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FINAL EXAM ESSAY  (take-home) 

For those students taking the exam (if you had more than one unexcused absence during the semester) your essays will be due (via email to c.shearer@tcu.edu) by 5 p.m. on the day of your regularly scheduled final exam.  The exam period itself will be an open workshop for any students seeking help with website projects.

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9  AM CLASS TAKE-HOME ESSAY DUE DATE = MAY 12 @ 5 PM

10 AM CLASS TAKE-HOME ESSAY DUE DATE = MAY 8 @ 5 PM

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CHOICE 1: "Brief But Spectacular/Bryan Stevenson" (PBS, 2017) 

View this short video argument by Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. Write an essay identifying his thesis, his "evidence map" and types, and any elements of classical argument that you notice. What kind of "visual arguments" are included as graphics?  Also remark on any legal or ethical or "best practice" warrants you notice being used to support his statements.  Identify the qualities of leadership and advocacy that you see.  Viewing time: 3:30 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHOICE 2: "Science in America" by Neil de Grasse Tyson (2017)   

View this short video argument by  one of America's most respected scientists, about scientific debate and scientific denial in the U.S.  Write an essay identifying his thesis, his "evidence map" and types, and any elements of classical argument that you notice.What kind of "visual arguments" are included as graphics?  Also make note of any legal or ethical or "best practice" warrants used to support his statements. How does his definition of scientific integrity compare to Richard Feynman's 1973 definition of scientific integrity?Identify the qualities of leadership and advocacy that you see.    Viewing time: 5 minutes

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CHOICE 3: "What Were You Wearing?" by Tracey Ullman. 

View and analyze Ullman's BBC parody of typical police procedures that reveal more about the police than about criminals or victims of crimes.  Though this is comedy, the skit re-frames the way female crime victims are often perceived and treated by the police. What do you think Ullman's real thesis is, and how does she support her argument through framing and absurdity? Is she suggesting a change in the "best practice" or ethical warrants police follow? What is the role of scientific integrity in police work; what logical fallacies or cognitive biases does Ullman portray?  Identify the qualities of leadership and advocacy that you see.            Viewing time: 2 minutes.

 

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CHOICE 4: 

View and analyze John Oliver's takedown of added sugar in American food ways.  Identify his thesis and map his evidence types What are the dominant types of evidence he uses?  What elements of classical argument are present? What kind of "visual arguments" are included as graphics?  Identify the qualities of leadership and advocacy that you see. Viewing time:  11 minutes

Choice 5 (profanity alert)

View and analyze John Oliver's breakdown of corporate efforts to eliminate net neutrality in America.  Identify his thesis and map his use of various evidence types. What types of evidence does he use to make this topic accessible to the public? How does he make use of analogous evidence to make a difficult concept more accessible?

What role does profanity play in framing his argument?  Does the profanity increase his credibility with his audience or decrease it? What elements of classical argument are present? What kind of "visual arguments" are included as graphics?  Identify the qualities of leadership and advocacy that you see. Viewing time:  13 minutes

Choice 6

Analyze this short (10 mins) but deeply eloquent speech given by Texas state legislator Rafael Anchia in the statehouse in Austin. Anchia gave the speech in response to the state senate voting to forbid "sanctuary cities" in Texas, and to spur deportation of undocumented workers in Texas.  So he is responding to a new law that he thinks is unjust and not in the best interest of Texans. Pay particular attention to Anchia's use of framing in describing the role that Latino immigrants have played, and continue to play, in Texas history. Consider any possible use or mention of these frames in particular:  the "freedom" frame, the "purity" frame, the "patriotic" frame. Who is his audience? How does he remind them of their logical fallacies or cognitive biases? What constitutional, moral, ethical, "best interest," and "best practice" warrants does he use to connect to that audience with this speech?  

Final Exam Essay Grading Criteria:

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Your essay should demonstrate your understanding and familiarity with the terminology of English 20803:

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  • basic principles of scientific integrity

  • various types of evidence

  • components of classical argument

  • types of warrants to justify claims or calls to action

  • cognitive biases

  • logical fallacies, especially dual choice fallacy 

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Your essay should include quotes or summaries of specific parts of the video argument you choose to analyze, cited in correct APA style.

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Look back at the study guides for each unit to get some inspiration for your analysis.

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For those students taking the exam (if you had more than one unexcused absence during the semester) your essays will be due (via email to c.shearer@tcu.edu) by 5 p.m. on the day of your regularly scheduled final exam.  The exam period itself will be an open workshop for any students seeking help with website projects.

​

9  AM CLASS TAKE-HOME ESSAY DUE DATE = MAY 12 @ 5 PM

10 AM CLASS TAKE-HOME ESSAY DUE DATE = MAY 8 @ 5 PM

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