Analytical and Rhetorical Writing Matt Barton

Who Needs this Course? Writing is the #1 skill you need to succeed. Make a solid impression on your professors with clear, concise writing Breeze through research projects and essay tests Stay on top of all your other classes.

Thinking about a profession? How about law school? “In my firm, the first thing new lawyers will be judged upon is their writing. The fastest way to get ahead as a new lawyer is to be an able writer.” Bryn Vaaler Med school? One-half of the MCAT focuses on writing skills and reading comprehension! Business? A 1992 study showed that executives value writing as the most valued skill—yet only 20% of their employees can do it!

Marketable Skills Writing skills are important to employers: Communication Analytical/Research Computer/Technical Literacy Planning and Organizing Teamwork

Who are you? Dr. Matt Barton, Ph.D., from University of South Florida Taught composition for 10 years. Published in journals, books, magazines, and web publications. I’m the guy who’s going to help teach you make an A+ on that next paper!

Time for quick thinking! Take the next minute to write down an answer to this question: What is writing?

The Cycle of Learning Practice Learning Reflection

Sentenced to Bad Writing Good writing begins with good sentences. Ask yourself: How can I be clear? How can I write better?

At the Sentence Level Sentences are clear if readers can easily determine their subjects, verbs, and objects. The robot assembled the scooter. Sentences are unclear if readers get lost. Of the four scooters being assembled, the one that was assembled by the robot is the one on the left.

Writing Tools You’re about to see some devices that have changed how we write. Let’s think about what each of these technologies made possible.

Lit Tech How did this device change writing? Printing Press: Invented 1450

What about this one? Typewriter Invented 1868

What about this one? First IBM PC: 1981

Future Text Could a computer ever write a good essay all by itself? How will we read and write a hundred years from now?