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Scaffolded Packet
Overview:
Progression one will be divided into three activities and an Essay. The three activities are
described in detail below. For Progression One, we will be working with the following readings:
Junking Junk Food, Judith Warner
Dont Blame the Eater, David Zinczenko
What You Eat Is Your Business, Radley Balko
Being Fat is OK, Paul Campos
Your Trusted Friends, by Eric Scholsser
The following are the due dates for assignments leading up to Paper 1:
Progression 1, Exercise 1: Due September 9th
Progression 1, Exercise 2: Due September 14h
Progression 1, Exercise 3: Due September 16th
Progression 1, Paper 1, First Draft: Due September 21st
Progression 1, Paper 1, Final Draft: Due September 28th

Progression One, Exercise One

DUE: SEPT. 9th

After reading and classroom discussion of the writings of Warner, Zinczenko, Balko, and
Campos, write a rhetorical summary for all four readings. A rhetorical summary is not a recap of
the essay. Rather, your rhetorical summary should include the author, title of the work, present
the major claim of the essay, and consider the authors intended audience and purpose. This
assignment should demonstrate that you are exploring the larger implications of the ideas. For
example, what does the text you have selected say that others may not be aware of? The
rhetorical summary should be 150 words (minimum) for each essay.
In writing a rhetorical summary, ask yourself the following questions:

What is the authors intended purpose in writing this essay?

Who is the authors audience? Why is he/she considering this particular audience?
Who is the author of this essay? Do his/her beliefs show in this essay?
What is the background of this essay? What was going on (socially, politically, etc.) at the
time while this essay was being written?
What kinds of rhetorical appeal or appeals is this text making? Remember: ethos, pathos,
and logos.
What kind of language does the author use? Is the style formal, informal, or academic?
Does the author use sarcasm? Humor?

Adapted from: Writing: A Guide for College and Beyond, by Lester Faigley

Progression One, Exercise Two

DUE: SEPT. 14th

Select ONE reading from this progression and write a letter to the author of the essay. The letter
should be 2 pages, double spaced, and in MLA format. The letter should bring up questions of
how an author presents ideas and how the meaning of these ideas is supported. Please refrain
from saying whether you like or dislike the essay. Rather, analyze the essay rhetorically and
respond to the ideas presented by the author. While writing this letter, make sure you use
appropriate tone for this particular audience. We will be looking at a sample of a letter to an
author as an example.

For writing the letter, consider the following tips:

What are the important points in this essay? Why do you consider these important to
mention?

Look at the main points of the essay and look for how the author supports his/her claims.

Does the author use appropriate logic to support his/her argument? (Remember class
lesson on flaws in argumentation).

Why did the author write this piece?

Did the author consider all kinds of examples he/she should have? If not, bring these up.

What about the other side of the main claim the author is making? Did the author
consider this?

Progression One, Exercise Three

DUE: SEPT. 16th
Select two assigned readings and pick a common theme within these. Using this common
idea/theme, write a letter to a friend or family member explaining the connection between the
two essays (or the common theme). Pick one theme and give several examples of it from each
text explaining how these are related and what similarities or differences exist as they address
similar issues. Unlike the letter to the author, this letter should assume a different tone because

the audience is changed. And in this letter, you need to give a brief summary of the articles
because your friends have most likely not read these. So first, provide a summary (not more than
5-6 lines) of the main points of the essays. And then, you will discuss common themes within
these essays. Remember to not just mention the common themes, but also discuss the ways in
which the authors support their main points. This letter should be 2-3 pages, double spaced, and
in MLA format. Again, make sure youre looking at the texts rhetorically, not merely mentioning
what you liked or disliked in the essays.

ESSAY #1: PROMPT

RD Due: September 21th
FD Due: September 28th
For this paper, you will select an idea and consider the larger implications of it. Additionally, you
will do research on this idea and bring in examples that support your points. The essay will be 45 pages in length and follow MLA documentation guidelines. We will be doing plenty of
workshopping in class and activities before you have to turn in the final draft. The final draft is
due on October 12th.

After reading the articles and doing the three progression exercises, you should have an idea of
the larger implications of the essays (also, remember classroom discussions and group work). In
your essay, answer the following question:

What is a main common idea you saw in two or more of the readings? Why are these
authors writing about this idea?

In your essay, you will first answer the questions above, which will be your thesis. Then, you
will support this thesis with your own main points. To add detail to your main points, find at least
two articles that will support your thesis and main points.

Some questions to think about while writing your essay:

What is obesity?
What is the kind of body image portrayed in the media? Why is this significant?
How does body image translate into gender stereotyping?
Who is ultimately responsible for Americas obese culture?
Is there an awareness to be health conscious all throughout America or only in particular
places? Why is this important to consider?
Should government be involved in regulating fast food? How is this significant in terms
of personal choice? Control issues?