ESL 015:Composition for American Academic

Communication IIInstructor: Candace Lake

QUESTIONNAIREFront of Card

1) Name:2) Email:3) Country:4) Language(s):5) Field of Study/Area of Research:6) How long have you been in the U.S.?

Back of Card7) In your opinion, what are you strongest skills in English? (reading, writing, understanding, interacting, presenting, pronunciation)8) In your opinion, what are your weakest language skills?9) What would you like to study/learn in this

course?10) Anything else you would like the instructor

to know.

Class Overview

Review the Course Syllabus

Writing Diagnostic Results

Everyday Writing

Who are you as a writer?

Learn about the pre-writing process (Mini Lecture and Activity)

Homework Assignments

Writing Diagnostic Reactions

Overall, ideas detailing the topics are organized and supported by details

Supporting details included examples to solidify your points (mostly personal in nature)

Introduction and Conclusion paragraphs weren’t consistent

The tone felt more conversational than written

Course Syllabus

What questions do you have?

How do we use writing in our everyday lives?

Writing

**Writing is Personal**

Who am I as a writer?

Personal Map

What is a Personal Map?-Series of pictures and/or words that

describe who you are. How do I do that?

-Ask yourself:*What experiences have I had that affect who I am?*What communities do I belong to?*How has my education, or lack of, molded my view?*How does society and/or my culture make me unique?*What values do I hold?*What are some things that I enjoy?

Personal Map Example

Candace

Pre-writing Process:Choose a Topic

Something that interests youSomething you know a little about, but

could learn more aboutEasiest to start with a general topic and

narrow it down into something specificDo some research

But• Most of the time a topic is assigned to you

Journal Entry 1

Describe your personal map. (Add to it if you would like.) Summarize how your background, experiences, education, likes, etc. may or may not affect your approach to writing in English. How does writing in English compare to writing in your first language? What do you find easy; what do you find hard and why?

Reflect on your own writing practices. Outline your process step by step and compare it to what we have reviewed in class and in the reading. How is your process similar/different? Do you skip through steps? If so, why? If not, why? Have you developed any bad habits from writing in English or your first language? What are they and how would you change them? Would you change them?

Homework

Quick Reminder: NO CLASSES MONDAY

For the next class please:◦Read Chapter 2 of Rosa & Eschholz◦Print and turn in Journal Entry 1

Bibliography

Rosa & Eschholz. (2012). Models for writers: Short essays for composition. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins.

ESL 015:Composition for American Academic

Communication IIInstructor: Candace Lake

Housekeeping and Review

Journal Entry One Due ◦(Make sure your name is on it)

Tutoring Services

Personal Map◦Who am I as a Writer?◦What do I bring to my writing?

Pre-Writing Process◦Choosing a Topic◦Tools to Gather your Ideas

Pre-writing Process:Gather your ideas

Tools to help you gather ideas:

1. Brainstorming

2. Mind Mapping

3. Cluster Method4. Free-writing

*Ask yourself Wh-questions in order to narrow down your topic. The function of a Wh-question is to find out information.

Rosa & Eschholz, pg 10

Pre-writing Process:Developing your Thesis

What is a Thesis?-Main point an author is trying to make

What is a Thesis Statement?-One or two sentences that express what the thesis is

How do I write a thesis statement?-Begin with “What I want to say is that…”*Your thesis statement is not a question, but a statement.

Pre-writing Process:Thesis Statement

How do I know if I have a strong Thesis Statement?

Rosa & Eschholz, pg 14

Pre-writing Process:Purpose and Audience

What is the purpose of my writing?o Why is it important to my readers?o What is my point? To inform, entertain, communicate

ideas, to argue a point, etco What would they gain from reading this?Who is my audience?

Rosa & Eschholz, pg 14

Pre-writing Process:Method of Development

Once you have your ideas and thesis statement organized, ask yourself:

What will be my method for development, or the type of writing I will be using.

Rosa & Eschholz, pg 15

Pre-writing Process:Outlines

Next, you are ready to start compiling your

outline.

Pre-Writing Process:Outlines

Think about all the points you want to cover in your essay.

Organize them in the order that you want them to be presented.◦ Chronological (oldest to newest, or the reverse)◦ Spatial (top to bottom, left to write, inside to outside, and so forth)◦ Least familiar to most familiar◦ Easiest to most difficult to comprehend◦ Easiest to most difficult to accept◦ According to similarities or differences

(Rosa & Eschholz, pg 17)

Pre-Writing Process:Outlines

Pre-Writing Process:Starting a Rough Draft

Once all your ideas are formed and organized, you’re ready to start writing.

Keep in mind while writing:◦Who is my audience◦What is my purpose◦How am I organizing my information

Pre-Writing Process:Starting a Rough Draft

Before, during, and after writing your rough draft, think about:

◦A Title (it should draw in the reader)

◦Beginnings and Endings (these need to be strong to keep the reader engaged)

Pre-Writing Process:Starting a Rough Draft

Rosa & Eschholz, pg 20

Pre-Writing Process:Revising and Editing

What is the difference between revising and editing?

◦Revision deals with the content/meaning and structure

◦Editing deals with correcting grammatical mistakes and errors, spelling, and punctuation

Pre-Writing Process:Starting a Rough Draft

Rosa & Eschholz, pg 21

Pre-writing Process Overview:Start to Finish

Bibliography

Rosa & Eschholz. (2012). Models for writers: Short essays for composition. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins.