Andrew Sullivan
3. "The Numbing of the American Mind" by Thomas de Zengotita
4. "Braindead Megaphone" by George Saunders
5. "Regarding the Pain of Others" by Susan Sontag
6. "You, Yes, You Are Time's Person of the Year" Time Magazine
II. Sources from the Sources Page
III. Sources (particularly Scholarly Sources) you have found using the library research database
IV. Any other essays from our OTHER WORDS textbook
*Ideally you want a variety of sources that relates directly and indirectly (i.e. you do the work of relating them / applying them) to your topic.*
Possible Connections for Susan Sontag's "Regarding the Pain of Others."
Susan Sontag focuses her essay primarily on the image. Her claim that "we only remember the photographs" seems to support George Saunders analogy of megaphone man. What Sontag is interested in with regard to visual images is parallel to what Saunders is discussing with regard to the talking heads of the news media...
Sontag's argument is also linked to some degree to what Nicholas Carr argues in "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" Both authors are interested in discussing what they feel is an overload of information. While Sontag worries that repeated viewing of horrific photos shocks and desensitizes, Carr worries that search overload causes us to become mere decoders of information. According to Sontag, viewers tacitly sanction whatever is depicted in a photo simply by viewing it. According to Carr, the more we use Google the more our brains begin to function like it. The photo and the Google search, then, both exercise a great amount of power over us. They both come to exist as part of our understanding of how the world works, or of what is normal, and both of these authors want to point out the possible dangers associated with these worldviews.
Sample Annotation
In his essay, "The Numbing of the American Mind," Thomas de Zengotita expresses a level of surprise that most Americans "moved on" so quickly after 9/11/01. Zengotita explains that this happened because we are so over-stimulated by an onslaught of information, that we can only react by becoming partially numb. Zengotita shares with Susan Sontag, author of "Regarding the Pain of Others," an interest in exploring the possible effects of desensitization. I see Zengotita's claims as an extension of Sontag's. While Sontag primarily considers the desensitizing affects of war photos, Zengotita considers the desensitizing effects of the onslaught of partially fabricated images many Americans confront daily. Both of these authors are also interested in what these images teach us. Sontag claims that horrific images inform our memory, but she worries visual images do not help us understand. Perhaps most notably, she claims that even viewing a photo sanctions what it depicts in some way. Zengotita is concerned that we are unable to take the time to understand the images we see, and so what we are taught by such images are increasingly nuanced strategies for "moving on." I will attempt to apply Zengotita's argument to my analysis of the role of the text-message in society. If Zengotita were to study text messages, he would likely view them as a means by which texters keep moving. Text messages may actually be evidence that we have learned very well how to keep moving, and sending and receiving texts might be evidence of how we practice our need to keep moving. Another thing Zengotita's essay makes me wonder with regard to text message is to what degree they serve to give the text sender and receiver a sense of connection with the overly digitized world? From this perspective, it may be possible for me to argue that text messages serve a vital need of providing connection and reassurance within an increasingly aggressive onslaught of stimuli. The possible irony here is that text messages are also themselves part of the information overload.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Class 11/18; HW for Mon 11/21
HW: Read Regarding the Pain of Others, and "You Yes You" from Time Magaine. Write complete annotations for each and bring to class Mon.
Bring copies of all your sources -- at least 4 -- to class Monday.
Bring copies of all your sources -- at least 4 -- to class Monday.
1. Go over Source Eval re: Braindead Megaphone
2. Discussion Question: How can you connect Saunder's claims to Carr, Sullivan, and the source you found in the library? (How does Saunder's "add to the conversation" we've been having about New Media and the Information Revolution?)
3. Present Annotated Bibliography, write annotation for "Braindead Megaphone"
Johnson, Steven. “TV Makes You Smarter.”
Back to the Lake: A Reader for Writers.
Thomas Cooley, ed. New York: WW Norton. 2009. p. 615-626
Start your paragraph…..
Zengotita, Thomas. “The Numbing of the American Mind” Harper’s Magazine. April, 2002. Print.
Summarize the author’s major claims. Give an overview of author’s argument.
Assess the source in comparison with at least 2 of the other sources in your bibliography. Be specific.
Reflect on how you might use the source, and how it might fit into your own argument. How does the source help you consider your primary text? Consider the source as a LENS through which to view your primary text. What would the source-author say about your primary text?
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Class 11/16, HW for 11/18
review difference btwn Primary text and Secondary Sources, "lol how r u" example
source evaluation activity
hand-in responses to About a Mountain
HW: Read "The Braindead Megaphone" p. 239 OTHER WORDS. Type-up responses to Source Eval Worksheet to hand-in/ discuss Friday.
source evaluation activity
hand-in responses to About a Mountain
HW: Read "The Braindead Megaphone" p. 239 OTHER WORDS. Type-up responses to Source Eval Worksheet to hand-in/ discuss Friday.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Class 11/14, HW for 11/16
CLASS MEETS IN LIBRARY TODAY
BRING ABOUT A MOUNTAIN TO CLASS WED.
BRING OTHER WORDS WED.
1. Find, read, print out, summarize in at least two good paragraphs The Best (scholarly) source that you can find.
*Your source should Make an Argument within the broad topic of how The Information Revoltuion / New Media is changing how humans read, write, and think.*
Bring your source and your summary to class Wed.
2. Finish About a Mountain for Wed. Write a response paper. Prompt: How would you describe D'Agata as a researcher? What seems to guide him as he writes and researches? How would you describe his over-arching purpose in writing this book? Use specific examples to back up your claims.
BRING ABOUT A MOUNTAIN TO CLASS WED.
BRING OTHER WORDS WED.
