1. Contexts for Conversations
Unit 1

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

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

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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. We ask the same questions, but instead of asking ourselves, we ask the author!
Let’s practice
Reading in Context