Rise of the NBA Nerd

For Thursday, please read Wesley Morris' essay The Rise of the NBA Nerd and write a 350+ word blog response.

In your response, please elaborate on what you believe is Morris' central argument. I would also like you to think about Visual Rhetoric. We understand the principles of rhetoric as they apply to writing, but what about when they apply to images? Is what we wear an argument? Can it be political? How?

Russell Westbrook (courtesy of Getty Images)

Thursday, September 25 Shark Tank

Shark Tank pitches from September 25.

Tuesday, September 23 Shark Tank

Below, please find all the videos from the Shark Tank speeches given on Tuesday.

Shark Tank Speech Times

Tuesday, September 23
2:00 Caroline
2:10 Mike
2:20 Sam
2:30 Shelby
2:40 Taylor
2:50 Justin
3:00 Seth
3:10 Alex

3:30 Jimmy
3:40 Betsy
3:50 Randi
4:00 Savannah
4:10 Oakley
4:20 Reacheal
4:30 Kaelyn
4:40 Najwa

Thursday, September 25
2:00 Lina
2:10 Elizabeth
2:20 Zach
2:30 Rana
2:40 Sidney
2:50 Mason
3:00 Beth

3:30 Megan
3:40 Alyssa
3:50 Shelby
4:00 Chase
4:10 Jon
4:20 Ben
4:30 Noah
4:40 Aaliyah

Tuesday, September 30
2:00 Anna
2:10 James
2:20 Emma
2:30 Brian
2:40 Jared
2:50 Shannon
3:00 Sabrina
3:10 Monique

3:30 Callie
3:40 Gabrielle
3:50 Daniel
4:00 Leon
4:10 Alex
4:20 Lynsey
4:30 Justin

Speech Prep

Soon, you will be presenting your "Shark Tank" proposals for your projects. As you prepare, here is some important information to keep in mind:

Length
I expect your presentation to last around three minutes. It is important that you do not go over time, as we will struggle to fit these into one week.

Q&A
Following your presentation, a pre-determined group of four students will ask you a question regarding your presentation or its viability. I will allow (and even encourage) the audience to use a positive statement/critique approach; however, the students tasked with asking questions cannot just offer a positive statement.

Grading and Assessment
You will be graded on both your presentation and your audience participation. That means that you need to come prepared not only for your speech but also for your role as feedback provider.

In regards to your proposal, we have agreed on the following grading criteria:

Proposal
25% Logos: Information, facts, and research. Your background knowledge of the subject. What is your plan for the project? What will this documentary look like at the end? Whom have you contacted?
10% Relevance link: Why would college students care about this project? What makes your subject interesting or unique? How is the angle you're taking with this project novel? In short, who cares?
10% Pathos: What makes this project important? Why are you passionate about this project? Convince us that you're driven to make this project work.
5% Ethos: What are your skills related to this project? Do you have any experience with interviewing? Video editing? Filming? Narrating? Writing Scripts? Doing research? Convince us that your project will succeed because you have the necessary skills. 

Body Language     
20% Preparation: Your speech presents evidence that you have practiced and prepared. Working on pacing and cadence, pauses and transitions. Think about how you will present yourself-- do you need to dress up? (yes, you do) Are you around three minutes? Have you anticipated the questions you will receive? Remember that you don't always need the answers for the Q&A session, merely the knowledge of how you would go about finding the answer.
10% Speed/Tone/Volume: Related to preparation, but this score focuses just on the oral element of your presentation. Project your voice, avoid monotone, and control your pace.
10% Eye Contact: Make sure you're not fixating on one person (especially not me!). Scan the room, look out at us, and avoid the walls, windows, and floor. Don't forget to blink!
10% Movement and Fluidity: Use your nervous energy to move your body around the room. Avoid pacing, as that distracts the viewer, but do not simply stand still with your arms folded. Stay active in the front of the room.

Meeting Times

These are the times you will be meeting with me this week:

Thursday (9-11):
In 1206 POT
12:00 Lina
12:05 Anna
12:10 Rana
12:20 Betsy
12:30 Alyssa
12:40 Aaliyah
12:50 Oakley
1:00 Noah
1:10 Chase

In our classroom (B-03 POT)
2:00 Shannon
2:10 Mike
2:20 Alex
2:30 Zach
2:40 Elizabeth
2:50 Sidney
3:00 Justin
3:30 Najwa
3:40 Callie
3:50 Gabrielle
4:00 Megan
4:10 Daniel
4:20 Justin
4:30 Savannah
4:40 Lynsey

Tuesday (9-16):
In 1206 POT
12:00 Beth
12:10 Shelby
12:15 Mason
12:20 Brian
12:30 Seth
12:50 Shelby
1:00 Jimmy
1:10 Monique
1:20 Jared

In our classroom (B-03 POT)
2:00 Caroline
2:10 Sam
2:20 Emma
2:30 Sabrina
2:40 James
2:50 Taylor
3:30 Kaelyn
3:40 Reacheal
3:50 Randi
4:00 Alex
4:10 Ben
4:20 Jon
4:30 Leon

Homework for 9-9: TED Talks

Over the weekend, I'd like you all to continue thinking about your Shark Tank Proposals. What topics are you interested in? Can you narrow your interests down to two or three finalists?

Beyond the topic, I'd also like you think about speech itself. In order to understand what makes a good speech, I'd like you to find examples of good and bad speech.

For homework, your goal is to browse the TED website for examples of good and bad speeches. Don't just focus on "good" and "bad" as they relate to interest-level or content, but on how the speaker presents his or her ideas.

In a 500-word blog post, please link the videos (embed if you can) and provide an analysis of the success and failures of the speakers. What made this speech great? Where did the speaker fall short? How might each speaker improve in the future?