English Speaking & Writing

1. English Speaking & Writing June 2, 2010

3. Warm Up

4. Clarity

5. Clarity • Focus on actors and actions There was uncertainty in Jill’s mind about the intention of John to ask Judy out to dinner. Jill did not know if John intended to ask Judy out to dinner.

6. Clarity • Be concise In my opinion, plagiarism is a serious academic offense often resulting in punishments that might include suspension or dismissal, profoundly affecting your academic career. Plagiarism is a serious offense with serious consequences.

7. Clarity • Be coherent: Is your topic also the subject of your sentence? Topic: Hitler’s skill as a speaker Hitler's skill as a speaker was far more crucial to the rise of the Nazi party than was his skill as a politician. Hitler's rise to power, an event which came about because of Hitler's skill as a speaker, was not due to any real political skill.

8. Clarity • Be coherent: Are the topics/subjects of your sentences consistent?

9. Clarity • Be coherent: Have you marked the transitions between ideas?

10. Clarity • Focus on actors and actions • Be concise • Be coherent

11. Questions?

12. Besides…

13. Besides… • “Besides”: preposition, meaning “except” or “in addition to” Besides these factors, there are many other reasons explaining the rise of obesity in America. Besides, there are many other reasons explaining the rise of obesity in America.

14. Besides… • “Besides”: conjunctive adverb, meaning “also”; used when explaining reasons/explanations. I didn’t go to the party because I wasn’t invited. Besides, I had better things to do with my time than socialize. Eating fast food doesn’t necessarily lead to obesity, so we cannot blame McDonald’s for this health problem. Besides, there are many other factors involved in the rise of obesity in America.

15. Thesis Statements

16. Thesis Statements • A thesis statement serves as the summary of an article’s central idea.

17. Thesis Statements A strong thesis statement: • Makes a claim or argument • Is focused • Is not vague • Is usually a single sentence presented in the first paragraph of an essay or paper

18. Thesis Statements Topic:Language and identity Narrowed down: How language learning affects identity

19. Thesis Statements “Language learning affects identity.”

20. Thesis Statements “Language learning affects identity.”

21. Thesis Statements “Language learning has profound effects on cultural identity.”

22. Thesis Statements “Language learning has profound effects on cultural identity.”

23. Thesis Statements “In language learning, one’s cultural identity changes.”

24. Thesis Statements “In language learning, one’s cultural identity changes.”

25. Thesis Statements “In language learning, one’s cultural identity undergoes a process of construction and reconstruction.”

26. Thesis Statements “The effects of language learning on identity will be discussed in this article.”

27. Thesis Statements “The effects of language learning on identity will be discussed in this article.”

28. Thesis Statements When developing a thesis statement, ask yourself the following: • Does my thesis statement make a claim? • Is my thesis statement too vague?

29. Questions?

30. Revision Assignment • Revise: Why do we write? article • Due: Next week (June 9, 2010) • Guidelines and rubric available on the blog.

31. Course Assessment & Exams * Attendance is mandatory. Each absence will result in a 0.5% deduction off your final grade.

32. Let’s take a break.

33. Brief Encounters Activity

34. Have a good week.

35. References Breslyn, Wayne, Roger B. Hirschland, and Cerylle Moffett. “Building Bridges: Brief Encounters.” Peace Corps: Coverdell World Wise Schools. Retrieved from http://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/educators/lessonplans/lesson.cfm?lpid=369&sid=4. Gocsik, Karen. (2005, July 12). “Attending to Style.” Dartmouth Writing Program. Retrieved from www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/ac_paper/style.shtml. Red Panda Image. Retrieved May 30, 2010 from http://s3.amazonaws.com/readers/2009/01/31/5093637241f5d8813d0_1.jpg.