Writing in Different Contexts: Analyzing Literacy Events

1. Chapter 1 What is Writing? Analyzing Literacy Events

2. Overview • Introduction to the textbook • Writing in Four Contexts • Looking at Literacy Events • Readings • Writing Assignment

3. Introduction to the Text • The Call to Write focuses on the context of writing and reminds us that writing “takes place in many different settings and for many purposes,” some more direct than others. • Therefore, it is important to consider thecall to write and determine the best wayto respond.

4. Things to Consider • Purpose • Readers (and the writer’s relationshipto the readers) • Voice and tone (formal and third person,or informal and first person narrative?) • Social context • Genre (kind of writing: essay, fact sheet, brochure, proposal, or letter)

5. Four Contexts Chapter One presents explanations andexamples for the following: • Writing in everyday life • Writing in the workplace • Writing in the public sphere (community) • Writing in school

6. Writing in Everyday Life Writing is a part of our daily lives: • Grocery lists and notes for errands • E-mail messages • Notes, memos, reports at work or school • Text messages on our phones

7. Writing in the Workplace Writing for the workplace has two sides: internal and external • Internal documents are to people in your own organization, includes memos, reports, and e-mail. • External documents are to people outside of the organization, includes letters, reports, proposals, and e-mail.

8. Writing in the Public Sphere Many of us write for the public sphere, or community, in a number of different ways: • A letter to the editor, supporting a position on a local issue • An open thank-you note after a successful fundraiser for your community charity

9. Writing in School Writing for school includes essays, reports, proposals, summaries, and essay exams. Other examples: • Lab reports • Journals or logs • Postings to a discussion board • E-mail to/from teachers and classmates

10. Visual Examples • Notice that the chapter includes a number of sample documents, as well as more visual examples of writing, such as advertisements, newsletters, and screen prints of Web sites. • This is another feature of the book, which also includes a chapter on visual design. There are numerous real-world examples throughout the text.

11. What is a Literacy Event? • They are also called literacy narratives. • It tells a story that shows the significanceof reading and writing in a person’s life. • The essay by Frederick Douglass fits a special subcategory of literacy events because it is also considered a slave narrative.

12. Readings on Literacy Events • Frederick Douglass, pages 24-25 • Eudora Welty, pages 25-26 • Margaret J. Finders, pages 26-29

13. Writing Assignment:Analyzing a Literacy Event • Your task is to “identify a particular meaningful encounter with writing…” (30). • Notice the list of three questions on page 30; they will help you to examine the event you choose to write about. • Your instructor will let you know whether your class will be doing this particular assignment, and provide you withadditional guidelines.

14. Student Companion Website • Go to the student side of the Web site for exercises, chapter overviews, and links to writing resources for this chapter: http://college.hmco.com/pic/trimbur4e