Taking a Position
Reacting and Responding
Read Response Essay
Reading Activity
Homework
Taking a Position on Pandemics:
Definition? (on the board)
Examples? (on the board)
How does a pandemic usually erupt?
What actions or outcomes might be expected if there is a pandemic?
Can pandemics ever be useful?
What level of commitment is expected when you belong to an alliance?
Activity:
Record facts in point form to show evidence of a Global Pandemic due to Avian Flu
How is Avian Flu like a natural disaster?
Where does the world stand in its fight to contain the spread of Avian Flu?
Does another global pandemic loom on the horizon or has the threat passed?
What are the implications for Central Illinois with its large population of wild birds?
Much Ado about Clucking:
Review “Much Ado about Clucking” in Essay Writing
Address the following questions in a well structured response (paragraphs with topic sentences, transitions)
How do you feel about the way the topic is presented (hint: look at the title)?
What do you agree or disagree with?
Can you identify with the situation?
Give examples (at least three) of where the author agrees with others, disagrees, or both.
Rewrite three of the above examples in the opposing view.
Post as a comment to the Lecture 6 blog post
Homework:
Position Paper Due in class (23 Feb., after Reading Week)
Due: First half of next class
Length: 5-8 Well Formed Paragraphs (2-3 pages)
Style: Formal (No Personal Pronoun)
Audience: Academic
Additional: Remember to use MLA style for references, include page numbers and your name on each page (top right header)
Refer to your Graphic Organisers, Notes, Text books, Dictionaries
Come to class with a topic and source(s) for your position paper 20% (newspaper report, journal article, film review – must be at least two pages)
OR
Choose to write on “The Ticking Time Bomb” (247), “The Decline of Public Language” (367) or “Any Colour as Long as It’s Shakespeare” (361)
Read Chopin, “Story of an Hour” (95 HA)
Note: Image from No Sheep.
Chris Pollard - Lecture 6: Much ado about clucking
ReplyDeleteI feel that the author, Richard Schabas, could have used a slightly more serious title, instead of taking a jab at the opposition right off the get go. He re-enforces the topic well throughout the first couple of paragraphs, and backs up his points with facts and details. So he could have gone with a more serious title, one that didn't make him seem so arrogant.
Lecture 6: “Much ado about Clucking” Response
ReplyDeleteJustin Wiesinger
After reading Schabas’ essay entitled: “Much ado about Clucking,” I feel that I am able to identify with the situation of the fear of global pandemics. Over the past several years, I have been surrounded with people who have experienced the normal winter flu. Most recently, the H1N1 scare is very relatable to the topic of the essay. I can relate with the author’s expressed opinion of how potential pandemic crises have been blow way out of proportion. It is evident that the fear and chaos that ensued due to the swine flu media blitz spread far faster than the actual virus. Just like Schabas’ viewpoint on that of the avian flu, the so-called swine flu “pandemic” was barely anything worth fretting about.
Lecture 6: "Much Ado About Clucking Response"
ReplyDeleteHow do you feel about the way the topic is presented?
Schabas takes a satirical position in his essay, "Much Ado About Clucking". The title makes reference to Shakespeare's comedy, "Much Ado About Nothing" and immediately puts the thought in the viewer's mind that the Avian Flu scare is not a significant threat to society. Schabas' use of satire creates a more light-hearted read, and the use of contrasting viewpoints makes for a convincing argument. Schabas presents persuasive evidence and by expressing both sides of the story, allows the reader to form their own opinion on the issue. Overall, his methods prove highly effective and accomplish Schabas' purpose.
Lecture 6: "Much Ado about Clucking"
ReplyDeleteCan you identify with the situation?
In Richard Schabas’ essay titled “Much Ado about Clucking,” he discusses how “Canadians, and others who live in developed countries, are less likely to suffer serious illness of die from infectious diseases than any people in recorded history…” (335) and that people needn’t to worry about the outbreaks of pandemics throughout the world. I feel that I can also relate to this situation, having also lived through pandemics such as SARS and most recently, the Swine Flu, better known as H1N1. In the past year, the government urged citizens to go through proper procedures such as washing your hands frequently and advising to get the H1N1 shot. I felt that this outbreak wasn’t a concern to me, as it just seemed to be another “winter flu” passing by. But the procedures of keeping the flu at bay got so out of hand that the Canadian government started cancelling flights to countries such as Mexico, the same time my flight to Mexico was all planned out. I do agree that we should take careful preparations and medical action to this “pandemic,” and others in the future, just not to take such drastic actions when it’s only another “flu bug” going around.
Lecture 6: Much Ado About Clucking Response, Amelia Terlecki
ReplyDeleteRichard Schabas sets an obvious tone for his essay “Much Ado About Clucking” (Globe and Mail, October 8, 2005) through his choice of title. He makes it evident that he is mocking the seriousness of the issue of the avian influenza. Schabas’ satirical point of view is further emphasized when he states, “The latest nominee is influenza, a disease we thought we knew from the annual winter flu season. But no, a new superflu will cause a super epidemic, a pandemic, that will kill many millions, maybe even billions, and bring our economies to a standstill and modern society to its knees” (335). I feel that his use of exaggeration and humor on a subject that some people may feel very strongly about is somewhat insensitive. It could deeply offend some people who don’t take it as lightly to heart, and for this reason I dislike his method of presenting the topic.
Lecture 6: Much Ado About Clucking Response
ReplyDelete#2
We agree upon the matter of taking prudent preparations for a possible future pandemic. For example, improving our vaccines and constantly surveilling any possible threats. In contrast, we disagree that there will be a pandemic in the next forty years. It is silly to think in this day and age, our technology and knowledge can not stop such a force.
Lecture 6: Much Ado About Clucking Response
ReplyDelete#3
We can relate to this situation as recently, H1N1 became a pandemic. This worldly scare forced our society to wake up and supply vaccines to reduce fatalities. Presently, this pandemic has hit a brick wall and as a result, society has become less paranoid and although they are still aware, they are able to live their lives with less panic.