In this discussion, you will practice analyzing and summarizing a text while considering its rhetorical context.

Discussion Instructions

STEP 1:  Visit The Conversation and choose an article that interests you. You can use the category tabs at the top of the page or the search bar to explore topics.

STEP 2: After reading your selected article, answer the following questions in complete sentences. Include the URL to the article at the beginning of your post.

1. What type of reading is this? Identify the genre (e.g., opinion piece, research summary, explainer article).
2. What is the rhetorical context of the article? Identify the writer, audience, topic, purpose, and context.
3. What is a vocabulary word you learned or found interesting in this article? How was it used in the article, and what is its definition?

STEP 3: Write a concise summary of your selected article at the end of your post. Your summary should be no longer than one-third of the article’s original length. For example, if your article is 15 paragraphs long, your summary should be no more than 5 paragraphs.

STEP 4: Respond to two classmates’ posts (in at least 75 words each). Beyond simply agreeing or disagreeing with their points, engage thoughtfully by providing your own perspective, more evidence or examples, or a thoughtful question about the article they shared. Aim for meaningful discussion—your response should show that you are thinking critically about their example, not just restating or summarizing their ideas.