The Last Step: Baking
Good news! You are in the middle of formulating your essay–how can we make sure this essay remains a conversation? How can we ensure your cake doesn’t fall?
To reinforce your essay, you will want to make sure to practice each step in your writing…
From Teresa Thonney’s Teaching the Conventions of Academic Discourse…
Writing should be a conversation (349): writing should be a back-and-forth, not just a presentation
Writers should “sell their work” (350): writers should make their purpose obvious, whether that be through strong evidence or through a logical thinking process (think about how your essay is structures)
Writers should write “concisely” (354): writers need to show that they are relevant to a conversation–this can be done by using specific jargon rather than using empty, word-count filling text
I’m here to help–this is what got me through my very first ENG101 class (that may not be mentioned in texts)
Keep an open mind: write with the goal to inform yourself–accept that you may have an incorrect opinion and grow from that by reading “opponent” texts. This will help create stronger analysis skills that will aid in writing
Analyze immediately: always ask questions about what you are writing or reading to better understand a topic–this will also help you identify if you need to adjust your viewpoint
Thonney, Teresa. "Teaching the Conventions of Academic Discourse." Teaching English in the Two-Year College, vol. 38, no. 4, 2011, pp. 347–62.