Blogpost #11 (BP#11)

Summarize and analyze the 30 for 30 documentary "Marion Jones: Press Pause".

Exemplar Blogposts

If you are looking to improve your writing and want to see what an "A+" blogpost looks like, please take some time to read through Julia's and Taylor's blogpost #9.

Blogpost #10 (BP#10) [100 points]

Objective: You will be able to 1) identify the writing strengths and rhetorical strategies of published sports writers 2)  write an effective rhetorical analysis of a nonfiction article. 

Reading & Writing Task #1: Read "It was lightning and thunder" from the Sun Chronicle and "10 Tips for Improving Scholastic Sportswriting." What tips does Grimsley employ in his writing? What rhetorical strategies does he use in his writing? How does this author's rhetoric highlight the purpose/argument of article?

Reading & Writing #2: Read an article of your choice from the Sun Chronicle. From this article answer the following questions: What tips does this author employ in her/his writing? What rhetorical strategies does s/he use in her/his writing? How does this author's rhetoric highlight the purpose/argument of article?

Criteria for Success:
Your writing tasks #1 and #2...

• begin with thesis statements that includes all aspects of SOAPSTone
• identify specific aspects from the "10 Tips for Improving Scholastic Sportswriting" that each article employs
• identify and explain different rhetorical strategies that each article employs (rhetorical triangle, statistics, quotes, reliable sources, quotes from athletes, vocabulary, etc.)
• are free from grammar and writing errors
• reveal grade-level appropriate vocabulary and writing ability 

Sports Reading and Writing Final Project

Sports Reading and Writing Final Project

Seniors Due Date: Tuesday, May 26th

Underclassman Rough drafts due by June 12th and final drafts due June 22nd 

Overview:

• Write a sports news writing article on a local sporting event of your choice
• Interview players from event with well-intended and well-crafted questions
• 3-5 minute video clip of interview or highlights of game with commentary
• Be prepared to present on the day of the final exam--you must be present on the day of the final exam
• Review the rubric for specific details on how to be successful on this project!

Criteria for Success Your sports news writing article…		Exemplary 10-8	Strong 7-5	Satisfactory 4-3	Needs Improvement 2-0
Organization	INTRO Begins with an engaging lead that address the 5Ws and the H in a succinct manner
	LENGTH Is at least six well-organized paragraphs long
	BODY PARAGRAPHS Incorporates the key details in a logical and purposeful manner ü  Only use key parts of quotes, avoid unnecessary parts of interview or redundant details ü  Don’t rely solely on the details gathered through your interview, incorporate details from your point of view as an unbiased journalist and game attendee Demonstrates clear editing Incorporates varied sentence structure
	CONCLUSION Concludes your article in a lasting way (Foreshadow to next match-up, profound quote from an interviewee, or lasting thoughts etc.)
Content/Writing/Grammar	KEY DETAILS Incorporates the key details of the sporting events including but not limited to: ü  Back story: Do the teams have a rivalry? What were the teams’ record up to this point? Did one team need this win to quality for tournament? Did something monumental happen during this game? What was the crowd like? ü  Top scorers ü  Top plays of game ü  Quotes from the coaches ü  Commentary of your insight into the game Reports key details in a sports writing and professional manner
	USE OF ANALOGIES Incorporates at least one analogy makes the game/match relatable to an audience that wasn’t present a the game
	VISUAL APPEAL Is visually appealing with professional use of fonts, pictures, and other strategies
	UNBIASED COVERAGE Avoid personal pronouns and personal bias
	GRAMMAR & WRITING Is free from grammar and writing errors
	VOCABULARY Incorporates carefully chosen and expansive vocabulary (look through your class lists from English class—aim to use at least 5 vocabulary words from these lists)
Supplemental Materials	VIDEO CLIP Is supplemented with the video clip and questions. Video Clip and questions demonstrate professionalism both in the interview questions but also in the delivery.
	DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Questions prompt meaningful discussion

                                                                                                                                                                                Total Points:_________/120

Comments:                                                                                                                Final Grade:_____________

Exemplary 10-8 Student demonstrates clear mastery of sports news writing. Student demonstrates ability to craft well-written and succinct sentences as well as an ability to write professionally and for the purpose at hand.

Strong 7-5 Student demonstrates strong skills in sports news writing. Student demonstrates ability to write clearly and succinctly with only a few errors or places for revision. Student is able to write for purpose at hand.

