Norton's Field Guide to Writing(5-9,11)

In visual texts, you must/ask

-Find what the image(s) show -Develop a viewpoint -See if it presents a story(the image) -Does the image have a deeper meaning -Does it try to persuade you

What are the three kinds of audiences?

-Known- people with whom your familiar or whose needs are familiar. -Multiple- examples: classmates, co-workers, students -Unknown- (can be the most difficult): examples: neighbor, corporation, medical board.

3 ways to organize your analysis

-Thematically: Intro your analysis, analyze, conclude -Part by part: Intro your analysis, Analyze different sections, conclude -Spatially: Intro your analysis, Analyze big/first part then continue chronologically, conclude

Thinking about Purpose

-What do you want you audience to do, think or feel. -What does the writing task call on you to do. -What are the best ways to achieve your purpose

Thinking about Genres

-What is your genre, and how does it affect what content you should or can include. -Does your genre call for any specific strategies. -Does your genre require a certain organization. -Does your genre affect your tone. -Do you have a choice of medium -Does your genre have any design requirements.

Thinking about stance

-What is your stance -How does it relate to your purpose -How is your stance likely to be received by your audience. -Should you openly reveal your stance.

Thinking about media

-What medium are you using. -How does the medium affect your organization and strategies. -How does the medium affect your language.

Thinking about design

-Whats the appropriate look for your Rhetorical situation. -What elements need to be designed. -Should you include headings. -Am I including any visuals.

What is a rhetorical situation?

An occasion for writing

If given the choice, what type of text should you analyze

Analyze one that suits the demands of the assignment-one that is neither too large or complex nor too brief or limited.

After find the argument and taking your own stance, you should

Analyze the argument. Find the claim and understand the support the writer offered

Name key features of academic writing.

Clear, appropriate thesis; a response to what others have said about the topic, good reasons supported by evidence, acknowledgement of multiple perspectives, carefully documented sources, and a confident, authoritative stance.

What does purpose control?

Everything: the kind of information we choose to use, the genre we choose to use, the language we choose to employ, etc.

How can genre affect the way an audience receives the writing

Example: portrait vs poem- the content doesn't change, the presentation invites us to explore significance in some genres more than others(the poem)

What should you consider when choosing your medium?

Purpose and audience

RS in analyzing a text

Purpose: why are you analyzing Audience: Will they know about your text Stance: What interest you( or not) and how do your beliefs affect your analysis Media/Design: What form will your analysis appear

How can you understand the text before analyzing

Read, Respond, Summarize, Analyze, Draw Conclusions

Medium

The way/how text is delivered

In a summary or description readers may not know the text you're analyzing so include information about it before analyzing unless it is a well-known text.

True

How can you support your conclusions

With evidence from the text and outside sources( quotes or images, etc)

What is stance?

Your attitude or position toward the topic

ending of your draft should include

a restatement of your thesis and why it matters, explanation of what your analysis reveals

When analyzing a text, in the sense of context,

find where the text contributes to the ongoing conversion (keep the larger context in mind)

What kinds of things concerning audience are important to know?

interests, background, education level(what they know), demographics, who do you want to reach, what they expect

For academic contexts, you should consider the instructor's _______

purpose for the assignment

What are five components of a RS?

purpose, audience, stance, genre, media/design

What are some common genres?

reports, letters, profiles, position papers

beginning of your draft should include

summary of text, (if media is involved) show the information, provide context, state thesis,

What design elements are relevant?

text, size, font, headings, visuals

What is genre?

the kind of writing

What are some purposes for writing?

to express ourselves, to persuade others to believe a certain way, inform others, to entertain.

What should your goal be in analyzing

to lead readers through careful examination through judgement. Make clear interpretations

What kinds of things does audience control?

what, how much, how you phrase it, your genre--all are affected by audience

What is analyzing at it's core?

you are arguing that a text should be read or seen in a certain way. This "way" should derive from your thesis which should guide your thinking and analyzing

In drafting an analysis

you goal should be to integrate the various parts into a smoothly flowing essay