July 29, 2008

• A new idea for my English 120 mini-assignments… I found a list of questions here that I narrowed down to 130 possible arguments. Mini-arguments that is. I think I’ll have students, from time to time probably on Fridays, pick one and write up a mini-argument for the following Monday. They have to use at least one source (maybe if they use more it’ll be bonus) and argue their answer in under 500 words.

  Then, on Monday, I’ll ask students to share their mini-arguments (small group or with the entire class – the classroom we’re in works well for large group discussions with a group of tables gathered in the middle of the room/computers along the walls). Those who argue against them will receive bonus or attendance points or something for that day. I could even put ‘em all into groups and give them 10 minutes or so to find a source that contradicts the mini-argument of another group. Something like that… I can see it really sharpening their argument skills as well as making the idea of arguing a bit more fun and somewhat of a group effort.
  Here are a few of the questions:
  1) If you were asked to make a fair evaluation of your teachers, what criteria would you use for the evaluation?
  2) Has college made you less sure about what is right and what is wrong?
  3) How has your attitude toward your home (either town or family) changed between the time you entered college and now?
  4) Do college students benefit from participation in extracurricular activities?
  5) Why you would or would not want to live in a large city?
  6) What do you believe are the chief reasons for students’ academic failure in college?
  7) How does your public image differ from your private self?
  8) Is romantic love a good basis for marriage? Why or why not?
  9) Is college a good place to find out who you really are? Why or why not?
  10) Is it better to long for the past or look eagerly toward the future?

  • 3:28 pm
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