Various, between M 2/7 - F 2/18: presentation materials due in forum folder at the time of the presentation. Presentations themselves will be scheduled by individual assignment

In keeping with the goals and outcomes of PWR2, this presentation assignment is designed to help students work with skills they developed in their proposal presentations, to further implement strategies of rhetoric and oral communication in presenting on their research topic. In addition, this presentation allows students the opportunity to continue working with the Five Canons of Rhetoric (Invention, Arrangement, Style, Memory, and Delivery), Rhetorical Appeals (pathos, logos, ethos, nomos) and the principle of Kairos -- as they pertain to their own texts.

The purpose of your presentation may vary -- it may be to inform, to instruct or to motivate to action. However, that purpose should be clear from your presentation itself.

Keep in mind, too, that your presentation should be have a clear structure and should develop a central theme or argument: it should not simply be a recap of different points about your topic. You have many options in the structure of your assignment. For example, you can

• provide an update on your research project that details your thesis and supporting evidence, and also discusses any changes in your research direction or argument
• highlight a particular example or source (book/article, interview, fieldwork) that has turned out to be very important to your research
• discuss a particular research challenge or triumph
• explain the dialogue around your project, including opposing opinions and how you're planning to handle them

It is possible that you might think of another way to structure this presentation: I am open to other options, as long as the focus relates to your research project and as long as you clear it with me (in writing) first.

Finally, keeping in mind your audience -- classmates who have already heard you speak on this topic -- be sure that your mid-quarter presentation isn't simply a revision of your original presentation.

There are no multi-media requirements for this assignment beyond asking you to think purposefully about your use of different media (powerpoint, explorer, software programs, the white board, props, posters, etc.). Remember that the choice to use multi-media (or the choice not to) is a rhetorical act in itself.

It is strongly adviced that you not only practice your presentation yourself, but that you run through your presentation in the classroom ahead of time, if only to ensure that technology works. For your convenience, I will be in our classroom 20 minutes early on the 6 presentation days: do not anticipate having time to run through your presentation during class time.

TEXTS

For your mid-quarter presentation, you should review Lunsford & Ruszkiewicz, "Spoken Arguments" and your notes from our discussion of presentations from week 4. It is also strongly recommended that you read Chapter 7 of Envision.

OCTS

Part of this assignment involves conferencing again with the OCTs -- this time, however, you will be meeting prior to the presentation so that you get feedback on the "invention" and "arrangement" stages of the process. You can sign up for either a brainstorming session (a conference that takes place a minimum of 48 hours before your presentation) or a session in which you discuss or even practice a presentation draft (which should be scheduled for at least 24 hours before your presentation date). OCT conference sign-up will take place in the middle of the week of Jan 31.

INSTRUCTOR

As always, you should e-mail me, IM me, or talk to me in class if you have any questions.