NOTES FROM CLASS 2/17/15
Yesterday, we discussed purpose, audience, and strategy in relation to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, trying to hone in on the literary choices he made in order to achieve certain effects. We also discussed the writing process, which often occurs in four stages:
1. Planning: everything from your initial ideas, annotations, and lists of possibilities to your outline.
2. Drafting: where you select the subject you want to write about and begin organizing and developing your ideas into a sustained piece of writing.
3. Revising: reexamining and reevaluating the choices you’ve made and embarking on macro (big picture) and micro (smaller and focused) revisions.
4. Editing: the final step, where you correct spelling, mechanics, and usage (in other words, carefully proofreading).
Remember, of course, that these stages don’t always occur in a linear sequence. Always keep in mind your purpose (what do you want to prove, and how will you prove it?), which should govern every part of your essay, and the specific audience you are writing for. Your strategies will come from deciding the best way to communicate your purpose to your audience. The first step? Read the assignment carefully!
HOMEWORK DUE THURSDAY, 2/19:
1. Read Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue” and post your reading response to OpenLab. You might want to review the Guidelines for Reading an Essay before you begin.
2. Work on Essay #1. Your first draft—which must be complete—will be due Tuesday, February 24th.
Comment with questions. See you tomorrow!
