English 102 Section 25 Spring 2017

English 102.25 Assignment Instructions: Project 1 Why Choose UI? – Creating a Class Blog

Topic Proposal due: Tuesday W2 on bblearn. Half a page double spaced. Rough draft due: Sunday W2 on bblearn. Final blog post due: Sunday W4 on bblearn. Page range: 3-4 double spaced; 750-1000 words Overview At the end of this project, you will have written a blog post about some aspect of the University of Idaho, Moscow, or the surrounding area. The purpose of the project is to create a post explaining to new students why they should choose to come to UI. The topic of the post is up to you. Remember your audience and purpose in the creation of this project. Once completed, I will collate all of your posts and publish them in our own class blog. Your writing will be online

for prospective students to see in the future Some More Details This project will get you engaged in writing rhetorically. This means writing effectively and persuasively according to your audience, purpose, and genre. We will discuss how to write convincingly by using rhetorical appeals: pathos, ethos, and logos. As for your topic, your blog post can really be anything related to Moscow, ID and the surrounding area. The crucial aspects to remember are the audience: prospective students to UI, the genre: a blog post so get personal with it, and the purpose: to encourage these potential students to choose the University of Idaho over other colleges. Stuck for ideas? Perhaps you would like to focus your post on the Greek system at UI, your program/major, or even the restaurant choices of Moscow? Do you want to directly address international students? Or maybe people from your hometown? What about outdoor activities? A good place to start would be to pick something you love about UI and go from there; why did YOU choose UI? Remember, you work will eventually be published so take extra care with your arguing and final proofreading. Prep Work You will complete a very short topic proposal early on in this project. This is so I can give some feedback before you go ahead with writing the actual blog post. This proposal can be informal but completion is crucial! Main Points While you are writing your blog post, remember the key aspects of this project:

o Although this is a different genre than you may be used to writing in, your blog post still needs the standard features of any academic writing: an introduction, conclusion, and a thesis statement.

o Your audience is crucial to keep in mind! They will be brand new to the area, so you need to be explicit in your writing.

o Remember that interesting blog posts often don’t just use written communication; they also use visuals. Incorporate your own photos or ones from other people (with credit of course).

o Remember the purpose. This project is not just a review, although that can be part of the blog post, you need to consider what will be useful and informative for your audience, and what will be convincing! Employ all aspects of rhetoric in your recruiting mission.

o The genre you are writing in is a blog post: you can, and should, make this piece of writing personal so include your ‘voice’ and experience if appropriate.

English 102 Section 25 Spring 2017

Writing Center The Writing Center provides one-on-one assistance to student writers, at all stages of the writing process. From interpreting an assignment to revising a final draft, and everything in between, the tutors are trained peers that can guide you through any kind of writing. You don’t need to be a ‘bad’ writer to use the Writing Center, in fact your teacher has used the resource several times! It is located in the Idaho Common, Third Floor, Room 323. To schedule an appointment, drop by or call 885-664.

English 102 Section 25 Spring 2017

Why Choose UI? Grading Rubric

Criteria – Basic Standards of Proficiency 1 2 3 4 Comments

1 = Beginner (D), 2 = Developing (C), 3 = Accomplished (B), 4 = Exemplary (A)