Unit 3 of the ENG111 curriculum is designed to help out students learn the elements of effective argumentative writing. We refer to them as Pathos, Ethos, and Logos — Emotions, Ethics, and Logic.  This week’s active and applied learning project was to put these elements into a quick video (two minutes or less). We ‘borrowed 6 kittens that are up for adoption and students had to design a video demonstrating the pathos, ethos, and logos of  why their assigned kitten should get adopted. Students then had to upload the videos to social media with specific hashtags and @’s to amplify their message. Students wrote the scripts, identifying on them the different parts and elements present in their writing (introduction, body, conclusion, and specific elements / appeals (logical reasoning, ethical obligation, and emotional appeals – Pathos, Ethos, Logos). In this way, they demonstrated their understanding of the elements and how to apply them in a scenario.

Students loved playing with kittens, and their videos turned out great.  They had fun, and they demonstrated that they understood the material. Great lesson.  I can’t wait to borrow some cats from the shelter and do this again next semester!

 

On a happy side note, as a result of this project, 3 of the 6 kittens have been adopted.

 

On Wednesday, they will complete their reflection on the project. I look forward to seeing their reflections and understanding their perspectives of the project.

 

Links to some of the videos posted publicly on social media are below:

https://twitter.com/katelyn_hillier/status/1193898781466648576

https://twitter.com/DrCathyNMC/status/1193916746073300994

https://twitter.com/DrCathyNMC/status/1193899815152869376