Interesting Article

This is a really interesting take on current rhetorical issues.  If you get bored reading it, skip down to the last two paragraphs.  The middle does get a little long, but the ending is money.

"Imagine if the Tea Party was Black" by Tim Wise

U of A Semester End Update

Our semester is (rapidly) coming to an end!  While most of us are really excited to get to summer break, there is still work to be done before we get there!  Here's a schedule for our last two days together!  :)  Read it, please -- there's an assignment due on Wednesday and some quiz points available!

Monday
--Section 18 (1:30 class) will continue with make-up speeches as needed.  I'll go ahead and say this class is optional -- no need to excuse yourself if you don't have a speech to give.
--Section 21 (2:30 class) will NOT meet.  However, I'll be around, so if you want to chat about your paper, exam, grade, etc., please come by my office (Kimple 432).  If you've never been there, just head down the hall from our classroom (go towards the elevator) and take a left at the end of the hall.  It's the 4th door on the left.

Wednesday
--Both sections will meet.  You need to come to this class (our last meeting) with a topic for your final paper.  Even if you haven't started writing/reading/researching/etc., I want you to know what you're thinking you'd like to do.  Fair warning -- I'm going to ask you what you're planning to write about, so you need to have at least a broad idea.

Quiz Points
If you're still needing quiz points, you can do the follow-up to the PRPSA for 5 points.  Remember to fill out the form, click "Submit My Data," then type in my email address (aedgar@uark.edu) and your own email and click send.  If you don't do this step, you won't get credit, so make sure you follow the directions!!

Cool Blog Post

One of my favorite blogs, Apartment Therapy, posted a really interesting media-related story on their sister site, OhDeeDoh tonight.  This is pretty thought provoking if you're interested in mass communication, but I also wanted to re-post it because I think it could make an interesting final paper.  Check out their post on media fasting here.

Mass Comm (Link for Crowder Students)

Crowder, since we are just now getting to Mass Communication, I wanted to link you directly to that post.  Go here to see what I said when we covered that at U of A.  No new material, I just wanted to save you from scanning through all of the posts to get there!

Also, remember we will also cover the nonverbal chapter tonight, which is here.

New PowerPoint Link

I know some of you are wanting to get a head start on studying and reviewing for the final exam, so I've added a new tool that should help make this a little easier.  Near the header of the blog, there is a link that you can click to filter out all of the posts that don't contain PowerPoints.  This should let you go straight to the areas you need for studying.  Please let me know if you have any questions!

Debate

The PowerPoint for the Debate unit is here.

When it comes time to present the debates, I allow and encourage you to bring this cheat sheet with you to use as a guide. You should print it and bring it with you so that you have a reference point for the organizational structure of the speeches. It also gives you the wording for some key phrases that you may need to use, so that you'll have one less thing to prep. You are welcome to bring your own timer if you are worried about meeting the time guidelines, but I will also be giving you hand signals so that you know how long you have been speaking.

The rubric is posted under the "Documents of Interest" column, but you can also download it here.  You will notice that it is pretty wide open -- I am primarily looking for you to put in effort, demonstrate the skills you have gained as a public speaker (even if you don't feel like you have a TON, show me that you have improved), and to make a well-structured argument for your side of the case.

Nonverbal Communication

You can view the Nonveral Communication PowerPoint here.  I've also put the infamous Letterman interview with Joaquin Phoenix below (since it won't work at the end of the PowerPoint).  It is a fascinating study in nonverbal communication, and I would be open to someone using it as a paper topic.  Shoot me an email if you're interested in doing that.  Otherwise, enjoy!

Final Paper Sample

You can download an example of an "A" paper from last semester here. 

This is not meant to be a template -- it's just an idea of the depth of analysis I am expecting.  Notice that this student also incorporated extra research materials -- you should do this, too!  Also, at this time, I only required 2 - 3 pages.  Your page limit is larger, so you should include more depth to your argument. This student could have easily added to the paragraphs in the first page.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Final Exam Guidelines

The final exam is coming up quickly!  As you know, I don't provide study guides for exams, but below is an outline of what you can expect to see on the test.


First of all, the exam covers all of the PowerPoints since the mid-term (the mid-term ended with Cultural Communication).

The following question types are represented on the exam:
10 Multiple Choice (worth 1 point each)
5 Matching (worth 2 points each)
5 Short Answer -- 1 or 2 sentences (worth 2 points each)
Choice of 2 Essay -- thorough paragraph (worth 10 points each)

You will need a few sheets of lined notebook paper to answer the short answer and essay questions.


Remember, the exam portion of the final is worth 50 points; the paper is worth 75. Use your time wisely -- I am expecting a well-written, college-level paper. There should be NO errors of spelling and grammar, and the paper's thesis should be based on your thoughtful analysis.

Final Exam Schedule (U of A)

U of A students only:

By popular request, I'm linking you all to the Final Exam Schedule.  It's not good news for those of you who don't consider yourselves early birds!

The 1:30 class will take their final on Tuesday, May 4th at 7:30am.

The 2:30 class will take their final on Wednesday, May 5th at 7:30am.

You need to set your alarms and maybe even arrange to call each other -- if you miss the exam, there isn't much I can do. . . the grades are due within 24 hours (departmental rules) and I won't be on campus after the scheduled exam times.

Also, please remember these dates are the due dates for your final papers.  I won't be accepting ANY late papers, as I need time to grade them -- and 24 hours is already a pretty tight deadline.  You can bring them to me early if you want (if you're worried you'll forget), but I'm not going to do the "email it to me by noon" thing this time.  The paper guidelines are here.

Small Group Communication

You can download the PowerPoint for Small Group Communication here.

Remember to double check the due date for Persuasive 2, and be ready to speak when speech week starts.  I have heard from a few students regarding possible topics -- keep them coming!!  The rubric and self-critique form for the Persuasive 2 are posted in the usual spot.