Planning Essays as Communication Ch. 2

In this chapter, we will learn to …. Make communication goals the focus of your writing Distinguish between two kinds of communication: communication to inform and communication to solve problems Recognize how communication concepts cross over to different genres of writing, different art forms, and different media Plan essays to present issues and support views Organize essays using formal and informal patterns of development

Understanding Communication Goals Planning implies having a goal For a college student, this usually means getting an “A” For Shakespeare, it meant writing a hit play These goals are legitimate, but, unfortunately, don’t aid in the planning aspect of writing Effective writing involves seeing being on subjective goals and including the needs of the reader in the process Often when we’re writing, we’re so focused on being a writer and forget what we know about being a reader

Understanding Communication Goals Connecting to readers Remember that writing is a form of communication Base your writing on what readers are looking for

Communication Types For the purposes of planning an essay you only need to distinguish between two basic kinds: Communication to inform To provide information Communication to solve problems To address issues and support views

How To Plan Addressing an issue and supporting a view The first step is to identify a problem or issue that intend to address or resolve BUT this step is insufficient without the second step: supporting a view about the issue A view will usually take the form of argument or thesis Readers identify with an issue, but they are also looking for a view or viewpoint in which a solution is proposed to complete the communication process

Practice Think about a movie you like What is the central issue driving the story? Dilemma or frustration the main character grapples with Explain the view or message that the movie communicates about the central issue - this is usually linked to the ending or resolution.

Planning Different Kinds of Essays Understanding Different Genres, Methods, and Aims Dominant modes or methods of writing Narratives, comparison and contrast, extended definition, analysis, etc. Aims of objectives of writing Describing, analyzing, explaining, persuading Genres or kinds of writing Narratives, profiles, reviews, arguments

Planning Different Kinds of Essays Mock assignments on pg. 52 Narrative or Personal Essay What do you write about? How do you evaluate those ideas? Remember to write for your readers! Identifying an Issue Supporting a View

Planning Different Kinds of Essays Reflection activity pg. 57

Organization Outlining, organizing, drafting The puzzle Use principles of time, space, and logic Solving the puzzle See example on pg. 61 The formal organizational pattern Deduction The informal organizational pattern Induction

Organization Where to express your view Formal organizational pattern Academic, business Informal organizational pattern Narrative