ID 2050ID 2050Zen LecturesZen Lectures

Why ZEN?Why ZEN?

• Relates to Zen and the Art of …• You know quality innately• You have it inside you

THREE PARTSTHREE PARTS

1. Zen and Writing2. Zen and Visuals3. Zen and Presentations

Zen and WRITINGZen and WRITING

Quality in WritingQuality in Writing“Quality is a characteristic of thought and statement that is recognized by a nonthinking process. Because definitions are a product of rigid, formal thinking, quality cannot be defined.”

Robert M. PirsigZen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

pp. 184-185.

Storytelling and Storytelling and GenresGenres

• Writing is Serial Storytelling• The Proposal and IQP Genres• Typical Proposal Structure• Tools and Techniques

•Rhetorical Moves•Peer Editing

• Writing Resources•Book: The Call to Write•Book: Hacker•The Writing Center

ProposalProposal/IQP /IQP StructureStructure

• Executive Summary1. Introduction2. Background3. Methodology4. Results5. Analysis6. Conclusions7. Recommendations• Appendices

Recognizing Quality Recognizing Quality WritingWriting

Can you recognize quality writing if you see it?

Introduction SamplesIntroduction Samples

Moves on FavoriteMoves on Favorite

Intro: Rhetorical Intro: Rhetorical MovesMoves

1. Establish field or general topic/context2. Introduce specific problem or issue3. Specify scope of problem/issue by

summarizing previous research4. Identify research space5. Introduce present research

Move 1Move 1Establish field or general

topic/context

• What is the BIG PICTURE?• What larger societal issue is involved?• What is your IQP an example of? • What is happening in the world vis-à-vis

this topic?

Move 2Move 2Introduce specific problem or issue

• How does the larger issue manifest itself in the host country (or region or place)?

• How is your sponsor specifically affected by the big issue?

Move 3Move 3Specify scope of problem/issue

• What’s the status quo of the issue at the local/sponsor level?

• What are some of the facts/figures about the issue locally?

• What has been done about it?

Move 4Move 4Identify research space – the gap

• What has not been done yet?• How is what’s been done inadequate or

insufficient?

Move 5Move 5Introduce present research

• How is your project going to contribute to filling the gap?

• What specific contribution will you make? • How specifically are you going to make

such contribution (by doing what)?

Moves on Favorite?Moves on Favorite?

Writing Survey…Writing Survey…

Writing ExperienceWriting Experience• How many have completed the SUFFICIENCY?• How about a “lengthy” or “serious” writing project?• How long was the LONGEST writing ever? (100+, 50+, etc.)

Self AssessmentSelf Assessment• Raise your hand if you consider your writing…

1. Poor2. Mediocre3. Average4. Good5. Excellent

Worst SkillWorst SkillRaise your hand if you consider your WORST

writing skill to be…

1. Spelling2. Grammar3. Vocabulary4. Clarity5. All of the above

Opinion about WritingOpinion about WritingRaise your hand if you agree with the following:

1. Writing well is essential for success in life2. Writing can be learnt3. I would prefer not to have to do any writing

Common Writing MistakesCommon Writing Mistakes

For the next several questions, please determine if the sentences shown are correct or incorrect or select the correct word to fill in the blanks…

Its and It’sIts and It’sQ11) Boston shows [blank] best face during Spring

1. It’s2. Its

REMEMBER:

• It’s = IT IS (replace and see if it sounds right)

The Agency/TheyThe Agency/TheyQ12) The Boston Fire Department is worried about

the permits [blank] authorized in the past

1. It has2. They Have

REMEMBER:

• Agencies and organizations are SINGULAR nouns• See the verb?

Number/AmountNumber/AmountQ13) Boston’s C-Street is surrounded by a large [blank] of

abandoned industrial buildings

1. Number2. Amount

REMEMBER:

•Amount is used for UNCOUNTABLE items•If you can COUNT them, use NUMBER!

(Dangling) Impersonal Subjects(Dangling) Impersonal SubjectsQ14) Which of the two excerpts sounds (more) correct?

1. Thailand is plagued by high unemployment and poverty. This creates a serious social imbalance.

2. Thailand is plagued by high unemployment and poverty. These circumstances create a serious social imbalance.

REMEMBER:

• The subject of a sentence must be CLEAR!

Passive Voice/Personal PronounsPassive Voice/Personal PronounsQ15) Which of the following sentences sounds better to you?

1. A survey was chosen as the method to collect data2. We chose to collect data using a survey3. The team chose to collect data using a survey

REMEMBER:

• Passive voice is impersonal and awkward.

Telegraphic SentencesTelegraphic SentencesQ16) Which of the following sentences sounds better to you?

1. We surveyed the slum. The slum is home to 10,000 people. The people who live in the slum are generally poor

2. We surveyed the slum, which is home to 10,000 people, most of whom are poor

REMEMBER:

• Connect sentences to avoid needless repetitions and awkward rhythm

Word ChoicesWord ChoicesQ17) Which of the following sentences sounds better to you?

1. The data we got was really good for our project. 2. The data we obtained were extremely useful for our project.

REMEMBER:

• Refrain from “simplistic” words like get/got, good, etc.• Data is a plural noun

Gender NeutralityGender NeutralityQ18) Which of the following sentences sounds better to you?

1. We asked each homeowner if he would benefit from the new fire system.

2. We asked each homeowner if he or she would benefit from the new fire system.

3. We asked all homeowners if they would benefit from the new fire system.

REMEMBER:

• Refrain from gender-biased writing.• Use plural to avoid awkward he/she sentences

WritingWritingwww.wpi.eduwww.wpi.edu/+writing/+writing

•Help•Writing Tutors•Hacker + Trimbur•Peers

•Logistics•Drafts•Reviewing•Editing

•Evaluations