Discussion Guidelinesengl110 Discussion Rubricrubr
What problem are you going to explore in your final paper?
In this discussion, you are going to describe a problem you want to explore in your final paper. You will present a BRIEF description of the problem. Then you will try to persuade your classmates to share your view that this problem needs to be looked at.
Your initial post will have two parts:
- What is the problem? Describe it in terms of who, what, where, when, how, and why. Be succinct and clear about what is at stake.
- Why should this problem be examined? Persuade your peers that money/time should be committed to this problem. Use the appeals of ethos, logos, and pathos (described below) as appropriate to convince them that this is an important issue to be studied and/or solved.
Think about what kind of appeals will be most effective for you to use. They are covered in the lesson and summarized here. You may end up using one or more of these appeals.
Ethos This appeal to credibility is known as “ethos.” How will you persuade your audience that you are trustworthy and credible to speak about and proceed to work on this topic?
Pathos Pathos offers a way for the audience to relate to the subject through commonly held emotions. How might you use emotions to gain your audience’s acceptance of your ideas?
Logos Logos is the appeal to logic. How will you ensure that your argument has consistency and clarity? How will you present reasonable logic and substantive evidence?
When you respond to others, don’t just talk about the problem. Talk about how they presented information about the problem. Provide them feedback on the clarity of their description of the problem. Ask questions. Suggest ways to clarify. Give them feedback as well on how persuasive they were. Did they make you feel a sense of urgency about the problem? Did they use appeals (ethos, logos, and pathos) effectively?
Instructions on how to post in this threaded discussion:
This discussion is a bit different from what you might be used to. You will be posting in a group made up of folks who may be in a similar field. How do you know where to post? You decide which thread you should post in based on the program (major) you have chosen (see thread descriptions below). Make your initial post in that thread. If you have not decided what program you will be in, just choose the thread that interests you most. A description of the university’s programs and the schools those programs are in can be found in the link shown here: Schools and Programs at APUS.
- Thread 1 – Schools of Arts & Humanities, Education, & Health Sciences. Please see the attached list which shows APUS programs (majors) and the schools they are located in. The general studies program is included here. Make your initial post as a response to my post here. Do not start your own thread. Thanks.
- Thread 2 – School of Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math. Please see the attached list which shows APUS programs (majors) and the schools they are located in. Make your initial post as a response to my post here. Do not start your own thread. Thanks.
- Thread 3 – Schools of Security & Global Studies & Business. Please see the attached list which shows APUS programs (majors) and the schools they are located in. Make your initial post as a response to my post here. Do not start your own thread. Thanks.
Make your initial post mid-week to give folks a chance to respond to you. Make sure all your posts add to and expand the discussion. The highest grades go to those students who really contribute to an energized, stimulating conversation. Be sure to respond to initial posts in the thread that you are in. Feel free to visit other threads as well.
When you respond to others, do not simply compliment them on a job well done. Ask questions and/or provide thoughtful insight and continue the discussion they have started. Look for connections among the students posting in your thread. What commonalities do the students share? What differences do you see? If someone asks you a question, be sure to respond.
Rubrics