Question: Writing in Various Settings
Prompt for Projects 1 and 2: Memoir with Persuasive Message
In this persuasive memoir you will tell a story to aparticular audience in a specific settingfor a clear rhetorical purpose.The audience, setting, and rhetorical purpose will be decided by you.
In your introduction use metadiscourse (explaining what you will be explaining).
Examples:
In this letter I will tell you about an experience I had and argue that...
In this slide show I will tell you about an experience I had and argue that...
In this short film I will tell you about an experience I had and argue that...
In your introduction also make it clear who your readers are, which particular setting this is in, and what your argument and purpose are. Let readers know that you will be telling them a story and that your purpose is to get them to take your advice. Also provide your own credentials so that they know they can trust you.
Make three points in your project as you convey your story to your readers.Write three clear claims with verbs. Be directive with your advice. Then complement your claim with your memoir. Tell a story that helps to bolster your credibility and to convince your readers to take your advice. Since this is a persuasive memoir project, include that personal story throughout your project, not just as an afterthought.Furthermore, do not let the memoir take over the argument. Blend the two.
Conclude by reiterating the three points you made, in the same order in which you explained them before, reminding readers of your story, clarifying your argument, and trying to convince your readers to take your advice.
For Project 1 you will choose one of these options. For project 2 you will choose another one of these options. You may do both projects on the same subject, tell the same story, and possibly offer the same pieces of advice.
Optional: work in groups of 2-4. Write one project together. Each group member must upload a copy of the project.
Option B: Visual, and Written Rhetoric
Create a PowerPoint or Google Docs slideshow telling a story and offering advice.
5 slides.
Format: Use minimal text on slides. Consider your readers in the particular setting you have chosen. They need concise and readable language, clear points, some repetition, and an aesthetically pleasing design. Use some complete sentences and some bullet points with fragments.
Differentiate your own story from your argument by putting it in a different color font.
Make the advice slides have titles that are written as clear, direct claims for your readers.
Structure
Slide 1: Introduction with metadiscourse and name with credentials
Slide 2: Point 1 with story used to support your claim
Slide 3: Point 2 with story used to support your claim
Slide 4: Point 3 with story used to support your claim
Slide 5: Conclusion (Reiterate your points, clarify your argument, and convince your audience.)
Criteria for Evaluation
Successful writers will
1. Tell a story and make an argument for a particular audience, setting, and purpose.
2. Use metadiscoursethroughout their project to guide readers.
3. Make three points and support each claim with a story.
4. Conclude by reiterating their points, making a strong argument, and trying to convince their readers to take their advice.
5. Thoroughly edit their documents.
6. Upload their rough draft to Turn It In before the deadline. If doing a short film, send a YouTube link (set to "anyone with a link may view") to Lecturer Sager on Zoom or via email,send a YouTube link to peers on group chat on Zoom, and upload a script/outline to Turn It In before the deadline.
7. Watch Lecturer Sager'sZoom recordings, read sample student work, check the feedback their lecturer puts on their rough draft and implement those suggestions and corrections.
8. Check the feedback their peers put on their rough draft in PeerMark reviews and consider those suggestions and corrections.
9. Participate in the online discussion for this project by reading the discussion board on Blackboard and group chat on Zoom.
10. Upload their final draft to Turn It In before the deadline. If doing a short film, send a YouTube link (set to "anyone with a link may view") to Lecturer Sager and peerson Zoom or email, and upload a script/outline to Turn It In before the deadline.
11. Complete 1-2 pages for the letter, 5 slides for the slide show, or 5-7 minutes for the short film.