Satisfactory 4-3 Student is able to make some progress in improving on sports news writing skills. Student demonstrates an ability to meet the basic criteria but needs to seek additional help on basic writing and grammar skills. Student is able to write for the purpose at hand.

Needs Improvement 2-0 Student was unable to make progress in sports news writing. Students demonstrates little understanding of sports news writing. Student demonstrates difficultly in conveying ideas clearly or professionally. Student needs to revise and seek extra help.

Blogpost #9 (BP#9): Deflate-gate

In 4 paragraphs, address the following prompts in this order:

• 1.     Introduce the problem of Deflategate in an unbiased manner.
• 2.     Argue whether or not you think that Tom Brady is guilty of the accusations in the Wells Report.
• 3.     Argue whether or not the punishment is justifiable for Tom Brady’s supposedly breaking the rules regarding deflated footballs.
• 4.     Offer a solution for this problem.

Criteria for Success

Your response should…

·        Begin your response with an argumentative and specific thesis statement that outlines your main ideas.

·        Explain your reasoning with specific details as evidence.

·        Offer your own insight and analysis.

·        Make sure to address all four prompts.

·        Avoid “I think” and other personal pronouns.

·        Avoid repetitive ideas.

·        Be at least 4 paragraphs long. Each paragraph should be at 7-10 sentences.

·        Post your answer to your blog by Monday.

Blogpost #8 (BP#8): 100 points

On The Short Game

a.       Write a summary of the film. (Summary/Analysis template)

b.      Write an opinionated analysis of the film. (Summary/Analysis template)

c.       Write a rhetorical precis of the film. (Incorporate Rhetorical Triangle information in your precis—Logos, Ethos, Pathos)

Class 3/24

Objective: You will be able to...

• discuss controversial themes concerning player-coach relationship and debate whether or not some coaches cross the line. 
• identify rhetorical strategies of the author
• respond in an analytical way to your peers.

Agenda:
1) Read and discuss article
2) Complete questions and SOAPStone. In pairs, write a rhetorical precis for the article. Make sure your precis embodies the key ideas of the article rather than specific examples. Remember, we are considering the rhetoric. Definition of rhetoric: the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.
3) Library: Incorporate your favorite sports quote or motto into the layout of your blog. Then spend the rest of class reading through other students blogs. You should comment at least 10 times total. The comments should be at least a sentence and contain analytical or argumentative ideas rather than evaluative.

How not to comment on other people posts: "good job!" "Really awesome quotes!"

How to comment on other peoples posts: 

• "While I understand you point about ______, I still believe ________."  
• "Have you consider ____________ about _____________? If you had you may think __________." 
• "I agree with you because ________________."
• Or something like these.

Blog-Post #7 [100 possible total points that can be earned today]

Objective: You will be able to summarize, analyze, and identify rhetorical strategies of a documentary. 

Your assignments for today:

• Create a Sports Journalist/Player Bio for yourself [25 points]: 
• Name
• Background: What is your sports history?
• Current Info on you as an athlete: What sports do you play during the year? What are your stats? positions? wins? losses?
• Favorite Athlete and Sport
• Favorite Sports or Inspiration Quote or Motto
• Write a Rhetorical Precis for the documentary "Schooled--The Price of College Sports" (see handout) [25 points] 
• Expand the Rhetorical Precis by adding whether or not you agree with the documentary. (2 sentences)
• Summarize "Schooled--The Price of College Sports" (use template) [50 points]
• Brainstorm ideas for potential documentary that your group wants to make

Please label each individual task.

