SCENARIOS FOR WRITING:
Issues, Analysis, and Response

Gregory R. Glau, Arizona State University
Craig B. Jacobsen, Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Paper / 508 pages / 2001
ISBN 1-55934-983-2

Ancillaries

• Instructor's Manual: Written by the text’s authors, this Instructor’s Manual offers a general orientation to the scenario approach; an in-depth look at the issues related to the rhetorical situation; sample syllabi; guides to teaching each scenario; and additional resources (movies, Web sites, and more).
• An accompanying Web site with abundant links and interactive areas:  The Web site encourages further Internet research, connects students to newsgroups and listservs related to each scenario, and provides guidance in evaluating and documenting online sources.
• Instructor’s Video with clips illustrating issues related to each scenario. Instructors can use this video to initiate class discussion and to show how scenarios lead to public discourse. (Videotape available to adopters only).
• The Mayfield Quick View Guide to the Internet for Students of English, Version 2.0—FREE when shrink-wrapped with the text! (See MVP below.)

See other books about English

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Summary

Offering six scenarios that reflect contemporary topics and issues, this exciting new rhetoric/reader improves students' critical reading, thinking, writing, listening, and speaking skills by bringing rhetorical situations to life. Practical tools for the composition classroom, the scenarios dramatize rhetorical issues; engage students in conversations informed by competing interests; emphasize collaboration; offer flexible sequenced activities and varied readings; and prepare students for academic writing projects. In addition to the scenarios, the text provides three chapters of rhetorical instruction, as well as three appendices (brief guides to constructing portfolios, extending the scenarios for service-learning projects, and documenting sources).

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Key Features

• An approach that provides clearly defined, authentic purposes and audiences for student writers. The "scenarios" approach engages students in rhetorical work focused on real-life situations, on contemporary issues that are relevant to their everyday lives. Each of the six scenarios casts students as members of various groups interested in the specific issue at hand and requires various acts of communication, both written and spoken, among the groups and individuals represented.
  
  
• Three chapters of rhetorical instruction. Comprising Part One of the book, these chapters cover such topics as the rhetorical situation, writing processes, critical reading and thinking, public discourse and discourse communities, the aims of writing, rhetorical strategies, rhetorical appeals, and research.
  
  
• Sequenced assignments that balance collaborative and individual activities, culminating in academic writing. Each scenario offers a flexible sequence of varied assignments that progress from collaborative to individual work, as well as from specific forms of civic discourse to academic essay options. Suggestions for further research and writing encourage students to move from the issues central to each scenario to related topics and issues—as well as to other topics of personal interest.
  
  
• More than 50 diverse reading selections that function primarily as research materials. Each scenario includes 8 - 12 reading selections ("Resources") related to its topic; these are drawn from newspapers and magazines as well as academic sources. Each of the selections is followed by "Questions for Discussion and Writing."
  
  
• Seamless integration of speaking assignments. Each scenario includes assignments (and guidelines) for "Speaking Your Piece." Usually a group activity, this assignment provides practice in various kinds of public speaking, as well as the opportunity to verbally test out positions and ideas.
  
  
• Emphasis on persuasion and negotiation. The scenarios invite students to practice thinking, writing, and speaking from various points of view, stressing the need for balanced arguments. Because they focus on the resolution of conflicts arising from competing interests, the scenarios naturally emphasize persuasion and negotiation.
  
  
• A series of 3 – 5 images introducing each scenario. These images and the questions that follow them prompt students to begin thinking about the issues involved in the scenario.
  
  
• An appendix on constructing portfolios. This section offers tips on choosing what goes into a writing portfolio, reflecting on one's own work, and preparing written evaluations of one’s work.
  
  
• An appendix on extending the scenarios to service learning. Many of the situations exemplified in the scenarios suggest service-learning projects; this appendix provides useful advice to students for using their improved analytical and communication skills to the benefit of their communities.
  
  
• An appendix on documenting sources. This brief guide provides students with clear instruction on ways to incorporate source materials into their own writing, avoiding plagiarism. The appendix includes ample models of MLA and APA documentation formats

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Contents

Preface

A Note to Students

PART I. Student Guidebook

1. The Rhetorical Situation and Your Writing Process
The Rhetorical Situation
Your Writing Process
Personalizing the Writing Process • The Recursive Nature of Writing
Elements of the Writing Process
Prewriting • Organizing Ideas • Drafting • Peer Review • Revision • Editing • Proofreading • Publishing
Moving to Chapter Two

2. College Writing and Critical Reading
Public Discourse and Discourse Communities
The Aims and Types of Writing
Informative Essays • Process or Instructional Essays • Proposal Essays • Evaluation Essays • Analytic Essays • Persuasive Essays
The Power of Rhetorical Appeals
Using Appeals • Selecting an Appeal Type
Rhetorical Strategies
Reading and Thinking Critically
Prereading Strategies • Annotating for Active Reading • Writing Effective Summaries • Postreading Strategies
A Writer's Journal
From Writer's Journal to Research Journal • Ways to Use Your Journal
Moving to Chapter Three

