For Weds. (8:30).

Hello all,

Today we spent some time learning about the greenhouse effect and we chatted about the different ways media and culture illustrate this effect to our society. We thought about ways that this teaches us or informs our daily opinions.

We then shifted to discussing the reading which focused on a critique of The Simpsons. Even though many of you had no true understanding of the Simpsons (Family Guy was as substitute), I think that you understand the goal of the reading. The reading was meant to highlight our "reading" of cultural artifacts and texts. All the various constructions--texts, movies, images, films, advertising, etc--all have elements that seek to communicate ideas to an audience. We need to think about these various stages and strategies as we engage a text, regardless of the requirements of the reading. Take a look at this link http://www.utdallas.edu/~jtc044000/rhet1302/visual_arguments/index.html for an interesting take on "reading" a visual.

We moved then to discussing our shift from student to scholar. Remember, the goal of project three will be for you to teach others about your topic of interest. One of the main ways that you will engage a community is there reading and interpreting texts. I asked you to locate four different modes of texts--a song, a film, a book, and a constructed image. You will now need to start to interpret these in preparation of using them to teach your topic and to become a scholar. The first stage is to complete the following three areas for each of the four modes selected.

1. Describe the visual and textual elements which reflect issues from your Project Two exploration.




2. List the overall argument and purpose of the image/film/song/text? (one sentence)



3. Describe the specific audience for the presentation. (Age, gender, education, etc.)



We also spent some time discussing my comments for your Project Two. Remember, Project Two final draft is due next Monday. So you have a week to revise and then to edit. Even though I am not requiring that you submit another draft, but I would strongly encourage you to submit another draft to me before the final submission. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

For Weds:

Read-The Catcher in the Rye Selection

Write-Complete the three questions/areas of thought for each of your four modes.

Do-Revise and edit your project two draft
Bring your four modes work to class

Take care,

Kat