Mrs. Boudreau’s Notes on the documentary Schooled: The Price of College Sports

• Engaging Opening Sequence: Emotionally appealing, landscape shots, “pump up” audience
• Title of Film
• Voiceover of children playing sports
• Introduce interviewee
• Voiceover--Thesis or Main Argument of Film---show examples of those who are being subjugated to the unfair treatment of a larger entity
• Introduce a main interviewee--College athlete--show them on their campus, basic interview questions, show them i their normal life, then ask more focus questions having to do with your thesis or hypothesis (NCAA questions, revenue questions)
• Convincing Statistics intertwined with sympathetic information on athlete (athlete can’t afford groceries, tuition payments etc. VS video game money and head coach salaries)
• SLOWMOTION vs FASTMOTION camera techniques
• Story Anecdotes: Athlete deaths, living in poverty--persuasive techniques because it emotionally appeals to the audience who most likely is living the way the athletes or the athletes families are
• Infographics to present profound info: Persuasive techniques
• Definition of Amateur
• Rogerian Style Argument Begins---College athletes are just amateur athletes
• Historical Background
• KEY Events that affect the SUBJECT of the film: Conference--Schools vs. Journalists against the NCAA “fraud”--the athletic director and president
• Can’t have the “Animals running the zoo”--argument of those opposed to paying college athletes
• Panel of “student-athlete” post game ESPN interviews
• “Student-Athletes” is a misnomer--missing many classes for games
• Opposing Sides are represented: Athletic Directors, School President
• Newspaper clippings with zoom-in on titles
• Clips of people speaking at events--not necessarily the “intellectual” work of documentary makers--you need to get permission to use material like this
• Juxtaposition of opposing sides interviewees
• News Station Clips: Showing the development of the problem in contemporary media--this supports the purpose of the documentary. These aren’t just crazy people, other people are seeing the same problem.
• Why do athletic directors and college presidents oppose even acknowledging these discussions? Money?
• Voiceover with clips of presidents and chancellors giving speeches (taking them out of the positive context and showing what they are really doing)
• Transitions used between different topics of documentary
• Music and sound
• Analogy used to compare NCAA to oil companies: Analogies used to explain the how this problem is like a problem that other people can relate to
• Substantial research, both first and second hand, needed for a persuasive documentary
• Various interviewees--covering all spans of problem
• “not because they are amateurs, it’s because you don’t want to pay them”
• “Plantation Mentality” the rewards belong to the overseers and supervisors, the college owns the body and what trickles down after that can go to the athletes. Amateur code now based on a foregone philosophies, pure economic philosophies will not outstand the law
• Second half of film: work towards a solution, even if the solution is in the process, and offer ways for audience watching to work towards a solution
• Solution: give athletes a voice at the table, acknowledge that we are all part of the problem

Blog-post #6 (BP#6): Summary and Analysis of an Article

Write a summary and analysis of an article of your choice!

Considerations as we move forward in Sports Reading and Writing

Some thoughts on the blogs so far:

• Blogs should have pictures or visuals.
• Blogs should use engaging language and eye-catching fonts or formats.
• Paragraphs should NOT be SUPER LONG—think about being a reader of your own blog—would you keep reading? Break it down into smaller paragraphs if you feel like you will lose your reader (even if this means breaking away from the template I gave you) Use catchy topic sentences.
• Title your blogs the assignment name (i.e. Today’s blog is “Blog-post #5: News Writing)
• Comment at least twice to other people’s blog-posts per assignment.
• Think about the overall layout of your blog—is it easily readable? Are the colors inviting? Should the format be revised for any reason?
• Other ideas for improving our blogs?

Blog-post #5: Sports Newswriting [100 points]

Wednesday, March 4th Classwork in Flexlab

Blog-post #5 Assignment: Using the class notes on "ledes" and "news writing," draft a sports news article on a topic of your choice.

**Grading Criteria [see blog-post rubric for more detailed grading]

Criteria for Success
Your blog-post:

• begins with an engaging lede that address the 5Ws and the H 
• follows steps 1-4 from "How to Write a Sports Report in 4 Steps" by Careem
• uses strong descriptive vocabulary (strong choice of adjectives and verbs)
• is well-written and avoids major grammar errors
• is visually appealing (font, format, pictures, other visuals)

BP#4 Hoop Dreams & Readings on "Hoop Dreams"

Why 'Hoop Dreams' still matters
What Ever Happened to the Stars of 'Hoop Dreams'
William Gates
Arthur Agee

Read through the following articles and respond with your thoughts. 

Hoop Dreams: Class Friday and Discussion Questions

If you were absent Friday, find time over break to watch HOOP DREAMS on Netflix!

SPORTSMANSHIP

1.  For these boys, was basketball a job or a sport?

2.  What percentage of high school basketball stars go on to long term careers in the NBA or in professional basketball in other countries?

3.  What percentage of college scholarship athletes who do not make it to the pros graduate and put their college degrees to use?

4.  Was Spike Lee correct that basketball was all about money? Did that apply to the program at Marshall? At St. Joseph's? 


