Graff argues that schools should encourage students to think critically, read, and write about areas of personal interest such as cars, fashion, or music—as long as they do so in an intellectually serious way. What else does he write about this point? How does he prove this point? What evidences does he provide?

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“Literary analyses are essays in which we examine literary texts closely to understand their messages, and interpret their meanings, and appreciate their writers’ techniques” (Bullock, Brody, and Weinberg 62). In a traditional literary analysis, you respond to a poem, novel, play, or short story. That response can be analytical, looking at them, plot, structure, characters, genre, style, and so on. Or it can be critical, theoretical, or evaluative—locating works within their social, political, historic, and even philosophic neighborhoods. Or you might approach a literary work expressively, describing how you connect with it intellectually and emotionally. Or you can combine these approaches or imagine alternative ones—perhaps reflecting new attitudes and assumptions about media. Other potential genres for analysis include films, TV offerings, popular music, comic books and games.

For this assignment, you are expected to read the article: “Hidden Intellectualism” by Gerald Graff on P. 264 from They Say I Say.  Read the following prompts and pick one. Or you may consider using both prompts in your essay.

  1. Graff argues that schools should encourage students to think critically, read, and write about areas of personal interest such as cars, fashion, or music—as long as they do so in an intellectually serious way. What else does he write about this point? How does he prove this point? What evidences does he provide? What is your interpretation of this idea?
  2. Gerald Graff begins his essay with the view that we generally associate “book smarts” with intellectualism and “street smarts” with anti-intellectualism. Graff then provides an extended example from his early life to counter this viewpoint. What support does he provide and how persuasive is it?

Compare the experience of reading the play with watching the staged production. How was the “staging” you “produced” in your head compared to the director’s interpretation in the filmed version?

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Compare the experience of reading the play with watching the staged production. How was the “staging” you “produced” in your head compared to the director’s interpretation in the filmed version? Did you “see” it differently? Were the director’s choices consistent with yours? Did it look, sound and feel the same? Were the ideas/themes altered? Did you imagine the characters/plot/scenes/conversations/setting differently? If so, did the differences have an effect on your appreciation/understanding/enjoyment of the play? Try to be specific and refer to particular places in the play.

Write an analysis & synthesis essay in which you analyze a thirty second commercial and synthesize what you find to be the subtext of the commercial. You will break down the commercial into its various parts and discover connections.

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You will write an analysis & synthesis essay in which you analyze a thirty second commercial and synthesize what you find to be the subtext of the commercial. You will break down the commercial into its various parts and discover connections. From there, you’ll take the information you’ve learned, coupled with your critique of the commercial and synthesize your thoughts on the subtext. Your synthesis is your way of providing something new to the conversation as opposed to simply agreeing or disagreeing with the points being made in the commercial. Some questions to ask yourself as you watch the commercial:

• How do you respond?

• Is it persuasive?

• Do you have an emotional response to the surface text about what they’re trying to sell you?

• What are you reacting to?

• What’s the story of the commercial?

• Who’s in the ad? What do they look like?

• How would you describe them in terms of demographic (age, gender, race, etc) and personality? Now you are ready to analyze the commercial.

• Who is the ad targeting? Why?

• How do you know?

• What is important or valuable in the world of the ad?

• What would be viewed as good and bad in the world of the ad? Once you have your analysis, you will then create your synthesis wherein you delve into the subtext of the commercial.

Based on your analysis, what do you think the commercial is saying? Is it commenting on some aspect of our culture/society? Your synthesis is where you get to add something new to the conversation
based on the observations you’ve made throughout your analysis

Write a paper that gives information about the topic in relation to a main idea: for example, the problem of homelessness on Vancouver’s East side, or the effects of smart phone addiction on human relationships

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  • For this assignment, you are required to write an academic research paper of at least 1500 words in the MLA format (max 2000 wds).
  • Choose your own topic, but make sure it is single, significant, and supportable.
  • Your essay can be You can write a point-of-view essay regarding a controversial issue: Should aquariums or zoos be banned? Are organic foods worth the expense? Will robots take our jobs?
  • Your essay can be You can write a paper that gives information about the topic in relation to a main idea: for example, the problem of homelessness on Vancouver’s Eastside, or the effects of smart phone addiction on human relationships. Note: topics such as these are issues with differing points-of-view

Follow the schedule for writing a 2000 word research paper from The Capilano Guide to Writing Assignments

George looks at the reasons for and effects of the eroticization of girlhood.She argues that culture, marketing and media encourage young girls to dress in sexually provocative ways and use adult beauty products. Do you agree, with George, that allowing this opens up the possibility for young girls to dress and act in sexually provocative ways.

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Choose ONE of the options (based on essays) below for your position paper:

“In Defense of Graffiti” (Alex Boyd)

Graffiti typically falls under two main categories. The first is the rambling, obscure and offensive type. The second type is more tangible, more political and accessible. It is the first type that generally creates negative associations and perceptions for graffiti. Alex Boyd examines the role of graffiti and defends its value. Many people feel that graffiti is a work or art and others argue that it is a crime. Take a clear position on the topic.

“Why are We Dressing Our Daughters Like This” (Lianne George)

George looks at the reasons for and effects of the eroticization of girlhood. She explains how things have changed for the worse for girls’ youth and the negative consequences involved. She argues that culture, marketing and media encourage young girls to dress in sexually provocative ways and use adult beauty products. Do you agree, with George, that allowing this opens up the possibility for young girls to dress and act in sexually provocative ways.

“Confessions of a Liberal Gun Owner” (Justin Cronin)

Cronin explores some of the complexities of gun ownership.