3. Incorporating Research into Your Writing Process
Research Strategies and Your Rhetorical Purpose
The Internet • The Library • Using Your Research Skills
Primary Research and Secondary Sources
Evaluating Sources for Bias
Newspapers • Magazines • Journals • Books • Internet Sources
Acknowledging Your Sources
Quoting and Paraphrasing • Avoiding Plagiarism
Integrating Research into Your Writing
Moving to Part II: The Scenarios

PART II. The Scenarios

What Are Scenarios?
Why Use Scenarios?
Working with the Scenario
The Collaborative Statement • Research—And the Readings • The Open Meeting • Individual Writing
Working Together Effectively
Listening, Speaking, Collaborating
Cooperative Learning • Composing a Group Statement • Speaking at an Open Meeting
Looking for Scenarios in Your Own Life
Getting Started

4. Education Today: Who Needs the Classroom, Anyway?
First Impressions
The Scenario: The Chancellor Makes an Announcement
Entering the Scenario: What Makes a College Education?
Hearthwood College Students • Hearthwood's Faculty • Parents of Hearthwood Students • The College's Administrators • Members of the Hearthwood Alumni Association
Participating within Your Hearthwood Group
Taking a Position: Writing to the Hearthwood Herald
Resources: Education.com?
Walt Whitman, When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer
Robert Cwiklik, A Different Course
Jamie P. Merisotis and Jody J. Olsen, The "Effectiveness" Debate: What We Know about the Quality of Distance Learning in the U. S.
David Koeppel, Technology: Easy Degrees Proliferate on the Web
Pamela Mendels, Study Finds Problems with Web Classes
Jodie Morse, Digital Dreamer
Dan Carnevale, How to Proctor from a Distance
James Perley and Denise Marie Tanguary, Accrediting On-Line Institutions Diminishes Higher Education
Steven Crow, Virtual Universities Can Meet High Standards
Taking Action: Writing a Guest Editorial for the Campus Paper
Asking the Right Questions • Constructing a Collaborative Text
Speaking Your Piece: Campus Open Forum
From Written Preparation to Public Speaking • Speaking at the Campus Forum
Individual Writing: Essay Options
The Informative Essay • The Process Essay • The Proposal Essay

5. Student Privacy: Bad Times at Westwood High
First Impressions
The Scenario: Are Student Rights More Important than Group Safety?
Entering the Scenario: Dealing with the Crackdown
Members of the Senior Class • Members of the Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior Classes • Members of the Westwood High School Administration • Several Parents, the More Active Members of the Parent-Teacher Association • Westwood High School Faculty Members
Joining and Naming Your Interest Group
Taking a Position: Writing to the Winterhaven Valley Governing Council
Resources: How Dangerous Are Our Schools?
Steve Benson, Life in the Classroom
The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States
Michael J. Sniffen, School Crime up 25%
Karen S. Peterson, 1 Million School Kids Toting Guns
U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Justice, 1999 Annual Report on School Safety
E. J. Montini, Growing Intolerant of Zeroes
New York Times metropolitan desk, State Urges Schools to Begin Random Search of Students' Lockers
Lynne Lamberg, Preventing School Violence: No Easy Answers
Rebecca Martin Shore, Personalization
Kevin Bushweller, Guards with Guns
R. Craig Sautter, Standing up to Violence
Taking Action: Your Written Appeal to the Governing Council
Asking the Right Questions • Constructing a Collaborative Text
Speaking Your Piece: Presenting Your Ideas to the Council
From Written Preparation to Public Speaking • Speaking in Front of the Council
Individual Writing: Essay Options
The Informative Essay • The Evaluation Essay • The Analytic Essay • The Proposal Essay

6. Guns for Sale: Recycling Your Police Department's Weapons
First Impressions
The Scenario: Selling Guns Is Legal, Isn't It?
Entering the Scenario: Your Town as Gun Merchant
Residents of Maple Plains • Maple Plains Police Officers • Maple Plains Teenagers • Members of the Maple Plains Hunting & Fishing Club • The Maple Plains Safety-First Coalition
Participating In Your Interest Group
Taking a Position: Remaining in the Gun-Selling Business?
Resources: Guns, Cities, and Money
Mike Keefe, Cartoon
David Olinger, Cops Put Guns Back into Circulation
CNN, Police Re-think Policy of Trading In Their Weapons
Henry Farber, Rockdale's Sheriff Won't Sell Off Guns
Ashley H. Grant, Sheriffs Ready to Sell Confiscated Guns
Jake Tapper, City Slickers
Roger Rosenblatt, Get Rid of the Damned Things
Robin West, Gun Rights
Jacob Sullum and Michael W. Lynch, Cold Comfort
Taking Action: Persuading the City Council
Asking the Right Questions
Constructing a Collaborative Text
Speaking Your Piece: Making an Oral Presentation to the City Council
From Written Preparation to Public Speaking • Speaking at the Open City Council Meeting
Individual Writing: Essay Options
The Informative Essay • The Persuasive Essay • The Analytic Essay

