Response to Post #2

Please post your response to post 1 here. Please be specific in your praise or criticism of your classmate's post. Please state who you are responding to.

Due by Friday, October 1st.

Response to Post #1

Check out Eric's post. He did a great job being specific with what he was responding to in his classmate's post. You didn't have to go back to the original post to know what he was talking about. He even commented on another student's post (Katie's) to build on his argument. His argument was clear, based on evidence, and well cited. It is a wonderful post that you could use as a model for future response posts if you were looking for one. :)

Feedback from post #1

So I have read everyone's post 1 now and I saw some trends and wanted to offer some advice.

First off, Katie, Abby and Anthony wrote excellent posts. So if you want a model of an A level post start there.

Secondly, use the rubric I gave you. Some of you wouldn't have earned more than a 2 on the rubric. You need multiple sources and to cite the sources in your post. BACK UP your arguments. Don't just assert things. Please also post the links to the specific articles you are referring to (ie. not just startribune.com).

Thirdly, overall y'all did well on ?s 1 and 2. Your advice to the Dems and Reps (?#3) was the weakest answer. I don't know if that's because it was hard for you or you had writer's fatigue.

Nit picky advice:
Use LAST NAMES for public officials. It's PRESIDENT OBAMA and SPEAKER PELOSI to you. NOT Barack and Nancy.
Capitalize: Democrats, Republican, Congress, House, Senate

I look forward to reading more from you. Great first start! M. Aby

Tea Party - Post #2

This year's election commentary is dominated by political scientists speculating on the role of the Tea Party and their spokespeople (an example is Sarah Palin).

What is / who is the Tea Party?
What role did they have in primary elections?
What role will they play in the general election?
If they are elected into Congress what will that mean for the Republican and Democratic parties?

Please use specific examples (like specific races). Don't just write in general sweeping statements.

Due: Friday, September 24th

Response to Post #1

Please post your response to post 1 here. Please be specific in your praise or criticism of your classmate's post. Please state who you are responding to.

Due by Friday, September 17th

2010 Midterm Elections

Midterm elections are always important but they seem to be especially important this year. Read up on this year's Congressional midterm elections and answer the following questions in your post. Please use complete paragraphs, cite your information and proof read BEFORE posting. I look forward to reading your first posts!

*What is the significance of this November's Congressional election?
*What do you predict the results from the midterm elections will be?
*What advice do you have for the Democrats and the Republicans? What does each party need to do in order to be successful in November?

Places you could start your research:
NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125693903
CNN: http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/election.2010/the.basics/
Time article: http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,2004646,00.html
Cook Political Report: http://www.cookpolitical.com/
Nate Silver: http://www.fivethirtyeight.com
Polling Report: http://www.pollingreport.com/2010.htm
Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/2010-race-maps/house/

DUE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH by classtime