WR Assignments
Rhetorical Analysis (900-1100 words, 50 points)
In this paper, students will analyze how a particular essay or article related to music culture tries to persuade readers through the use of argumentative claims and evidence.
Media Analysis (1100-1300 words, 75 points)
Students will analyze a song, film, photograph, et. and locate the various rhetorical techniques used within the text and critique the argument's rhetorical use of medium.
In this paper, students will analyze how a particular essay or article related to music culture tries to persuade readers through the use of argumentative claims and evidence.
Media Analysis (1100-1300 words, 75 points)
Students will analyze a song, film, photograph, et. and locate the various rhetorical techniques used within the text and critique the argument's rhetorical use of medium.
Definition (1200-1400 words, 100 points)
This assignment is designed for students to create a definition for a specific term or concept central to music culture by using the discourses of popular culture. This essay focuses on using rhetorical devices to describe a musical phenomenon.
Evaluation (1500-1800 words, 200 points)
Students will choose a problem or trend related to music culture to investigate. The essay will evaluate the problem in terms of what it faces or creates, using classification as a descriptive strategy. Attention to essay structure, the use of evidence, and logic will be especially important for this paper.
Proposal (1800-2100 words, 300 points)
For the final paper, students will consider a contemporary musical phenomenon/issue and use previous argumentative skills to (1) define an existing problem, (2) explain how to solve the problem, and (3) evaluate the feasibility of that solution. This paper requires keen attention to rhetorical scope, audience, and logical organization.
Challenge (900-1100 words, 100 points)
By the end of the semester, students will complete a music culture challenge from a list of prompts. These exercises urge students to connect what we have discussed in class to their lives. Challenges require three short, informal check-ins stylized as blog posts responding to questions about the progress of the challenge.
Digital Portfolio (75 points)
For the final project in this class, students will choose 3 major assignments to revise (options include: Rhetorical Analysis, Media Analysis, Definition, Evaluation, or Proposal). After revising, students will construct an online portfolio that showcases technical writing skills displayed by the 3 revised documents.
Blogs (50 points)
Throughout the semester, students will create a shortened version of a MyStory by responding to prompts. Students must also engage with another student's blog post by synthesizing information from a peer's post, commenting on a post, etc.
Writing Process (50 points)
Throughout the term, students will work on assigned activities designed to strengthen specific writing skills. These activities include Writer's Help, drafting, peer reviews, editing, workshops, writing exercises, discussion board posts, etc. For peer reviews, a completed paper must be submitted; missed peer reviews will lower the final grade on the paper by 10%.
This assignment is designed for students to create a definition for a specific term or concept central to music culture by using the discourses of popular culture. This essay focuses on using rhetorical devices to describe a musical phenomenon.
Evaluation (1500-1800 words, 200 points)
Students will choose a problem or trend related to music culture to investigate. The essay will evaluate the problem in terms of what it faces or creates, using classification as a descriptive strategy. Attention to essay structure, the use of evidence, and logic will be especially important for this paper.
Proposal (1800-2100 words, 300 points)
For the final paper, students will consider a contemporary musical phenomenon/issue and use previous argumentative skills to (1) define an existing problem, (2) explain how to solve the problem, and (3) evaluate the feasibility of that solution. This paper requires keen attention to rhetorical scope, audience, and logical organization.
Challenge (900-1100 words, 100 points)
By the end of the semester, students will complete a music culture challenge from a list of prompts. These exercises urge students to connect what we have discussed in class to their lives. Challenges require three short, informal check-ins stylized as blog posts responding to questions about the progress of the challenge.
New Media Assignments
Digital Portfolio (75 points)
For the final project in this class, students will choose 3 major assignments to revise (options include: Rhetorical Analysis, Media Analysis, Definition, Evaluation, or Proposal). After revising, students will construct an online portfolio that showcases technical writing skills displayed by the 3 revised documents.
Blogs (50 points)
Throughout the semester, students will create a shortened version of a MyStory by responding to prompts. Students must also engage with another student's blog post by synthesizing information from a peer's post, commenting on a post, etc.
Writing Process (50 points)
Throughout the term, students will work on assigned activities designed to strengthen specific writing skills. These activities include Writer's Help, drafting, peer reviews, editing, workshops, writing exercises, discussion board posts, etc. For peer reviews, a completed paper must be submitted; missed peer reviews will lower the final grade on the paper by 10%.