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Writing Projects
Thematic Contents
Preface
I: A RHETORIC FOR WRITERS
1. Thinking Rhetorically About Good Writing
Concept 1: Good Writing Can Vary from Closed to Open Forms
David Rockwood, "A Letter to the Editor"
Thomas Merton,"A Festival of Rain"
Distinctions between Closed and Open Forms of Writing
Where to Place Your Writing Along the Continuum
Concept 2: Good Writers Pose Questions about Their Subject Matter
Shared Problems Unite Writers and Readers
Posing Your Own Subject-Matter Questions
Brittany Tinker, "Can the World Sustain an American Standard of Living?"
Concept 3: Good Writers Write for a Purpose to an Audience within a Genre
How Writers Think about Purpose
How Writers Think about Audience
How Writers Think about Genre
Chapter Summary
Brief Writing Project 1: Posing a Good Subject-Matter Problem
Brief Writing Project 2: Understanding Rhetorical Context *
2. Thinking Rhetorically about Your Subject Matter
Concept 4: Professors Value "Wallowing in Complexity"
Learning to Wallow in Complexity
Seeing Each Academic Discipline as a Field of Inquiry and Argument
Concept 5: Good Writers Use Exploratory Strategies to Think Critically about Subject Matter Problems
Freewriting
Focused Freewriting
Idea Mapping
Dialectic Talk
Playing the Believing and Doubting Game
"Believing and Doubting Paul Theroux's Negative View of Sports"
Concept 6: A Strong Thesis Surprises Readers with Something New or Challenging
Trying to Change Your Reader's View of Your Subject
Giving Your Thesis Tension through "Surprising Reversal"
Concept 7: Thesis Statements in Closed-Form Prose Are Supported Hierarchically with Points and Particulars
How Points Convert Information to Meaning
How Removing Particulars Creates a Summary
How to Use Points and Particulars When You Revise
Chapter Summary
Brief Writing Project: Playing the Believing and Doubting Game
3. Thinking Rhetorically about How Messages Persuade
Concept 8: Messages Persuade through Their Angle of Vision
Recognizing the Angle of Vision in a Text
Analyzing Angle of Vision
Concept 9: Messages Persuade through Appeals to Logos, Ethos, and Pathos
Concept 10: Nonverbal Messages Persuade Through Visual Strategies That Can Be Analyzed Rhetorically
Visual Rhetoric
The Rhetoric of Clothing and Other Consumer Items
Chapter Summary
Brief Writing Project: Analyzing Angle of Vision in Two Passages about Nuclear Energy
4. Thinking Rhetorically about Style and Document Design
Concept 11: Good Writers Make Purposeful Stylistic Choices
Factors That Affect Style
Abstract Versus Concrete Words: Moving Up or Down the Scale of Abstraction
Wordy Versus Streamlined Sentences: Cutting Deadwood to Highlight Your Ideas
Coordination Versus Subordination: Using Sentence Structure to Control Emphasis
Inflated Voice Versus a Natural Speaking Voice: Creating a Persona
Concept 12: Good Writers Make Purposeful Document Design Choices
Using Type
Using Space and Laying Out Documents
Using Color
Using Graphics and Images
Examples of Different Document Designs
Chapter Summary
Brief Writing Project: Converting a Passage from Scientific to Popular Style
II: WRITING PROJECTS
Writing to Learn
5. Seeing Rhetorically: The Writer as Observer
Exploring Rhetorical Observation
Understanding Observational Writing
Why "Seeing" Isn't a Simple Matter
How to Analyze a Text Rhetorically
Writing Project: Descriptions of the Same Place and a Self-Reflection
Exploring Rationales and Details for Your Two Descriptions
Generating Details
Shaping and Drafting for Your Two Descriptions
Using Show Words Rather than Tell Words
Revising Your Two Descriptions
Generating and Exploring Ideas for Your Self-Reflection
Questions for Peer Review
Readings
Clash on the Congo: Two Eyewitness Accounts
Tamlyn Rogers (student), "Two Descriptions of the Same Classroom and a Self-Reflection" *
6. Reading Rhetorically: The Writer as Strong Reader
Exploring Rhetorical Reading
Andres Martin, "On Teenagers and Tattoos"
Understanding Rhetorical Reading
What Makes College-Level Reading Difficult?
