English 110C.01

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English 110C.01

• Day 1

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English 110C.01 Assumptions

• What is an assumption?
• We will be employing the Oxford
• English Dictionary Onlines definition
• the taking of anything for granted as
• the basis of argument

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English 110C.01 Assumptions (cont.)

• What this course assumes
• There is a relationship between your reading
  strategies and your writing.
• Learning to read critically helps you become a
  more thoughtful and clear writer.
• Good writing is insightful and part and parcel to
  sophisticated thinking.

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English 110C.01 Assumptions (cont.)

• One more assumption As language is the medium
• through which we communicate, paying close
• attention to words including what they mean and
• how they are being used is crucial to becoming a
• more effective writer (Hint when you come across
  
• a word that you dont know when you are in the
• process of reading, look the word up in a
• dictionary).

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The Writing Process

• Impractical Approaches to Writing
• There is a right and wrong way to write.
• Writing is an easy process and requires little
  time and practice.
• Collegiate writing is the equivalent of the kinds
  of writing taught in high school.
• It is important to your development as a writer
  to approach this course and the writing
  strategies that are introduced with an open mind.

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Critical Thinking

• What does critical mean?
• Rather than use the definition that means
  unfavorable or fault-finding, we will think
  of critical in the sense of careful judgment
  and close observation.
• It is always better to approach unfamiliar
  materialwritten, visual, or audiowith the
  desire to understand its meaning rather than with
  pre-formulated judgments.

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Critical Thinking (cont.)

• Who is a critical thinker?
• A critical thinker does the following
• Articulates his or her ideas clearly and
  persuasively in writing.
• Clearly understands and evaluates what he or she
  reads.
• Discusses his or her ideas in an informed manner.

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Thoughtful Writing

• Who is a thoughtful writer?
• One who is
• Open-minded willing to engage all viewpoints
  and evaluates them carefully.
• Curious explores issues, wants to learn, not
  satisfied with superficial explanations.
• Informed supports opinions with evidence and
  reasons in order to make opinions informed.

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Reading Practices

• What does it mean to read?
• Although it is often conceived of as leisurely
  and informal, reading is an activity that
  requires sustained and careful attention.
• Reading is also an activity in which the reader
  interacts with language and often times complex
  ideas.
• Due to the way reading promotes a relationship
  with language, it is important to keep in mind
  that wordstheir definitions and what they
  suggestmatter.

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Reading Practices (cont.)

• Active versus Passive Reading
• Our reading objective in this course is to become
  active readers.
• An active reader does the following
• Uses a dictionary (online or printed) to look up
  meanings of unfamiliar words.
• Takes notes.
• Writes questions and/or comments in the margins.
• Concentrates
• Pays close attention to what he or she reads.

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Reading Practices (cont.)

• How do I become an active reader?
• Strategies for Active Reading
• Resist making any judgments until you are
  informed and knowledgeable of the subject.
• Underline key points.
• Use question marks to indicate sections or
  paragraphs you dont understand.
• Practice summarizing the main idea of each
  paragraph.

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Reading Practices (cont.)

• More Active Reading Strategies
• Read slowly.
• Be attentive to language.
• Re-read (This is especially important if you
  dont understand what the writer is saying or
  what he or she means the first time you read).
• Ask the following question what is the
  significance of the ideas conveyed in this text?

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Interpretation

• What does it mean to interpret?
• Interpretation involves understanding meaning and
  involves the following four interrelated
  activities
• Observation paying close attention to details
• Connecting making connections among details
• Making inferences reasoning from facts and
  statements
• Concluding bring to a decision

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Questions?