Dear Class,
Please take a look at the blog www.feministing.com, which we will talk about in more detail next week. You will want to comment here (roughly 200 words) about the blog, using the handout on carmen (it should be uploaded shortly) to guide you in responding. Remember to focus on the "how" (the rhetoric: ethos, pathos, logos), not necessarily the "what" --that said, you will want to use the content of the some of these posting if they help back-up or further develop your analytical thoughts.
Feministing is a example of the type blogs that I want your group to find for us to discuss. This blog site is funny, provocative, and controversial. They always have something to say about what is happening in the zeitgeist. For instance, take a gander at the "What We Missed" entries that detail what the media lightly or insufficiently covered that the bloggers wish to underline or highlight more thoroughly. Also, some time back they posted this music video, which is hilarious, but also is a moment of activism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO-msplukrw. Think about, for class on Thursday, how we might analyze this source. How does it use humor, allusion, images, lyrics, etc., to express a certain point of view? Is this video offensive? Who is the audience? Who is this video "sending up"?
Since we are dealing with issues that might offend, try to stay as objective as possible. This will keep your mind alert at noticing details and help you remain focusing on the rhetoric.
