I would simply like to know what you will take away from this class. What about this class resonated most with you? Did you learn something that helped to open your mind to new possibilities? Did you learn something technical in regard to writing? Did you experience something that you did not like and, therefore, would not like to pursue further? (Learning what you do not like is as important as learning what you do like.) You reflection can be as long as you please.

Please read comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s response to James Altucher’s “New York City Is Dead Forever”. After reading Seinfeld’s response, do you think Seinfeld or Altucher makes a stronger point? Also, consider the sources of these pieces. Altucher published his work in The New York Post, and Seinfeld published his in The New York Times. What is the difference between these two publications? Lastly, what parts of Seinfeld’s response piece resonated with you and why? Your response should be six to 10 sentences long.

Please read at least half of New York City Is Dead Forever (Altucher) and share whether you agree or disagree with the author’s argument. Clearly state what you agree or disagree with and provide reasons for why you agree or disagree. Also, please comment on how the author organized the piece. Do you think it was organized in an effective manner? Your response should be six to 10 sentences long.

Select a commercial that is approximately 30 seconds long, and provide a rhetorical analysis of the commercial. In your analysis, comment on how the commercial appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos (or if it does not appeal to one or more of these dimensions of rhetoric). Also, comment on a rhetorical device that the commercial employs (See list of rhetorical devices). Make sure your response is eight to 12 sentences long. Include a YouTube link to the commercial that you analyzed.

Listen to at least 15-20 minutes of “Trever Noah Says He Grew up ‘In The Shadow of a Giant’ (His Mom)“. What do you notice about Trevor Noah’s ability to share information about his life, including his relationship with his mother. Does he do more showing or more telling? Provide some examples to support your opinion. Your response should be six to nine sentences long.

Consider the readings that you have done for this class thus far. Select two or three parts of these readings that resonated with you and discuss how you have approached or plan to approach your writing differently as a result of what you learned from these readings. Your response should be six to ten sentences long.

Please watch this TED Talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Please share one or two takeaways from the talk. Also, please share if this talk inspired you to look at your literacy narrative differently in any way. Your response should be four to seven sentences long.

I was inspired to write this piece just two weeks ago after I had accomplished a big goal that I had set in my life. The piece is a narrative (though, not a literacy narrative) and it is a reflection on a process that I went through. Please point out either what was effective or confusing (or both) about the piece. What resonated with you? What would have made it stronger (what did you still want to know)? Your response should be six to nine sentences long.

For your first response, I would simply like for you to share your reaction to the first reading assignments (the ones that are due for class two). Did you feel nervous or excited after reading them? Whatever it is that you felt, please explain why. Your response should be four to nine sentences long.