Using the Reading Strategies of Experts
Reading with the Grain and Against the Grain
Understanding Summary Writing
Sean Barry (student), "Summary of Martin's Article"
Understanding Strong Response Writing
Strong Response as Rhetorical Critique*
Strong Response as Ideas Critique*
Strong Response as Reflection*
Strong Response as a Blend*
Sean Barry (student), "Why Do Teenagers Get Tattoos? A Response to Andres Martin"
Writing a Summary/Strong Response of a Visual-Verbal Text
Writing Project: A Summary
Generating Ideas: Reading for Structure and Content
Drafting and Revising
Questions for Peer Review
Writing Project: A Summary/Strong Response Essay
Exploring Ideas for Your Strong Response
Writing a Thesis for a Strong Response Essay
Shaping and Drafting
Revising
Questions for Peer Review
Readings
Thomas L. Friedman, "30 Little Turtles" *
Stephanie Malinowski (student), "Questioning Thomas L. Friedman's Optimism in '30 Little Turtles'" *
David Horsey, "Today's Economic Indicator" (editorial cartoon)*
Mike Lane, "Labor Day Blues" (editorial cartoon)*
Froma Harrop, "New Threat to Skilled U.S. Workers" *
Writing to Explore
7. Writing an Autobiographical Narrative
Exploring Autobiographical Narrative
Understanding Autobiographical Writing
Autobiographical Tension: The Opposition of Contraries
How Literary Elements Work in Autobiographical Narratives
Writing Project: Autobiographical Narrative
Generating and Exploring Ideas
Shaping and Drafting Your Narrative
Revising
Questions for Peer Review
Writing Project: Literacy Narrative*
What Is a Literacy Narrative?
Typical Features of a Literacy Narrative
Generating and Exploring Ideas
Shaping and Drafting Your Literacy Narrative
Revising
Questions for Peer Review
Readings
Kris Saknussemm, "Phantom Limb Pain"
Patrick Jose (student), "No Cats in America?"
Anonymous (student), "Masks"
Jennifer Ching (student), "Once Upon a Time" *
8. Writing an Exploratory Essay or Annotated Bibliography
Exploring Exploratory Writing
Understanding Exploratory Writing
Writing Project: An Exploratory Essay
Generating and Exploring Ideas
Taking "Double Entry" Research Notes
Shaping and Drafting
Revising
Questions for Peer Review
Writing Project: An Annotated Bibliography*
What Is an Annotated Bibliography?
Features of Annotated Bibliography Entries
Examples of Annotation Entries
Writing a Critical Preface for Your Annotated Bibliography
Shaping, Drafting, and Revising
Questions for Peer Review
Readings
James Gardiner (student), "How Do Online Social Networks Affect Communication?" *
James Gardiner (student), "The Effect of Online Social Networks on Communication Skills? An Annotated Bibliography" *
Jane Tompkins, "'Indians': Textualism, Morality, and the Problem of History" *
Writing to Inform
9. Writing an Informative Essay or Report
Exploring Informative (and Surprising) Writing
EnchantedLearning.com, "Tarantulas"
Rod Crawford, "Myths about `Dangerous' Spiders"
Understanding Informative Writing
Need-to-Know Informative Prose*
Informative Reports
Informative Magazine Articles
Writing Project: A Set of Instructions*
Generating and Exploring Ideas
Shaping and Drafting
Revising
Questions for Peer Review
Writing Project: Informative Workplace Report*
Generating and Exploring Ideas
Shaping and Drafting
Revising
Questions for Peer Review
Writing Project: Informative Magazine Article
Generating and Exploring Ideas
Shaping, Drafting, and Revising
Questions for Peer Review
Readings
Kerry Norton, "Winery Yeast Preparation Instructions" *
Pew Research Center, "Muslim Americans: Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream" *
Kerri Ann Matsumoto (student), "How Much Does It Cost to Go Organic?"
Cheryl Carp (student), "Behind Stone Walls"
Shannon King (student), "How Clean and Green are Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Cars?"
