Writing is a crucial skill that transcends mere grammar proficiency; it’s about conveying your ideas effectively, and conduct.edu.vn is here to guide you. Mastering the art of writing encompasses various genres, understanding your audience, and employing style and design to enhance your message. Delve into effective writing strategies, communication skills, and composition techniques with us.
1. Academic Goals and Expectations in Writing
Many students approach academic writing with trepidation, fearing grammatical errors above all else. However, successful writing extends far beyond perfect grammar. It encompasses clear communication, critical thinking, and effective organization of ideas. Academic success depends on mastering the communication process.
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Know That Writing is More Than Avoiding Grammar Errors: While grammar is important, it’s only one component of effective writing. Focus on conveying your ideas clearly and persuasively.
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Don’t Make Writing Harder Than It Is: Break down writing tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Start with brainstorming and outlining, then focus on drafting, revising, and editing.
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Take Advantage of Your Instructor’s Office Hours: Your instructors are valuable resources. Use their office hours to ask questions, discuss your ideas, and get feedback on your writing.
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Use the Writing Center: Writing centers offer free tutoring and resources to help students improve their writing skills.
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Think of Writing as a Process: Writing is not a one-step activity. It involves planning, drafting, revising, and editing. Allow sufficient time for each stage of the process.
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Think of Yourself as a Writer: Believe in your ability to improve your writing skills. Practice regularly and seek feedback to hone your craft.
2. Defining Genres and Purposes in Writing
Genres are established categories of writing that share common conventions and purposes. Understanding genres can help you tailor your writing to specific situations and audiences.
- Appreciate What Genres Are: Genres provide frameworks for communication. They offer guidelines for structure, style, and content.
- Understand Why Writers Rely on Genres: Genres help writers meet audience expectations and achieve specific communication goals.
- Using Genres to Meet Assignments: Identify the genre required for each assignment and tailor your writing accordingly.
- Understand Subgenres: Recognize that genres often have subgenres with specific conventions.
3. Imagining Audiences
Understanding your audience is crucial for effective communication. Consider their knowledge, interests, and expectations when crafting your message.
- Consider What Your Audiences Expect: Think about what your audience already knows and what they expect to learn from your writing.
- Consider Who Else Your Readers Might Be: Anticipate the possibility that your writing may reach unintended audiences.
- Make Adjustments for Your Readers: Tailor your language, tone, and content to suit your specific audience.
- Define Who Your Readers Should Be: Clearly identify your target audience to guide your writing choices.
4. Understanding Style and Design
Style and design are essential elements of effective writing. They contribute to clarity, readability, and overall impact.
- Appreciate the Choices You Have: Recognize that you have many stylistic and design choices to make when writing.
- Strive for Clarity in Academic Writing: Prioritize clear and concise language in academic writing.
- Use Language That Respects Audiences: Avoid language that is offensive, discriminatory, or insensitive.
- Appreciate That Design is Part of Style: Consider the visual elements of your writing, such as typography, layout, and images.
5. Narratives
Narratives tell stories. In academic writing, narratives can be used to illustrate points, engage readers, and provide personal perspectives.
- Defining the Genre: Narratives typically have a plot, characters, setting, and theme.
- Make a Point – Usually: Every narrative should have a purpose or message.
- Tell a Story: Use vivid language and engaging details to bring your story to life.
- Offer Details: Provide specific details about people, places, and events.
- Focus on People: Center your narrative around the experiences and perspectives of individuals.
Claiming a Topic
- Brainstorm: Generate a list of potential topics for your narrative.
- Choose a Manageable Subject: Select a topic that is focused and specific.
- Choose a Consequential Subject: Choose a topic that has personal significance or broader implications.
- Choose a Puzzling Subject: Consider exploring a topic that raises questions or challenges assumptions.
Imagining Your Audience
- Gathering Materials: Collect relevant information and details to support your narrative.
- Talk to the People Involved: Interview individuals who have direct experience with your topic.
- Trust Your Experiences: Draw on your own personal experiences and insights.
- Consult Personal Documents: Review letters, journals, and other personal documents for relevant information.
Organizing Ideas
- Consider a Conventional Structure: Follow a traditional narrative structure, such as exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
- Build Toward a Climax: Create suspense and anticipation leading up to the most important moment in your story.
- Give Your Readers Directions: Use clear transitions and signposts to guide your readers through the narrative.
