07 - English Writing
Transcript of 07 - English Writing
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International MilitaryStudent Preparatory
Course
P910
English Writing
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Practical Exercise
For the next 15 minutes, write a
description, in English, of what
you did in class yesterday.
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Why This Process & Format?
Students will be able to express
their ideas clearly
Students will be able to satisfy
the writing requirements of their
courses at CGSC
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Class Time
Today
Learn the process
Small group practice
Short homework assignment
Tomorrow: Composition during class
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What You Will Learn
Use a process for composing
Follow a format for essays Avoid certain structure errors
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What is the Writing Process?
Understand the assignment
Gather information
Generate ideas
Establish a purpose
Compose a thesis statement
Make a plan Draft the composition
Check and revise the composition
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What is My Assignment?
What is the subject?
How long should the paper be?
When is the paper due?
Do I have to do research?
Do I have to work alone or with others?
What format do I have to use?
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How Can I Find Relevant Information?
Library Internet
Interviews
Personal experience
Newspapers
Magazines
Lectures
Discussions
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How Can I Get Ideas?
Brainstorming
Freewriting
Listing Mapping
Drawing
Talking and listening
Journal writing
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How Can I Choose A Purpose?
Think about your assignment, your
skills, your interests, your knowledge
Look for relationships among your
ideas and information
Ask yourself:
What do I want to achieve?
What do I want to show?
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How Can I Write a Good Thesis
Statement? (1 of 2)
A thesis must be:
Clear a complete sentence
Specific not too general
Supportable with evidence
Strong not doubtful
Coherent does not mix differenttopics
Originalincludes the authors own
ideas
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How Can I Write a Good Thesis
Statement? (2 of 2)
What do you believe about thetopic?
What is your original idea?
Are you well informed?
Can you support your view with
evidence and logic?
Knowledge + Reflection = your
own supportable view
Thesis: A proposition that is maintained by argument
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What is NOT a Good
Thesis Statement?
Avoid:
Questions
Judgments
Feelings
Facts
Other peoples views
Religious views
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What is the Format of an Essay?
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
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What Is An Introduction?
The Beginning
Attention-getting
Presents the thesis Predicts the body
One paragraph
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What Is A Body?
The middle
Several paragraphs, each with:
Topic sentence (main idea of
paragraph) with supporting pointsthat explain the main idea using
facts, examples, and descriptions
Explanation & proof of the Thesis
Clear, thorough reasoning
Ideas in logical order
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What Is A Conclusion?
The Ending
One paragraph
Restate the thesis, or . . .
Summarize the main points
Concise, clear, reinforcement
Avoid anything new
Close smoothly, positively
Make the reader remember
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How Can I Organize my Ideas into a
Plan?
Identify relationships amongyour ideas and information:
General/Specific
Cause/Effect
Similarities/Differences
Categories/Classifications
Processes/Chronologies
Problems/Solutions
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How Can I Organize my Ideas into a
Plan?
Rewrite your ideas in logical ordermake an outline:
I. Introduction with Thesis
II. Body
A. Main Point (general)
1. Supporting Point (specific)
2. Supporting Point (specific)B. Main Point, etc.
III. Conclusion
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How Can I Check my Outline?
Do I have enough support?
Is my support balanced?
Does every point support my thesis?
Are my ideas in logical order?
Did I consider opposing views?
Did I analyze the topic enough?
Does my reasoning and my evidence
prove my point?
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How Do I Write a Good Draft?
Focus
Remember your purpose
Write your thesis statement at the top
Follow your outline
Compose your draft quickly do not
worry about grammar . . . yet
Write the Body first, the Introduction
second, and the Conclusion last
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How Do I Check & Revise?
Sleep on it wait 24 hours if you can
Imagine you are the instructor then
read your draft
First, check for a clear thesis, good
reasoning and support, logical order
Second, check for mechanics
Third, check for style
Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite
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But English is not my Native
Language!!!
Avoid translating word for word
Write the first draft quickly
Check mechanics later (spelling,
grammar, vocabulary), then rewrite
Compose on the computer
Be concise, be direct Perfection is NOT required
Ask for help, but do your own work!
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Can I Really be a Good Writer?
Good writers follow a good process
Good writers check and rewrite
Good writers imagine the readers
point of view
Good writers think, think, think
Good writers use computers
Good writers avoid plagiarism
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The Ownership of Words & Ideas
Be careful . . .
You can borrow but you cannot steal
Plagiarism is an academic crimetheft of words or ideas
Always identify the words or ideas of
another person or source
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A Few Dos and Donts About
Structure
DO
Use transitions
Use active verbs
Dont
Use jargon
Use very long sentences
Use many passive verbs
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In Conclusion: The Process
Understand the assignment
Gather information
Generate ideas
Establish a purpose
Compose a thesis statement
Make a plan
Draft the composition
Check and revise the composition
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The Parts Of An Essay
Introduction
Presents the thesis
Predicts the body Body: Supports the thesis with
reasoning and information
Conclusion: Restates the thesis
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Any questions?
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Homework
In your own opinion:
What is a good leader?
Describe a good leader -- giveexamples
In your early military career, what are
some lessons you learned, and how
did you learn them?