what differentiates a rant from an argument?

Did you know there's actually a difference between ranting and making an argument? Well, for this week's Construct module, we'll be drawing that distinction. We'll take original rants, in their raw energy and, well, rawness... and refine them into well-supported arguments.

Module summary:
  • be exposed: learn about principles of rhetoric and research
  • practice: research subtopics in an original rant of your creation
  • create: revise original rant into a well-supported argument (blog post or essay)
  • reflect: conference about argument

essential questions
  • What is the distinction between a rant and an argument?
  • What kinds of sources add depth to research?
  • How do we synthesize multiple sources to present an argument?

goals
  • Students will understand that rants tend to be disorganized, off-the-cuff ramblings, whereas arguments balance content with style to make a well-organized, well-supported point.
  • Students will understand that strong research includes a variety of sources - websites, magazine articles, books, documentaries, scholarly articles, etc.
  • Students will understand that intentional note-taking allows us to organize and make connections between information to structure an effective argument.

activities
 INTRODUCTION
  • warm-up: free write a 10-minute rant on something school-appropriate you care about
  • review syllabus and expectations 

EXPOSE
  • discuss rhetorical triangle - take notes
  • review research resources
  • watch Kanye West Oval Office rant; take notes while you watch on topics West covers, then discuss
  • participate in model research activitiy
    • identify sub-topics in transcript and prioritize/categorize, then choose three to focus on
    • find sources to back up subtopics
    • organize into a cohesive argument

PRACTICE
  • identify subtopics in your rant and choose three to focus on
  • research subtopics
    • use this Google Doc template for storing your notes - save a copy to your Drive
    • gather sources as you go - include at least six (two per subtopic)

CREATE
  • Revise rant into a well-organized, balanced, documented argument - either a blog post or a research essay
    • introduction: hook, unbiased context of topic, thesis statement
    • discussion on three subtopics, including cited support (two sources per subtopic)
    • conclusion: synthesize (make connections between) subtopics, bring discussion to larger conversation - why should we care about this topic?
  • If your argument is an essay, include MLA citations (in-text and Works Cited page); if it's a blog post, include embedded links and two photos or videos

REFLECT

c-tachs
Writing
  • Conduct short and more sustained research projects to answer a question or solve a problem
  • Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach
Reading
  • Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research
  • Cite strong textual evidence to support analysis of explicit and implicit meaning of text 
What will you rant about?
Ugly sweaters stopped being funny years ago - oh wait, they were never funny. Why are they a thing? Has our collective humor sunk so low that predictable ugly sweaters are the best we can do?
Can we please, please talk about these wildfires?? How long are we going to let these catastrophes continue? Are you seriously going to tell me we can't make changes as a society that curb the massive environmental challenges we are currently facing?
Black Friday epitomizes everything that is wrong with consumerism. What are we willing to sacrifice for a deal on a piece of technology we don't really need anyway?
School lunches. Is this seriously the best we can do? Why are school lunches the same today as they were when I was a kid... can you imagine if schools used the same computers today that we had when I was in fifth grade?
Why do cheap pens exist in the world? Why? why?? whyyyyy? I'm too disgusted by these pens to even rant about them. 

The Mission of Chaffee County High School

“Chaffee County High School strives to engage and educate students through systemic and targeted interventions so they can make a positive impact on their community." 

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