An Organizational Approach

Prof. Aubrey FreemanUnit 6

July 13, 2011

Analytical Writing

Before we begin…Are there any question about the class?

Before we begin…Plagiarism…

Cite all sources in projects, discussion boards, and seminar option 2s.

Use in-text citations and give a full citation at the end.

Use APA citations!

APA citationsIn-text:

…like this (Freeman, 2011).

Or

According to Professor Freeman (2011), this is also an APA acceptable in-text citation.

Or

According to Professor Freeman in a Comp I seminar in December of 2011, this is also an acceptable APA in-text citation.

APA citationsReferences

Freeman, A. (2011). Unit 6 Seminar. Effective Writing I, 6, p.5.

Martinez, D., Carlson, S., & VanDam, K. (2010). The Kaplan Guide to Successful Writing, pp.405 - 412. New York, N.Y.: Kaplan Publishing.

Compare and ContrastCompare and contrast refers to the examination

of similarities (compare) and differences (contrast). We make comparisons constantly when we decide what type of car to buy, where to have dinner, or what college to attend.

DescriptionDescription creates a mental picture for a reader.

To do this, writers may focus on the five senses—what ideas and things look, sound, feel, smell, and taste like.

Descriptive writing shows instead of tells.

DescriptionA man was living on the streets. He slept in a

doorway when it was cold and in a park when it was warm. He wore all of his clothes and collected cans for cash to get by.

Or…

DescriptionAn old man was living on the dingy streets of a

rundown neighborhood. When it was cold and the wind blew, he slept in the doorway of a grocery store, staying warm but fueling his hungry with the smell of food. When summer came, he slept on a bench in a park. He wore all of his clothes in layers rather than be burdened by carrying them around. Besides, no one could steal them when he slpt if they were on his body. He collected cans from the gutters and smelly dumpsters so he could get enough cash to feed himself.

Compare and Contrast OrganizationCompare and contrast essays can be organized in

two ways: Point by point—Here, the writer would go between two

subjects and compare and contrast them according to key points or characteristics. If you compare and contrast displaced homelessness versus chronic homelessness, you might focus on their definitions, reasons, and solutions.

Subject by subject—Here, the writer focuses on the key points and characteristics of a single subject. For instance, if you compare and contrast private versus socialized medicine, you’ll have to choose which ways they are alike or differ. You might choose to write about the similarities in coverage, and the contrasts in cost.

Make Effective ChoicesWhatever strategy you choose, you must have a

basis of comparison. Ideas and things that have nothing in common are not a good choice. While there are differences between a camel and an orange, they are not a good topic for comparison.

Remember, you do not want to make a list of similarities and differences. You want to have a point for the comparison. Why are they being compared? Is one better than the other? Cheaper? More effective?

Compare and Contrast in a Thesis Statement

Poor examples of a compare and contrast thesis statement: This example is too general: Indonesia and the United States have vastly different

legal systems. This example gives specific criteria which allows the

reader to know what key points will be compared and contrasted:

While the U.S. legal system is built around the idea of presumed innocence, the Indonesian system assumes the accused is guilty.

DefinitionDefinition is explaining exactly what an idea or

concept means. Definition provides a structure for making ideas, people, or things more understandable.

Definition in a Thesis StatementFor example, if you were writing a paper

about world religions, you might choose to write about different sects of Judaism within that religion.

Example:

Judaism has diverse interpretations, most notably the divisions of orthodox, reform, and conservative practices.

Cause and Effect Cause and effect examines the relationships

between what happens (the effect) and why it happens (the cause).

Cause and Effect One cause may have several effects. For instance,

if you decide to move into the country from the city, you may have the benefit of cleaner air, safer neighborhoods, and cheaper prices.

However, several causes can contribute to a single effect. For example, we make choices based on several criteria: The captain of the Titanic ignored fog warnings, iceberg warnings, and even the announcement that the ship was going to sink because he bought into the idea that the ship was unsinkable.

