The Inaugural Address

Today in my writing courses, we began class with a discussion about genre, audience, purpose, and style as preparation for viewing this historical inaugural address.


Then we conversed about it on our class blog -- rather than having a f2f vocal discussion. This activity worked: in the writing about it afterwards, students expressed a range of opinions they probably wouldn't want to share in class. I've still got so many hard-core Republican students who just can't acknowledge the actual content of this speech; instead, they fall back on the "he won't be able to fulfill his promises" bumper stickers instead of listening to what he actually said.

Many, many lessons are embedded in today's historic events and in my students' responses to these events.