Introduction to Critical Reading -Non-critical (or pre-critical) reading is concerned with recognizing what a text says about the topic. Goal is to make sense of the presentation as a sequence of thoughts, to understand the information, ideas, and opinions stated within the text from sentence to sentence, paragraph to paragraph. -Critical reading is an analytic activity. These elements are tied together in an interpretation, an assertion of an underlying meaning of the text as a whole. -Critical thinking involves bringing outside knowledge and values to bear to evaluate the presentation and decide what to ultimately accept as true. Introduction to FSW tutoring -one on one help with a tutor on any subject -writing center does not just “proofread” you need to show effort if you want editing services -Will give you basic concepts and conventions but you have to take the initiative to fix paper -important to become a critical writer -Writing center- walk in basis, do not necessarily need an appointment -workshops (MLA, APA, Thesis statement) -computers -book club -Tutor.com writing tutoring online Everyone an Author -Think about your genre as an author -have you been assigned a specific genre -consider your purpose -is there specific organization that is needed for your paper (chronological) -Important to consider your audience -who is the intended audience -will they be interested in what you are writing -choice of medium? -what will your audience expect -Think about your stance and context -what is your relationship with your audience -do you have any constraints -how much time and energy can you put into it Writing as Inquiry -Start with questions -goal is to learn about the subject and then learn more -How can it be defined -look up throughout the internet what the topic is defined as -the more information you know, the more you are able to discuss and debate about -How can it be described -What details should be included -How can you describe in multiple points of view -How can it be explained -What does it do -How does it work -What can it be compared with -similar situations or topics can be used to compare and describe your topic -What may have caused it, what could be the effects? -How does your topic relate to the world in regard to the causes and effects -Keeping a journal -writing tool used to record observations, reactions, and whatever else you wish -Keeping a blog -Online form of issues -Blogs have common sections that allow others to read and respond to what you have written Managing the writing process Steps for the writing process: -Understand your assignment -look for words like argue, evaluate, and analyze -Come up with a topic -Consider your rhetorical situation -no matter what you will have an audience -Audience -Purpose -Genre -Stance -Context -Medium and design -Looping -is an extended and more focused kind of free writing. Start by establishing a subject and then free write for 5-10 minutes. Look at what has been written and identify the most important and interesting ideas -Outlining -First main idea -2 supporting evidence or detail -2nd main idea -2supporting evidence or detail -Come up with a tentative thesis 1. What point do you want to make about your topic? 2. Try plotting out a tentative thesis in two parts 3. Ask some questions about what you’ve written 4. Do you need to narrow or qualify your thesis 5. Is the thesis clear and focus -Write out a draft -Introduction is the most difficult part to write -Try to grab readers attention -Startling claim -The body -Develop argument point by point, paragraph by paragraph -The conclusion -should sum up your argument in a way that readers will remember Guiding Your Reader -Titles -Titles serve various purposes such as naming texts and providing clues to the content -It helps readers decide whether they want to read further, so important for titles to attract interests -Rhetorical situations -Thesis statements -A thesis identifies the topic of your text along with the claim you are making about it. -A good thesis helps readers understand an essay -1. State your topic as a question -2. Then turn your question into a position -3. Narrow your thesis -4. Qualify your thesis -Transitions -help readers move from thought to thought and sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph -points to check in regard to transitions -to signal causes and effects -to signal comparisons -to signal changes in direction or exceptions -to signal examples -to signal sequences or similarities -to signal time relations -to signal a summary or conclusion How To Write Good Sentences Four common sentence patterns -simple sentences -compound sentences -complex sentences -compound-complex sentences -Simple sentences -can be short as a single word or longer -One and only one main clause -Compound sentences -two main clauses, each of which express one of two independent and equally important ideas -Complex sentences -two or more ideas with one that you want to emphasize more than the others -subordinate conjunctions and clauses -Compound-complex sentences -when you are expressing three or more ideas in a single sentence. -have at least two main clauses and one subordinate clause -Cumulative Sentences -The writer starts off with a main clause and then adds details in phrases and subordinate clauses -Periodic sentences -Delaying the main point until the end -Closing sentences -sentences that conclude a piece of writing are where you have a chance to make a lasting impact Developing Paragraphs -Focusing on the main point -Topic sentence- helps you focus a paragraph to one idea -Strategies for developing the main point -Analyzing cause and effect -Classifying and dividing -When we classify something, we ground it with things that share similar characteristics -Describing -A descriptive paragraph provides specific details to show what something looks likehow it sounds, feels, smells and tastes -When to start a new paragraph -to introduce a new subject or idea -to signal a new speaker -to emphasize an idea -to give readers a needed pause Paragraph Cohesion and Relevance -Every paragraph should have a purpose that contributes to the composition as whole. - Relevant information to your specific topic can include sources, background knowledge, rhetorical analysis, and interpretation. -Strategies for strong, unified paragraphs -Each paragraph should fit the rhetorical situation and further the goals of the communication situation. -Paragraphs should have a clear, organized internal structure. Writing Process Pre-writing — generate your paper idea A. UNDERSTAND the assignment by reading it carefully (including grading rubric). B. CHOOSE a topic, keeping the assignment instructions and writing purposes in mind: C.CONSULT with a librarian for the next three steps: 1.DECIDE upon an initial research question. )2.DO background research (Librarian may be of help.) 3.FORMULATAE a thesis Research and organize your paper A. SCHEDULE: Create a timetable for the assignment, and check it against the instructions. B. RESEARCH: Do the formal research C.TAKE notes as you do that research. D. CONSULT with writing center (organize and outline) Write and edit your paper