Transition to College English How do we use writing in our everyday lives? What is college writing? What is the Framework for Success in Postsecondary Writing?

Agenda Class Activity: Writing in the “real” world; writing as a student. Group Activity: What are the features of college writing? College Writing – what to expect. Framework for Success in Post-secondary Writing – Handout and brief introduction

Class Activity – Writing in Our Everyday Lives After you hear the instructions, the class will stand up and evenly divide up in front of the four labeled whiteboard sections. This is a “silent discussion” activity; please remain silent as you circle through the boards. On the four labeled whiteboards, list the types of writing you do in these three environments: Social Workplace Academic Personal Each person should quickly write an example down of his/her writing purposes/types under the appropriate environment listed. Each person should rotate through each board list twice. On the second round, add additional activities you think of that don’t appear on the board and put a check mark next to any writing activity listed that applies to you as well. Social

Writing Exercise

Class Activity – What is college writing? What should you expect? Groups of three or four formed. First, please formally introduce yourselves to each other (if students don’t know each other’s names) Second, plan to introduce each other to the class. Introduce a person with his or her name, where he or she is from, and an interest or major – something that gives us a sense of the person. Third, discuss the questions: “What is college writing?” “What concerns do we have?” Fourth, report out – begin with introductions and then each person presents something salient to the prompt from the group’s discussion.

De-brief - What is college writing? Presents an academic response to an academic prompt; generally presents an argument or explanation (exposition). Essay structure expected. Contains clear thesis statement and topic sentences. Clear, specific, and reasonable convincing evidence supports claims and subclaims. Written in a more formal, academic tone. Written in a richer, more descriptive vocabulary than informal writing. Awareness of contrasting points of view. (“You are joining an existing conversation.”) Correctness matters.

College Writing Involves the Study and Practice of Writing and Reading Rhetorically. So . . . what is “Rhetoric”?

Basic definition Rhetoric is: SITUATED COMMUNICATION (rhetorical situation) Communication in some context The art of speaking or writing effectively and persuasively in a particular context (context = a social space, i.e., classroom, work environment, dinner gathering) Forms of communication that are shaped by a particular social situation Rhetor’s purpose: to inform, to persuade, to entertain

Example: Studying Rhetoric in Politics Studying the “rhetoric” of political speeches might include: Understanding how politicians use language to persuade Looking at their non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, hand movements, etc. Considering how politicians use tone and intonation to get a rise out of the audience

Expanding the Definition of “Text” Studying the “rhetoric” of some text means understanding all relevant communicative devices (a “text” = anything that communicates, not just written texts) -this includes written devices, spoken devices, nonverbal gestures, or actual objects (i.e. an outfit)

Examples of “Texts” Studying the “rhetoric” of hip-hop could include: Analyzing song lyrics, beats, styles of hip-hop Considering clothing styles Thinking about messages Considering how rap videos define hip-hop culture (in other words, we’d study different rhetorical “moves” or “strategies” that define hip-hop)

College writing often entails reading rhetorically and writing rhetorically. Studying the “rhetoric” of a “text” Author purpose, intended audience, and author ethos Rhetorical elements a writer uses to achieve his or her purpose pattern of organization (narrative, cause/effect, definition, etc.) rhetorical appeals (logos, pathos, ethos) types of evidence (facts, statistics, expert testimony, narratives, observational description, etc.) diction (persuasive, connotative language, and biased language; specific and descriptive word choice; figurative language; active verbs, etc.) syntax (sentence structure such as sentence length and variety; repetition)

Elements of the “rhetorical situation” Classic author-speaker/text/audience relationships that guide arguments; author’s purpose and stance, audiences, texts, and contexts (socio-cultural-historical.)

Readers and Writers in Context Image from: Lunsford, Andrea; Ruszikiewicz, John J., and Keith Walters. Everything’s An Argument, 6th ed. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2013.

So . . . what does it take to achieve success in college writing? Rodin’s “The Thinker,” Image from Wikipedia The answer might surprise you . . .

Framework for Success in Postsecondary Writing WPA, NCTE, and NWP This Framework describes the rhetorical and twenty-first-century skills as well as habits of mind and experiences critical for college success.

The Habits of Mind Curiosity – the desire to know more about the world. Openness – the willingness to consider new ways of being and thinking in the world. Engagement – a sense of investment and involvement in learning. Creativity – the ability to use novel approaches for generating, investigating, and representing ideas. Persistence – the ability to sustain interest in and attention to short- and long-term projects. Responsibility – the ability to take ownership of one’s actions and understand the consequences of those actions for oneself and others. Flexibility – the ability to adapt to situations, expectations, or demands. Metacognition – the ability to reflect on one’s own thinking as well as on the individual and cultural processes used to structure knowledge. See handout from the Framework on pp. 4-5 for extended descriptors.

Exit Slip – On a sheet of paper write: 2 strengths from “Framework’s” habits of mind (be sure to offer one piece of evidence/ a specific example to support or illustrate each habit) 1 target for improvement from “habits” list; (again provide one piece of evidence to show you could use improvement) Write your name on the upper right hand corner of the card and submit.