Comp101

Unit Two: Public Issues

Feeder 2.1: Although the 2008 presidential race has ended, the issues debated by the candidates continue to resonate well into the first year of President Obama’s administration. Choosing one campaign issue from 2008, analyze and compare videos of speeches given by Obama and McCain on the topic, or, if you prefer, use the speeches of two primary candidates with opposing views on the issue. (When choosing an issue, keep in mind that you will later need to be able to argue a position on the topic in both written and oral form.) What audience are the candidates addressing? This goes beyond a simple matter of conservative vs. liberal: What age group is the audience? What is their socio-economic background? Education? What are their concerns in the (then) upcoming election? How successfully tailored to the particular audience is the speech? Can you identify logical fallacies? You do not need to “take a side” in this assignment, but do consider whether or not the candidates are successfully persuasive. The aim of this assignment is analysis and description: try to get a broad sense of the issue at stake from both sides of the debate. 500 words double-spaced.

Feeder 1.2: Using a journalistic publication of your choice, compose a letter to the editor on the issue investigated in Feeder 1 (this letter can be addressed to anything from The Daily Tar Heel to the New York Times, but do try to select a publication with a relatively wide readership and a serious dedication to political issues). You should prepare by reading a few letters already published in the paper, better still if discussing your chosen issue. You want to get a good sense of the audience you are writing for. Next, in 500 words (double-spaced), compose a carefully-argued letter describing your stance on the issue. Your position should be explained clearly, supported by ample (documented) evidence, and be free from logical fallacies. Be sure to acknowledge the arguments of the opposition, and feel free to discuss the arguments made by the candidates in the speeches used in Feeder 1.

Unit 2 Project: Now it is time to develop the argument made in the letter to the editor into a speech of your own. Your speech should incorporate further evidence and research, however. Speeches should be 4-6 minutes long, carefully-timed and aided by note-cards or an outline (these will be turned in to the instructor after the presentation, along with a list of Works Consulted). Speeches should not be memorized word-for-word, but delivered extemporaneously. A thorough outline is recommended. You may wish to return to the videos in Feeder 1, this time paying careful attention to the oral performance of the candidates. Characteristics of effective public speaking will be discussed in class in advance of presentations.