Shannon Mooney
Assignments & Activities Archive
Activity Description
This activity is intended to help students practice articulating the larger stakes, or the “so what,” of an argumentative or analytical assignment. The activity works best after students have developed complete drafts, and it can be easily adapted for any paper that requires students to present and defend an original argument. The “speed dating” format of the activity enables students to practice communicating and refining the “so what” of their paper numerous times throughout a single class session. After a short pre-writing activity, students sit in pairs across from one another; each student has two minutes to explain their paper’s argument and its “so what” before circulating and repeating the exchange with new partners. The activity continues as long as time allows, or until all students have spoken to one another. Students are then given independent time to reflect on the activity and brainstorm ways of more effectively emphasizing their argument’s “so what” in their drafts. This is a lively and highly engaging activity that requires active participation from all students. Whenever I assign it, students are initially hesitant because it pushes them to actively engage in ways that they may be reluctant to. But after the first couple speed dating rounds, students grow comfortable and ease into the activity; it’s always enjoyable to hear the class grow louder and more energized as students become increasingly confident in sharing their pitches and listening to those of their peers. Ultimately, through these interactions, students are exposed to peers’ ideas while also honing their rhetorical and argumentative skills.