- Use Headings and Transitions: Employ headings and transitions to organize your ideas and create a cohesive narrative.
Choosing a Style and Design
- Don’t Hesitate to Use First Person: Use “I” to share your personal experiences and perspectives.
- Use Figures of Speech: Employ similes, metaphors, and analogies to create vivid and memorable comparisons.
- In Choosing Verbs, Favor Active Rather Than Passive Voice: Use active voice to make your writing more direct and engaging.
- Keep the Language Simple: Avoid jargon and complex sentence structures.
6. Reports
Reports present information in a clear, objective, and organized manner. They are commonly used in academic and professional settings.
- Defining the Genre: Reports typically present facts, data, and analysis.
- Present Information: The primary purpose of a report is to convey information.
- Find Reliable Sources: Use credible and trustworthy sources to support your information.
- Aim for Objectivity: Strive to present information in a neutral and unbiased manner.
- Present Information Clearly: Use clear and concise language to convey your information effectively.
Claiming a Topic
- Answer Questions: Address specific questions or issues related to your topic.
- Review What Is Already Known About a Subject: Summarize existing knowledge and research on your topic.
- Report New Knowledge: Present new findings or insights related to your topic.
Imagining Your Audience
- Suppose You Are the Expert: Write with authority and confidence, assuming your audience is seeking your expertise.
- Suppose You Are the Novice: Explain complex concepts in a clear and accessible manner for readers who are new to the topic.
- Suppose You Are the Peer: Address your audience as fellow experts or colleagues.
Gathering Materials
- Base Reports on the Best Available Sources: Use the most credible and up-to-date sources.
- Base Reports on Diverse Sources: Consult a variety of sources to provide a comprehensive perspective.
- Fact-Check Your Report: Verify all information to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Organizing Ideas
- Organize by Date, Time, or Sequence: Present information chronologically.
- Organize by Magnitude or Order of Importance: Present information from most to least important.
- Organize by Division: Divide your topic into subtopics or categories.
- Organize by Classification: Group similar items or concepts together.
- Organize by Position, Location, or Space: Present information based on physical location.
- Organize by Definition: Define key terms and concepts.
- Organize by Comparison/Contrast: Highlight similarities and differences between items or concepts.
- Organize by Thesis Statement: Present a central argument and support it with evidence.
Choosing Style and Design
- Present the Facts Cleanly: Prioritize clear and concise presentation of information.
- Keep Out of It: Avoid personal opinions or biases.
- Avoid Connotative Language: Use neutral and objective language.
- Pay Attention to Elements of Design: Use visuals, headings, and formatting to enhance readability.
7. Explanations
Explanations aim to clarify complex topics or processes by providing clear and logical information.
- Defining the Genre: Explanations break down complex subjects into understandable parts.
- Don’t Jump to Conclusions: Present information objectively and avoid making unsupported claims.
- Appreciate Your Limits: Acknowledge the limitations of your knowledge and expertise.
- Offer Sufficient Evidence for Claims: Support your explanations with credible evidence.
Claiming a Topic
- Look Again at a Subject You Know Well: Offer a fresh perspective on a familiar topic.
- Look for an Issue New to You: Explore a new and emerging topic.
- Examine a Local Issue: Investigate a topic that is relevant to your community.
- Choose a Challenging Subject: Tackle a complex and thought-provoking topic.
- Tackle an Issue That Seems Settled: Challenge conventional wisdom on a seemingly resolved issue.
Imagining Your Audience
- Create an Audience: Define your target audience and tailor your explanation to their level of understanding.
- Write to an Existing Audience: Address a specific group of people with shared interests or knowledge.
Gathering Materials
- Understand Necessary Causes: Identify the essential conditions that must be present for a particular outcome.
- Understand Sufficient Causes: Identify the conditions that are enough to guarantee a particular outcome.
- Understand Precipitating Causes: Identify the events that trigger a particular outcome.
- Understand Proximate Causes: Identify the immediate causes of a particular outcome.
- Understand Remote Causes: Identify the underlying or long-term causes of a particular outcome.
- Understand Reciprocal Causes: Recognize that causes and effects can influence each other.
Organizing Ideas
- Explain Why Something Happened: Describe the causes or reasons behind a particular event or phenomenon.
- Explain the Consequences of a Phenomenon: Describe the effects or outcomes of a particular event or phenomenon.
- Suggest an Alternative Explanation: Offer a different interpretation or perspective on a particular event or phenomenon.
