Teaching Writing—as a Verb

Versus writings—as a noun.

Sequencing Skills

• A balance of macro and micro skills to assess

• Parallel in reading, as we explore more conceptual and textual features of language.

• Develop a sequence that reflects an increasing rigor of reading tasks in your classroom.

True/False Quiz

• The English teacher is the student’s pen pal.• Evaluating student work is the same thing as

editing student work.• English teachers must use all discretionary

free time to grade student papers.• Students read and respond to all of our

comments.• The more students write, the better writers

they become.

Frequency

• Once a week• 36 weeks in a school year• rhetorical analysis; argument; synthesis• Blend of impromptu and out-of-class tasks• AP prompts as a minimum, not as a maximum• Handout #1: Using exam prompts as a

springboard

Generative Assignments

The Marriage

• How does rhetorical analysis inform argument?

• How does argument inform synthesis?• How does synthesis inform analysis or

argument?• How does the reading experience promote

this creative interplay?• What is the role of rhetorical invention?

Sample #1—The Gatekeepers by Jacques Steinberg: handout #2

• Analyze Jordan Goldman’s college application essay—an introductory lesson in analysis– Skills: focus on tone, appeals (to sympathy),

arrangement, parallelism• Synthesize Steinberg’s examples to determine

his stance on consideration of diversity in college admissions.

• Argue for or against the consideration of diversity in college admissions.

Sample #2: The Research Project: handout #3

• Explanatory synthesis prompt: what factors must be considered prior to making an informed decision on_____?

• 2007 Rhetorical Analysis prompt—Question #2– Understanding critical context

• 2004 Argument Question #2—contemporary life is marked by controversy– Understanding complexity

Sequencing Argument Skills

Sequencing Synthesis Skills

Assessment guidelines

• Return writing within 1-2 days; 2-3 mins/paper

• Tailor commentary to desired skill• Your commentary informs revision• Develop your own editorial persona; eg., H2O;

ahem!; highlighting passive voice• Integrate holistic scoring on a regular basis• Most writing tasks make us better writers.

Reporting guidelines

• Beginning of class; master class model• Mechanism for archiving student work—

manually or digitally; turnitin.com• Mechanism for students’ reflection; handout

#4• Models, models, models—from past and

present—highlighting salient features.

Kinds of Feedback

• Semester One: More prescriptive--learning curve is greatest in 1st 3 months

• Semester Two: More holistic

• 25%-75% rule