Construct a list of all the contrasting terms Gladwell uses to talk about old vs. new activism. How is the contrast between the school” activism of the civil rights era and new media activism “old established? Pay attention not just to major differences, but also to the descriptive details Gladwell uses to represent each set of activists. How does Gladwell define activism? All definitions are That is, they create a perspective, “rhetorical.” they invite us to see the world a certain way, and they often work to persuade. How is Gladwell’s definition of activism rhetorical? What differences does Gladwell establish between tie activism” and tie” activism? Explain “weak “strong this distinction and its relevance to Gladwell’s argument. Is it a fair comparison? Can you imagine different ways of constructing this comparison? If you were making a case for the importance of new media activism, what alternative relationship might you draw between style activism, and the new forms? “old” What evidence or examples would you use? Gladwell (46) writes that social networks are at increasing participation - by lessening the level “effective of motivation that participation requires.” What does he mean by this? Do you agree? Is this an overgeneralization? How does Gladwell draw a distinction between sacrifice” and trivial forms of sacrifice? Do you “real agree with the way he does this? Write a response to Gladwell that draws on your own experience/knowledge of social media. Frame your argument as a response to something specific Gladwell says. Gladwell argues that there are two distinctions” between activism and its online “crucial “traditional variant.” (47) What are these two crucial distinctions? What do you think of Gladwell’s conclusion? What do you notice about the patterns of language he uses, and his tone? Do you agree with his concluding point? Elements of Gladwell’s Argument (draft) For the first reading, focus on gaining a general understanding of what the texts says in order to create a one or two sentence summary of each section. Number the paragraphs. Circle new or “chunked” unfamiliar words, underline claims and evidence, and note any other you can identify (you can “moves” use the Know What it Says, But What Does it Do?” list.) “I
Construct a list of all the contrasting terms Gladwell uses to talk about old vs. new activism. How is the contrast between the “old school” activism of the civil rights era and new media activism established? Pay attention not just to major differences, but also to the descriptive details Gladwell uses to represent each set of activists. How does Gladwell define activism? All definitions are “rhetorical.” That is, they create a perspective, they invite us to see the world a certain way, and they often work to persuade. How is Gladwell’s definition of activism rhetorical? What differences does Gladwell establish between “weak tie activism” and “strong tie” activism? Explain this distinction and its relevance to Gladwell’s argument. Is it a fair comparison? Can you imagine different ways of constructing this comparison? If you were making a case for the importance of new media activism, what alternative relationship might you draw between “old” style activism, and the new forms? What evidence or examples would you use? Gladwell (46) writes that social networks are “effective at increasing participation - by lessening the level of motivation that participation requires.” What does he mean by this? Do you agree? Is this an overgeneralization? How does Gladwell draw a distinction between “real sacrifice” and trivial forms of sacrifice? Do you agree with the way he does this? Write a response to Gladwell that draws on your own experience/knowledge of social media. Frame your argument as a response to something specific Gladwell says. Gladwell argues that there are two “crucial distinctions” between “traditional activism and its online variant.” (47) What are these two crucial distinctions? What do you think of Gladwell’s conclusion? What do you notice about the patterns of language he uses, and his tone? Do you agree with his concluding point? Elements of Gladwell’s Argument (draft) For the first reading, focus on gaining a general understanding of what the texts says in order to create a one or two sentence summary of each “chunked” section. Number the paragraphs. Circle new or unfamiliar words, underline claims and evidence, and note any other “moves” you can identify (you can use the “I Know What it Says, But What Does it Do?” list.)
Unit%201%20Collected%20Material%202013.docx