Eugene Robinson, "You Have the Right to Remain a Target of Racial Profiling" *
Writing to Analyze and Synthesize
10. Analyzing Field Research Data
Exploring the Analysis of Field Research Data
Understanding the Analysis of Field Research Data
The Structure of an Empirical Research Report
How Readers Typically Read a Research Report
Posing Your Research Question
Collecting Data Through Observation, Interviews, or Questionnaires
Reporting Your Results in Text, Tables, and Graphs
Analyzing Your Results
Following Ethical Standards
Writing Project: An Empirical Research Report
Generating Ideas for Your Empirical Research Report
Designing Your Empirical Study and Drafting the Introduction and Method Sections
Doing the Research and Writing the Rest of the Report
Revising Your Report
Questions for Peer Review
Writing in Teams
Writing Project: A Scientific Poster*
What Is a Scientific Poster?
Content of a Poster
Features of an Effective Poster
Designing, Creating, and Revising Your Poster
Questions for Peer Review
Readings
Gina Escamilla, Angie L. Cradock, and Ichiro Kawachi, "Women and Smoking in Hollywood Movies: A Content Analysis"
Lauren Campbell, Charlie Bourain, and Tyler Nishida (students), "A Comparison of Gender Stereotypes in Spongebob Squarepants and a 1930's Mickey Mouse
Cartoon" (APA-Style Research Paper)*
Lauren Campbell, Charlie Bourain, and Tyler Nishida (students), "Spongebob Squarepants Has Fewer Gender Stereotypes than Mickey Mouse" (scientific poster)*
11. Analyzing Images
Exploring Image Analysis*
Understanding Image Analysis
How Images Create a Rhetorical Effect
How to Analyze an Advertisement
How Advertisers Target Specific Audiences
Sample Analysis of an Advertisement
Cultural Perspectives on Advertisements
Writing Project: Analysis of Two Visual Texts*
Exploring and Generating Ideas for Your Analysis
Shaping and Drafting Your Analysis
Revising
Questions for Peer Review
Readings
Paul Messaris, Excerpt from Visual Persuasion
Stephen Bean (student), How Cigarette Advertisers Address the Stigma Against Smoking
12. Analyzing a Short Story
Exploring Literary Analysis
Evelyn Dahl Reed, "The Medicine Man"
Understanding Literary Analysis
The Truth of Literary Events
Writing (About) Literature
Writing Project: An Analysis of a Short Story
Reading the Story and Using Reading Logs
Generating and Exploring Ideas
Shaping, Drafting, and Revising
Questions for Peer Review
Readings
Alice Walker, "Everyday Use (For Your Grandmama)"
Sherman Alexie, "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven" *
Betsy Weiler (student), "Who Do You Want to Be? Finding Heritage in Walker's 'Everyday Use'"
13. Analyzing and Synthesizing Ideas
Exploring the Analysis and Synthesis of Ideas
Nikki Swartz, "Mobile Phone Tracking Scrutinized" *
Terry J. Allen, "Reach Out and Track Someone" *
Understanding Analysis and Synthesis
Posing a Synthesis Question
Synthesis Writing as an Extension of Summary/Strong Response*
Student Example of a Synthesis Essay
Kate MacAuley (student), "Technology's Peril and Potential"
Writing Project: A Synthesis Essay
Ideas for Synthesis Questions and Readings
Using Learning Logs
Exploring Your Texts Through Summary Writing
Exploring Your Texts' Rhetorical Strategies
Exploring Main Themes and Similarities and Differences in Your Texts' Ideas
Generating Ideas of Your Own
Taking Your Position in the Conversation: Your Synthesis
Shaping and Drafting
Writing a Thesis for a Synthesis Essay
Organizing a Synthesis Essay
Revising
Questions for Peer Review
Readings
Dee, "Comprehensive Immigration Reform: PROs and ANTIs" *
Shirah, "The Real-and Unspoken-Immigration Issue" *
Byron Williams, "Immigration Frenzy Points Out Need for Policy Debate" *
Victor Davis Hanson, "The Global Immigration Problem" *
Mike Crapo, "Immigration Policy Must Help Economy While Preserving Ideals" *
Trapper John, "The Progressive Case Against the Immigration Bill" *
Writing to Persuade
14. Writing a Classical Argument
Exploring Classical Argument
Understanding Classical Argument
Stages of Development: Your Growth as an Arguer
Creating an Argument Frame: A Claim with Reasons
Articulating Reasons
Articulating Unstated Assumptions
Using Evidence Effectively
Evaluating Evidence: The STAR Criteria*
Addressing Objections and Counterarguments
Responding to Objections, Counterarguments, and Alternative Views
Appealing to Ethos and Pathos
A Brief Primer on Informal Fallacies
Writing Project: A Classical Argument
Generating and Exploring Ideas
Shaping and Drafting
Revising
Questions for Peer Review
Readings
Ross Taylor (student), "Paintball: Promoter of Violence or Healthy Fun?"
