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Writing as Inquiry in Freshman Composition. Presentation to Student Learning Colloquium: Writing Strategies for the College Classroom Thursday, May 12, 2011. Anna Podgarski , Vladimir Fils , and Margaret E. Johansson, Ph.D.
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Writing as Inquiry inFreshman Composition • Presentation to Student Learning Colloquium: • Writing Strategies for the College ClassroomThursday, May 12, 2011 Anna Podgarski, Vladimir Fils, and Margaret E. Johansson, Ph.D.
WAC framework sees the student in the process of being/becoming a writer: • Writing to Learn (WTL) as a freshman; • Writing in the Discipline (WID) in professional and advanced courses; • Writing for the Profession (WFP) as an alumna/alumnus. Writing as Inquiry in Freshman Composition
How can Writing Across the Curriculum inform Freshman Composition? • WAC is constructivist, student-centered. • Learning to write is a life-long process. • Students develop problems/questions. • Feedback can be directional, less directive. • Writing is a form of inquiry for writer and for reader; both are learning. Writing as Inquiry in Freshman Composition
What is English 110? • Introductory course in expository writing designed to develop the student’s ability to write clearly, logically and effectively. Emphasis on the composing process, organization, coherence, sentence and paragraph structure, and usage. • Critical thinking strategies inform writing assignments that invite students to draw upon resources and skills and to move toward expert status. Writing as Inquiry in Freshman Composition
Focal Strategy: Taking perspectives Assignment: Argument / Proposal Essay Research: Current issue/event, credible sources. Skill: Counter-argument Students use question- and problem-posing to: • Develop a strong thesis question. • Frame a narrow, challenging, grounded, and arguable thesis. • Consider a specific organization as audience. • Entertain and refute a naysayer viewpoint. Writing as Inquiry in Freshman Composition
Task: Write an essay of 1,000-1,200 words in which you argue a position or propose a course of action. Your topic must be arguable (that is, not an opinion or judgment), relevant to your life as a student, worker, or citizen, and approved by your professor. Your thesis presents the point you are arguing and the reasons that gird your argument. Be sure to briefly explain the situation, context, or problem in your introduction. Use your body paragraphs to develop your line of reasoning and to entertain an alternative viewpoint. For research, read and briefly cite three recent (2009-2011) articles from credible newspapers or magazines. Writing as Inquiry in Freshman Composition