Room 312 - (Enhanced) Introductory Paragraphs: Selecting; Student Projects: Persuasive Podcasts
October 24th, 2008 — room312Today’s Podcast:
- Introductory Paragraphs: Selecting
- Student Persuasive Podcast Projects
Introductory Paragraphs: Selecting
This is just one of many possible introductions you can use to structure the beginning of your essay. Selecting begins with a statement and then adds brief, specific examples. In my example below, I wrap up the introcution with a thesis statement.
“There are many great science fiction movies. Both IGN and IMDb rates StarWars Episode 5 as the top movie. Austarnet touts Bladerunner as the ultimate scifi experience. However, one of the best science fiction movies of all time is Contact.
Student Persuasive Podcast Projects
The following are the handouts that were given to guide the student projects. In the podcast, I share the student examples.
The Introduction to the Project
To: The Alpha Research Group
From: The Department of Homeland Security
The following information is classified and should not be discussed outside your research group. There have been enough reports coming in about an “alien threat” that we would like an initial risk assessment. The crank reports have been sorted and thrown out, and the following documents have been deemed valid enough to warrant further investigation.
Your team is to read the reports and document the facts using the reading strategies we studied in training. Your team is to present a 2 – 5 minute picture/audio podcast assessing the reality of the threat at the conference we will be holding titled “Is the Threat Real?”
Thank you for your time and commitment to keeping the homeland safe! Directions for the Podcast Script
Script Instructions
Before you start your script, you need to come to an agreement based off the information your read and gathered, and decide whether we are at risk of alien invasion or not. Are these aliens visiting us a threat? Your opinion of the matter or whether you even believe in aliens is NOT important. Remember, you are basing your stance on the information you have gathered. Lay it all out before you and look which side has the most evidence.
Once you have come to a decision, begin writing your script. It needs to be set up like a script and should be structured as if you are actually talking about it. Remember the script need to be 2 – 5 minutes long. Everyone must have a speaking part.
Example”
Part 1:
Scott: Hello. We are Alpha Research Group 16 also known as ARG. We are a subdivision of the Department of Homeland Security
Kim: In our group we have Scott Tattleburg, Laura Ingles, and myself, Kimmy Johnson.
Laura: After looking at various credible documents, examining the evidence, ARG has come the conclusion that we are NOT at risk from alien invasion.
Here are the segments you need in your script:
The script: * Part One: - Introduce the name of group - Introduce members - Introduce stance
* Part Two: - Evidence to support your stance - Use specific references to articles your read
* Part Three - Why might people argue against you? What arguments might they use? - How will you answer these arguments?
* Part Four - Recap your position - Sign off
October 25th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Your podcast approach to the argument is intriguing.
Do you go from the oral argument to a written argument? If so, do you discuss the differences between oral and written argument?
Are you working with a class that includes a wide range of abilities, or a specialized group?
I’ve used some fictive scenarios to set up some lessons. I’ve found the approach either was a huge success or a huge failure. What has been your experience?
I’d love to hear more about your experience.
Linda Aragoni http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com