English Speaking & WritingEnglish Speaking & WritingJune 2, 2010June 2, 2010

Warm Up

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.

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.

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.

Clarity

Be coherent: Are the topics/subjects of your sentences consistent?

Clarity

Be coherent: Have you marked the transitions between ideas?

Clarity

Focus on actors and actions Be concise Be coherent

Clarity

Questions?

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.

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.

Besides…

Thesis Statements

A thesis statement serves as the summary of an article’s central idea.

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

Thesis Statements

Topic: Language and identity

Narrowed down: How language learning affects identity

Thesis Statements

Thesis Statements

“Language learning affects identity.”

Thesis Statements

“Language learning affects identity.”

Thesis Statements

“Language learning has profound effects on cultural identity.”

Thesis Statements

“Language learning has profound effects on cultural identity.”

Thesis Statements

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

Thesis Statements

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

Thesis Statements

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

Thesis Statements

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

Thesis Statements

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

When developing a thesis statement, ask yourself the following:

Does my thesis statement make a claim?

Is my thesis statement too vague?

Thesis Statements

Questions?

Revise: Why do we write? article Due: Next week (June 9, 2010) Guidelines and rubric available on the

blog.

Revision Assignment

Course Assessment & ExamsCourse Component Percentage of Final

GradeWriting ComponentJournal assignments: 6%Why we write prewriting: 2%Why we write article: 7%Why we write introduction revision: 3%Why we write revision: 7%

25%

Speaking ComponentGroup discussions: 10%Group presentation: 15%

25%

Final ExaminationWriting final: 20%Speaking final: 20%

40%

ParticipationParticipation in class discussions, group work

10%

COURSE TOTAL* 100%** Attendance is mandatory. Each absence will result in a 0.5% deduction off your final grade.

Let’s take a break.

Brief Encounters Activity

Have a good week.

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.

References