1. CHAPTER 7—WRITING IN THE DISCIPLINES PODCAST: “CIVILITY, HISTORY, AND HOPE” ROOM FOR DEBATE DISCUSSION: “ARE RESEARCH PAPERS A WASTE OF TIME?” Nov. 8

2. Chapter 7—Writing in the Disciplines Approach writing as a problem-solving activity, with no one-size-fits-all solution. In each new situation, draw on previous knowledge and experience and consider the needs of your audience. Essential skills in college writing:  Analyze texts and contexts  Make and support claims  Conduct research  Communicate ideas clearly Use your knowledge of rhetoric and of the writing process to negotiate the demands of academic writing in a broad variety of disciplines.

3. Exploring a Conversation: “Civility, History, and Hope” Who is Vincent Harding? What stood out most to you in the podcast? What are some of Harding’s main points? What does Harding mean when he says, “America is still a developing nation when it comes to democratic encounter across real difference”? How has the conversation about Civil Rights changed in the past 50 years? How does the past conversation inform the current conversation? The future conversation?

4. Small Group Assignment 1. Read the response for your assigned debater. Be prepared to share with the class information about the debater, the main points of his/her argument, and why you did or did not find the argument effective. 2. This room for debate discussion invites us to consider the following questions: What is knowledge? How has technology impacted the ways we use knowledge? How does learning occur? What role does writing play in learning? Discuss your ideas about these questions. Are there any other questions you think the discussion invites us to ask? 1Andrew Delbanco 2Will Fitzhugh 3Pamela Ban 4Mark Bauerlein 5Courtney L. Young

5. Room for Debate discussion, cont. What assumptions seem to be at work in this discussion about students? Professors? College? Writing? Who are the stakeholders in this discussion? Why does this discussion matter? What is the call to write ? What specifically is this Room for Debate discussion responding to? What/who has been left out of this Room for Debate discussion?

6. Issue Exploration Essay Issue summary Perspective 1 Perspective 2 Perspective 3 Perspective 4 Personal Position

7. Representing Various Viewpoints Research question: In this time of economic recession what is the impact of raising tuition at state colleges? StudentsLegislatorsEconomists Academic Administrators How will each of these groups think about the question differently? Similarly? What is the context for each of these groups in relation to the issue? What is at stake for each of these groups? How much variation exists within each group? What other issues are connected to this one?

8. Representing Various Viewpoints Research questions: Why are books banned? Who gets to decide whether or not books are banned? Should books be banned, and under what circumstances? How does banning books impact children and teenagers? What does book censorship in schools mean for the 1 st amendment? We live in a democracy and freedom of speech is our basic right. Books should never be banned. We live in a democracy and freedom of religion is our basic right. No one should be required to read books that offend their religious sensibilities. Therefore books containing religious doctrines should be banned. Many books are banned because they contain derogatory messages and language about various groups of people. These books have the potential to increase conflict and should therefore be banned. While “protecting children” is an often cited reason for banning books, denying children access to information and ideas actually hurts them rather than protects them. Thus, books should not be banned but should be discussed openly amongst children/teenagers and adults. How do these viewpoints engage each other in dialog? What other possible viewpoints could be represented based on the research questions? What issues are connected to this one? Who are the stakeholders in this issue? What is the significance of this issue?

9. Developing Each Viewpoint For each viewpoint: Summary/ overview Analysis Integration of sources Discussion of implications Connection to issue as a whole and other viewpoints Follow through after the quote Insert the quote Set up the quote

10. Putting It All Together Contextual overview of the issue that invites the reader in to the conversation. Development of 4 viewpoints Conclusion that expresses your viewpoint and represents your critical thinking and reflection about the issue