We decided on this schedule for next week. Note that I have made some changes in order to provide you adequate time to edit and research your topics.

Monday and Tuesday: Presentation of individual arguments

You will each have a few minutes to present your argument and any relevant support. As a class, we will point you in the direction of other helpful information or counterarguments.

Bring your research journal (including an outline of your argument) and sources to class.

Wednesday: Review of rhetorical techniques and editing

We will review the rhetorical techniques we’ve been discussing. I will then illustrate the use of these techniques on examples from your arguments.

I will also give you an overview of what to look for when editing a peer’s paper. We will go over constructive criticism, editing symbols, and what to focus on for this type of writing.

Bring your updated outline, research journal, and sources to class

Thursday: Peer review of arguments

You will each read two rough drafts, using the information from Wednesday as a guide. I will be circulating to answer questions and give advice. I’ll look over the edits at home, and return them Friday.

Bring the rough draft of your argument and your outline, research journal, and sources to class.

Friday: One-on-one discussion and revision

I will spend a few minutes with each of you to answer any last questions and go over the edited draft. While I am working with individual students, the rest will look over the edited drafts and begin the final draft. If there is space, we may work in the computer lab downstairs.

Bring all of your research materials and a copy of your rough draft (on a flash drive or email it to yourself).

Monday (10/12): Presentation of final drafts and discussion

We will have a short dance party in honor of our success, and bask in the glory of a job well done. We’ll discuss the issue, content in the understanding that we can all have a thoughtful conversation about this issue.

Bring your final draft stapled with the outline and rough draft.

Tuesday (10/13): Introduction to “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and Project C

We will begin an in-depth study of this turning point in our nation’s history by discussing what we know about the protests in Birmingham during 1962. I’ll review best annotation practices, then give you a copy of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”—one of the greatest rhetorical works ever written. You should read and annotate it over the break.

Wednesday (10/14): PSAT!

I’ll be so lonely…

Here are the links to the articles for each group:

• Hamm, Doakes, Brown, Wilburn: Doc 1
• Prieto, Beatty, Brewer, Little: Doc 2
• Sparks, Owen, Burrows, Von Moses: Doc 3
• Dickens, Bryant, Kay: Doc 4

If your name is not listed, please choose an article.

Answer these questions over “LfBJ” by tomorrow:

1. What are King’s reasons for being in Birmingham?

2. How does King answer to the charge of being an outsider?

3. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.” What does this mean for individuals who have ignored the issues of Birmingham? What does this mean today for each of us living in the United States?

4. What are the four basic steps of nonviolent direct action? For each of the steps state the example in Birmingham. Can you think of another example of nonviolent protest which followed these steps?

5. Look over paragraphs 7-9. Why did King and others decide to delay their actions?

6. In paragraph 10, what does King mean by “constructive, nonviolent tension” and how does he define its goal?

7. Paragraph 13 is one of King’s most well-known statements. Choose an historical example which illustrates the point that “justice too long delayed is justice denied.”

8. Choose three injustices from paragraph 14 to compare to the Bill of Rights and/or the UDHR.

9. In paragraphs 15-17, King describes two types of law. How does he define each? Can you give other examples of unjust laws today?

We will be continuing our discussion of Civil Disobedience and nonviolent protest tomorrow, using the current situation in Burma (Union of Myanmar). Check the article listing on this site for a few I’ve looked over, or check out the Burma Newsladder for more stories.

Choose an article from one of these sources to discuss tomorrow. If your article is persuasive in intent, analyze the rhetoric:

• What is the intended argument?
• How is it presented?
• Give examples.
• Write a reaction of its effectiveness.

If your article is informative, focus on the events.

• Why are there protests?
• What are the protesters trying to change/accomplish?
• How are the protests undertaken?
• Give examples.
• Are the measures being taken by the protesters effective?
• How could/should they be protesting?

Also, answer the two questions from the board. Correct me if I’m wrong:

• When/where was “Letter from Birmingham Jail” first published? What was the impact?
• Who objected to the question of whether the leaders of Project C should ask people to give up their lives for the cause?

For those who are having trouble finding a copy of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” here it is. There is also a .pdf file available on the site. Print it, mark it up, bring it to school Monday. There is a lot to read, so I would break it in half to do part today and part tomorrow. If you have any questions, let me know, but I want you to look for the following:

• What is the author’s main argument (thesis)?
• Who is his audience?
• What rhetorical devices does he employ in supporting his argument?
• Is he persuasive?

I am not asking you to write a paper over this, but I need to see annotations throughout your papers on Monday. We will begin a discussion right off, and it is always awkward to be unprepared. Again, send me an email if you are concerned/confounded by this assignment.