Think like a professional writer Writers use rhetorical skills to construct meaning. Rhetoric: speech or writing that communicates its point persuasively. You are capable of producing publishable prose: Prose: writing or speech that is ordinary or matter-of-fact, without embellishment. Critical thinking and writing about a certain global condition is a measure of a pluralistic, democratic and tolerant society. You are contributing to democracy by creating an open discussion. It is important to identify what the central debate is. A composing process, consisting of prewriting, drafting and revision is the best way to approach the creation of a successful essay.

Prewriting: This begins when you read critically and respond to an essay. Prewriting occurs when you take notes, underline important passages, annotate [add explanatory notes to a text] 1. Who is your audience? Primary audience [me]: who expects clear ideas and grammatical correct prose. Secondary audience: people who need to be informed about the topic. 2. What is your purpose? To tell a story, describe, inform, argue. Know your purpose in advance. 3. What is your thesis or claim? This is your controlling idea or assertion [statement that something is true]. 4. How will you design your essay? Complete an outline, notes, visual diagrams to help you draft your essay.

Drafting. This is when you begin writing. Be sure your essay has a beginning, middle and end Does the title capture the reader’s interest? Does the opening paragraph/sentence “hook” the reader, contain a thesis or claim? Do all body paragraphs support the thesis? Do they have topic sentences? Does the body hold together? Is the essay unified with transitions flowing from sentence to sentence? Is your critical thinking the best you have? Do you have a strong and effective conclusion?

Revision: What you have written is NOT your final product Is the essay long enough? Is there a clear thesis? Is the purpose of the essay clear? Is the essay organized? Are the sentences grammatically correct and sufficiently varied in structure? Do you have evidence to support your claim?

Know Know exactly what you want to say. Know exactly your purpose in writing. Know exactly how you want to inform. Know exactly how to logically communicate your point. Know exactly what you are writing about!

What to write? How would you overturn or qualify a stereotype about Muslim women or American women? What ideas about America and world culture does the author want the audience to learn from reading the text? Write from your own moral authority on a certain subject relating to religion, gender,or American or world culture.