Throughout the semester you will notice “provocation” assignments built into our syllabus. These tasks are often broken into groups and correspond to longer works of fiction. Provocations are meant to provide context and support for your student-led discussions in class.
If you are in charge of posting a provocation you must:
- Read the assigned text very closely and annotate it thoroughly.
- Choose one section of the text you found most interesting/problematic/controversial/stimulating and summarize it in 5-7 sentences.
- You should use at least one direct quote in this summary with an MLA citation.
- Construct a complex question for your classmates to answer about that section of the text that will spark a lively debate.
If you are in charge of posting a response, you should:
- Read the assigned text very closely and annotate it thoroughly.
- Read ALL of the provocations from the previous group (for example: Group 2 responses to Group 1, Group 4 response to Group 3)
- Write a thorough, well-researched response that follows the provocation model. In other words, your response needs to have a citation as evidence of your point, and ask a clarifying question at the end.
- You must respond to at least two of the provocations.
This is intended to create dialogue.
On the blog, you will post your provocations and responses BEFORE class time as indicated on the syllabus. ONLY post when your group is listed on the syllabus. Use the category and tag provided by your professor for each post.
These posts will be graded on a 5 point scale:
- 5points= An engaging, thought-provoking post that shows attention to detail and comprehension of the text. Grammar and mechanics must be practically perfect (edit carefully!). Direct evidence from the text with a citation must be included.
- 4points = An accurate summary and well-composed question that may contain a small, but not catastrophic, misreading or errors in grammar and mechanics.
- 3points= A sloppy post that shows little effort and does not include the elements listed above.
- 2points= A post that is a day late, or difficult to read, or phrased in a way that students would be unable to respond.
- 1point= A post that is a week late, contains numerous errors, and does not contribute to the conversation.
- 0points= The post does not exist.
Please create these summaries and questions yourself: DO NOT STEAL OTHER PEOPLES WORK. If I find you have plagiarized these posts you will be reported. If you are struggling please come see me or email me with questions.