1. What is Writing? Analyzing Literacy Events
Chapter 1
What is Writing?
Analyzing
Literacy Events

2. Overview Introduction to the textbook Writing in Four Contexts
Looking at Literacy Events
Readings
Writing Assignment

3. Introduction to the Text
The Call to Write focuses on the context of writing and reminds us that writing “takes place in many different settings and for many purposes,” some more direct than others.
Therefore, it is important to consider the call to write and determine the best way to respond.

4. Things to Consider Purpose
Readers (and the writer’s relationship to the readers)
Voice and tone (formal and third person, or informal and first person narrative?)
Social context
Genre (kind of writing: essay, fact sheet, brochure, proposal, or letter)

5. Four Contexts
Chapter One presents explanations and examples for the following:
Writing in everyday life
Writing in the workplace
Writing in the public sphere (community)
Writing in school

6. Writing in Everyday Life
Writing is a part of our daily lives:
Grocery lists and notes for errands
messages
Notes, memos, reports at work or school
Text messages on our phones

7. Writing in the Workplace
Writing for the workplace has two sides: internal and external
Internal documents are to people in your own organization, includes memos, reports, and .
External documents are to people outside of the organization, includes letters, reports, proposals, and .

8. Writing in the Public Sphere
Many of us write for the public sphere, or community, in a number of different ways:
A letter to the editor, supporting a position on a local issue
An open thank-you note after a successful fundraiser for your community charity

9. Writing in School
Writing for school includes essays, reports, proposals, summaries, and essay exams. Other examples:
Lab reports
Journals or logs
Postings to a discussion board
to/from teachers and classmates

10. Visual Examples
Notice that the chapter includes a number of sample documents, as well as more visual examples of writing, such as advertisements, newsletters, and screen prints of Web sites.
This is another feature of the book, which also includes a chapter on visual design. There are numerous real-world examples throughout the text.

11. What is a Literacy Event?
They are also called literacy narratives.
It tells a story that shows the significance of reading and writing in a person’s life.
The essay by Frederick Douglass fits a special subcategory of literacy events because it is also considered a slave narrative.

12. Readings on Literacy Events
Frederick Douglass, pages 24-25
Eudora Welty, pages 25-26
Margaret J. Finders, pages 26-29

13. Writing Assignment: Analyzing a Literacy Event
Your task is to “identify a particular meaningful encounter with writing…” (30).
Notice the list of three questions on page 30; they will help you to examine the event you choose to write about.
Your instructor will let you know whether your class will be doing this particular assignment, and provide you with additional guidelines.

14. Student Companion Website
Go to the student side of the Web site for exercises, chapter overviews, and links to writing resources for this chapter: