Discussion Leader

Each student will present an article from the book Art of Fact or handouts.  The presentation will be about 15 minutes long and will require a visual aid (power point or handout).  The presentation will be half lecture/close reading on what you discovered about the writing style and the other half will require the student to lead a class-wide discussion.

The goal for these readings and discussions is to look at how some of the best writers use words to shift how we see things both overtly and subtly.  We will also look at what the goal of the piece is and if we think it was successful.  
Expectations:

• Visual aid (powerpoint, prezi, handout)
• Background on the time, author, and writing style
• Thoughtful questions for a good discussion
• Close reading/thoughtful consideration of the text 

As an audience member, your job is to pay attention, and to participate in the discussion.  Throughout the semester, you will need to collect 150 points.

Ways to collect points:
      + 5--say something relevant during the discussion
      + 5--if your comment includes a quote
      + 5--have your book (not phone or computer) open during the discussion

Feb. 26

• In Cold Blood
• The Things They Carried (pg. 1-25)

March 4

• Born a Crime
• Pg. 51-59 & 236-238

• "It's an Honor"

March 6

• "Watercress Girl"

• "If Christ Came to Chicago"

March 13

• Hiroshima

• "There Will Come Soft Rains"

• Comic version

March 20

• Alive

• WWZ

April 1

• "The Bronx Slave Market"

• Coyotes

April 6

• "Japanese Earthquake"

• "The Third Winter"

April 8

• "Marrakech"

• "Lady Olga"

April 17

• Sherman Alexie

• "On the Amtrak From Boston to New York City"

• "Evolution"

• "How to Write the Great American Indian Novel"

• "Indian Education"

• The Things They Carried: "Sweetheart of the Song Tea Bang" (pg. 85-110)

April 22

• Maya Angelou
• Excerpt from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
• "Awaking in New York"
• "Phenomenal Woman"
• "Still I Rise"

• Alison Bechdel Are You My Mother 

April 24--Optional discussion @ 2:00

Those who have their points will receive a bonus for attending

• The Shawshank Redemption (movie clip below) and Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption (novella)
• Page 1, 2, 82, first paragraph of 83
• WWZ Japan