7. Suburban Sprawl: The Future of Saguaro Flats
First Impressions
The Scenario: The Future Arrives at Saguaro Flats
Entering the Scenario: Those Were the Good Old Days . . .
The Saguaro Flats Residents • The Ranchers' Association • The Historic Preservation Coalition • The Environmentalists • The Development Company
Joining and Naming Your Interest Group
Taking a Position: Contacting the Board of Supervisors
Resources: The Sprawling of America
Peter Gordon and Harry W. Richardson, Prove It: The Costs and Benefits of Sprawl
Roger K. Lewis, A Call to Stop Buying into Sprawl
Linda Baker, McMansion Mania
Brian Tokar, Questioning Official Environmentalism
Reed McManus, Taking It to the Streets
David F. Seiders, Stressed Out on Growth
business week, New Neighborhoods Can Combat Urban Sprawl
Rick Henderson and Adrian T. Moore, Plan Obsolescence
Bruce Katz and Jennifer Bradley, Divided We Sprawl
Taking Action: Getting Your Message Across to the Board of Supervisors
Asking the Right Questions • Constructing a Collaborative Text
Speaking Your Piece: Saguaro Flats Open Meeting
From Written Preparation to Public Speaking • Speaking at the Open Meeting
Individual Writing: Essay Options
The Informative Essay • ThePersuasive Essay • The Proposal Essay • The Analytic Essay

8. The Internet: Cyberporn at Your Local Library?
First Impressions
The Scenario: What's Showing on Your Library's Computer?
Entering the Scenario: What Can I Look At on That Computer Screen?
Derry Library Patrons • Reporters for the Derry Daily News • Derry Community College Students • Derry Librarians
Joining Your Interest Group
Taking a Position: Writing to the Community Library Oversight Panel
Resources: Examining Censorship in a Technological Age
Gary Brooking, Cartoon
N. R. Kleinfield, It's Not Easy to Push Sex into the Shadows
San Jose Mercury News editorial, WWW.oneplace.sex? Internet Porn Would Be Easy to Filter (or Find)
Leonard Pitts, Parents, Not Legislation, Save Kids from Smut
Amy Harmon, Review Follows Ban on Library Internet Filter
Katie Hafner, Library Grapples with Internet Freedom
WALL STREET JOURNAL EDITORIAL, X- Rated
Meghan Gaynor, Porn May Have a Place, but It's Not in Class
Joshua Quittner, @ the Supreme Court
William Bennett Turner, What Part of 'No Law' Don't You Understand?
Lawrence Biemiller and Goldie Blumenstyk, Supreme Court Strikes Down Law on Internet Indecency
Taking Action: Your Collaborative Statement to the Community Library Oversight Panel
Asking the Right Questions • Constructing a Collaborative Text
Speaking Your Piece: Addressing the Community Library Oversight Panel
From Written Preparation to Public Speaking • Speaking at the Open Meeting
Individual Writing: Essay Options
The Informative Essay • The Proposal Essay • The Analytic Essay

9. Living Wills: Decisions about Life and Death
First Impressions
The Scenario: Who Has the “Right” to Live?
Entering the Scenario: Who Should Live? Who Decides?
Family Members • Mercy's Nurses • The Clergy Who Serve Mercy Hospital • Mercy Hospital's Legal Team
Participating in Your Group
Taking a Position: Convincing the Committee for Ethical Decisions
Resources: Real Lives and Ethical Issues
pbs-online, Are Living Wills Honored?
Maureen West, New Living Will Puts Legal Issues in Plain English
american dietetic association, Position of the American Dietetic Association: Legal and Ethical Issues in Feeding Permanently Unconscious Patients
Tamar Lewin, Ignoring “Right to Die" Directives, Medical Community Is Being Sued
Ann E. Weiss, A Right to Die?
Julian Savulescu, Rational Non-Interventional Paternalism: Why Doctors Ought to Make Judgments of What Is Best for Their Patients
K. Danner Clouser, The Sanctity of Life: An Analysis of a Concept
Peter Singer, In Place of the Old Ethic
Taking Action: Your Collaborative Statement to the Committee for Ethical Decisions
Asking the Right Questions • Constructing a Collaborative Text
Speaking Your Piece: A Debate before the Committee for Ethical Decisions
From Written Preparation to Public Speaking • Speaking at the Open Discussion
Individual Writing: Essay Options
The Informative Essay • The Persuasive Essay • The Analytic Essay
 
In each scenario chapter: For Further Research and Writing • Applying What You Read [boxes] • Questions for Discussion and Writing [for each reading selection]
 
Appendix A: Preparing a Writer's Portfolio
Getting Started: Reflecting on Your Work
Constructing Your Writer’s Portfolio

Appendix B: Extending the Scenarios to Your Community: Service Learning
Scenarios and Service Learning
Conclusion

Appendix C: Documenting Your Sources
MLA Documentation
In-Text Citation • Preparing the Works-Cited List • Sample Works Cited
APA Documentation
In-Text Citation • Preparing the References • Sample References
Index

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