PWR2 as a course focuses on the delivery of argument in differend media. Accordingly, as your central project for E-Rhetorics, you will conduct research on a topic related to digital culture, technology, and/or electronic rhetoric and then present that research in at least two forms: as an oral argument and as a fully-linked persuasive hypertext. The purpose of the project is to encourage you to refine your researching and writing skills, and to encourage you to experiment with creating rhetorically effective texts across different media.

The exact focus of your topic is your choice, subject to instructor approval. You should research this project using a variety of sources, including the internet, the library (both Socrates and the databases), and (where appropriate) data collected through fieldwork, surveys, and interviews: your bibliography for this project should contain no fewer than 10 sources -- balanced between both primary and secondary sources. If you are feeling unsure about your research skills or just plain rusty, consider revisiting SKIL. Please note: you must have a minimum of 8 sources that you found on your own (i.e. that weren't linked through the class links page or that weren't part of the class readings).

The first stage in the project involves, necessarily, deciding on your topic. To brainstorm ideas, look at the topic headings on the course schedule, search "digital culture" or "e-rhetoric" on-line, look at a list of past topics, talk to friends, read the technology section of the Daily or the national newspaper of your choice, or e-mail and IM me to generate ideas. You might also look at the Past Topic list linked through to this page. The best topics will be one that you connect with personally or that you feel passionately about, and about which you feel you can argue a position. Please note: you should not work on a topic that you have already worked on for another class.