Evaluate or review a “classic” album. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the world into which the album was released and the impact it had on music of the time

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Evaluate or review a “classic” album, though for these purposes we’ll consider anything from 2010 or earlier to be “classic.”

As far as models go, I recommend spending a lot of time reading Pitchfork’s Sunday Review series, where they go back to review classic albums otherwise not in their catalog (search Pitchfork Sunday Review for the homepage, or see our Forum 2 for the link). You’ll find a wide range of approaches and styles, but your goal is to create something that could reasonably fit within this series.

In your review, be sure to do the things that successful reviews do (we will discuss this in the discussion forums). Consider the music within the artist’s discography; how the music relates to various genres and sub-genres; the various contexts into which the music was released; the lyrics; the instrumentation; the production; and anything related to the particular form (song, songs, album, video, concert) of the work you’re analyzing.

Because this is a review of a classic album, be sure to demonstrate a clear understanding of the world into which the album was released and the impact it had on music of the time. Do secondary research to provide you with information but also to understand the critical consensus about and commercial response to the album. Cite that research appropriately, though a particular number of sources is not required for this project.

Readers believe review-writers not because they agree with their opinions on the album – we believe them because their opinions are grounded in insights and analysis that go beyond surface-level liking or disliking.

As with any piece of web writing, in addition to doing the things listed in the paragraph above, it must be entertaining and insightful.

 

How would you apply (Mind maps and SQ3R) knowledge to help your students develop their language and study skills?Briefly describe the steps for each of the techniques (Mind maps and SQ3R) analyze them

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Read the articles (1-5) QUESTION 1: Mind maps and SQ3R
-How would you apply (Mind maps and SQ3R) knowledge to help your students develop their language and study skills?
-Briefly describe the steps for each of the techniques (Mind maps and SQ3R) analyze them considering the following questions:
– Would the strategies chosen by the teacher depend on the students’ interest, age, capabilities, and/or level?
– Which would be more specific for beginner/low intermediate levels/high intermediate/advanced, Mind maps or SQ3R?
– Which strategies discussed in the articles will also help you with your studies?
-Do you think you can benefit from them to improve your reading comprehension and study skills? If so, how?

QUESTION 2: Learning Styles and Strategies (Felder’s theory)
Complete the questionnaire and reflect on its results:
What is your predominant learning style? What areas need to be balanced?
How would you provide your students with a balanced learning experience? Can you think of activities that will do this? Think of an activity that would appeal to adults for each type of learning style, i.e., one activity for active, one for a reflective, one for intuitive, and so on.

Choose one of these characters and discuss whether he or she is sympathetic or unsympathetic:Rip Van Winkle from Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle”, Protagonist from Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”, Paul from Lawrence’s “The Rocking-Horse Winner”

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 Create a character analysis essay built on close readings of one text from Module 1. You will focus on one specific aspect of the characterization and provide support from the text. Remember that characterization may be revealed through the character’s own thoughts, speech, and actions; through another character’s speech, thoughts, or actions toward that character; through the narration. You may also wish to reference other elements of fiction if they help you analyze that aspect of the character.

Choose a specific topic from the list below or create your own topic with my approval. Your unique topic must be approved by the instructor before you begin to write. If you write on an unapproved topic, you will not earn credit. (Note: you only need to choose ONE of these topics for your paper; you do not need to select one topic from the sympathetic/unsympathetic section and one from the static/dynamic.)

  • Approved topics:
    • Choose one of these characters and discuss whether he or she is sympathetic or unsympathetic. Be sure to discuss how the author creates (or does not create) sympathy for the character.
      • Rip Van Winkle from Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle”
      • Protagonist from Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”
      • Paul from Lawrence’s “The Rocking-Horse Winner”
    • Choose one of these characters and discuss whether he or she is static or dynamic. Be sure to discuss how the character changes (or does not change) in specific ways over the course of the story.
      • Goodman Brown from Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown”
      • Peyton Farquhar from Bierce’s “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
      • John from Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”
      • Hester from Lawrence’s “The Rocking-Horse Winner”

How has information technology supported the development of monopolies – Amazon, Microsoft, telecom companies? Will these monopolies survive?

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How has information technology led to the struggle between online and brick-and-mortar stores? What do the next 5-10 years look like?
How has information technology opened up the potential for 5G networks? Are there any downsides to the implementation of this technology?
How has information technology impacted the use of robots in your local stores?
How has information technology supported the development of monopolies – Amazon, Microsoft, telecom companies? Will these monopolies survive?
How has information technology supported the development of facial recognition software and the current issues related to its use?
How has information technology led to the use of biometrics and the potential for rise of an International “Big Brother”?
How has information technology led to the development of the Internet of Things and the concern about the impact of privacy laws (or lack thereof) on the IOT?
How has information technology supported the development of Facebook and other social media sites? Should social media sites be regulated?
Who/what is Huawei and what are the issues the U.S. and other countries are having with Huawei?
How has information technology changed the political process within the past 5 years?

Develop a claim that analyzes whether you think family loyalty or justice (the law) prevails for any of the members of the Hayden family. Select specific passages from the novel that will help you explain and prove your argument.

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Topic: Family Loyalty vs. Justice Within the Hayden family, does family loyalty prevail over justice or vice versa? Consider each of the primary family members (David, Wesley, Gail, Frank, Grandpa Hayden) in order to form your argument. Develop a claim that analyzes whether you think family loyalty or justice (the law) prevails for any of the members of the Hayden family. Select specific passages from the novel that will help you explain and prove your argument.