Table of Contents
Overview
For this project, you will utilize everything you’ve been learning and practicing over the past weeks, and you will add a little bit of research. This final project will be the focus of our remaining time in this course, and it has several components: independent research to locate an article, a precis, a short writing assignment, and a creative piece. You’ll focus on one of the many topics Bryan Stevenson brings up in his memoir, Just Mercy – whatever jumps out at you and locate an article that connects to that topic. An Opinion Editorial piece might work best.
Instructions
STEP 1: CHOOSE A TOPIC
Decide on a topic that Stevenson discusses in the memoir (capital punishment, long-term solitary confinement, life without the possibility of parole sentences for youth, etc.).
STEP 2: DO SOME RESEARCH
You will need to do some research to locate an article using our college library’s databases. I recommend that you find an Op-ed (opinion piece in a newspaper or magazine).
The following videos show you how to use two of the most popular databases students use, but you may explore others if you like.
- Here’s a quick video on how to research using Academic Search Complete (EbscoHost) (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site)
- And another video on how to research using Lexis Nexis (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site)
You can access the SWC Library here (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site). You can scroll down the library page for Current Newspapers to locate an article.
Note: The outside article that you find should be fairly recent, so no older than 3- 5 years ago.
STEP 3: WRITE A PRECIS (50 points)
Complete a precis on the article you chose.
You may want to go back to our previous precis assignment to review the information here.
Here is one of the handouts about how to write a precis which you’ve seen before:
Rhetorical Précis “How To” with Sample ’20 – ’21.docx
Here’s another: Rhetorical Precis Master-1.pdf Download Rhetorical Precis Master-1.pdf
STEP 4: WRITE AN ANALYSIS PARAGRAPH (20 points)
Skip a line after the precis, and write a short analysis of the article answering the first question and one of questions 2-4 in a paragraph. A paragraph should be about 10 sentences or half a page when using MLA format. You may answer more of the questions for extra credit.
- Does the article go along with the ideas the Stevenson discusses, or does the information it provides differ from what Stevenson said? Explain what is similar or different as specifically as possible.
- Discuss the author’s use of some of the rhetorical appeals (ethos, logos pathos and Kairos).
- Reading against the grain, where do you see any issues with the article: Weaknesses? Silences, like are they leaving something out? Contradictions?
- Do a little research on the author and discuss how their worldview affects their “take” (or view) on the subject they are writing about.
STEP 5: DEVELOP A CREATIVE PROJECT (50 points)
For details on the creative project, please go to the discussion board on the next page.
Formatting
The precis and analysis paper must be formatted according to MLA guidelines:
Times New Roman 12-point font
One-inch margins on all sides.
Double-spaced
Full 4-line heading
First line of the paragraph indented.
Give it a creative title of your own.
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