Reading and Writing Assignment, Due by Sunday, 21 Sept.

1. I want you to read *some* of the draft rhetorical analysis posted by your classmates on the King Letter. Notice: you don't have to read them all, but you do have to read enough of them to find three places where the analysis could be improved. Your job is to then help three of your fellow authors find places where their insights into rhetoric could be more insightful or to recognize aspects of the rhetorical situation they describe which they may have overlooked. In the process, you are learning to judge what constitutes a solid rhetorical analysis and how to offer advice and help to other authors. Offering criticism to a fellow writer is always a delicate moment. Be completely truthful; otherwise, the writer cannot learn how to improve; but, also be tactful. You want to develop the ethos of being fair and helpful. Remember, it is your job to help them with their analysis, not correct their grammar. Email your criticism both to the author directly and to the list. Finally, remember you are offering your best opinions and advice. While others need to give your opinions and advice consideration, they are not required to take your advice

2 Write back to those offering criticism of your analysis. Remember, they are doing you a favor by offering to help. Thank them for their help. Explain what you found useful in their criticism and offer advice on how they could have improved their criticism. Again, be tactful, grateful, and trustful. To help folks notice when they are being thanked, Post these thank you notes to the list. Lable them: "Yourname, Thank You note to YourCritic'sName." Take fifteen minutes or so and read the thank you notes posted by your classmates. Take a moment to begin a profile of the kinds of comments and criticism your classmates appreciate.

3. Between reading introductions, making connections with folks through the list, and receiving and getting criticism, you should be beginning to get a feel for folks with whom you may want to work this semester and with whom you can work (and not). I would like you to form up groups of four or five students. These are groups of students with whom you'll be working all semester. You will work with these groups to: A) learn how to effectively and appropriately use other people to help with your writing; B) learn to work effectively with a group; C) learn how to better come up with ideas to write, to revise drafts, and to proofread, that is, you'll be practicing these skills using the work of the your own work and that of the peers in your group. In any event, your assignment is to form a peer group of four or five students. Do this off list by emailing other students directly. If the group you join ends up needing an additional member or two: advertise your group on the list and sell being a member of your group to your peers. Finally, pick a name for your group; share contact information among yourselves. Share your names, email and phone numbers, and keep these for reference in a place you can easily access.

4. If you don't receive an invitation to join a group, advertise on the list your services as a peer editer/author and your need.

5. Finally, a note for those who have taken an online class with me before: don't clique up. You old timers should constitute no more than one or two members in any one group. I know you are friends, but you have expertise those taking an online course with me can use. You know I want all the students to learn as much as possible. You also know I will give extra credit in terms of class participation grade to anyone who goes the extra mile to help a group member or fellow student. Take the lead when forming groups.

Remember, write me at prof.brandon@gmail.com with any questions. If you think your classmates would profit from an answer to your question, write the list or leave a comment on the blog. Also remember to save everything which is coming into your gmail and everything you are writing for the class. All of this work may prove useful later in the class. There is no problem with storage. Google mail (gmail) gives you 6 plus gigabits of space to store your mail, and they have a nifty search feature to help you find old emails.