Critical Thinking

How did you define "critical thinking"?  Groups discuss, compare graphics, agree on a definition, and put it on the board.

We look at pages 36 and 37.

You read pages 40-43.  Answer these questions. You may work in groups if you wish.

1.  List the four types of evidence discussed in detail.

2. In the "Types of Evidence" paragraph, it describes four other types of evidence that are not part of their current discussion. However, that list includes what I hope you will provide as support in a short five paragraph essay.  What are they?

3.  Give an example of a fact:
      Give an example of a belief:
       Give an example of an opinion:

4. Explain how "interpreting" a statistic is different from misleading with statistics.

5. Explain why an auto tech student's analysis of the Ford Mustang's design flaws should be more convincing than mine. {What other factors might interfere with his/her effectiveness?}

6. What are possible problems with "firsthand observations"? {aka anectodatal evidence}

What are the rhetorical appeals? 
 
First of all, remember rhetoric?

Aristotle's Three Appeals: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

Okay, let's hear it from someone else. 

Now read pages 43-44.

After reading those pages, I want you to annotate the handout.  It is a letter;  label each paragraph with one of the three appeals.  If any appeal is missing, note at the bottom why it is left out, and come up with an example of that appeal that could be added to the letter.

Homework:

1.  Finish whatever of the above you did not finish in class.

2.  Read pages 634-636 and 638-640 in Bedford.  Decide which of these articles you will write the next long paper on.  (It's up to you whether you write about one you agree with, or one you disagree with.)

2. TWFTD:  retard in the OED: you must find out how long it has been used as an insult (in writing).

Reading

Turn in your short essay on the utility of close observation.

I. We look at your sentences from yesterday. "Education is..."

II.  Meet William Kamkwamba.  Reading can change your life.

 William Kamkwamba. first time at TED.

Now, William later.

His website.

III. What is  critical reading? Find the answer on page 17.

Read pages 20-22 in Bedford under "Responding to Reading." Think about this.

Take the handout and annotate the reading on it.  Make sure this is in your daybook for the next check. Use symbols; provide a key to those symbols. Show that you are analyzing the reading, and discovering its structure.

Homework:

1.  Finish annotating the handout.

2.  Google "critical thinking" and select "images".  Choose one of the graphical representations that best matches your definition of critical thinking; either print it and add it to your daybook, or sketch it in to your daybook.

3.  TWFTD: annotate

Typing a Short Essay

We track down a word:  savant.

I.  Yesterday you read "The Surfing Savant."  Now finish this sentence:

In his article "The Surfing Savant," Paul Solotoroff ________ ...

II.  Review of coordination and subordination: Combine the following sentences (clauses) four different ways using subordination (p. 239) and coordination (fanboys).

Education is an elusive word.

It often means different things to different people.

Then you have time to type up your short essay "The Utility of Close Observation."

Homework:

1.  Finish and print your short essay.  Have it ready to hand in at the beginning of class tomorrow.

2.  TTFTD: critical thinking.  This is a TERM. 
Look at different sources and what they say; write  a short paragraph definition.

Obs/Description Due + New Short Essay

I. Assemble your Observation papers. Hand in.

II. Putting description to use.  Who is Clay Marzo? Read "The Surfing Savant" by Paul Solotaroff.

Answer these questions in your daybook: 

1.  List at least three pieces of background information (facts about Marzo) Solotaroff provides.

2.  Which paragraphs describe the interview? (give numbers)

3.  List three descriptive details from that interview you found effective. Explain why/how they worked.

4.  Solotaroff uses this comparison in par. 4:  "His body is a travelogue of scars and welts..."  Explain that in your own terms.

II.  Return of the Audience Awareness short essays.   You read your own, score it, and then get yours back.

III. Prompt for the Short Observation essay.

Homework:

1. Finish the questions about "The Surfing Savant."

2. Do SOMETHING in your daybook that is a brainstorm for tomorrow's short essay.

2. Tomorrow you will have time to type up your Short Observation essay. It is due Thursday at the beginning of class.

3. TWFTD:  elusive.

Editing and Proofreading

I return the Lego papers. In your daybook:  After looking at your grade sheet and my comments, you record one strength and one weakness of your work on this project. Save the graded paper!

Something to think about in your observation paper is using a comparison to help us imagine what you describe.  These are similes and metaphors.  For instance, look at the handout and Snopes.  Copy down your two favorites into your daybook, please.

Now we work on the computers, where you open your draft in Moodle and see about corrections/changes. Do you know about search and highlighting?  Check all your their/there/they're, for starters.  Avoid "There is"  or "There are".  Is dialogue punctuated correctly? You final edit should be on a printed out version of your paper --and read it out loud!

Homework:


1.  Bring to class your printed final version, MLA style (see yellow handout and on Moodle), and hard copies of all drafts and comment sheets.

2.  TWFTD:  sinister in the OED -- be sure to scroll down through all meanings.