- Explain a Chain of Causes: Describe a sequence of events in which one event leads to another.
Choosing Style and Design
- Consider a Middle Style: Use a balance between formal and informal language.
- Use Appropriate Supporting Media: Incorporate visuals, diagrams, and other media to enhance understanding.
8. Arguments
Arguments aim to persuade readers to accept a particular point of view or take a specific action.
- Defining the Genre: Arguments present claims supported by evidence and reasoning.
- Offer Levelheaded and Disputable Claims: Make claims that are reasonable and open to debate.
- Offer Good Reasons to Support a Claim: Provide strong evidence to support your claims.
- Understand Opposing Claims and Points of View: Acknowledge and address counterarguments.
- Frame Arguments Powerfully: Craft your arguments in a compelling and persuasive manner.
Claiming a Topic
- State a Preliminary Claim, If Only for Yourself: Formulate a working thesis statement to guide your argument.
- Qualify Your Claim to Make It Reasonable: Acknowledge the limitations of your claim and make concessions where appropriate.
- Examine Your Core Assumptions: Identify and question your underlying beliefs and values.
Imagining Your Audience
- Consider and Control Your Ethos: Establish your credibility and trustworthiness as a writer.
- Consider Self-Imposed Limits: Recognize the constraints of your knowledge, expertise, and audience.
- Consider the Worlds of Your Readers: Understand your audience’s values, beliefs, and perspectives.
Gathering Materials
- List Your Reasons: Identify the key reasons why your audience should accept your claim.
- Assemble Your Hard Evidence: Gather facts, data, and other evidence to support your reasons.
- Cull the Best Quotations: Select impactful and relevant quotations from credible sources.
- Find Counterarguments: Identify potential objections to your argument.
- Consider Emotional Appeals: Use emotional appeals to connect with your audience on a personal level.
Organizing Ideas
- Make a Point or Build Toward One: Present a clear and focused argument.
- Spell Out What’s at Stake: Explain the importance and implications of your argument.
- Address Counterpoints When Necessary: Acknowledge and refute opposing arguments.
- Save Your Best Arguments for the End: Conclude with your strongest and most persuasive points.
Choosing Style and Design
- Invite Readers With a Strong Opening: Capture your audience’s attention with an engaging introduction.
- Write Vibrant Sentences: Use vivid language and imagery to make your writing more compelling.
- Ask Rhetorical Questions: Engage your audience by posing questions that stimulate thought.
- Use Images and Design to Make a Point: Incorporate visuals and design elements to enhance your argument.
9. Evaluations
Evaluations assess the value or worth of a particular subject based on specific criteria.
- Defining the Genre: Evaluations provide judgments based on established standards.
- Explain Your Mission: Clearly state the purpose and scope of your evaluation.
- Establish and Defend Criteria: Define the standards by which you will evaluate your subject.
- Offer Convincing Evidence: Support your judgments with specific evidence and examples.
- Offer Worthwhile Advice: Provide recommendations or suggestions based on your evaluation.
Claiming a Topic
- Evaluate a Subject You Know Well: Choose a subject that you are familiar with and have expertise in.
- Evaluate a Subject You Need to Investigate: Choose a subject that requires research and exploration.
- Evaluate a Subject You’d Like to Know More About: Choose a subject that you are interested in learning more about.
- Evaluate a Subject That’s Been On Your Mind: Choose a subject that you have been thinking about and have a strong opinion on.
Imagining Your Audience
- Write for Experts: Address your audience as fellow experts in the field.
- Write for a General Audience: Explain complex concepts in a clear and accessible manner for a broad audience.
- Write for Novices: Provide basic information and guidance for readers who are new to the topic.
Gathering Materials
- Decide on Your Criteria: Determine the most important factors to consider when evaluating your subject.
- Look for Hard Criteria: Identify objective and measurable criteria.
- Argue for Criteria That Can’t Be Measured: Defend the importance of subjective or qualitative criteria.
- Stand by Your Values: Base your evaluation on your core beliefs and values.
- Gather Your Evidence: Collect relevant data, facts, and examples to support your evaluation.
Organizing Ideas
- Choose a Simple Structure When Your Criteria and Categories Are Predictable: Use a straightforward organizational pattern when your criteria are well-defined.
- Choose a Focal Point: Focus your evaluation on a specific aspect or element of your subject.
- Compare and Contrast: Highlight similarities and differences between different aspects of your subject.
