1. First response on lesson 4
Analyzing an argument on your own. Read "From Samizdat to Twitter" by Walter Isaacson in the New Media reader
Read "From Samizdat to Twitter" by Walter Isaacson in the New Media reader. How does Isaacson establish his credibility, goodwill, and so forth toward the audience? How does he enlist the emotions of his audience? What specific emotions does he appeal to? What is his line of argument?
Is it logical? What other logical appeals does he use?
http://foreignpolicy.com/2011/02/08/from-samizdat-to-twitter/
2. Second response on lesson 6
Directions: Read and analyze "The Amorality of Web 2.0" by Nicholas Carr in the New Media reader. As you read, evaluate the effectiveness of his argument, noting strengths and weaknesses.
Read and analyze "The Amorality of Web 2.0" by Nicholas Carr in the New Media reader (33-38). As you read, evaluate the effectiveness of his argument, noting strengths and weaknesses. After considering the argument as a whole, analyze the following passages. Write one paragraph (4 sentences) for each of the excerpts, analyzing the rhetorical moves Carr makes. In what ways do these moves help to build his argument (or not)? In what ways do these moves create ethical, emotional, or logical appeals?
http://www.roughtype.com/?p=110
1. Excerpt 3: "I'm all for blogs and blogging. (I'm writing this, ain't I?) But I'm not blind to the limitations and the flaws of the blogosphere-its superficiality, its emphasis on opinion over reporting, its echolalia, its tendency to reinforce rather than challenge ideological extremism and segregation" (37).
2. Excerpt 1: "But as the Web matured during the late 1990s, the dreams of a digital awakening went unfilled. The Net turned out to be more about commerce than consciousness, more a mall than a commune. And when the new millennium arrived, it brought not a new age but a dispiritingly commonplace popping of a bubble of earthly greed. Somewhere along the way, the moneychangers had taken over the temple. The Internet had transformed many things, but it had not transformed us. We were the same as ever" (33).
3. Excerpt 2: In response to Wikipedia's biography of Bill Gates, Carr writes, "Excuse me for stating the obvious, but this is garbage, an incoherent hodge-podge of dubious factoids . . . that adds up to something far less than the sum of its parts" (36).
3. Third Response on lesson 7
Directions: Read "Dear Students: Don't Let College Unplug Your Future" by Gideon Burton in the New Media reader. Analyze his use of diction, figurative language, and tone.
How effectively does Burton's use of language help establish his credibility as well as emotional and logical appeal? Be sure to consider his rhetorical situation. Who is his audience and what is his purpose? Write at least one paragraph (6-8 sentences each) for diction, figurative language, and tone. Be sure to cite specific examples of each.
http://www.academicevolution.com/2009/01/dear-students.html
4. Fourth Response on lesson 3
Now let's see if we can identify the claims, reasons, and assumptions in a more complex argument. Note, this will be marked correct no matter what you enter. Please compare your answer to the feedback to ensure you understand the information.
1. Read "Don't Dismiss Online Relationships as Fantasy" by Regina Lynn in the New Media reader. As you do so, identify the main claim of the argument. Identify other claims and reasons. Finally, figure out what assumptions link the reasons to the claim (or claims). Considering the author's audience and purpose (rhetorical situation), has the author included sufficient, typical, accurate, and relevant (STAR) reasons to support claims? Are the assumptions generally acceptable?
In the space provided, quote directly or paraphrase Lynn's main claim. List other claims or reasons. Then in a paragraph (6sentences) explain the assumptions Lynn makes. Conclude with a statement of the overall effectiveness of the argument.
https://archive.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/commentary/sexdrive/2007/09/sexdrive_0907?currentPage=a