Post 12: Honest Political Correctness

Due: Wednesday, 7. NOV 2012

Read the article at the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/fashion/helping-a-gay-child-to-come-out.html?pagewanted=all. After you read, you are to pick one line or passage and respond to it. Any passage/line will do: you may like the use of diction, syntax or chiasmus; you may agree/disagree whole-heartedly with the sentiment expressed. No matter why you choose the line you choose, remember to be honest, use polite language that is suitable for this very public forum. Proofread you response before you hit "post." 

Post 11 - Pow! Pop! Sizzle!

Alina inspired this post. When we were brainstorming expos topics, she brought up onomatopoeia. So...you guessed it. For this week's response you are using your 300 pithy words to create an onomatopoeic symphony. Think of it as Stomp on paper (or in the cloud). Don't just list words, put them together as a narrative. Take chances, as long as you proofread, this is the place to experiment with your writing.

Post 10 - Rhetorical Device Play

Due Friday, 26 October (this post is late, so you response may be, too)

You have examined four specific rhetorical devices used for specific effect by Diana's brother, Earl of Spencer. Scan the eulogy again looking for HOW and WHY he used the following: polysyndeton, asyndeton, anaphora, and epistrophe. Then, create a post (300 word limit) in which you use each one for your own EFFECT - to emphasize something specific, to make things equally important, to create a sense of multiplicity, to build to a climax...

Hint: This will work better if you write it first as a word document, then copy and paste here.

9 Fall Break

Choose ONE thing you are looking forward to about break and expound upon it. Only ONE thing. For example, I am looking forward to my trip to Johannesburg, but ONE thing would be riding public transportation. Two things would be the airplane ride and the train or the train and a bus. Choose ONE. Only 300 words.  Have a great break by writing early.

8 - Congo Week

We are celebrating Congo Week this week. Some of you have been industriously designing & building water projects, some have been rehearsing your dances, and some have been working with elementary projects.  Lots of prep work for a pretty big week.  Tell me what you think of Congo Week as a concept. Focus on one aspect: it's stated purpose, the fact that the organization is in the US, whether or not you think it is effective in it's purpose, what you think (or know) local groups think of it, if the youth is really the power behind it, or anything else you choose to talk about. Remember, keep it between 280 - 350 words (some of you get long-winded).

7: Read Any Banned Books Lately?

September 30 - Oct 6, 2012 is the 30th anniversary of Banned Books Week. Take a look at this video link (it's only 2.5 minutes long and loads pretty fast). http://billmoyers.com/content/the-bane-of-banned-books/

After watching, check out some of the links that list the young adult books most banned and why; the classic books most often banned and even the links to the books themselves.

I like the idea of the "what books would you require Americans read." I'm intrigued. Choose a single book you think everyone should read and explain why. It can be a book aimed at any age group - if you have a burning desire to ensure that every two year old reads "Pat the Bunny," explain your reasons. After everyone has posted, go back, read all the book titles and reasons, and vote for your favorite. This means EVERYONE must post by Tuesday, 2 OCT. read each other's post, post your vote and explain your thoughts by Thursday, 4 OCT (remember, Friday is Homecoming, so post early)

This should be fun.

Hand-Up or Hand-Out?

Due: Wednesday, 26. SEP 2012

Read the article:

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2012/0902/Back-to-school-From-rural-Africa-to-the-Ivy-League

Then decide if you think this project worthwhile: consider cost, manpower hours, local beliefs and customs vs MEDC beliefs and customs (is it harming the local kids culturally?), or is it simply a band-aid solution to make the "givers" feel better about themselves? Is it necessary? Or are we (my country) telling the local families that their world is inferior to ours? Who's to say if being a subsistence farmer in Swaziland is more or less important or fulfilling than being an MIT trained electrical engineer?

Please ensure your comments are addressing the prompt directly and that you are saying what you have to say in between 250 - 400 words.