CROSS-CULTURAL RHETORIC: Reflection Assignment Sample

Assignment: Final Class Reflection as a Group Blog Post

Purpose: Normally, you would be asked to write a final reflection letter, addressed to me, approximately 1-2 pages single spaced, detailing what you have learned in our class.

The Research Reflection due the last day of class (1-2 page letter, 1-minute spoken wisdom) offers you a chance to reflect on the different rhetorical choices you made over the quarter and what you have learned about rhetoric as a practical art that can help you with your future major, career, or life goals. In the written part of this assignment, you'll address a real audience (future advisor, employer, donor, funding agency, etc).. Due: reflection due on the last day of class

It seems more practical and creative to have you share your reflection in a way that allows you to communicate to students around the world what you have learned about

Leadership rhetoric intercultural communication

Audience: Your audience is an international one: the many participants (from the U.S., Russia, Australia, Egypt, and Sweden) on the CCR blog.

Process: To access the blog pages: go to http://ccr.stanford.edu/ and click on “Blogging” or go directly to http://crossculturalrhetoric.wordpress.com . Use the Blogging instructions (distributed in class) for directions for posting to the blog.

1. Form groups of 3 or 4 to complete this assignment outside class 2. Read up on the blog posts online so far to get to know your audience & the medium and

add comments to several posts already online – to create a relationship with your audience. 3. As a GROUP, draft your blog entry to offer a closing reflection on the class – and what you

learned – for this international audience of students around the globe. Include:

a. Photo of your group members (or you take a short video with your laptop camera – introducing yourselves to readers and then embed the video if you like)

b. Names, a bit about you & about Stanford culture; ask questions of other cultures c. Explain what you have learned about the rhetoric of leadership based on your

research projects and on completing your presentations (write in a way that is engaging for your blog audience, though – this might mean asking questions)

d. Post your research abstracts at the end. You might also raise questions that you want readers to answer about your research.

I recommend saving your writing in a word document first, then posting on the blog. Just be sure to preview your post when you publish it to make sure it translated from word to the blog without any odd formatting changes.

Have fun with this – it is a chance to share your reflection on learning with two groups of students who are WAITING TO HEAR from the Stanford Global Leadership class!