Assignment

We have been exploring the connections between thought and language, including considerations regarding audience and purpose.   Add to that the need to slow down, to reflect, and to consider carefully before clicking "send."  Questions are always helpful.  Who is my audience?  What assumptions am I making about an audience with whom I have been sharing ideas over the past month?  What is my purpose?  Is it to judge?  to vent?  to share information?  perhaps to ask for information?  Further questions are found in Monitoring Critical thinking.docx .       

• The first link below is a commentary in which a CNN news analyst suggests that as 21st century "cybercitizens," we are not merely consumers, but creators.  We are not merely reading or watching material edited by others - we ARE the editors.  Our choices are capable of creating global change.  How might this role-change, this new identity, influence the choices we make as we contribute ideas online?  What responsibilities do we take on in this role?  What words will we choose?  

Again, this approach takes time - it requires slowing down for reflection.

• The second link is a short video of a TED talk in which the speaker makes suggestions for conversations with those having views that differ from our own.
• The third link is to a playlist of TED Talks on "The Art of Meaningful Conversation."

THE ASSIGNMENT

• Read "Don't Click . . ." and watch "Take 'the Other' to Lunch." (exploration of the playlist is encouraged, but optional)
• Write one paragraph commenting on the article.  Choose a title that indicates whether your purpose is to vent, to pass judgment, or to inform.  Think carefully about word choice as it relates to your purpose.  Develop the paragraph according to the Paragraph Outine provided below.
• Write one paragraph commenting on the video.  Choose a title that indicates your purpose (it should be different from paragraph one).  Choose words and develop as above.
• Sources should be cited both within paragraphs and on a Works Cited page.

"Don't Click on Celebrity Nude Photos/Isis Videos  http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/25/opinion/kohn-nude-photos/

"Take 'the Other' to Lunch"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsSd2nmoKNA  

http://www.ted.com/playlists/211/the_art_of_meaningful_conversa 

Paragraph Outline Worksheet(1).docx