Virtual Thinking Strategies

Philip Yenawine conducts a VTS discussion in Amsterdam, 2012.

http://vimeo.com/51146289

View the video link above.  You will watch how an instructor helps guides other teachers into discussing how to interpret visuals.  His discussion helps support what you will have to do very quickly within the AP Lang & Comp exam because part of the exam requires you to synthesize sources into an argumentative response, and one source is always visual.

After watching the video, carefully construct a response directed towards your opinion of the death penalty.  You need to use part of the discussion from the video to help mold your response.  Comments that come from the video, whether quoted or summarized, need to be cited within your sentence by way of a "lead-in".  Use these as possible  "lead-ins" for your citations: 

• One person from the audience highlights . . . . .  (Yes, I know using the word highlights may feel awkward to use, but get use to it and start using it because it is the language of academic writing.)  
• According to the instructor he notes . . . . . . (Notice I use a strong verb "notes" and the verb "highlights" is also a strong verb.  And notice that I am using these verbs as present tense verbs.)
• He also points out . . . . . ("points out" is acceptable to use even though it is colloquial.)
• An audience member argues . . . . . .  (another strong verb in the present tense)
• Strong Verbs: highlights, notes, points out, argues, and so on. 
• Notice that when a lead-in is used to cite who said something, you do not need to cite again at the end of the sentence.
• No need for a Works Cited page for this activity

Graded Task

1. Post your reflection on the dealth penalty that integrates something from the video.=20 pts.
2. Respond to two classmates' ideas thoughtfully.  (And I mean thoughtfully.  Not just "I agree with what you said."  In fact, I'd rather have you disagree--but politely.)=20 pts

So, this posting has more points than any other posting.  This is due to the fact that you have to use critical thinking skills, proper citations, and take an  argumenative stance.  Please do not feel that you have to write a lengthy response; however, if your response really lacks substance, then your grade will also be lacking.  (Hey, that's an AP style strategy within my last sentence.  We will discuss it later in class:>)

And one more note: if you have not already experienced the nightmare of losing a response, I suggest that  you write your response within a Word doc and check it for spelling and grammar.  Next, save it to your desktop and then copy/paste it into your blog reply.

Due Dates:  Saturday, October 27th to me.  And then Monday, October, 29th to two classmates.