Assignments

Essays

Essay 1: Speech Analysis

Draft due: One day before Session 8

Revision due: Two days after Session 10

Length: 1,000 words

Purpose: To learn to analyze features of public argument, and to consider your own claims and appeals to a public audience.

Example student work:

The Next Four Years of Values (PDF) - Courtesy of an MIT student and used with permission.

Essay 2: Debate Analysis

Draft due: Three days after Session 16

Revision due: Two days after Session 20

Length: 1,250 words

Purpose: To learn to analyze arguments on both sides of a debate in relation to each other, and to consider your own claims and appeals to a public audience.

Example student work: 

Analysis of Trump v. Clinton debate on Gun Control (PDF) - Courtesy of an MIT student and used with permission.

Essay 3: Digital Rhetoric Analysis

Draft due: One day before Session 24

Oral presentation of your own MIT homepage image: in class on Session 26, ~10 minutes

Revision due: Last day of class, Session 27

Length: 1,750 words

Example student work:

A Community of a Thousand Influences (PDF) - Courtesy of an MIT student and used with permission.