The Atlantic Online

The first issue of the Atlantic Monthly appeared in November 1857.  Popular then and popular now, the award-winning publication bills itself as "America's leading magazine of politics, current affairs, education, and the arts."  The companion website continues in the esteemed tradition by providing free articles on—to name a few--foreign affairs, literature, science/technology, and travel.  "Atlantic Unbound," Atlantic Monthly's online journal, archives website reviews, author roundtables, email dialogues, poetry pages, and interviews.  "Post & Riposte" is an online forum that allows visitors to debate issues raised in the magazine's and the site's articles.

The link below will take you to AtlanticOnline's home page.  You will find many free articles exclusive to the site and from the current issue of the magazine.  Browse through and skim articles in all four of Atlantic Monthly's defining categories—politics, current affairs, education, and the arts.   In order to answer the questions below, you will need to read some articles and then visit "Post & Riposte," the site's forum.  You can browse discussions without registering.

As you read the discussions, notice how the Atlantic's educated readers debate issues.   The postings use Argumentation as a primary writing pattern.  Notice how users assert and support their positions, counter opposing points, and reassert their arguments.  By using argumentation as a method of development, the forum participants are taking their cues from Atlantic Monthly's and AtlanticOnline's writers.   Any award-winning commentary on important cultural issues will utilize argumentation as a rhetorical strategy.  To test and develop your argumentation skills, register for free and join the forum discussions.



Visit The Atlantic Online

Q & A

1. From the home page, read any free article under the category "Politics & Society."  After doing so, go back to the home page and click on "Forum."  This will bring you to "Post & Riposte."  Click on "Politics & Society" to browse through conversations on the topic.  Are the users asserting and supporting certain positions?  Are they using argumentation skills effectively?  Write a paragraph or two analyzing the argumentation methods used in the online discussion.  Summarize the topic for your instructor, and use examples in your analysis.



2. From the home page, click on and read an article in any category that interests you.  After doing so, go back to home page and click on "Forum."  Once you are on the "Post & Riposte" page, click on the discussion category of the article you read.  At the bottom of the page, click on "Register."  Complete the free registration procedure and join the discussion.  Post a message introducing yourself and discussing the article you read.  Copy your posting in the box below and email it to your instructor.   You may want to login to the forum after a few days to see if anyone has replied to your post.  Share any responses with your instructor.



Submit your answers.

Either print your answers out for submission or email them to your instructor.