We began the semester thinking about discourses (primary and secondary) and how language and form are an important part of that discussion. We will continue the work we began with Project 1 in the second portion of this unit. The second portion of this assignment works from two key notions: 1) you are able to recognize and critique the use of traditional writing structures/skills/grammar/mechanics/documentation and 2) you are willing to express your ideas and language(s) without strict guidelines.
Within this assignment, I ask for few requirements and offer only suggestions because you have important things to say and I want you to feel free to express yourself without worrying about strict evaluation measures. I do want to see your ability to critically think and question the powers that be in this assignment, while maintaining an understanding of rhetorical situations and rhetorical choices. Pedagogically speaking, I want to negotiate with each of you so that you are driving the bus, not I. I am here to help and offer suggestions and/or questions but I want you to make the decisions.
Critiquing Tradition
Academically, the concept of re-design is based on the need to challenge the status quo or challenge those in power, thus you must be able to recognize potential issues in traditional forms of writing. This opens the door for a critical critique because if you are going to change something, then you should be able to clearly state what needs to be changed and why.
As I see it, you will have two options for your critique and re-design 1) critique one of your popular, secondary source or 2) critique your own writing. Both options provide a space for you to question what it means to write academically and to think about what languages and ideologies are often considered “correct” in the US. In regards to the actual writing of the critical critique, I suggest that you focus in on only one or two criteria (listed below). Feel free to amend, add on, or edit the criteria below, they are simply suggestions:
Images/videos representing race, class, and/or genders, etc.
First you are asked to write a critical critique in Standard Written English using your own personal experiences and understanding to show to indicate the apparent use (or misuse) of one or two of the criteria. You must problematize and reflect upon the problem in one-three pages of text to rationalize your re-design.
Re-Designing Your Text
The relationship between the critical critique and the re-design is very important because the re-design will represent what you believe should be changed. It is the answer to your critique. Often you are asked by English and other instructors to recognize/explain/analyze/etc. a problem but rarely are given the chance to make a change. This is that chance. Analyze your source text, be it an article or your essay, critique it, and then re-design it in such a way that “fixes” or addresses the problem you outlined.
Evaluating Your Work
Your work will be graded based on a contract system--if you complete the work, then you will earn an A. However, I have provided some considerations for both aspects of the assignment below:
The critical critique...
Problematizes either a popular source or the students’ own text using one or two criteria
Clearly indicates understanding of the assignment & showcases critical thinking skills
The re-designed text...
Challenges normative writing/publication using the criteria discussed in the critical critique
Uses multi modes of communication (images, text, video, sound, etc.), which challenges the original text's design
Does not promote hate speech, hateful ideals, or insulting materials to other races, classes, and/or genders