Cause and Effect in a Thesis Statement

To incorporate this into a thesis statement, identify the topic, make an assertion about the topic, and decide if you want to focus on causes, effects, or both.

Example:

Because of their mainly vegetarian diet, Malaysia has healthier adults, less childhood obesity, and a booming farm economy.

Problem Solution Problem solution writing begins by

identifying and examining a problem. After analyzing the problem, you then discuss possible solutions and their viability. For instance, if you wanted to focus on the problem of teenage pregnancy, you would look at how others have tried to solve this problem. The availability of contraception, mandatory sex education courses, and the inclusion of abstinence as a form of birth control would be possible solutions.

Problem SolutionFor an essay, you could choose to examine: a single solution and discuss how it works

and why it works. detail three proposed solutions and discuss

and analyze their viability.

Problem Solution in a Thesis StatementExample 1: Solving teenage pregnancy by teaching

abstinence has failed because it is not practical for most children. Teens without strong role models, those with low self-esteem and those who do not participate in after school activities are getting pregnant in record numbers.

Example 2: Teenage pregnancy is a complicated

problem that can be helped through increased availability of contraception like condoms, oral birth control, and IUDs.

Tasks for the week…Reading:Please become familiar with the concepts in

chapters 21 and 26 of The Kaplan Guide to Successful Writing.

The scenario.

Tasks for the week…Discussion:For this discussion:

Consider a person you have admired for his or her gifts to the world. Think of how that person has changed the world for the better. This person is a cause—someone who affects others.

Post the name of this person—just the name—in our discussion.

Find a name among your classmates’ posting and reply by discussing the effects the person caused. We will not debate the politics or the worth of the person’s contributions. Instead, we will think of the effects as the fire given to the world by this unique individual.

Building on the idea of contribution, share your ideas about the relationship between the writing process and your career. How will someone with effective writing skills be a better contributor at work?

Tasks for the week…Discussion:For this discussion:

Consider a person you have admired for his or her gifts to the world. Think of how that person has changed the world for the better. This person is a cause—someone who affects others.

Post the name of this person—just the name—in our discussion.

Building on the idea of contribution, share your ideas about the relationship between the writing process and your career. How will someone with effective writing skills be a better contributor at work?

Find fire-giver’s name among your classmates’ postings and reply by discussing the effects the person caused. We will not debate the politics or the worth of the person’s contributions. Instead, we will think of the effects as the fire given to the world by this unique individual.

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Tasks for the week…Discussion:Initial post:

Post a fire-giver’s name (the actions of this fire giver are a cause).

Post your ideas about writing and your career; how is a person who writes well a better communicator on the job?.

Replies to others:

Reply to 2 classmates’ posted name by explaining how you see the effects of what the fire-giver did for the world. Try to write using cause and effect as the way you explain your ideas.

Tasks for the week…Project:Now for the best part: you will have a very creative format for

your assignment.

You will create a script of a conversation between two people—a dialogue. This will be like writing a scene for a movie or television show. Have fun! Use characters from your favorite movies, television shows, and books if you like. You may also simply make up your characters.

In your script, you’ll be describing through your two characters a social problem. One of the characters is part of the problem—the cause—and the other is part of a solution, the “cure” that would help you and your world. Some examples of social problems include world poverty and hunger, intolerance of differences among people, and a list that could go on and on.

Tasks for the week…Project:

You are encouraged to think carefully and creatively. Of course, not all social problems are created equal, but you are free to choose among them. Do not feel you must choose in order of importance. Possible problems could include ignorance, bad driving, unfairness, not recycling, gossiping, abuse of children and the elderly, or illiteracy.

Brainstorm ideas until you have an idea that feels right to you: one with which you connect and that you have confidence exploring further.

Tasks for the week…Project:

Create a thesis that justifies why your “cure” is important. This is again a kind of cause and effect writing called problem-solution writing. You identify the problem and suggest the cure (solution).

What should you cover in your “script”?What are at least three causes of this problem?How does this problem affect your daily life or

the life of others? Mention at least three effects.

The script should be 500 words or greater.

Before we leave…Are there any questions?