#criticalthinkingisstillqueen

Over this last weekend and in this week, you have been asked to read 2 new chapters in our textbook, SMGuide: Chapter 5 and Chapter 18, “Comparing and Contrasting.” The purpose in your reading Chapter 5 is obvious, and I don’t feel like I need to push there. But, I do want to push you again to diligently read Chapter 18 (and then for next week Chapter 19). In Chapter 18, you will find some incredibly helpful organizing tips for your essay once you get to the drafting stage.

Now, I’d like to repeat that, once you get to the drafting stage. Right now, you are in the brainstorming phase. Be sure to spend some time there. The writing is easier when you spend time to understand your subject. Please spend the time. Your learning will be deeper. Your learning will be enhanced. 

With that guidance, your post for your digital journals is all about brainstorming. Some of you have picked up the challenge to brainstorm in ways you had not before. Some of you have drawn, some have recorded your thinking. For this brainstorming post, I challenge you to try another version of brainstorming. If you haven’t tried recording your thoughts in a podcast, its not hard. Try it. If you haven’t tried drawing your thoughts out on paper, try it. Make a mess on paper. Do whatever helps you to put your brainstorming into a form of communication that can be read or distinguished by another. Make a videocast. Use your phone, a tablet, or your laptop. Let the right side of your brain express itself.

In your post, you should explore 2 ideas of controversial topics you will be writing on. In the post you should,

Briefly introduce 1 topic, then mention and briefly summarize the opposing viewpoints you have found. Who is arguing? On what point are they arguing? (I am asking these questions imagining the more general argument, and not expecting that you have found two opposing arguments per se yet.)

Briefly introduce your 2nd possible topic, then mention and briefly summarize the opposing viewpoints you have found. Who is arguing? On what point are they arguing? (Again, I am asking these questions imagining the more general argument, and not expecting that you have found two opposing arguments per se yet.)

Remember to keep track of where you are finding scholars and writings on the topics as you explore. Write the urls down in a notebook, copy and paste the author’s name and title of the work into a Word document or a Google Doc. Keep track of them.