Contexts for Conversations Unit 1

What do you think of when you think of the word “conversation?” What action does that word signify? Are conversations between only two people, or can they take place at community and public levels? The readings we will encounter this semester are a part of public conversations taking place in the historical moments the documents were written in The reading and writing we will do this semester will help you to participate in public conversations like these Conversations

How you contribute Telling stories about life-transforming events We will do this with our personal narrative assignment See Alaska example in your book, pg. 2 How you contribute

Four Dimensions of writing These are the tools for exploring and participating in public conversations Context How histories, cultures, communities, institutions, ideas, experiences, and other written texts influence writing and reading Genre Ways of doing things that, over a period of time and in response to specific situations, needs, or desires, have evolved in recognizable forms Four Dimensions of writing

Four dimensions of writing Genres are social agreements about what forms and conventions are expected in particular situations Language Words, sentences, organization, and design of a text Consequences The effects of writing in the world Four dimensions of writing

Four dimensions of writing Consequences language genre context Four dimensions of writing

Four dimensions of writing Social change Inclusive language that promotes diversity Typically conservative, but you take a risk getting published in a local newspaper Four dimensions of writing

Writing in Context Chiem’s article Context? Genre? Language? Consequences? Writing in Context

You bring a set of expectations to whatever you read that influences how you understand it. Reading in Context

A Guide to Writing In context Where do I want to publish/distribute? Do I have the appropriate credentials or authority? What events in the world am I writing in response to? How does my background influence my thinking and writing about this topic? A Guide to Writing In context

A Guide to Writing In context Genre What is the situation I am in or the purpose for which I am writing? What experience do I have with this genre? What is the typical form of this genre? What content will I include? What language choices will help me achieve my purpose? A Guide to Writing In context

A Guide to Writing In context Language Organization, paragraphs, transitions Sentences Tone, words A Guide to Writing In context

A Guide to Writing In context Consequences What consequences do I want my text to have? Ideas or actions, immediate and local, or long-term and wide-ranging? How might this text affect other people? What specific things can I do to ensure these intended consequences and avoid unintended ones? A Guide to Writing In context

We ask the same questions, but instead of asking ourselves, we ask the author! Let’s practice https://www.scientology.org/what-is-scientology.html Reading in Context