Thinking about the Library

We'll start by discussing what you observed and learned visiting the library.  Take five to ten minutes to inkshed about the experience.  We'll read each other's (or some of them) and then talk about it for a bit.

If you haven't had a chance to go to the library and do what was on Prompt #4, go away.  You might go to the library and do it now.

Deciding on an article for further discussion

You should have with you "a recommendation of the article [you chose] in which you describe it and say, as persuasively as you can, why you think we should talk about it."  I'll set up some groups, and exchange these recommendations between groups.  Each group needs to decide, among the articles recommended and on the basis of the written recommendations, on the one article most likely to be worth talking about.  When you're done you should, as a group, draft a short statement of the most persuasive reason you found for choosing it.  If possible, relate your reason and the article to the concerns we're currently addressing -- not only the subjects we're talking about (media, truth, etc.), but the kinds of issues of "spin" and "slant" we've been talking about.  Write this reason out and have all the members of the group sign it. When you're done, someone from the group should key your decision into the classroom computer; meanwhile, I'll make copies of the original winning recommendations.  On the basis of them, and the group recommendations, we'll decide on an article to read next (that'll be between Thursday and next Tuesday).

Reading for Thursday

I said last time that we'd look further at at least one of the articles groups reported on last time.  The one I think we stand to learn the most from is "Partisan Bias in the Media? A New Test," from Social Science Quarterly. This article is difficult going, because it's a scholarly article, aimed at a particular audience, but precisely because of that it gives us an opportunity to look at some important strategies writers regularly use.  For Thursday, then, spend some time with it.  Here are some tips and suggestions.

As you read, mark things you might want to raise questions about (for instance, meanings of words or sentences). Also, for each of the following steps or actions, write a couple of sentences taking your best shot at answering my questions (you can put all of this on one page, numbering your responses):

1. Read the statement of "Objective" first. What does Niven say he's doing?
2. Read the first paragraph and skim the rest of the first section.  What does it seem to you Niven wants readers to believe and understand here?
3. Read the "Methods" section, paying particular attention to the first and last paragraphs.  What's the tone here? How does Niven want to sound?
4. Read the first and last paragraphs of the "Results" section. What does Niven himself think important here?  How can you tell?
5. Read the "Conclusion." How does it relate to the "Objective" Niven outlined at the beginning?