Critical Literacy Skills in the Advanced Placement Classroom: The Synergy of Screen and Print Presentation by Dr. Renee H. Shea at the SchoolDocs 2009 conference.

1. Teaching Argument Using the Documentary Critical Literacy Skills in the Advanced Placement Classroom: The Synergy of Screen and Print Dr. Renee H. Shea

2. Relationship

3. AP Language Essays Close reading Position paper Documented essay

4. Essentials of Argument Speaker and audience Thesis, claim Evidence (quantitative, qualitative) Counterargument Ethos, Pathos, Logos

5. Connections Documentary as companion argument Documentary as anchor text Documentary as problematic text Documentary as model

6. Documentary as Companion Argument Barack Obama’s DNC biography, A Mother’s Promise, and Presidential acceptance speech

7. The Arguments A Mother’s Promisehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjF51ALu0sc Obama’s Acceptance Speechhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZCrIeRkMhA

8. Obama’s Acceptance Speech Via Wordle.net

9. Wordle #1

10. Wordle #2

11. Wordle #3

12. Comparing the Arguments Both emphasize the emotional hot buttons of “promise” and “journey” within the context of the history and spirit of America. Given the occasion, both appeal primarily to emotion, though the documentary more completely than the speech. The documentary focuses on the past (influences that formed Obama), while the speech focuses on the present (“defining moment”) and the future. The documentary shows Obama preparing for an important role; the speech shows him stepping into that role. The visual elements of the documentary capture Obama’s interracial and working class background, which he builds on in his speech (“Because in the faces of those young veterans who come back from Iraq and Afghanistan, I see my grandfather…”; “In the face of that young student who sleeps just three hours before working the night shift, I think about my mom…”).

13. Comparing the Arguments The documentary makes the case for Obama as an exemplary son, grandson, husband, father, community member – and thus lays the groundwork for the analogy that governing oneself and one’s family well is necessary to governing the country well (private equals public). The calm narrative voice and soundtrack underscore Obama’s thoughtful confidence, which becomes foundation for the firm conviction and resolve conveyed in his speech. He knows who he is – and will act accordingly. After the documentary depicts the character of Obama in a positive light, he comes out swinging aggressively against McCain (conceding that McCain served his country valiantly). Neither the documentary nor the speech emphasizes facts and figures, but the latter includes more specificity about actions and policy that Obama as president will take. Both close with Obama’s commitment to a future where the individual’s fate is inextricably bound to that of the nation – suggesting that we “fight” for one when we fight for the other; however, the speech ends by placing that commitment within a sacred history of both country and faith. (…and the keeper of the flame is…)

14. Documentary as Problematic Text Darwin’s Nightmare and Globalization

17. A Scientist’s Letter Les Kaufmann: A Scientist’s Letter on the Veracity of the Film, “Darwin’s Nightmare” http://www.darwinsnightmare.com/reviews.htm#lesvo

18. Video Interview http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5122018062972435064

19. Campaign Against Darwin’s Nightmare http://deepdishwavesofchange.blogspot.com/2008/01/campaign-against-darwins-nightmare.html

21. Call for Activism http://www.foodincmovie.com/sign-the-petition.php

24. In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto, Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan (who plays a key role)

25. “Farmer in Chief” by M. Pollan (letter to President-Elect Obama: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/magazine/12policy-t.html

26. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver