Editorial vs. Article -- Can You Tell the Difference?

I was very disappointed in my public speaking classes this week. I asked students to bring in an editorial from a newspaper. More than half my students didn't know what an editorial was or where to find it. What kind of education system do we have in this state? When students can't tell the difference between an editorial and a news article, I get really scared. And I'm not talking about the more sophisticated position of "there's no such thing as information; all information is perspectival." I am continually floored by the things I learn about my students. No wonder I struggle to meet them at their level. They are lacking in so many basics. Sometimes I get really depressed.

Today was a good day, though. One of my two public speaking classes really got Toulmin's model for breaking down arguments. That was exciting for me.

I'm supposed to be teaching the argumentation and debate classes here, but they never make. If I should be lucky enough that they make, I have NO CLUE as to how I would teach the class. Luckily, I can cross that bridge when I get to it.

At SSCA I went to the GIFTS panel (Great Ideas for Teaching Speech). Some of the faculty there had so much energy for their activities. Real pride. I can't think of any activities I'd bring to a GIFTS session. My public speaking class is really stale. I've really got to think of a way to make it more teachable and more fun. Maybe I should lower my expectations. But then that would be doing my students a disservice. I just need to remember to break things down for them into smaller chunks and pieces. Also, getting rid of the Osborn book (no offense to Michael Osborn) will help considerably because it is pitched -way- over their heads and they don't bother cracking the book at all.

I guess we'll see what next year brings when we have a new textbook.