1.23.2013
Day 4
Today we will consider how writing is influenced by culture and how an understanding of the academic writing style in America is essential to university study here. The overall message is that, while no writing style is "better" than another, certain styles are suited to certain styles. We will explore of all that today!
1) Opening Video "Understanding International Students' Writing"
Quotes from the video:
"We have to write essays but in very, very certain way. They give you questions, but instead of arguing for or against it, you're writing down some specific points you're told to write." - Susan
"I've been taught rigorously all the grammar and all the semantics in the Italian language and it's just hard to switch over now and write something that makes sense, let alone write something that's nice to read." - Chelsea
"Here teachers are more interested in what you think and what's your opinion and what's your stand." - Jing Lu
"In terms of the trouble for writing here, it comes mainly because I feel like the topics are really vague, and it's up to the student what we should write about." - Shikha
"I'm used to the prompt that guides you line-by-line, what you have to do in a first paragraph, what you have to do in a second. And now it's like a whole blank paper and you have to draw your own picture. And I think that's the hardest prompt-- the no prompt at all." - Jing Lu
"A lot of times you can have really great ideas and you know them exactly in your head, but you don't know how to structure them and put them down on paper." - Shikha
Consider the above quotes. Do you relate to the students in the video? How so?
The students mention several strategies for writing papers in America: thinking in the native language first, reading novels, and going to writing studios. Do you use any of these strategies? Can you think of any more?
2) Different Cultures, Different Writing (ppt)
3) Reflection 1 (due 1-28-13 before class)
Instructions are in the Reflections link on the right.
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