Title: 03 - Written Word: Power and Control
Course: English 4A SU15 > Section: Unit: The Written Word

It has been said that young people today read and write more than any other generation in history. It may very well be true considering how much texting, emailing and social networking goes on in a typical day. Writing continues to evolve whether people who are fans of traditional communications like it or not.

Some questions for consideration follow which you should incorporate into an essay. Make certain that you provide sufficient support for your conclusions. Do not just write your opinion; find ways to back it up with experience and fact.

Questions:

- You may have heard that “the pen is mightier than the sword.” What does that mean?
- How have humans historically used the ability to read and write to control others? Is it still being done today? Defend your conclusion.
- How have written communications via social networks like Twitter and Facebook changed existing power structures? (Hint: Consider various Twitter Revolutions)
- How has the rapid spread of information changed how you/we see the world?
- Grammar and spelling often influence how intelligent someone is perceived when their posts are read online. What do your posts and comments online say about you to someone that might not know you very well?
- What areas do you feel like you need to improve upon in your reading and writing?

Grading form:

Written Word Presentation

You will be graded according to the following rubric. Make certain to include all elements of the requirements in your presentation.

Visual Appeal

- Text and background contrast; use of images is tied to information on the slide and images are not distorted; Organization of information adequately uses the space on each slide.
- Visual appeal is adequate but could still be improved.
- Visual elements need work.
- No attention paid to visual appeal.
On-Topic

- Presentation never strays to unrelated material such as language development.
- Some elements of presentation stray from main topic.
- More than two elements of presentation stray from main topic.
- Presentation is not on-topic.
Thoroughness

- Presentation covers all major innovations of written communication.
- Presentation covers most innovations in written communication.
- Presentation lacks a number of innovations in written communication.
- Presentation neglects to cover most innovations in written communication.
Context

- Presentation contains more than just talking points and adequately covers the items presented.
- Missing some context to items presented.
- Little attention paid to additional context for the digital environment.
- Presentation only contains talking points and no additional context.
Grammar; Spelling; Usage

- No typos or errors.
- 1-2 errors
- 3-4 errors
- Presentation contains more than 4 errors.
Works Cited

- Works cited is formatted properly just as in the course examples.
- Minor formatting issues with Works Cited page.
- Major formatting issues with Works Cited page.
- Either not provided; just a list of links or other serious errors.