The Call To Write,
Third edition
Chapter One, What is Writing?
Analyzing Literacy Events
Overview
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Introduction to the textbook
Writing in Four Contexts
Looking at Literacy Events
Readings
Writing Assignment
Introduction to the text
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The Call to Write focuses on the context of
writing and reminds us that writing “takes
place in many different settings and for many
purposes,” (2) some more direct than others.
Therefore, it is important to consider the call
to write and determine the best way to
respond.
Things to consider
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Purpose
Readers (and the writer’s relationship to the
readers)
Voice and tone (formal and third person, or
informal and first person narrative?)
Social context
Genre (kind of writing, such as essay, fact
sheet, brochure, proposal, or letter)
Four contexts
Chapter One presents explanations and
examples for the following:
 Writing in everyday life
 Writing in the workplace
 Writing in the public sphere (community)
 Writing in school
Writing in everyday life
Writing is a part of our daily lives:
 Grocery lists and notes for errands
 E-mail messages
 Notes, memos, reports at work or school
 Text messages on our phones
Writing in the workplace
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Writing for the workplace has two sides: internal and
external.
Internal documents are those written to people in our
own organization and include memos, reports, and email.
External documents are written to people outside of
the organization and include letters, reports,
proposals, and e-mail.
Writing in the public sphere
Many of us write for the public sphere, or community,
in a number of different ways:
 A letter to the editor, supporting a position on a local
issue
 An open thank-you note after a successful fundraiser
for your community charity
 A petition for a change in policy or to support your
choice of candidate
Writing in school
Writing for school includes essays, reports,
proposals, summaries, and essay exams.
Other examples:
 Lab reports
 Journals or logs
 Postings to a discussion board
 E-mail to/from teachers and classmates
Visual examples
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Notice that the chapter includes a number of sample
documents, as well as more visual examples of
writing, such as advertisements, newsletters, and
screen prints of Web sites.
This is another feature of the book, which also
includes a chapter on visual design. There are
numerous real-world examples throughout the text.
What is a literacy event?
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They are also called literacy narratives.
It tells a story that shows the significance of
reading and writing in a person’s life.
The essay by Frederick Douglass fits a special
subcategory of literacy events because it is also
considered a slave narrative.
Readings on literacy events
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Frederick Douglass, pages 30-31
Eudora Welty, pages 31-32
Margaret J. Finders, pages 32-34
Writing assignment: analyzing a
literacy event
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Your task is to “identify a particular meaningful
encounter with writing…” (35).
Notice the list of four questions on page 36; they
will help you to examine the event you choose to
write about.
Your instructor will let you know whether your class
will be doing this particular assignment, and provide
you with additional guidelines.
Student Companion Website
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Go to the student side of the Web site for
exercises, chapter overviews, and links to
writing resources for this chapter:
http://www.ablongman.com/trimbur
Click on the textbook cover, and then select
Student Resources.