In Defense of Reading by Natalie D

In this episode, Natalie stands up for reading and how it should be enjoyed as a hobby more than just as a chore. In English 11, students read The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Through close analysis of the play, students dissected the rhetorical choices made by characters as they accused or defended community members. The play reveals how language and our ability to be persuasive have real-life consequences. After studying the play, students were asked to stand up and defend something. Doing this well required them to analyze the rhetorical situation and decide which rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) would help them best achieve their purpose with the intended audience. These episodes represent the students' best efforts in completing a challenging assignment that required critical analysis, persuasive writing, and audio production skills under a tight deadline.