problematic statement-post

How do you characterize the “problematic” of your YDEI topic?

In a short essay, discuss what you’re finding through your topic research and written annotations.  This will be uploaded as a post on a blog created by your topic group.  From this, group members and other class cohorts to read and dialogue on the issues raised.

Content elements:

  1. From your survey of social media information sources – written, video, images, etc. — what’s the “story” of the topic you’re addressing? In applying the media literacy questions we’ve reviewed, include some discussion of:
  • How is the issue “framed”? What are some angles and themes discussed?
  • Do your sources include any analysis of context/systemic/root causes?
  • Any effort to suggest alternatives?
  1. How are youth (and others) using democractic practices to address the issue? What may have found as forms of critical discourse and social change by youth and others, including creative practices and activist formations (online and in-real-life).
  1. A general question to consider throughout and discuss: How do principles of democracy apply? What’s a politics (engagement) of democracy applied to your topic?

Specific guidelines:

  • Draw from your annotations research and other online media you’ve surveyed.
  • Use a strong opening sentence.
  • Do not copy and paste, i.e. plagiarize.
  • Use a writing voice that feels comfortable and would speak to a public reader; not straight academic.
  • Write (at least) 5 paragraphs. These should be dense, to-the-point, well-edited, no fluff, providing a certain level of depth and breadth.
  • If paragraphs are too dense, consider breaking them up into additional paragraphs.
  • Avoid language that references this essay as an academic assignment, e.g. “I’ll first present this…, than will argue that…, and conclude…”  Don’t tell what you intend to write — show by presenting the actual narrative content itself.
  • Cite at least 4 hypertext links, including at least one video.
  • Sign your post — preferably at bottom.