Choosing a Style and Design
- Use a High or Formal Style: Employ sophisticated language and tone for a scholarly audience.
- Use a Middle Style: Use a balance between formal and informal language for a general audience.
- Use a Low Style: Use informal language and tone for a casual audience.
- Present Evaluations Visually: Incorporate visuals, charts, and graphs to enhance your evaluation.
10. Proposals
Proposals aim to persuade readers to adopt a particular course of action or support a specific project.
- Defining the Genre: Proposals advocate for specific solutions to identified problems.
- Define a Problem: Clearly identify the issue that your proposal seeks to address.
- Make Specific Recommendations: Offer concrete suggestions for solving the problem.
- Target the Proposal: Tailor your proposal to a specific audience or decision-maker.
- Consider Plausible Alternatives: Acknowledge and address alternative solutions.
- Make Realistic Recommendations: Offer solutions that are feasible and practical.
Claiming a Topic
- Look for a Genuine Issue: Identify a problem that is real and significant.
- Look for a Challenging Problem: Choose a problem that requires creative and innovative solutions.
- Look for a Soluble Problem: Choose a problem that can be realistically addressed.
- Look for a Local Issue: Focus on a problem that is relevant to your community.
Understanding Your Audience
- Appeal to People Who Can Make a Difference: Target your proposal to individuals who have the authority to implement your recommendations.
- Rally People Who Represent Public Opinion: Engage individuals who can influence public support for your proposal.
Gathering Materials
- Define the Problem: Provide a detailed description of the issue that your proposal seeks to address.
- Examine Prior Solutions: Research existing solutions and explain why they are insufficient.
- Outline a Proposal: Present a clear and concise plan of action.
- Defend the Proposal: Provide evidence and reasoning to support your recommendations.
- Figure Out How to Implement the Proposal: Explain the steps required to implement your proposal.
Organizing Ideas Choosing Style and Design
- Use a Formal Style: Employ sophisticated language and tone for a professional audience.
- Use a Middle Style, When Appropriate: Use a balance between formal and informal language for a general audience.
- Pay Attention to Elements of Design: Use visuals, headings, and formatting to enhance the readability and impact of your proposal.
11. Literary Analyses
Literary analyses examine and interpret works of literature to uncover deeper meanings and insights.
- Defining the Genre: Literary analyses provide interpretations of literary texts.
- Begin With a Close Reading: Carefully examine the text, paying attention to details of language, style, and structure.
- Make a Claim or an Observation: Formulate a thesis statement that presents your interpretation of the text.
- Use Texts for Evidence: Support your claims with specific examples and quotations from the text.
- Present Literature in Context: Consider the historical, cultural, and social context of the work.
- Draw on Previous Research: Consult scholarly sources to support your analysis.
Claiming a Topic
- Choose a Text, Genre, or Literary/Cultural Perspective You Connect With: Select a topic that you are interested in and have some familiarity with.
- Choose a Topic You Want to Learn More About: Select a topic that you are curious about and want to explore further.
- Choose a Text or Topic You Don’t Understand: Challenge yourself to analyze a complex or unfamiliar work.
Imagining Your Audience
- Clearly Identify the Author and Works You Are Analyzing: Provide basic information about the author and the text.
- Define Key Terms: Explain any specialized terminology that you use in your analysis.
- Don’t Aim to Please Professional Critics: Focus on developing your own unique interpretation of the text.
Gathering Materials
- Examine the “Text” Closely: Carefully read and analyze the literary work.
- Focus on the Text Itself: Prioritize the text as the primary source of evidence for your analysis.
- Focus on Meanings, Themes, and Interpretations: Explore the deeper meanings and underlying themes of the work.
- Focus on Authorship and History: Consider the author’s background and the historical context of the work.
- Focus on Genre: Analyze the work in terms of its genre conventions.
- Focus on Influences: Identify the influences that shaped the work.
- Focus on Social Connections: Explore the social and political implications of the work.
- Find Good Sources: Consult scholarly articles, books, and other credible sources.
Organizing Ideas
- Imagine a Structure: Develop a clear and logical organizational pattern for your analysis.
- Work on Your Opening: Capture your audience’s attention with an engaging introduction.
Choosing Style and Design
- Use a Formal Style for Most Assignments: Employ sophisticated language and tone for academic writing.
- Use a Middle Style for Informal or Literacy Narratives: Use a balance between formal and informal language for personal writing.
