WRITING!

Myths and Overview

MYTH #1

Myth: Writing is hard!

FACT Just like anything else, it takes practice! The more you work the easier it gets and the better you get.

MYTH #2

Myth: It has to be perfect!

FACT
Writing is a messy, recursive process! It will be imperfectforever

MYTH #3

Myth: I dont have anything to write about.

FACT
Fact: YES YOU DO! -Novels -Your life -Make stuff up! -Random observations (i.e. transcendentalism)

TYPES OF ESSAYS

Persuasive: tries to get you to believe and/or do something Narrative: tells a story or about an event Informative: gives details and facts about something Expository: Gives information or instructions. The writer does not assume that the reader or listener has prior knowledge or prior understanding of the topic that is being discussed.

PERSUASIVE EXAMPLE:

The first reason why you shouldnt smoke is that smoking affects your health. If you smoke, your physical condition will be negatively affected, so it will be very difficult for you to succeed in sports. Also, smoking produces lethal diseases like cancer and reduces the length and quality of your life. Maybe you dont notice all the physical effects of smoking immediately, but you surely will be sorry one day.

NARRATIVE EXAMPLE:

It was a hot sunny day, when I finally took my kids to the Disney Land. My son Matthew and my daughter Audra endlessly asked me to show them the dream land of many children with Mickey Mouse and Snow-white walking by and arousing a huge portion of emotions. Somehow these fairy tale creatures can make children happy without such small presents as $100 Lego or a Barbies house in 6 rooms and garden furniture. Therefore, I thought that Disney Land was a good invention for loving parents.

INFORMATIVE EXAMPLE:

Being a very popular travel destination, millions of tourists visit this beautiful country every year from around the globe. There are so many tourist attractions, it is in fact difficult to choose a few among them. You name it, and they have it! That is the beauty of this country, with its numerous world heritage sites, mountains, lakes, beaches, cuisines, museums, scenery, beautiful cities, fashion, and the list goes on.

EXPOSITORY EXAMPLE:

Start with a phenomenon that nearly everyone both accepts and considers well understood--"hot hands" in basketball. Now and then, someone just gets hot, and can't be stopped. Basket after basket falls in--or out as with "cold hands," when a man can't buy a bucket for love or money (choose your clich). The reason for this phenomenon is clear enough; it lies embodied in the maxim: "When you're hot, you're hot; and when you're not, you're not." You get that touch, build confidence; all nervousness fades, you find your rhythm; swish, swish, swish. Or you miss a few, get rattled, endure the booing, experience despair; hands start shaking and you realize that you should have stayed in bed.

WRITING PROCESS FOR FORMAL ESSAYS

Free Writing! Planning Draft 1 Peer editing for content (Bones) Draft 2 Peer editing for organization (Muscles) Draft 3 Peer editing for superficial (Skin)

ORGANIZATION
I. A. B. C. Intro Topic Sentence Evidence/Examples Reasoning (connect examples back to thesis/explain further) II. Sub-claim 1

III. Sub-claim 2 (same as sub-claim 1) IV. Sub-claim 3 (same as sub-claim 1) V. Address counter arguments (Some may disagree) VI. Conclusion: alternatives or suggestions for future

INTRO
General to specific

Thesis

THESIS
THESIS: [STABLE CONEXT] + [DESTABLIZING CONDITION] [Many people believe reading is boring.] [They fail to realize that regular reading leads to increased critical thinking skills, overall cognitive functioning, and ones understanding of themselves and the world.]

SUB-CLAIM ONE CLAIM [topic sentence] EVIDENCE [how do you know?] REASONING [connect evidence to thesis] I.e. Reading enhances critical thinking skills According to Dale Smith, professor at NYU, Reading increases critical thinking skills by 80% because it His research proves that reading will improve your life. You will be able to

COUNTER ARGUMENT

SOME PEOPLE MAY ARGUE THATHowever,

CONCLUSION QUICK RECAP IMPLICATIONS OF NEGLECT SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH/STUDY

SAMPLE ESSAY ASSIGNMENT

Step 1: Freewriting and Research Step 2: Write a thesis and outline Step 3: Write essay Step 4: Peer edit for content/organization Step 5: Revise Step 6: Peer edit for grammar Step 7: Revise Step 8: Write final draft

Step 1: Freewriting and Research (What will you write about?)

Step 2: Write a thesis and outline Thesis: Stable context+ Destablizing condition, debatable, supportable Outline: Thesis, Intro, 3 sub-claims, counter argument, conclusion

Step 3: Write the first draft

Step 4: Peer edit for content and organization Step 5: Revise (easier with electronic copy)

Peer Editing 101

EDITOR ETIQUETTE
1- Have the writer read the essay out loud to you, stop after each paragraph to talk about it. 2- Ask the writer questions instead of telling him/her what to do. (What would happen if you changed.) 3- Remember what you are editing for. At this stage, we are editing for content and organization, not grammar. Do not overwhelm your writer. 3-Check for the rules we have covered regarding the thesis and organization. (See checklist)

Step 6: Peer edit for grammar Step 7: Revise (easier with electronic copy)

Step 8: Write final draft