Language LandscapesTESOL Italy, November 16-17, 2012

Writing Academically for Student Success

Pamela Duran & Elena Smith

Intensive American Language CenterWashington State University

Teaching Academic Writing

What’s Important?

Academic Writing ChallengesActivity #1

Rank these writing elements in the order of importance (1- the most and 10 - the least important):

___________audience___________grammar, mechanics___________critical thinking___________purpose___________documentation of sources___________support of your point (evidence)___________logical transitions___________ organization___________ analysis/synthesis___________ smooth handling of content

Academic Writing ChallengesActivity #2

List the top two academic writing challenges from your ranking list

1. _______________________________2. _______________________________

FocusTop Two Academic Writing Challenges

1. Support of your point

2. Clear details and examples

Support of ideas in academic writing

1. The continuous movement of logic is“assert then support; assert then support.”

2. No statement - without specific support 3. Each assertion has to have at least three supports.

What generates adequate essay support?

What generates adequate support?

• Interests• Needs• Values• Beliefs• Knowledge

Focus

• Interests•Knowledge

Interests/KnowledgeActivity #3

1. Death penalty

2. Ethics in media

3. African-American history

4. Social discrimination

Interests/KnowledgeActivity #4/Discussion

• Which topic was the most interesting?

• Did you have enough knowledge to write about it?

Interests/KnowledgeActivity #5

1. Love or money?

2. The happiest day in my life

3. A person I admire

4. Places of interest in my home town

Interests/KnowledgeActivity #6/Discussion

• Which topic was the most interesting?

• Did you have enough knowledge to write about it?

Interests/KnowledgeTopics

1. Death penalty

2. Ethics in media

3. African-American history

4. Social discrimination

Topics

1. Love or Money?

2. The happiest day in my life

3. A person I admire

4. Places of interest in my home town

Focus

• Interests•Knowledge•Emotions

Listen to a music piece by Telemann (17th century) and write a paragraph answering the

following questions:1. Do you like this musical piece?2. How does this music make you feel? 3. Explain why it makes you feel this way?4. Explain in details your attitude to this kind of music.5. Write a conclusion.

Examples of the IALC Students Writing

Listen to “Country Roads” by John Denver and write a paragraph answering the following

questions:

1. Do you like this musical piece?2. How does this music make you feel? 3. Explain why it makes you feel this way.4. Explain in details your attitude to 5. this kind of music.6. Write a conclusion.

Examples of the IALC Students Writing

Listen to “Butterfly Lover” by Liang Zhu and write a paragraph answering the following

questions:

1. Do you like this musical piece?2. How does this music make you feel? 3. Explain why it makes you feel this way.4. Explain in details your attitude to this kind of

music.5. Write a conclusion.

Discussion: The role of emotions in writing details and examples

• Interests•Knowledge•Emotions

Innovative Teaching Techniques

• Inspiring• Targeting the needs• Engaging and fun• Useful• Helpful

Excerpts from Students’ Evaluations

• My favorite activity this session was writing about the music.

• When I had to write what I felt when I was listening to the music, I understood how to support my opinion.

• Music activity was very useful. Now I know how to explain what I think or know.

Thank you

References

Irvin, L. What is Academic Writing? 2010http://wac.colostate.edu/books/writingspaces1/irvin--what-is-academic-writing.pdf

Intellectual Challenges in American Academic Writing: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/

Palmquist, M. A Social Model of Writing. Writing@CSU. 2010Thaiss, Chris and Terry Zawacki. Engaged Writers & Dynamic Disciplines: Research on the Academic Writing Life. Portsmouth: Boynton/Cook, 2006• http://www.google.com/imgres?q=Vivaldi&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1080&bih=878&tbm• http://www.google.com/imgres?q=John+Denver+Country+Road+pictures&hl=en&• http://lang-8.com/49320/journals/788529/Liang-Zhu-Butterfly-lover• http://www.google.com/imgres?q=chinese+students&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1080&bih=878&tb

Music Pieces Used in the Workshop

1. G. P. Telemann, Largo (Viola Concerto in G), Capella Istropolitana

2. John Denver et.al. “Take Me, Home Country Roads”

3. Liang Zhu “Butterfly Lover”

Were you engaged?

• Which music piece was the most interesting?• Which of the three music pieces was the

easiest to write about?• Did you have enough knowledge to write

about it?• Did you support your opinion with three

details and examples?• In which of the paragraphs did you provide

enough support and why?