BREAKING OUT & TALENT

5.  What was the importance of their skill at basketball to Arthur and William? Was it just a sport?

6.  Both Arthur and William received scholarships to college. Would they have been able to attend college without these scholarships? Was there another way in which they could have gone to college? What about William's girlfriend, Catherine? 

7.  What is the relationship between extraordinary talent and breaking out of the usual limitations of one's social group? Is talent necessary to break out or just helpful? Explain your answer.


ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE

8.  William and Arthur never seemed to have a problem staying off of drugs and away from the gangs. Why?




From teachwithmovies.com

Sports R&W Grade Update

Hey All!

I will be updating Edline with your grades tomorrow. I have inputted 3 blog-post grades (weight: 50 points, 50 points, 75 points). If you did not do the last blog-post on your reaction to the Superbowl and another additional topic (can be the Superbowl), make sure you do so by Wednesday. After Wednesday, the grade will be a zero.

Also, you should begin to work on the post on Sports Culture in America, this is due by Friday night (time stamped on google). 

Remember, review the Rubric for blog-posts. I will be grading on your ability to meet the requirements on the rubric.


-Mrs. Boudreau

BLOG POST #3 (BP#3) Worth: 75 points

If we have a snow day (it's looking like it!), I would like you to:
1) Read the following article "How Sports Transcends Culture" from thebleachereport.com
2) Respond to the prompt below in at least 3-4 paragraphs:

In what ways has professional sports impacted our culture? How does it continue to influence our culture? Consider the positive and negative impacts that sports has on our culture. Additionally, consider the impact sports has on your life.

Class Thursday

Scroll down to the post "GO PATS" and review the assignment due today.

Also, choose which blog-post you would like to share with the class next week.

Homework: Check blog on Monday and/or Tuesday if we have a snow day. I will post some material for you to review and a topic to write about. Thanks!

Mrs. Boudreau’s Sports Reading and Writing Course

Blog-post Rubric 50-100 Points

A+/A/A- 45-50 points (x2 for 100pts)	Overall, post is superiorly written by meeting high standards for grade-level academic writing in content, organization, and grammar/mechanics. Blog-post thoroughly and thoughtfully summarizes topic in an unbiased and well-written manner. The analysis offers unique insights into the topic and shows critical thinking. Blog-post is organized in a meaningful manner and is edited for minimal grammar and spelling errors. Writing uses sentences that are written with sentence variation, word choice variation, and various other rhetorical strategies. Additionally, blog-post purposefully incorporates visuals and multi-media to enhance understanding and engagement and considers various uses fonts and blog formatting.
B+/B/B- 40-45 points (x2 for 100pts)	Overall, post is well-written and meets standards for grade-level academic writing. Post could work to improve on either content, organization, or grammar/mechanical errors. Blog-post summarizes topic in an unbiased and well-written manner. The analysis offers unique insights into the topic and shows critical thinking. Blog-post is organized in a meaningful manner but there is room for improvement. Writing attempts to use sentences that are written with sentence variation, word choice variation, and various other rhetorical strategies. Some minor grammar or writing errors interfere with effectiveness of post. Additionally, blog-post incorporates at least one visual or multi-media to enhance understanding and engagement. Post considers various uses of fonts and blog formatting. **Blog-post must be published on-time to receive and B- or higher.
C+/C/C- 35-40 (x2 for 100pts)	Overall, post only partially meets standards for grade-level academic writing. Post needs to improve on either content, organization, or grammar/mechanical errors. Blog-post summarizes and analyzes topic in a basic manner. Summary is biased and analysis is somewhat redundant or unoriginal. Some problems with organization and grammar/mechanical errors interfere with effectiveness of blog-post. Sentences use little sentence or vocabulary variation. Blog-post does not incorporate visuals or multi-media and it does not consider use of various fonts and blog formatting. **Blog post was published over a day late.
D+/D/D- 30-35	Overall, post was published but does not meet standards for grade-level academic writing. Post was published but does not attempt to meet any of the criteria for C- or higher. **Blog post was published over a week late.
F 0	Blog post was not published.

Special Notes:

*I will not be handing back rubrics for blog-posts. I will be inputting grades to Edline only. Please check

Edline regularly for grade updates and feel free to ask me about it in class.

**Some criteria may be slightly altered for assignments. In such cases, I will make specific note of it in the

assignment directions.