Exercise 1- Give your opinion:

1. Exercise 1- Give your opinion: • “House Attack” in Vienna, Austria http://www.flickr.com/photos/ogil/338354430/

2. Exercise 1- Give your opinion: • “Dripping Color” by Dutch artists Lucy & Bart Hess http://www.designboom.com/cms/images/-a01/bart10.jpg

3. Exercise 1- Give your opinion: • Pop artist Lady Gaga’s meat dress from the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yIXe6dl5V9A/TI37orFQeGI/AAAAAAAACEI/A863jhywjWE/s1600/lady-gaga-meat-dress-04.jpg

4. Summary-Critique By Betsy Divine Adapted from Mica S. and Susan Ahmed

5. What is a summary-critique? • A summary critique is a critical evaluation or assessment of a written work. • A summary-critique has two parts: • The objective summary that informs your reader about the content of the article. • A critical evaluation of the piece in which respond with your own impression of the article’s value.

6. CriticalEvaluation • CriticalEvaulationmeansweneedtoquestiontheinformation and opinons in a text • Evaluationmeansdeterminingthestrengths and weaknesses of thetextbasedonscientificcriteria.

7. Introduction of a Critique • Introduces the author and topic area. • Presents the aim and purpose of the article • Summarizes the author’s key ideas/findings • Gives the author’s academicopinion/reaction to the work in the form a thesis statement.

8. Introduction of a Critique • The first sentence includes: • The source • The main idea (note the verb tense) Sentence 1: Author + titled of the article + main idea In their October 2010 article in the Daily Egyptian, “Poshard defends dissertation against plagiarism charges,” authors Wilson and Crawford report that SIU Present Glenn Poshard’s 1984 doctoral dissertation contained many examples of blatant plagiarism.

9. Sample First Sentence • In Anthony Tyson’s 1999 article “Mapping Dark Matter with Gravitational Lenses,” + main idea • According to Ivy Boskin in her article “Blue Whale Population May be Increasing” (1998) +main idea • Yong and Song’s 1991 paper on fluoridation discusses + main idea • Author Peter Berstein in his book Capital Ideas (1991) states that + main idea • Maria Garcias, in her 1995 article “Females in the work place” states that men and women exhibit differences in the way they pursue success.

10. Unbiased Summary • Be objective • Use “evaluative” verbs sparingly in summaries • Note the difference in meaning: • Mary Ivy, in her article “Is There a Female Style in Science?” alleges that men and women exhibit differences in ….. • Mary Ivy, in her article “Is There a Female Style in Science?” assumes that men and women exhibit differences in…..

11. Summary • Provide a summary of the main points • Present the aim of the text or key arguments • Note: • Key it neutral • Avoid specific details (no quotes, points yet) • Intro may be 1-3 paragraphs…. Or it might only be 1-2 sentences. • End on the heart of the argument, then thesis

12. Transitional Thesis • In the last sentence of the introduction • A brief statement of your evaluation of the text. • Can be either: • Positive + positive • Positive + negative

13. Sample Introduction In his article, “It’s Not Easy Being English…” published in the August 2007 issue of Newsweek International, William Black presents several reasons why foreign students are choosing places other than Britain and the United States to study and pursue their education. He cites [summary of main points of this article] as the main causes of foreign student attrition. Based on this evidence, Black concludes that Britain is in danger of losing even more foreign students in the coming years as educational options for students increase. While Black’s article raises a timely and important issue, he neglects to…

14. Sample Thesis Two • Below is the same sample thesis with a positive + positive response: • Black’s article not only raises a timely and important issue, but (he) also + • Note: • A Positive + Positive thesis also includes some form of negative critique within the essay.

15. Weak Introduction Examples • An introduction that does not follow the first sentence format: In 2004, it was announced that Rico, a border collie from Germany, possessed a 250-word vocabulary that might provide insights into the origins of language. (1)

16. Weak Introductory Examples • Using evaluative language: In 2004, it was announced that Rico, a border collie from Germany, possessed a 250-word vocabulary that might provide insights into the origins of language. (1) A dog-loving public was enthralled by the discovery; finally science had validated their belief that their pets really do understand them. Some researchers were so excited by the notion that they surmised Rico processed complex linguistic abilities….

17. Weak Thesis Example • Not including a positive aspect: • The article overestimates the border collies abilities and assumes intellectual capabilities that are unrealistic for dogs.

18. STOP!! Please share your answers from the handout and follow the discussion questions in groups of three.

19. Body of a Critique • Use 3-5 points to support your thesis statement. • The question that you have about the text should serve as a guide to help you select your points. For example, you can discuss • The author’s credentials/lack thereof • The audience and appropriateness of vocabulary • The amount and quality of support used to back ideas. • The logic of the argument • Etc…

20. Language Features of A Critique • Reporting Verbs and phrases • Brown begins his article claiming that the new teaching method represents… • Modality • Theword “theory” has an honorific status….the same could most likely be said for “practice” • Conceding (Concessive Clauses) • Though by no means the first empiricist among Greek philosophers, Aristotle stood out among contemporaries…

21. Evaluation: Three basic styles • Positive • Verbs: agree with, approve of, accept • Adjectives: informative, interesting, succinct, original, useful, fascinating • Negative • Verbs: disagree with, disapprove of, reject • Adjectives: uninformative, mundane, unfocused, pedestrian • Mixed reviews

22. How to organize mixed reviews • Some positive, but mostly negative • Positive (Weaker) opinion first = 1 paragraph • Negative (Stronger) opinion second = 2 paragraphs • Some negative, but mostly positive • Negative (Weaker) opinion first = 1 paragraph • Positive (Stronger) opinion second = 2 paragraphs • Don’t forget the use of outside references for added strength.

23. USE PIE! Yumm • Point out your idea • Illustrate your idea (facts, examples) • Explain why you gave that illustration • Remember to give credit. • Identify the PIE on your handout.

24. PIE • The author uses many statistics to prove his point, but he fails to indicate his source. He notes that one out of two marijuana smokers go on to use more dangerous drugs. However, he never says how he acquired that information, nor does he include a reference at the end of the article. Should the reader trust that the statistics are accurate, or could they be the author’s invention because he is opposed to all legalization of drugs? If no sources are acknowledged for statistics, the author casts doubt on his entire argument.

25. Conclusion of a Critique • Summarize your judgments • Offer recommendations • Qualify reviewer’s judgments

26. Practice Summary-Critique! • Read the sample article “What our education system needs is more F’s” by Carl Singleton on the course website. • In small groups, write a critique of the article. • Submit as a group via Dropbox.