Reading Responses & Homework 

Homework for Monday September 09

1. Add the hypothesis extension to the web browser on your laptop. (It's best if you use the Chrome web browser. Firefox also works, but
   Safari does not).  Here is a guide to installing and using Hypothesis. Note - if you don't have a laptop you can create a Google "identity" 
   for the Chrome browser and you can then log into Chrome from any computer. Your extensions (and hypothesis) will then work from
   any computer in the lab.
2. A) Summarize Thompson’s main claims in Public Thinking and "I'm So Totally Digitally Close to You"
   B) Describe a claim from each text that connected most/least to your own experiences? 
   C) Note elements of the text you found most rhetorically intresting, or that you had questions about/wanted to know more about. 
   D) Identiy a particular strenmgth or weakness in Thompson's arguments
   E) Where do you see Thompson addressing people who might disagree with him? How persuasive are Thompson's rebuttals?

Reading Response for Monday September 09

1. Waldman discusses McCulloch's argument that the internet is making writing better. In what way does Waldman suggest 
   writing is getting better?  Do you agree?
2. Compose a brief response to the texts by McNamee and Tufecki.  Describe what you found most interesting/important, and discuss
   one way these texts complicate or challenge Thompson.
   
   

Homework for September 16

1. Homework assignment: Read Ong's text. This gives an overview of the characteristics of oral expression, and of 
   orally composed texts (texts composed without writing). Use Ong to examine a sample oral composition, “Sundiata.” 
   The Sundiata text is a short example of an orally composed story/song. The text contains two versions of the story. The first has been turned into 
   a traditional "literate" prose text, and the second is a transcription of an oral performance. Read version 1 for background, but analyze version 2
   (the "song"). Discuss features of the text that seem to fit Ong's list. The text has been translated, so any analysis will involve some guess work. 
   Give it your best shot, and don't be afraid to speculate. Your analysis should be 2-3 double spaced pages. 
   
   What are some elements of the “Sundiata” text that seem to fit Ong's list of characteristics? Note: Ong argues that in an oral culture
   (one without writing) the “texts” have distinctive features. For example, they tend to be somewhat repetitious, there is often redundancy,
   and many "formulas" (sayings, proverbs, stock characters).  Texts often take the form of songs or poems, since these are easier to memorize,
   and they tell a story that is dramatic.   
   
   
2. How does Saracas extend Ong's arguments? Discuss one claim you found particularly interesting or persuasuve.
3. Read Young & Sullivan's "Why Write."  Note one claim you found valuable or important.

Reading Response for September 23 

• What do you think are Boyd's most important claims? Why? 
• Boyd claims the “rhetoric of digital natives” has been damaging. List some problems Boyd associates with the concept. 
• Caulfield also thinks digital literacy has been defined incorrectly. What are his main claims? Do either Boyd or Caulfield's solutions
  seems useful?

Reading Response for September 30 

1. What seems most interesting, relevant or useful about Roberts-Miller's framework for analyzing demagogic discourse? 
2. Read George Wallace's infamous inauguration speech. Use a concept from Roberts-Miller (polarization, demonization,
   victimization, scapegoating, etc.) to discuss this one element of Wallace's rhetoric. 
3. Why do you think we have recently seen such an increase in the kind of rhetoric Roberts-Miller (and Stanley) identify?

Homework for October 7

1. How does Mercieca's argument relate to Roberts-Miller? How does it extend and develop claims made by RM? 
2. Use concepts from Mercieca's, RM and/or Mooney and Evans to a web site or text of your choice
   (if you want help your instructor can provide examples). Use one or more of the authors concepts as a lens
   to generate an analysis of the site/text.