- Follow the Conventions of Academic Literary Analysis: Adhere to the standard conventions of academic writing.
- Cite Plays Correctly: Follow the appropriate citation style for plays.
- Explore Alternative Media: Consider using multimedia elements to enhance your analysis.
12. Rhetorical Analyses
Rhetorical analyses examine how texts persuade audiences through the use of rhetorical devices and strategies.
- Defining the Genre: Rhetorical analyses examine the persuasive techniques used in texts.
- Take Words and Images Seriously: Pay close attention to the language and visuals used in the text.
- Spend Time With Texts: Engage with the text thoughtfully and critically.
- Pay Attention to Audiences: Consider the intended audience of the text and how it is being persuaded.
- Mine Texts and Rhetorical Occasions for Evidence: Identify specific examples of rhetorical devices and strategies.
Claiming a Topic
- Make a Difference: Choose a text that has social or political significance.
- Choose a Text You Can Work With: Select a text that you find interesting and manageable to analyze.
- Choose a Text You Can Learn More About: Select a text that you are curious about and want to explore further.
- Choose a Text With Handles: Select a text that has clear and identifiable rhetorical features.
- Choose a Text You Know How to Analyze: Select a text that aligns with your existing knowledge and skills.
Imagining Your Audience Gathering Materials
- Consider the Ethos of the Author: Analyze the author’s credibility and authority.
- Consider How a Writer Plays to Emotions: Identify the emotional appeals used in the text.
- Consider How Well Reasoned a Text Is: Evaluate the logical arguments presented in the text.
Organizing Ideas Choosing Style and Design
- Consider a High Style: Employ sophisticated language and tone for a scholarly audience.
- Consider a Middle Style: Use a balance between formal and informal language for a general audience.
- Make the Text Accessible to Readers: Explain complex concepts in a clear and understandable manner.
13. Essay Examinations
Essay examinations assess your understanding of a subject through written responses to specific questions.
- Understanding Essay Exams: Essay exams require you to demonstrate your knowledge through writing.
- Anticipate the Types of Questions to Be Asked: Review course materials and identify potential essay questions.
- Read Exam Questions Carefully: Pay close attention to the wording of each question.
- Sketch Out a Plan for Your Essay(s): Create a brief outline to organize your thoughts.
- Organize Your Answers Strategically: Present your ideas in a clear and logical order.
- Offer Strong Evidence for Your Claims: Support your arguments with specific evidence and examples.
- Come to a Conclusion: Summarize your main points and provide a final thought.
- Keep the Tone Serious: Use a formal and academic tone.
- Keep Your Eye on the Clock: Manage your time effectively.
Getting the Details Right
- Use Topic Sentences and Transitions: Use clear topic sentences to introduce each paragraph and use transitions to connect your ideas.
- Do a Quick Check of Grammar, Mechanics, and Spelling: Proofread your essay carefully.
- Write Legibly or Print: Ensure that your essay is easy to read.
14. Annotated Bibliographies
Annotated bibliographies provide a list of sources with brief summaries and evaluations of each source.
- Understanding Bibliographies: Annotated bibliographies provide summaries and evaluations of sources.
- Begin With an Accurate Record of Research Materials: Keep track of all the sources you consult.
- Record Every Detail You Will Need to Create an Accurate Citation: Gather all the necessary information for accurate citations.
- Use Annotations to Assess the Significance or Quality of the Work: Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each source.
- Use Annotations to Explain the Role a Work Plays in Your Research: Explain how each source contributes to your research.
- Follow a Single Documentation Style: Use a consistent citation style throughout your bibliography.
- Record the Information on Your Sources Accurately: Ensure that your citations are accurate and complete.
- Keep Summaries and Assessments Brief: Write concise summaries and evaluations.
- Follow the Directions Carefully: Adhere to the specific instructions for your assignment.
15. Syntheses
Syntheses combine information from multiple sources to create a new understanding or perspective.
- Understanding Synthesis Papers: Synthesis papers integrate information from multiple sources.
- Pay Close Attention to the Actual Assignment: Understand the specific requirements of your assignment.
- Identify Reputable Sources on Your Subject: Select credible and trustworthy sources.
- Summarize and Paraphrase the Works You Have Identified: Summarize and paraphrase the key information from each source.
- Look for Connections Between Your Sources: Identify common themes, arguments, or perspectives.
