Annotation in Writing to Change the World by Mary Pipher
Why Chose this Artifact
One of the skills that I leraned in our class was annotation. I found Pipher's book very inspiring as a beginner writer and many of her reflections made me reflect on the purpose of my own writing. When reading her text I tried applying reading techniques that we learned from Reading Critically, Writing Well by Axelrod. As I read the introduction of Pipher's book I annotated to find the topic sentences in her paragraphs and to look for repeating words. As you see to the left I have underlined important phrases and words that I found important for the main point of the text. While annotating I discovered that Pipher uses the phrase "Good writing" several times as a catch phrase to start her paragraphs. I found it interesting that when added together these sentences become sort of statements for good writing.
"Good writing facilitates"
"Good writing enlarges"
"Good writing connects"
- Mary Pipher
SPO's (Student Performance Objectives)
My understanding:
My understanding is that the outcome of this course should be that I can write a well thought out, well sourced, and well supported essay in a manner that supports a strong thesis. I should be able to use any resources available while integrating them effectively into my own writing.
1. Read critically as demonstrated by A.) recognizing the structure of sound reasoning; B.) identifying thesis and principle supporting points (both stated and implied) C.) evaluating the strengths of underlying assumptions and arguments; D.) Forming rebuttals;
2. Write clearly as demonstrated by A.) using accurate diction B.) forming grammatical sentances free from major errors and mechanics, punctuation, and spelling; C.) sustaining a unified and coherent college level argument of five to seven pages which shows substantial thought appropriate to the topic; D.) Writing a cogent in class essay; E.) Finding and using library materials for an extended paper; F.) Smoothly intergrating quatations which provide support for the thesis into essays; G.) documenting sources coherently (annotations and bibliographies) using an accepted style sheet
Why I Chose this Artifact
In my Week five learning journal I reflect on the process of writing my five to seven page essay. In this essay we were prompted to choose between seven and ten sources to back up our arguments. I talk about the different databases in which I found my sources. When I first started the course I would use the internet to find sources but after using the library database I discovered a well schollarly text that was of great information to my essay. I wish I had decided to use the library database from week one in the course. I know that I will be using it for the rest of my studies at Pasadena City College and possibly after.
Week 5 Learning Journal
3. Understand and demostrate the process leading to the writing of an essay based on a thesis
Why I Chose this Artifact
Forming a thesis and making an outline for my essay was invaluable in composing a good essay. This is my first rough outline for my week five essay. The numbers symbolise the paragraphs and their order in the essay. I ended up switching paragraph two and three as I wanted my proposal to be introduced sooner into the essay. Much of my outlining was done on the computer and then the outline would slowly be expanded into the essay. I found that outlining was especially helpful in linking the different paragraphs together. Through our course I learned the importance of thinking in the perspective of the reader which made me aware of how important it is to create coherence in my essays through linking the different paragraphs.
Outlining
4. Over all the student should read with understanding and write with purpose
Week 3 Discussion Board
Why I Chose this Artifact
As the weeks went by in our course I became fond of the sample essays in Reading Critically, Writing Well by Rise Axelrod. Each essay was introduced as an example of how to use specefic tools in writing. In my discussion post I elaborate on my understanding of how writer Brent Staples uses descriptions of time and place to establish coherence through his essay. After reading his essay and experiencing the coherence that time and place descriptions facilitated I became aware of my own use of the tool to guide my readers.
By gaining an understanding of Staples essay I was able to relate his message of racial profiling to my own life. He made me see the subject through his eyes and it was powerful to me how he did that. In my own writing I strive to make my readers reflect on the subject at hand in the light of their own experiences.