Mentor Interviews!

Post 20 interview questions that you could ask of your mentor (or other suitably interesting and relevant person at your internship).

This one is due at 3:30pm on Friday 1/30

Blog: First Day of Internship!

What happened today?????

How did you get to internship????

What did you do for lunch???

How did you get home??

How did everything go?

I am excited to read about your first day at your internship and I hope you'll check out each other's entries. Please post your blog entry before 11:59:59 on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Come to school ready to discuss and directly refer to entries from our class.

Historic Addresses

Select an inaugural address or farewell address from any president in American history. Then, in a thoughtfully composed essay, explain the relevance of the selected address in modern society. You must also directly refer to at least one current event through a related news article.

Here are a few suggested addresses:

Eisenhower's farewell address (regarded as a landmark relating to American military & industrial capabilities.)

George Washington's farewell address (he never actually spoke it—it was printed in the newspapers. This one is famous for themes and references to political factions, foreign alliances, and religion/morality)

Lincoln's second inaugural address (the Civil War and slavery were almost over; Lincoln spoke of sadness, the Divine will and more. This is one of the most famous speeches in American history)

Franklin Delano Roosevelt's first inaugural address (the Depression was starting, FDR proposed wartime powers to approach crises; "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself")

John F. Kennedy's inaugural address ("ask not what your country can do for you..." the link has the video for this one w/full text)

Don't feel limited by those! Check out Lincoln's first inaugural, check out Teddy Roosevelt, or Ronald Reagan or any other that interests you.

This blog entry will be worth up to 40 points, according to the following guidelines:

Clarity: Complete, elegant thesis that answers the question and lays out the organization of the essay? Does the writing act as an efficient & thoughtful guide through the author's points and to a powerful conclusion?

Evidence: Does the author thoughtfully select relevant pieces of direct evidence to support his/her thesis and topic sentences?

Structure: Is all of the writing logically and systematically structured? Does the author use topic sentences to frame paragraphs? Does the structure support the overall message of the writing?

Citations: Does the author use professional citations whenever necessary?

This blog entry is due at 3:30 on 1/23/09.

Obama's inauguration

Quote at least one section of Barack Obama's inaugural address that resonates with you. Then answer the following in two or more thoughtfully composed paragraphs:

1. Why did you choose this section?

2. How do Obama's words relate to the everyday life that you know and understand?

You do not need to post an additional news article, but you do need to quote from Obama's speech.

This blog entry is due at 11:59:59 on 1/20/09

Revise your outline!

Revise!!!

Revise your outline, paying careful attention to:

1. Your thesis statement. Make sure you really communicate something original (and hopefully, interesting) about the connection you have established between your icons. Look through your body paragraphs and consider their order. Is this reflected in your thesis?

2. Body Paragraphs: Everything you write in your paragraphs should be one of the following things: A topic sentence; A piece of evidence; a statement of analysis; bonus: Transition to the next paragraph. Make sure you select a wide range of evidence, perspectives and sources!

3. Conclusion: Looks to the future, leaves us thinking, refers to the thesis but keeps us moving beyond so our experience in the real world now includes your perspective.

Make sure your writing is significantly revised. To do that, post your new outline as a new entry, so the reader can easily refer between the last two entries. If you have multiple ideas, such as multiple thesis, show us! Also, skip lines between paragraphs. Label everything that is important, such as a thesis, lists of evidence, conclusion, etc.

Due at 11:59:59 on 1/15/08

Artist's Statement Outline

In this piece of writing, you are attempting to explain the relationship that you establish in your art. You might discuss your specific icons, related concepts from American culture, the significance of context and more.

In your blog entry, please post:

1. Your thesis statement. This should communicate something original (and hopefully, interesting) about the connection you have established between your icons.

2. Body Paragraphs: Topic sentence. Evidence. Analysis. Bonus: Transition to the next paragraph.

3. Conclusion: Looks to the future, leaves us thinking, refers to the thesis but keeps us moving beyond so our experience in the real world now includes your perspective.

Due at 11:59:59 on 1/13

GWB & the Environment

In a well-developed, detailed blog entry complete with thoughtful evidence, compare events and ideas described in the following two articles:

1. George W. Bush protects marine areas

2. George W. Bush's Environmental Sins

This blog entry does not require additional news sources. Please post your entry before 11:59:59 on 1/8/09.

Your Internship

Please answer all of the following before 11:59:59 pm on 1/6/09. You should write a brief paragraph for each answer (this entry does not require a link to a news story).

1. What do you hope to learn or discover about the "adult" world of work while you are at your internship?

2. What do you hope to learn or discover about yourself and your identity while you are at your internship this semester?

3. What goals do you have for yourself for your internship experience?