- Provide a Context for Your Topic: Explain the background and significance of your topic.
- Tell a Story: Use narrative techniques to engage your audience.
- Acknowledge Disagreements and Rebuttals: Address conflicting viewpoints and counterarguments.
- Cite Materials That Both Support and Challenge Your Own Thesis: Use sources that both support and challenge your argument.
- Pay Attention to Language: Use clear and concise language.
- Be Sure to Document Your Sources: Cite your sources accurately and consistently.
16. Oral Presentations
Oral presentations involve delivering information verbally to an audience.
- Understanding Oral Reports: Oral presentations involve delivering information verbally.
- Choose Your Subject Well: Select a topic that you are knowledgeable about and interested in.
- Know Your Stuff: Thoroughly research your topic.
- Highlight Arresting Details: Include interesting and engaging details.
- Organize Your Presentation: Structure your presentation logically.
- Keep Your Audience on Track: Use clear transitions and signposts to guide your audience.
- Stay Connected to Your Listeners: Maintain eye contact and engage with your audience.
- Use Your Voice and Body: Project your voice and use body language effectively.
- Adapt Your Material to the Time Available: Adjust your presentation to fit the allotted time.
- Practice Your Talk: Rehearse your presentation thoroughly.
- Prep for the Occasion: Prepare your materials and equipment in advance.
Getting the Details Right
- Be Certain You Need Presentation Software: Determine whether presentation software is necessary.
- Use Slides to Introduce Points, Not Cover Them: Use slides to highlight key points, not to read directly from.
- Use a Simple and Consistent Design: Use a clear and consistent design for your slides.
- Consider Alternatives to Slide-Based Presentations: Explore other presentation formats, such as demonstrations or discussions.
- Learn the Rhetoric of Poster Sessions: Understand the conventions of poster presentations.
17. Résumés
Résumés provide a summary of your skills, experience, and qualifications for potential employers.
- Understanding Résumés: Résumés provide a summary of your qualifications.
- Gather the Necessary Information: Collect all the relevant information about your education, work experience, and skills.
- Decide on Appropriate Categories: Organize your information into clear and logical categories.
- Arrange the Information Within Categories Strategically: Present your information in a way that highlights your strengths and qualifications.
- Design Pages That Are Easy to Read: Use a clear and consistent design that is easy to scan.
Getting the Details Right
- Proofread Every Line in the Résumé Several Times: Proofread your résumé carefully for errors.
- Don’t Leave Unexplained Gaps in Your Education or Work Career: Address any gaps in your employment or education history.
- Be Consistent and Efficient: Use a consistent format and avoid unnecessary details.
- Protect Your Personal Data: Avoid including sensitive personal information.
- Look for Help: Seek feedback from career counselors or other professionals.
18. Emails and Business Letters
Emails and business letters are used for professional communication.
- Understanding Email: Emails are used for quick and efficient communication.
- Assess the Situation: Consider the context and purpose of your email.
- Explain Your Purpose Clearly and Logically: State your purpose clearly and concisely.
- Tell Readers What You Want or Expect From Them: Clearly state your expectations or requests.
- Write for Intended Audiences: Tailor your language and tone to your specific audience.
- Write for Unintended Audiences Too: Be aware that your email may be forwarded to others.
- Keep Messages Brief: Keep your emails concise and to the point.
- Distribute Your Messages Sensibly: Send your email to the appropriate recipients.
Getting the Details Right: Email
- Use Informative Subject Lines: Use a clear and descriptive subject line.
- Arrange Your Text Sensibly: Use paragraphs and formatting to organize your email.
- Include an Appropriate Signature: Include a professional signature with your contact information.
- Use Standard Grammar: Use correct grammar and spelling.
- Check the Recipient List Before You Hit Send: Double-check the recipient list before sending your email.
- Don’t Be a Pain: Avoid sending unnecessary or annoying emails.
Getting the Details Right: Conventional Business Letters
- Use Consistent Margins and Spacing for Print Documents: Use consistent formatting for paper letters.
- Finesse the Greeting: Use an appropriate greeting for your audience.
- Distribute Paper Copies of a Letter, If Necessary: Send paper copies if required.
- Photocopy Any Paper Letter as a Record: Keep a copy of your letters for your records.
- Don’t Forget Any Promised Enclosures: Include any promised enclosures.
- Fold a Paper Business Letter Correctly and Send It in a Suitable: Fold and mail your letter properly.