William Sweet, "Why Uranium Is the New Green" *
Stan Eales, "Welcome to Sellafield" (editorial cartoon)*
Los AngelesTimes, "No Nukes" *
Leonard Pitts, Jr., "Spare the Rod, Spoil the Parenting"
A. J. Chavez, "The Case for (Gay) Marriage"
15. Making an Evaluation
Exploring Evaluative Writing*
Understanding Evaluation Arguments
The Criteria-Match Process
The Role of Purpose and Context in Determining Criteria
Other Considerations in Establishing Criteria
Using a Planning Schema to Develop Evaluation Arguments
Conducting an Evaluation Argument: Evaluating a Museum
Writing Project: An Evaluation Argument
Generating and Exploring Ideas
Shaping and Drafting
Revising
Questions for Peer Review
Readings
Jackie Wyngaard (student), "EMP: Music History or Music Trivia?"
Diane Helman and Phyllis Bookspan, "Sesame Street: Brought to You by the Letters M-A-L-E"
Teresa Filice (student), "Parents, The Anti-Drug: A Useful Site" *
16. Proposing a Solution
Exploring Proposal Writing
Understanding Proposal Writing
Special Demands of Proposal Arguments
Developing an Effective Justification Section
Proposals as Visual Arguments and PowerPoint Presentations*
Writing Project: A Proposal Argument
Generating and Exploring Ideas
Shaping and Drafting
Revising
Questions for Peer Review
Writing Project: Advocacy Ad or Poster
Using Document Design Features
Exploring and Generating Ideas
Shaping and Drafting
Revising
Questions for Peer Review
Writing Project: Proposal Speech with Visual Aids*
Developing, Shaping, and Outlining Your Proposal Speech
Designing Your Visual Aids
Delivering Your Speech
Revising
Questions for Peer Review
Readings
Jane Kester (student), "Visual Aids for a Proposal to Reduce High-Risk Drinking Through Student Awareness Workshops" *
Rebekah Taylor (student), "A Proposal to Provide Cruelty-Free Products on Campus"
Jennifer Allen, "The Athlete on the Sidelines"
Dylan Fujitani (student), "'The Hardest of the Hardcore': Let's Outlaw Hired Guns"
III: A GUIDE TO COMPOSING AND REVISING
17. Writing as a Problem-Solving Process
Skill 1: Understand Why Expert Writers Use Multiple Drafts
Why Expert Writers Revise So Extensively
An Expert's Writing Processes Are Recursive
Skill 2: Revise Globally as Well as Locally
Skill 3: Develop Ten Expert Habits to Improve Your Writing Processes
Skill 4: Use Peer Reviews to Help You Think Like an Expert
Become a Helpful Reader of Classmates' Drafts
Use a Generic Peer Review Guide
Participate in Peer Review Workshops
Respond to Peer Reviews
Chapter Summary
18. Composing and Revising Closed-Form Prose
Skill 5: Understand Reader Expectations
Unity and Coherence
Old before New
Forecasting and Fulfillment
Skill 6: Convert Loose Structures into Thesis/Support Structures
And Then Writing, or Chronological Structure
All About Writing, or Encyclopedic Structure
Engfish Writing, or Structure without Surprise
Skill 7: Plan and Visualize Your Structure
Use Scratch Outlines Early in the Writing Process
Before Making a Detailed Outline, "Nutshell" Your Argument
Articulate a Working Thesis and Main Points
Sketch Your Structure Using an Outline, Tree Diagram, or Flowchart
Let the Structure Evolve
Skill 8: Create Effective Titles
Skill 9: Create Effective Introductions
What Not to Do: The "Funnel" Introduction
From Old to New: The General Principle of Closed-Form Introductions
Typical Elements of a Closed-Form Introduction
Forecast the Whole with a Thesis Statement, Purpose Statement, or Blueprint Statement
Skill 10: Create Effective Topic Sentences for Paragraphs
Place Topic Sentences at the Beginning of Paragraphs
