In class today we went over our homework assignment (answer all the questions about our partners editorial). Then we went over our midterm memo and a few things that we could put in our memo, although there is nothing specific, there are some useful tips on pages 145 and 169 in the JAC. Finally we got into out peer conference groups, exchanged papers, talked about how we felt about our papers, our strong and weak points, and got out of class about 15 minutes early.


Homework
Complete peer review reading exercise (handout given to us in class)
1. What is the writer's claim or thesis?

• What claim is being asserted?
• What assumptions are being made - and are they acceptable?
• Are important terms satisfactorily defined?

2. What support (evidence) is offered on behalf of the claim?

• Are the examples relevant, and are they convincing?
• Are the statistics relevant, accurate, and complete? Do they allow only the interpretation that is offered in the argument?
• If authorities are cited, are they indeed authorities on this topic, and can they be regarded as impartial?
• Is the logic - deductive and inductive - valid?
• If there is an appeal to ethos, pathos, logos on the writer's behalf - is the appeal acceptable?

3. Does the writer seem to you to be fair? Ask yourself?

• Are counterarguments adequately considered?
• Is there any evidence of dishonesty or of discreditable attempt to manipulate the reader?
• How does the writer establish the image of himeslf or herself that we sense in the essay? What is the writer's tone, and is it appropriate?

Other reminders

• Midterm portfolios are due Friday October 1st
• Editorial analysis final for now is also due Friday October 1st
• There is no class on Monday