19. Writing Portfolios
Writing portfolios showcase your writing skills and development over time.
- Understanding Writing Portfolios: Writing portfolios showcase your writing skills.
- Take Charge of the Portfolio Assignment: Understand the specific requirements of your assignment.
- Appreciate the Audiences for a Portfolio: Consider the intended audience of your portfolio.
- Present Authentic Materials: Include your best and most representative work.
- Take Reflections Seriously: Reflect on your writing process and growth.
Getting the Details Right
- Polish Your Portfolio: Ensure that your portfolio is well-organized and professional.
- Understand the Portfolio Activities: Understand the purpose and requirements of each portfolio activity.
- Give Honest Feedback to Classmates: Provide constructive feedback to your peers.
20. Smart Reading
Smart reading involves actively engaging with texts to deepen your understanding and critical thinking skills.
- Recall the Basics: Review fundamental reading strategies, such as skimming and scanning.
- Read to Deepen What You Already Know: Expand your knowledge by reading about topics you are already familiar with.
- Read Above Your Level of Knowledge: Challenge yourself by reading complex and unfamiliar texts.
- Read What Makes You Uncomfortable: Explore diverse perspectives and challenge your own assumptions.
- Read Against the Grain: Question the author’s assumptions and biases.
- Read Slowly: Take your time to fully understand the text.
- Annotate What You Read: Make notes, highlight key passages, and ask questions.
21. Critical Thinking
Critical thinking involves analyzing information, identifying assumptions, and evaluating arguments.
- Think in Terms of Claims and Reasons: Identify the main claims and supporting reasons in an argument.
- Think in Terms of Premises and Assumptions: Identify the underlying assumptions that support an argument.
- Think in Terms of Evidence: Evaluate the quality and relevance of the evidence presented.
- Anticipate Objections: Consider potential counterarguments and objections.
- Avoid Logical Fallacies: Recognize and avoid common errors in reasoning.
22. Claiming Topics
Claiming topics involves generating ideas and selecting a focus for your writing.
- Follow Routines That Support Invention: Develop habits that encourage creativity and idea generation.
- Browse Course Materials: Review course readings and assignments for inspiration.
- Search Online: Explore online resources to discover potential topics.
- Build From Lists: Create lists of potential topics or ideas.
- Map Your Ideas: Use mind maps or other visual tools to organize your thoughts.
- Try Freewriting: Write freely without worrying about grammar or structure.
- Use Memory Prompts: Use prompts to stimulate your memory and generate ideas.
23. Gathering Materials
Gathering materials involves collecting information from reputable and appropriate sources.
- Gather Information From Reputable and Appropriate Sources: Use credible and trustworthy sources.
- Use the Research Tools Your School Provides: Utilize the research resources available at your school.
- Look for Diverse Sources Representing a Respected Range of Opinion: Consult a variety of sources to provide a comprehensive perspective.
- Pay Attention to Dates: Use current and up-to-date sources.
- Use an Adequate Number of Sources: Use a sufficient number of sources to support your writing.
- Be Sure to Collect and Document Your Sources Systematically: Keep track of all the sources you consult.
24. Shaping a Thesis
Shaping a thesis involves formulating a clear and focused statement of your main argument.
- Compose a Complete Sentence: Write your thesis statement as a complete sentence.
- Make a Significant Claim or Assertion: Make a claim that is worth arguing.
- Write a Declarative Sentence, Not a Question: State your thesis as a statement, not a question.
- Expect Your Thesis to Mature: Revise your thesis statement as you develop your writing.
- Introduce a Thesis Early in a Project: Present your thesis statement early in your writing.
- Or State a Thesis Late in a Project: Delay presenting your thesis statement until later in your writing.
- Write a Thesis to Fit Your Audience and Purpose: Tailor your thesis statement to your specific audience and purpose.
25. Developing Ideas
Developing ideas involves expanding on your main points and providing supporting details.
- Use Description to Set a Scene: Use vivid language to create a sense of place.
- Use Division to Divide a Subject: Break down your topic into smaller parts.
- Use Classification to Sort Objects or Ideas by Consistent Principles: Group similar items or concepts together.
- Use Definition to Clarify Meaning: Define key terms and concepts.
- Use Comparison and Contrast to Show Similarity and Difference: Highlight similarities and differences between items or concepts.
26. Organizing Ideas
Organizing ideas involves structuring your writing in a clear and logical manner.
