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5/8/2020

Take-home Essay #2

https://mtsac.instructure.com/courses/77299/assignments/528361?module_item_id=1263225 1/4

Take-home Essay #2

Due No Due Date Points 0 Submitting a text entry box or a file upload

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ENGL 1A: Take-home Essay #2

Follow the guidelines for writing good college essays, being particularly specific with a clear thesis
statement, well-written topic sentences, evidence (at least one per body ¶), supporting details, and a
thought-provoking conclusion. And create an interesting title for your writing. I suggest creating an
outline to aid you. Indicate which question you are answering on your final draft.

1. Write about how a specific YouTube commercial or print advertisement’s argument is
manipulative. (By “manipulative,” think about these definitions from www.dictionary.com: “to change
by artful or unfair means so as to serve one’s purpose” and “to control or play upon by artful, unfair,
or insidious means especially to one’s own advantage.”) Use one of the YouTube commercials in
Canvas to explain what the ad is arguing for and what is essentially a dilemma or a problem with that
message. Think about what the ad’s underlying message might be: stay away from the generic
argument, such as “Brand X is telling people to buy the product,” and look for a more pressing or
profound one, such as “Brand X claims women need to (do something) in order to (look or feel a
certain way about themselves).” Using the five-step process, quote once from Stuart Hirschberg’s
“The Rhetoric of Advertising” in each body paragraph (as well as the ad itself where appropriate but
not to replace a quote from Hirschberg).

In addition to your introduction and conclusion ¶s, you need to write at least four body ¶s in the
following order to answer this question:

the first ¶ looks at how the ad, through its visual information, is conveying its argument; for the
YouTube commercial, consider how the audio, camera angles, narrating voices, and anything
else aids in this process
the second ¶ explains how the ad is using a specific rhetorical appeal (such as the appeal to
nostalgia, appeal of the good corporate citizen, appeal to fear, or an unsubstantiated claim) or a
specific propaganda technique to convey its argument
the third ¶ focuses on how that rhetorical appeal/propaganda technique is manipulative in the
way it is used in the ad
the fourth ¶ thoughtfully identifies what is problematic about the ad’s underlying message (its
deeper level argument)
(optional) the fifth ¶ thoughtfully explains why a reader might accept this ad’s argument, given the
problems identified above.

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5/8/2020 Take-home Essay #2

https://mtsac.instructure.com/courses/77299/assignments/528361?module_item_id=1263225 2/4

Use this idea to motivate your thesis statement:

1 : “The argument in (this ad) that (says what specifically?) is (manipulative how?) because
(why?).”

Use these ideas to motivate your topic sentences:
1 : “(This ad) is conveying its argument (through what visually?).”
2 : “(This ad) is using (what specific rhetorical appeal?) in order (to do what specifically?).”
3 : “(This rhetorical appeal/propaganda technique) is (manipulative) because (of what specific
reason?).”
4 : “The problem with the ad’s underlying message is (what?).”
5 : (optional) “Despite this ad’s manipulation, a reader might believe in this ad’s argument
because (of what specifically?).”

2. Write about how a specific YouTube commercial or print advertisement is attempting to
control the narrative about a specific topic or convey history in a manipulative way. Use one of
the YouTube commercials in Canvas to explain how the advertisement is manipulating the reader by
shaping the narrative about a specific topic or retelling history (of some kind) in a way that is
manipulative. Focus on a specific argument that the ad is making (not a surface-level argument) to
focus this essay. Use one quote from Howard Zinn’s “Columbus, the Indians, and Human Progress”
or Stuart Hirschberg’s “The Rhetoric of Advertising” in each body paragraph (and refer to the ad
where appropriate).

In addition to your introduction and conclusion ¶s, you need to write at least four body ¶s in the
following order to answer this question:

the first ¶ looks at how the ad, through its visual information, is attempting to control the narrative
or tell “history” in a manipulative way; for the YouTube commercial, consider how the audio,
camera angles, narrating voices, and anything else aids in this process
the second ¶ explains how the ad is using a specific rhetorical appeal to assist in controlling the
narrative/history (such as the appeal to nostalgia, appeal of the good corporate citizen, appeal to
fear, or an unsubstantiated claim)
the third ¶ focuses on how that rhetorical appeal is manipulative in the way it is used in the ad
the fourth ¶ thoughtfully identifies what is problematic about the way the narrative/history is being
presented
(optional) the fifth ¶ thoughtfully explains why a reader might accept this ad’s argument about
history, given the problems identified above.

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5/8/2020 Take-home Essay #2

https://mtsac.instructure.com/courses/77299/assignments/528361?module_item_id=1263225 3/4

Use this idea to motivate your thesis statement:
1 : “The advertisement (is doing what specifically to manipulate the narrative/history?) because
(why?).”

Use these ideas to motivate your topic sentences:
1 : “(This ad) is trying to manipulate the narrative/history (through what visually?).”
2 : “(This ad) is using (what specific rhetorical appeal?) in order (to manipulate the topic in what
way?).”
3 : “(This rhetorical appeal) is (manipulative) because (of what specific reason?).”
4 : “The problem with the way the narrative/history is being presented is (what?).”
5 : (optional) “Despite this ad’s manipulation about history, a reader might believe in this ad’s
argument because (of what specifically?).”

