CompFAQ/ENGL 1101

From Gerald R. Lucas
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Revision as of 08:54, 24 August 2023 by Grlucas (talk | contribs) (Version 1.)

From Reading to Writing: An ENGL 1101 Coursebook

Writing and reading skills are essential for success in college and beyond. Whether you’re writing a research paper, a personal statement, a business proposal, a Wikipedia entry, or a personal blog, clear and effective writing makes all the difference in effectively communicating and achieving your goals. Likewise, strong reading skills are crucial for comprehending complex texts, synthesizing information, and developing critical thinking abilities.

This composition text is designed to help you develop and enhance these skills through a variety of activities, including writing exercises, grammar and mechanics reviews, and close reading and analysis of professional essays. All of the writing activities are based on a Composition FAQ that targets areas most relevant to first-year composition and core-level humanities classes.

Directions: For each lesson below, follow all links and read them carefully. All assigned essays may be found on my server or by doing a Google search. See your individual syllabus for due dates and additional instructions.

I. Introduction to College-Level Reading and Writing

  1. A Primer for First-Year Composition
  2. Read the rest of the links under Primer Questions (you may skip the one about literature)
  3. Read the following essays about college and writing
    • “College Pressures” by William Zinsser
    • “The Joy of Reading and Writing” by Sherman Alexie
    • “Shitty First Drafts” by Anne Lamott
  4. Writing Exercise: Consider your weaknesses when it comes to writing; what are your top ones? Read the Primer Questions and see if they are addressed there. Research further to find strategies for addressing these struggles. Post a question and two replies or responses incorporating anything you read for this lesson to the PackBack thread “Writing Struggles.”

II. Close Reading and Analysis

  1. Review the elements of close reading and analysis
  2. Read the links under Reading Questions
  3. Read and analyze “Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell
  4. Writing exercise: Practice close reading and analysis by writing about a specific aspect of the essay. (You might see my notes on “Shooting an Elephant” for ideas.) On Packback, post a question about “Shooting an Elephant”; post an analysis about a specific aspect of the essay; post a reply to one of the questions by your classmates.

III. Focus Your Topic: Thesis Statement

  1. Discuss topics and thesis statements
  2. Read the links under Structural Questions
  3. Read and analyze: “On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs” by David Graeber
  4. Writing exercise: Identify the thesis statement and support in an essay. On Packback, post a question about “Bullshit Jobs”; post an analysis about a specific aspect of the essay; post a reply to one of the questions by your classmates.

IV. Argumentation and Persuasion

  1. Introduce the principles of critical thinking, argumentation, and persuasion
  2. Read the rest of the links under Rhetorical Questions
  3. Read and analyze “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr.
  4. Writing exercise: What are the main arguments of King’s letter? What are some rhetorical devices King employs. How does King craft an effective argument? {{crossreference|(See. my [[August 21, 2023|notes on King’s letter.)}} On Packback, post a question about “Letter from Birmingham Jail”; post an analysis about a specific aspect of the essay (see the sample questions); post a reply to one of the questions by your classmates.

V. Writing for a Specific Audience

  1. Discuss the importance of knowing your audience when writing
    • Understanding the importance of identifying your audience
    • Analyzing your audience’s needs and expectations
    • Tailoring your writing to your audience
  2. Review the links under Rhetorical Questions, especially What is “audience”?
  3. Read and analyze “The Myth of the Latin Woman” by Judith Ortiz Cofer
  4. Writing exercise: To whom is Cofer writing in “The Myth of the Latin Woman”? Why is understanding audience important in analyzing stereotypes and diversity? What are Cofer’s criticisms of Western society, especially media and commodification? On Packback, post a question about “The Myth of the Latin Woman”; post an analysis about a specific aspect of the essay; post a reply to one of the questions by your classmates.

VI. Organizing Your Writing

  1. Discuss the importance of logical organization
  2. Review the links under Structural Questions
  3. Read and analyze: "Mother Tongue" by Amy Tan
  4. Writing Exercise: Analyze the structure of Tan’s “Mother Tongue.” What strategies does she use to organize her essay? How do they draw you into her narrative? On Packback, post a question about “Mother Tongue”; post an analysis about a specific aspect of the essay; post a reply to one of the questions by your classmates.

VII. Effective Use of Evidence

  1. Discuss the importance of using evidence in your writing
  2. Read and analyze: “A Case for Reparations” by Ta-Nehisi Coates
  3. Writing exercise: Analyze any aspect of Coates’ “A Case for Reparations.” What is his topic? His central arguments? Is his essay convincing? Why or why not? On Packback, post a question about “A Case for Reparations”; post an analysis about a specific aspect of the essay; post a reply to one of the questions by your classmates.

VIII. Research and Synthesis

  1. Introduce the basics of research and synthesis
  2. Read and analyze “A Few Words about Breasts” by Nora Ephron
  3. Writing exercise: What is the underlying critique in Ephron’s essay? The consequence of this issue is her bodily insecurity. Where do our notions of beauty come from? Research this topic by finding at least one scholarly source and see what insights it gives you into Ephron’s essay. On Packback, post a question about “A Few Words about Breasts”; post an analysis about a specific aspect of the essay; post a reply to one of the questions by your classmates. Be sure to cite the source you found in at least one of your posts.

IX. Reflection and Revision

  1. Discuss the importance of reflection and revision in the writing process
  2. Read and analyze “How to Do What You Love” by Paul Graham
  3. Writing exercise: On Packback, post a question about “How to Do What You Love”; post an analysis about a specific aspect of the essay; post a reply to one of the questions by your classmates.

X. Narrative and Storytelling

  1. Discuss the importance of narrative in writing
  2. Read the rest of the links under Stylistic Questions
  3. Read and analyze “The Fourth State of Matter” by Jo Ann Beard
  4. Writing exercise: On Packback, post a question about “The Fourth State of Matter”; post an analysis about a specific aspect of the essay; post a reply to one of the questions by your classmates.
Written: 2002, 2022; Revised: 08-24-2023; Version: Beta 0.7 💬
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