Progression I: Reading and Responding to Texts

Quis custodiet ipsos custodies?

Who watches the watchmen?
This progression asks you to consider the issue of abuse of power. We will look at
several articles and watch YouTube videos discussing instances of authority (i.e. police
or government) possibly infringing on individual rights, in name of the greater good. You
will be asked to focus in on one particular issue and think about how it affects you or
someone you know. The affect can be either harmful or positive. While you will be asked
to relate personally, you also need to think of the broader social implications.

Assignments:
Exercise I: Summary and Response
350 Words
This exercise involves reading, which, if done actively, can help you learn about
writing itself. Read the assigned essays we have read up to this point, and select the one
that most interests you.
Read the article youve chosen to focus on and read it a second (or third, or fourth time!)
actively. Annotate the article as weve discussed in class: mark phrases, images, or ideas that
strike you as interesting or important; note the ways the essayist uses language to convey
his or her ideas. Respond in the margins with your intellectual and emotional impressions.
What does the article remind you of? Can you relate to the authors opinion? Take notes and
jot down your thoughts on separate paper for use later. You are trying to find out what the
essay means.

Your first task in this progression is to summarize the article. A summary presents
the essence of the original essay, which obviously includes the essays controlling
idea, or thesis. Your summary should be about 100 words. It should not include your
own opinions, and should accurately and concisely reflect the essay in its entirety.
Once you have summarized the article, you will respond, briefly, to the ideas you
have encountered in the essay. Use your annotations and notes to capture the
essence of your experience of reading. These need not be finished thoughts but
rather, thoughts along the way to forming a more considered response, to the essay.
You may consider any of the following as you respond:
How does my experience and background shape my perception of this issue?

Will I be personally affected by this topic?

How might this issue or idea impact my community, or the larger society in

which I live?

Will some people be impacted more than others (think race, class, geographic
location)?

Your summary should be close to 100 words. Use MLA documentation with
parenthetical citations for any brief quotes you choose to include. Provide a
Works Cited list. During this Progression, well cover documentation generally,
but you should use your handbook to learn the essential information on your
own.
Your response should be 150- 250 words. That means no more than 2 typed,
double-spaced pages. Youll have to think carefully about what to include, and
what is extraneous language added merely to fulfill a word quota. As always,
spell check and proofread your document before turning it in!

Attach an annotated copy of the text along with your typed summary and
response.
Due 9/3
Exercise II: Letter to the Author
500 Words
This exercise requires that you take a position on the issue the article discusses. If
the author has a clear position in the article, you can write to the author explaining why you
agree/disagree. If the author presents an unbiased view, you can treat this like a letter to
the editor and explain your opinion. Be sure to include your own personal connection to the
issue. Explain how you, or someone you know, will be impacted. Dont forget to think about
tone. You wouldnt write to an author in the same way you would write to your parents. Ask
yourself what tone should use if you want to be taken seriously.

Your letter should be no more than two double-spaced, typed pages (500 words). A
letter will not usually include either parenthetical documentation or a Works Cited.
You must make clear in the text of your letter what essay you are writing about,
what phrases, images, or ideas you are discussing. Remember that the essayist is not
expecting this letter; it would be bad form indeed to tell him or her that you are
writing to satisfy a class requirement! Please do spellcheck and proofread!

Due 9/8
Exercise III: Letter to a Friend or Family Member
For this writing exercise, you will choose two articles on your chosen topic. Write as
if you are writing to a friend or family member. Explain to the family member how you
(or a friend) are affected by the issue.

In a letter to someone not in this class, explain the connection between the two
articles, your reader, and you: you might, for instance, tell a story that will
ground the idea in a common understanding. Think about what evidence the
reader will need to be told so that the connection will make sense. Establish
sufficient context for understanding.
Your letter should be two to three double-spaced pages long. A letter will not
usually include either parenthetical documentation or a bibliography.
Consequently, you must make clear in the text of your letter what you are doing,
what essays you are writing about, what phrases, images, or ideas you borrowed.
The recipient is not expecting this letter and will have no idea why you are
writing unless you somehow make it clear. Again, dont tell your reader that you
are satisfying a course requirement. Get into the letter some other way.

Due 9/10
Essay #1 Prompt: Who watches the watchmen?
3-5 Pages
Choose one of the issues of abuse of power we discussed in the articles we read.
This is an argumentative essay, which will comprised your opinion, your personal
experience, but you will also use some evidence to support your opinion. You must use
two sources to support your opinion. However, you can choose to use two of the articles
we have read in class or you can choose to do your own outside research. Keep in mind
our class theme, who watches the watchmen? Adapt this question to fit your specific
topic.
To what extent does the police/governments need to protect the many, outweigh the
rights of the individual? Or does it ever?
Brainstorming Questions:

What are the laws/legal issues surrounding this issue?

Should the laws be changed? How so?
Who are the parties most affect by this issue? Is one group in particular targeted
(think class, race, nationality, education level)?
What are the larger social implications related to this issue?

Outline Due 9/15

Rough Draft I Due 9/17
Rough Draft I Due 9/22
Final Draft Due 9/24