1. Find, read, print out, summarize in at least two good paragraphs The Best (scholarly) source that you can find.
*Your source should Make an Argument within the broad topic of how The Information Revoltuion / New Media is changing how humans read, write, and think.*
Bring your source and your summary to class Wed.
2. Finish About a Mountain for Wed. Write a response paper. Prompt: How would you describe D'Agata as a researcher? What seems to guide him as he writes and researches? How would you describe his over-arching purpose in writing this book? Use specific examples to back up your claims.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Research Unit Sources Page
"If You Think You're Facebook Friends Don't Like You, You're Probably Right" Slate.com (a study of user's responses to positive and negative status updates)
"Can Smart Phones Cure Depression?" Slate.com
"Jeremy Lin's Social Media Fast Break" Salon.com
"Can Machines Ever Be Moral?" Slate.com
"The Guy Holding the Chicken is @Sweden" Salon.com (about Twitter and its possibilities)
"Are We on Information Overload?" Salon.com (a positive view of the internet)
"Will Computers be Able to Read Your Mind..." Slate.com
"The Rise of Facebook Nation" Salon.com argues Fb's power is now similar in to a nation-state
"Kim Jong Il's Career in Advertising" (pictures of the dictator used in ad campaigns)
"Why Kids Need Solitude" (argues about what kids are losing to computer culture) Salon.com
"The Tea Party's Utopian Market Populism;" an interview with Thomas Frank from Salon.com
"You Say You Want a Devolution" by Kurt Anderson (Vanity Fair, argues culture has become almost stagnant b/c of the internet)
"Take Me to the River" by Tom Ewing (about how internet changes music and culture)
"How Computer's Change the Way We Think" by Sherry Turkle
"Kids Today" (argues occupy wall street is evidence of a major ethical shift)
"War is Fun" a review of Modern Warfare 3 by Farhad Manjoo on Slate.com
"Whither Psychoanalysis in Computer Culture?" by Sherry Turkle
"The Numbing of the American Mind" by Thomas Zengotita
"You -- Yes You -- Are Time's Person of the Year" Time Magazine
"In Plato's Cave" by Susan Sontag
"Watching TV Makes you Smarter" by Steven Johnson
"Gender and Videogames: The Political Valency of Laura Croft" by Maja Mikula
"Can Smart Phones Cure Depression?" Slate.com
"Jeremy Lin's Social Media Fast Break" Salon.com
"Can Machines Ever Be Moral?" Slate.com
"The Guy Holding the Chicken is @Sweden" Salon.com (about Twitter and its possibilities)
"Are We on Information Overload?" Salon.com (a positive view of the internet)
"Will Computers be Able to Read Your Mind..." Slate.com
"The Rise of Facebook Nation" Salon.com argues Fb's power is now similar in to a nation-state
"Kim Jong Il's Career in Advertising" (pictures of the dictator used in ad campaigns)
"Why Kids Need Solitude" (argues about what kids are losing to computer culture) Salon.com
"The Tea Party's Utopian Market Populism;" an interview with Thomas Frank from Salon.com
"You Say You Want a Devolution" by Kurt Anderson (Vanity Fair, argues culture has become almost stagnant b/c of the internet)
"Take Me to the River" by Tom Ewing (about how internet changes music and culture)
"How Computer's Change the Way We Think" by Sherry Turkle
"Kids Today" (argues occupy wall street is evidence of a major ethical shift)
"War is Fun" a review of Modern Warfare 3 by Farhad Manjoo on Slate.com
"Whither Psychoanalysis in Computer Culture?" by Sherry Turkle
"The Numbing of the American Mind" by Thomas Zengotita
"You -- Yes You -- Are Time's Person of the Year" Time Magazine
"In Plato's Cave" by Susan Sontag
"Watching TV Makes you Smarter" by Steven Johnson
"Gender and Videogames: The Political Valency of Laura Croft" by Maja Mikula
class 11/9
CLASS MEETS IN LIBRARY MON. 11/14
HW: Continue reading ABOUT A MONTAIN. Continue to think and to brainstorm about what your Primary Text will be for your research project.
Class 11/9
1. Share AAM responses. Discuss reactions and questions about the book
2. Go over revised schedule for research unit
3. discuss possible Primary Texts for research
HW: Continue reading ABOUT A MONTAIN. Continue to think and to brainstorm about what your Primary Text will be for your research project.
Class 11/9
1. Share AAM responses. Discuss reactions and questions about the book
2. Go over revised schedule for research unit
3. discuss possible Primary Texts for research
Monday, November 7, 2011
Research Project Assignment
Research Project: “Writing Right Now”
Jack Christian, Eng 102
Broad Research Question: How is the internet and the Information Revolution changing the practices of reading and writing?
For Wed 11/9
HW:
1. Read to page 79 of ABOUT A MOUNTAIN for Wed.
2. Response paper due. Prompt:
ABOUT A MOUNTAIN, on NPR
Possible Texts
http://www.netlingo.com/acronyms.php
http://twitter.com/#!/Shitmydadsays
http://twitter.com/#!/occupywallstnyc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1AwFY6MuwE
1. Read to page 79 of ABOUT A MOUNTAIN for Wed.
2. Response paper due. Prompt:
How would you characterize D’Agata’s process of writing and researching based on how he has structured his book? What is he interested in articulating? Why do you think he has chosen the “who, what, where, when, why?” structure for his chapters?
3. Bring list of possible texts you would like analyze
ABOUT A MOUNTAIN, on NPR
Possible Texts
http://www.netlingo.com/acronyms.php
http://twitter.com/#!/Shitmydadsays
http://twitter.com/#!/occupywallstnyc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1AwFY6MuwE
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