This WWII propaganda poster by Glen Grohe was produced circa 1942. Entitled "He's Watching You", what message
did its artist wish to convey to his target audience?
This WWII propaganda poster by Glen Grohe was produced circa 1942. Entitled "He's Watching You", what message
did its artist wish to convey to his target audience?
#1--Read these essays in the Borzoi College Reader: Aldous Huxley, Szasz, Bosmajian, Chan, Ruiz, Lorde, and Rau
#2--Study this helpful handout on writing a reaction paper.
#3--Post to the Propaganda Article Abstract Bulletin Board an abstract of one newspaper, magazine, or journal article you choose which analyzes the mechanisms involved in creating and distributing propaganda to individuals. NOTE: This source is NOT a website. It must be an article found in a newspaper, magazine, or journal. This assignment is worth up to 15 points and must be at least 500 but not over 750 words. Your abstract should paraphrase the article, meaning it should explain IN YOUR WORDS and using quotes ways in which propaganda can be identified, studied, understood, etc. Be sure to include the required MLA Works Cited information for your article (author's name, source of publication, etc. Here are two sample abstracts you can study to gain a sense of what this assignment calls for:
#4--For paper #1, you must write email to me as an attached file a word processing document of no less than 1750 words and no more than 2000 doublespaced with 1" margins, 12 point typeface, and following MLA citation style (in text citation but no Works Cited section) on this assignment:
Drawing upon three of the readings in the Borzoi College Reader, one article of your own choosing, and your experiences/observations, explain how propaganda functions (its mechanisms, techniques, etc.), the effects it has on individuals who are subjected to it, and why we ought to be concerned about understanding both how propaganda works and how we can respond to it.
For this paper, worth up to 50 points, you will use a combination of third person (no "I", "you") and first person (use of "I") perspectives. Through third person, you will practice the crucial academic skills of writing about sources using summary, paraphrase, quotation, and MLA style. I will expect you to analyze mechanisms of propaganda addressed in your readings (technology-based, race-based, linguistically-based, etc.) and observed/experienced in in your life. MLA in-text citations are required whenever you use material drawn from print sources.
You have at minimum 1750 words to produce a thoughtful, analytical understanding of the topic via examination of the print sources you've read and your experiences/observations (anecdotes, films you've seen, etc.) read. NOTE: Your development of sources should be weighted toward analysis of the readings in the Borzoi College Reader and your selected reading from a newspaper, magazine, or journal. Your examination of personal experience must not overshadow your ability to demonstrate that you can write effectively from print sources.
Be sure to follow standard essay format by writing an introduction, body, and conclusion.
#5--I recommend you also review these resources on the course website:
Writing Tips and Resources Page
You have had practice in applying the Paper Grading Standards. Be sure to review these standards before drafting your paper and upon completing it. You ought to have a firm sense when you submit your draft to me as to the quality of it as judged by the paper grading standards.
Remember that I DO NOT accept late homework assignments. You must post your homework to the bulletin board by the duedate in the course calendar. Failure to do so results in 0 points. I will grade homework #2 according to this scale:
The 15 point posting: follows to the letter all requirements of the assignment--including no less than the required word count. The posting demonstrates the writer's sophisticated skill at accurately, succinctly, coherently (highly organized), and clearly summarizing the content of the article. The writer also includes, as required, the citation information necessary to identify where the article was published and by whom. The 15 point posting demonstrates the writer's flawless command of edited written English including correct grammatical usage, sentence structure, mechanics, and diction. 15 points are granted for responses of the highest quality across the board: analytically mature and sophisticated tone, persuasive development for the writer's purpose, depth of relevant and cogent supporting evidence, cohesive organization, clarity/readability of style, precise and vivid/memorable word choice, correct grammatical usage and varied sentence structure; correct mechanics, and rigorous editing/proofreading.
The 12 point posting: also provides all required components of the assignment; however, the level of summarization lacks the depth, clarity, organization, etc. found in the 15 point posting. The writer's skills at summarization are competent but the language used to express ideas lacks the eloquence and flawless readability of the 15 point posting. The 12 posting displays the writer's ability to produce standard edited English; however, grammatical mistakes are evident. No sentence structure errors in faulty clause coordination or subordination exists; all sentences are complete ones. While the 15 point posting requires no revision in content and little to no editing, the 12 point posting requires improved content and editing/proofreading.
The 10.5 point posting: represents adequate quality. The writer made an honest effort to engage the writing task; however, the posting demonstrates numerous avenues for enhanced content/development of ideas. The posting also shows room for increase paragraph unity, focus, and cohesion of organization. The 10.5 point posting may lapse into generalizations, relying on abstract word choice, unsubstantiated claims. Improvement is needed in the achievement of standard edited English for correct clause formation, grammatical usage, sentence structure, diction, and mechanics. The 10.5 point posting is still in draft form and requires significant revision and editing for it to become a polished product.
The 9 point posting: is deficient in producing the required features of the assignment. The low quality response may be due to a lack of effort, misinterpreting the assignment directions, failure to produce readable and correct standard edited English. The "9" score indicates the lack of a solid draft. Students receiving this score must attend an online or on-campus meeting with the instructor to establish support services helpful to the student. It is possible to receive less than 9 points (anywhere from 0 to 8) depending on what the student turns in.
Return to the Reading
and Writing Assignments Page
Return to the Course Calendar Page