WD#3

I've given this prompt a lot of thought, in part because it will be our last WD of the semester.

I was unable to choose between option (1) and option (2) (see below), so you have a choice of two related prompts, both of which utilize digital platforms/publishing in some way, shape, or form.

(1) the pop culture "literature" review (with hyperlinks). 

Each of us has a pop cultural passion (or "obsession" might be more appropriate for some of us). This is your chance to introduce your passion, interest, hobby, etc. to a wider audience; this is also your chance to "teach" your readership about your pop cultural "artifact." Give this some serious thought: you need to choose something that will give you enough material for at least 4 solid pages of your first draft, but it should also be something that you can make compelling to a larger readership. Also, there's another twist: you have "work in" some element that at first glance makes no sense. Then you show how it makes sense.

For instance: let's say your lit review is over the many personae of Miley Cyrus. (Not a bad topic, by the way.) You also have to convincingly "work in" something about the banana trade in central America. (At the very least, you have to give your one oddball reference a footnote, and you have to find a way to work it into the fabric of the essay that seems convincing and--as much as possible--natural.)  

(2) the critical review (with hyperlinks).

Everybody's a critic, right? Pick something to critique, establish a set of criteria (implicitly or explicitly), and review it. As in option (1), you also have to find a way to work in an oddball or leftfield reference or quirk. (By the way, "pizza" is already taken. ; )  )  

Nuts & Bolts for Options (1) and (2): first and foremost, your WD needs to use hyperlinks to reference outside material. And, similarly, you need to think of this as a web document. To add a hyperlink in Canvas, simply highlight the word or phrase you want to link, click the little chain-link icon in the second row of icons above, and paste or type the URL for your site into the dialogue box that pops up. 

To hyperlink in MS Word, simply highlight the word or phrase, click the Insert tab at the top of the program, click the large, globe-shaped hyperlink icon, and paste or type the URL into the space provided in the dialogue box. Click "OK" to embed the link into your Word document. You can choose to submit this WD as either an MS Word doc or as a text-based entry directly in Canvas. Either way, all standard formatting rules apply (see the syllabus).

Here's Links to an external site. an example of option #2 from the latest issue of The New Yorker on contemporary classical music. Note the way the author uses the hyperlinks and references to reinforce his argument and support his position. Also, note the position he takes and the assumptions on which this position is based.

I'm digging around for a good example of option #1, and I will post it as soon as I make a decision.  

Deadline: first drafts of WD#3 due before 11:30pm EDT on Thursday, 4/16. (We will take some time in class on Thursday to do some workshopping, too.)