Evaluating change
By Debbie Harris, Contributor

THIS WEEK we will look at a suggested response to Carol Moseley Braun's article entitled How have we changed? which you got for homework in the previous lesson. I will also share some information about selecting a theme for the portfolio (internal assessment) with you.

AN EVALUATION OF HOW HAVE WE CHANGED?

In the paragraph the writer expresses her opinion that the most interesting change in America since the 1950s involves increased opportunities for social mobility. This is the main idea and it is clearly stated in the first sentence. She then describes certain changes that have occurred in her lifetime that support this conclusion. She says that attitudes toward 'life station' have changed as a result of social movements that have altered irrevocably the notion of station and have given new meaning and breadth to the parameters of the American dream. She expresses the view that minority groups and women who were formerly marginal are now able to 'participate in a fluid class structure ­ based on notions of meritocracy' as white men have always been able to. It is clear that the writer feels that it is a good thing that some Americans are no longer 'consigned to limitations on the basis of the circumstances of birth'. It is also clear that she wants readers to understand and accept this view. Thus, by informing readers of these changes, the writer is trying to convince them to agree with her interpretation of them. So, while the passage is informative its main purpose is persuasive.

In terms of the strategies and language techniques the writer has employed an authoritative tone. She begins by noting specific years, suggesting confidence in stating her opinion regarding the change in America. Additionally, in using her personal experience she gives the impression of being an authority on the issue. Many words and phrases such as 'altered irrevocably', 'most interesting', 'more inclusive' and 'most fundamental redefinition' have been used to describe and present her ideas on the increased opportunities for social mobility in America.

This has not exhausted all that one could say in an evaluation of this sort but, if you were able to write an essay which includes at least these given points then you are on your way to writing an appropriate evaluation of discourse types. Certainly, it is imperative that you be able to measure the validity and the reliability of writings such as this one but, the focus today does not allow us to discuss these to any great extent. In the future we will do this exercise. Let us now turn our attention to the internal assessment which is required of you.

THE PORTFOLIO

The portfolio is a combination of an oral and a written assignment. It is based on the skills learnt in all three modules in the course. The entries in this portfolio have a theme or a main idea which is made evident in all of them (entries).

Your theme ought to be an area which is of interest to you. So, let us use the theme of road rage as an example. Road rage refers to the display of apparent anger by motorists on the streets as they go about their daily activities. This rage is often manifested in the form of impatience, intolerance and anxiety, and on numerous occasions has resulted in the death of both motorists and pedestrians as the rage leads to accidents.

In writing your reflective pieces you might choose to create a short story or a one act play [or any other literary genre]. If this is so then you might entitle this story/play The Chase! The other piece may be a poem and the title 'Highway Patrol' would be appropriate and relevant.

Remember that one of the pieces may be used for the analysis, therefore there needs to be some dialectal variation in such an entry.

The expository oral presentation has to have the same road rage theme and the issue needs to be a topical one. In addition, you are required to create a topic for this exposition. A possible topic then could be: 'The Effect of the Increase in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Medical Institutions in Jamaica'!

Note that a topic such as this facilitates a research in which you must select related information, identify challenges faced in the research methodology and data collection activity, evaluate sources testing their validity and reliability and draw conclusions.

Spend some time this week, if you have not already done so, to select a theme and determine the nature of the pieces you wish to create. Until then, walk good!