Revise Paragraphs for Unity
Add Particulars to Support Points
Skill 11: Guide Your Reader with Transitions and Other Signposts
Use Common Transition Words to Signal Relationships
Write Major Transitions between Parts
Signal Transitions with Headings and Subheadings
Skill 12: Bind Sentences Together by Placing Old Information Before New Information
The Old/New Contract in Sentences
How to Make Links to the "Old"
Avoid Ambiguous Use of "This" to Fulfill the Old/New Contract
How the Old/New Contract Modifies the Rule "Avoid Weak Repetition"
How the Old/New Contract Modifies the Rule "Prefer Active over Passive Voice"
Skill 13: Use Four Expert Moves for Organizing and Developing Ideas
The For Example Move
The Summary/However Move
The Division-into-Parallel Parts Move
The Comparison/Contrast Move
Skill 14: Write Effective Conclusions
19. Composing and Revising Open-Form Prose
Skill 15: Make Your Narrative a Story, not an And Then Chronology
Patrick Klein (student), "Berkeley Blues"
Depiction of Events Through Time
Connectedness
Tension or Conflict
Resolution, Recognition, or Retrospective Interpretation
Skill 16: Write Low on the Ladder of Abstraction
Concrete Words Evoke Images and Sensations
Use Revelatory Words and Memory-Soaked Words
Skill 17: Disrupt Your Reader's Desire for Direction and Clarity
Disrupt Predictions and Make Odd Juxtapositions
Leave Gaps
Skill 18: Tap the Power of Figurative Language
Skill 19: Expand Your Repertoire of Styles
Skill 20: Use Open-Form Elements to Create "Voice" in Closed-Form Prose
Introduce Some Humor
Use Techniques from Popular Magazines
Reading
Annie Dillard, "Living Like Weasels"
IV: A RHETORICAL GUIDE TO RESEARCH
20. Asking Questions, Finding Sources
An Overview of Research Writing
Skill 21: Argue Your Own Thesis in Response to a Research Question
Formulating a Research Question
Establishing Your Role as a Researcher
A Case Study: James Gardiner's Research on Online Social Networks*
Skill 22: Understand Differences Among Kinds of Sources
Looking at Sources Rhetorically
Skill 23: Use Purposeful Strategies for Searching Libraries, Databases, and Web Sites
Checking Your Library's Homepage
Finding Books: Searching Your Library's Online Catalog
Finding Print Articles: Searching a Licensed Database
Finding Cyberspace Sources: Searching the World Wide Web
21. Evaluating Sources
Skill 24: Read Sources Rhetorically and Take Purposeful Notes
Read with Your Own Goals in Mind
Read Your Sources Rhetorically
Take Purposeful Notes
Skill 25: Evaluate Sources for Reliability, Credibility, Angle of Vision, and Degree of Advocacy
Reliability
Credibility
Angle of Vision and Political Stance
Degree of Advocacy
Skill 26: Use Your Rhetorical Knowledge to Evaluate Web Sources
The Web as a Unique Rhetorical Environment
Criteria for Evaluating a Web Source
Analyzing Your Own Purposes for Using a Web Source
22. Incorporating Sources Into Your Own Writing
Roger D. McGrath, "The Myth of Violence in the Old West"
Skill 27: Keep Your Focus on Your Own Argument
Writer 1: An Analytical Paper on Causes of Violence in Contemporary Society
Writer 2: A Persuasive Paper Supporting Gun Control
Writer 3: An Informative Paper Showing Shifting Definitions of Crime
Skill 28: Know When and How to Use Summary, Paraphrase, Quotation, and Attributive Tags
Effective Use of Summary, Paraphrase, or Quotation
Creating Rhetorically Effective Attributive Tags
Skill 29: Understand the Mechanics of Quoting
Quoting a Complete Sentence Introduced by an Attributive Tag
Inserting Quoted Words and Phrases into Your Own Sentences
Using Brackets to Modify a Quotation
