Case Study

Reader's log 3:

Watch this video: TED Talks: Joe Smith's How to use a paper towel. (Print the transcript)

* As you watch, note facts, opinions, and how facts (or even opinions) are substantiated by evidence, or hedged appropriately.

* Share your favorite three examples (one fact and two opinions, or two facts and one opinion) with an explanation of how they were contextualized, substantiated, or otherwise used by the speaker.

"Hedge" words are one of the most important features in Statement Analysis. In deceptive statements they are not used to show caution, but rather to intentionally create a miasma of vagueness that obscures the facts.

In their most innocent form, hedges can function as manifestations of politeness and modesty. They are used to soften a verbal blow to the other person's ego.. In their more insidious use they function as a subtle means to avoid responsibility and evade the truth.

Editorial Analysis

For this lesson's activity, you will be asked to:

* Find an editorial to discuss. (See the lesson for more information on how to do this.)

* As you read, take notes that identify the following:

 Assumptions

 Tone

 Purpose

 Problematic ambiguity and vagueness

 Facts

 Opinions

 Reasons and claims (noting where they don't quite add up)

 Your reaction to quality of the information source and the sources cited (if any)

* Select three paragraphs from the text to annotate. Copy the paragraphs and paste them into a word processing document. Add your comments in bold text or [brackets] to distinguish your ideas from the original source. Your annotations should focus on the list of qualities mentioned above (assumptions, opinions, etc.).

* After you annotate your paragraphs, write an additional two paragraphs of reflection.

 The first paragraph should share your own reaction to the text and identify any biases or personal experiences that might have impacted your reading of the text.

 The second paragraph should focus on your conclusions as a reader. When all was said and done, did you agree or disagree with the article? Why or why not? What did you see as strong elements? How might this piece be improved?

Upload your work to Turnitin.com (the plagiarism detection service). See your course announcements