Applying our Analysis/Synthesis/Evaluation Skills in the Real World

Introduction:

Over the past 3.5 weeks you have developed an understanding of how rhetorical situations - the relationship between speaker, audience, and subject - affect the way all texts are communicated. You have also developed some sophisticated analysis skills in order to understand how the author's/speaker's word choice, use of devices (imagery, figurative language, comparison), organization of ideas, etc. affect the way their audience experiences an idea. And you have also developed some working criteria to evaluate the credibility of any given message being conveyed to you.

Now it is time to put all these skills together. Over the next week, you will have the choice to explore one of the case studies below. Your task will be to use your newly developed skills to help you analyze and evaluate the way that sources are conveying information to you about the topic in question. Then you will assess the credibility of each source with the goal of developing an informed opinion based on credible sources.

Case Study Options

Option 1: The Responsibility of David Cash

Watch the introduction video below. It will help you decide if you are interested in digging in to the case of David Cash. A Note: This case study is a favorite Quarter 1 activity for most of my students, BUT I want to provide you with a TRIGGER WARNING. This case explores whether or not an individual who "may" have witnessed suspicious behavior that led up to a crime, could have stopped it. During this case study, students may encounter content that is triggering to sensitive individuals. This case is not about the crime itself, nor are their any graphic depictions of the crime, but they do name the crime and the circumstances leading up to it.

Option 2: The Killings at the Canal

Watch the introduction video below. It will help you decide if you are interested in digging in to the case of the killings at the canal in Iraq.