Using Ellipses to Indicate Omissions from a Quotation
Using Single and Double Quotation Marks for a Quotation Within a Quotation
Using Block Indentation for Quotations More Than Four Lines Long
Skill 30: Understand and Avoid Plagiarism
23. Citing and Documenting Sources
Skill 31: Understand How Parenthetical Citations Work
Connect the Body of the Paper to the Bibliography with Citations
Citation Problems with Database and Web Sources
Skill 32: Cite and Document Sources Using MLA Style
Cite from an Indirect Source
Cite Page Numbers for Downloaded Material
Document Sources in a "Works Cited" List
MLA Citation Models
James Gardiner (student), "Why Facebook Might Not Be Good For You" (MLA-Style Research Paper)
Skill 33: Cite and Document Sources Using APA Style
APA Formatting for In-Text Citations
Cite from an Indirect Source
Document Sources in a "References" List
APA Citation Models
Student Example of an APA-Style Paper
V: WRITING FOR ASSESSMENT
24. Essay Examinations: Writing Well Under Pressure
How Essay Exams Differ from Other Essays
Preparing for an Exam: Learning Subject Matter
Identifying and Learning Main Ideas
Applying Your Knowledge
Making a Study Plan
Analyzing Exam Questions
Understanding the Use of Outside Quotations
Recognizing Organizational Cues
Interpreting Key Terms
Dealing with the Limits of the Test Situation
Producing an "A" Response
Chapter Summary
25. Assembling a Portfolio and Writing a Reflective Essay
Understanding Portfolios
Collecting Work for Paper and Electronic Portfolios
Selecting Work for Your Portfolio
Understanding Reflective Writing
Why Is Reflective Writing Important?
Reflective Writing Assignments
Single Reflection Assignments
Guidelines for Writing a Single Reflection
Comprehensive Reflection Assignments
Guidelines for Writing a Comprehensive Reflection
Guidelines for Writing a Comprehensive Reflective Letter
Readings
Jaime Finger (student), "A Single Reflection on an Exploratory Essay"
Bruce Urbanik (student), "A Comprehensive Reflective Letter"
VI. A GUIDE TO EDITING
Handbook 1. Improving Your Editing Skills
Why Editing Is Important
Overview of This Guide to Editing
Improving Your Editing and Proofreading Processes
Microtheme Projects on Editing
Handbook 2. Understanding Sentence Structure
The Concept of the Sentence
Basic Sentence Patterns
Parts of Speech
Types of Phrases
Types of Clauses
Types of Sentences
Handbook 3. Punctuating Boundaries of Sentences, Clauses, and Phrases
Why Readers Need Punctuation
Rules for Punctuating Clauses and Phrases Within a Sentence
Identifying and Correcting Sentence Fragments
Identifying and Correcting Run-Ons and Comma Splices
Overview of Methods for Joining Clauses
Handbook 4. Editing for Standard English Usage
Fixing Grammatical Tangles
Maintaining Consistency
Maintaining Agreement
Maintaining Parallel Structure
Avoiding Dangling or Misplaced Modifiers
Choosing Correct Pronoun Cases
Choosing Correct Verb Forms
Choosing Correct Adjective and Adverb Forms
Handbook 5. Editing for Style
Pruning Your Prose
Enlivening Your Prose
Avoiding Broad or Unclear Pronoun Reference
Putting Old Information Before New Information
Deciding Between Active and Passive Voice
Using Inclusive Language
Handbook 6. Editing for Punctuation and Mechanics
Periods, Question Marks, and Exclamation Points
Commas
Semicolons
Colons, Dashes, and Parentheses
Apostrophes
Quotation Marks
Underlining (Italics)
Brackets, Ellipses, and Slashes
Capital Letters
Numbers
Abbreviations
Manuscript Form
A Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism
Acknowledgments
Index