Policy for Blog Posts.

An upsurge in late and mishandled blog posts has necessitated a clarification of the blog post policy.  Please read below:

Here is the protocol for what to do if your blog will not post, which is a rare occurrence:

1)      Email a copy of your blog post to me as a place-holder.  (Remember to always type your post on a word document first, and then paste it to the blog, just in case).

2)      Bring a hard copy of your blog to me on the due date. 

I typically give blog posts three days in advance, so my advice is to try to get them done early to avoid any last-minute mishaps.  If you claim that your computer appears to put your post on the site but then it disappears (which is highly unlikely), then double check to see if your post registered by using another computer.  I can not accept hand-written blog posts after the beginning of the class period on its due-date, and I can not accept posts that appear on line after the due-date, which will be clearly marked on the blog.

Irony Writing Assignment Directions.

Directions for the Irony Writing Assignment:

Write a 2 + page ironic paper in which you focus on a social problem that you have clear opinions about.  However, you will need to write about this social problem from the perspective of someone with the opposite viewpoint as yourself in order to create an ironic effect.  Your paper should 1) open by briefly describing the social problem you are focusing on, 2) provide a ridiculous or over-the-top solution to the problem or simply expand upon your ironic opinions about the problem, and 3) leave the reader with some final thoughts on the problem.  You will be pretending to be someone else and pushing their ideas to the point of absurdity, but your reader will understand that your real feelings are the opposite (as long as you strike a clearly ironic tone).

The two keys to success with this paper are:

1) imitating the voice of your opponent.  You should try to use as faithfully as possible the vocabulary and writing / speaking style of the character-type you are presenting.

2)  Structuring your argument so that it builds from what seems normal and acceptable to something irrational and outrageous.

Keep in mind, irony always depends upon opposite forces coming into contact.  In this paper, the voice of your character will express a message that is opposite of your true, covert message.

Irony Paper Proposal

Hi Everyone:

In the comment section below, let me know what your ideas are for the irony paper.  You'll want to mention what social problem you are discussing, what your real opinion of the problem is, and what type of voice you will be adopting to ironically mock the opposing position's view point.  You may also want to address how you will structure your argument: will it be a mock letter to the editor, an opinion piece, or a speech?  How will your argument begin and how will it end?  Remember that irony works best when it builds: in other words, it helps to begin by sounding vaguely reasonable and become more and more extreme as it goes.

Comments due by Class Time Friday.