Post #6: Syria - Due 12/15

On November 13th ISIS (or ISIL or Daesh) attacked multiple civilian targets in Paris, France killing hundreds of people.  That same week ISIS had also conducted major attacks on civilians in Beirut and Iraq.  In a new video ISIS claims it will attack New York City shortly.

The topic of the civil war in Syria and ISIS will become a major issue in the presidential campaign.  Here is an introduction to the candidates' views:
http://www.npr.org/2015/11/20/456633512/what-the-2016-candidates-would-do-about-isis-in-one-chart

On Friday, December 18th we will discuss U.S. foreign policy towards Syria.  I know that's not a fun holiday topic but we will use some creative thinking tools that day and I want to do something other than give a test that day.  The goal is for this blog post to prepare you for the discussion.

Your prompt is:
Assess U.S. foreign policy in Syria and Iraq.  What have been the strengths and weaknesses of U.S. policy so far?  What do you think Obama and the next president should do on this issue?

Be sure to cite a minimum of 3 sources in your post.  It might be helpful though for you to read more than 3 sources though because you are also going to need to prepared to discuss this issue with the class.  See me if you need help researching.

Due on Tuesday, December 15th.

Tri 2 - Lets shake it up & be creative! - Due 12/4

This week we’ll be using RAFT to shake up our blog!  The point of this is to help you practice thinking about your role as a writer and communicator.  By using this strategy, I’m trying to encourage you to write creatively, to consider a topic from multiple perspectives, and to gain the ability to write for different audiences.

Pick a role, audience, format and topic to build your own story for this week’s post.  Your writing should incorporate what you have learned about the candidates, issues and presidential campaign this trimester.  It can be funny but it also must be based on facts.  Please cite at the end of your creative piece what articles you used for the facts in your piece.  

Role	Audience	Format	Topic
Trump	American people	Ad	Gun Control
Clinton	Republican Party	Candidate debate	Abortion
Sanders	Democratic Party	Campaign speech	Why I should be president
Carson	President Obama	TV interview	Immigration
Rubio	Freedom Caucus	Tracker video	Campaign finance
Bush	Swing voters	Press Release	National defense

Due on Friday, December 4th. Have fun being creative with the presidential election!  I look forward to reading what you write!

Last post for Tri 1

Pick a classmate to respond to.  Read their post and watch the ad that they selected.  Write a response to their post addressing both the ad and their writing about the ad.  Remember, one should not need the original post in front of one's face in order to understand your response.

Please do not respond to a post that is about the same ad that you picked.

This is due by Monday, November 9th.  Thanks for sharing your insights this trimester.