3. Write about how a specific YouTube commercial or print advertisement is attempting to
control the reader through use of the banking concept. Use one of the YouTube commercials in
Canvas to explain how the advertiser is manipulative through a controlling method that is directly
related to the banking concept. Focus on a specific argument beneath the surface that the ad is
making (not a surface-level argument) that would be useful to help focus this essay. Use one quote
from Paulo Freire’s “The ‘Banking’ Concept of Education” or Stuart Hirschberg’s “The Rhetoric of
Advertising” in each body paragraph (and refer to the ad where appropriate).

In addition to your introduction and conclusion ¶s, you need to write at least four body ¶s in the
following order to answer this question:

the first ¶ looks at how the ad, through its visual information, is attempting to control the reader;
for the YouTube commercial, consider how the audio, camera angles, narrating voices, and
anything else aids in this process
the second ¶ explains how the ad is using a specific rhetorical appeal to assist in controlling the
reader (such as the appeal to nostalgia, appeal of the good corporate citizen, appeal to fear, or
an unsubstantiated claim)
the third ¶ focuses on how that rhetorical appeal is manipulative in the way it is used in the ad
the fourth ¶ thoughtfully identifies what is problematic about the way the banking concept is being
used
(optional) the fifth ¶ thoughtfully explains why a reader might accept this ad’s argument, given the
problems identified above.

Use this idea to motivate your thesis statement:
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5/8/2020 Take-home Essay #2

https://mtsac.instructure.com/courses/77299/assignments/528361?module_item_id=1263225 4/4

1 : “The advertisement (is doing what specifically to control the reader?) because (why?).”

Use these ideas to motivate your topic sentences:
1 : “(This ad) is trying to control the reader (through what visually?).”
2 : “(This ad) is using (what specific rhetorical appeal?) in order (to control the reader in what
way?).”
3 : “(This rhetorical appeal) is (manipulative) because (of what specific reason?).”
4 : “The problem with the way the banking concept is used is (what?).”
5 : (optional) “Despite this ad’s manipulation, a reader might believe in this ad’s argument
because (of what specifically?).”

Please provide the print ad with the final draft if you are using one.

Write this from a third-person perspective (such as “one may believe X,” “the reader might find Y,” or
“people could realize that Z”).

Use MLA format for the paper. Check Canvas for an example essay, and use the Writing Center for
editing content and finding punctuation/grammar errors that you should correct and avoid as soon as
you can.

Rough Draft Date: Monday, 10-14-19; Final Draft Due: TBA

Tuesday, 10-15-19

Points: 175/1,000 Page Minimum: 4 full pages

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5/8/2020

Primate Conservation Extra Credit Project (30 points)

https://online.smc.edu/courses/28622/assignments/557608 1/2

Primate Conservation Extra Credit Project (30 points)

Due Monday by 11pm Points 0 Submitting a text entry box or a file upload
File Types doc, docx, and pdf Available Apr 20 at 12am – May 11 at 11pm 22 days

Submit Assignment

We have been learning about the characteristics of the Order Primates and the different types of
primates that exist around the world. Many primates are endangered, largely as a result of human
activities. For this project, you will focus on 3 endangered primates to learn more about these species,
why they are endangered, and what can be done to save them.

Directions:

Look through the publication “PRIMATES IN PERIL: The world’s 25 most endangered primates 2018-
2020”
Choose 3 species that you want to focus on: one strepsirhine, one monkey, and one ape.
For EACH species, answer the following questions (you should have three sets of answers to these
questions, one for each species). You can use information from your textbook as well as the Primates
In Peril publication. If you use information from another source, you MUST cite the source and
indicate what information you took from it.
1. What is the common name? What is the genus/species name?
2. Where does this species live? (both geographic location and habitat)
3. Describe the physical characteristics of this primate.
4. Describe the behavioral adaptations of this primate.
5. Do you think any of the physical and/or behavioral characteristics of this primate may make it

particularly susceptible to being endangered?
6. What are the greatest threats to this primate? In other words, what are the main reasons why it is

endangered?
Answer these SUMMARY QUESTIONS (answer only once):
1. What did you learn or what you were surprised to learn from this project? Is there anything that

really stood out to you?
2. What do you think, globally or nationally, could and should be done to protect endangered

primates?
3. Do you think there is anything individuals like yourself can do to help protect endangered

primates? If yes, describe what. If no, describe why you feel this way.

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS:

Attach a Word or PDF file with your answers or submit your answers directly into the submission box.
Use headers and re-copy the questions so that your answers are clear and organized.

5/8/2020 Primate Conservation Extra Credit Project (30 points)

https://online.smc.edu/courses/28622/assignments/557608 2/2

You are expected to write and submit your own answers. If you copy someone’s work or turn in the
same answers as another student, you and any other student involved will receive no credit.
You will only get points for this project if you have no more than 2 absences over the course of the
semester.
You will be graded using the following rubric:

A 90-100%
Outstanding work with thorough, detailed, and
clearly written answers

B 80-89%
Above average work with clearly written answers,
but not consistently thorough and detailed

C 70-79%
Average work with basic understanding and weak
presentation of the material

D 60-69%
Below average work and performance, weak
effort

F <59% Did not follow directions, lack of competence, understanding, and effort