VU Composition Chapter 4-6 test
Modification Model
"Although I agree with the A & B ideas of other writers, it is important to extend/refine/limit their ideas with C."
The correcting misinterpretations model
"Although many scholars have argued about A and B, a careful examination suggests C."
The Gap Model
"Although scholars have noted A and B, they have missed the importance of C."
Hypothesis Testing Model
"People explain A by suggesting B, but close analysis of the problem reveals a possibility of several competing or complementary explanations, such as C, D, & E.
Define an issue
(an idea or a statement that is open to dispute) that compels you to respond in writing
Steps to formulate an issue based question
* Refine your topic * Explain your interest in the topic * Identify an issue * Formulate your topics as a question *Acknowledge your audience
Ways that can help identify the issue
*Draw on your own personal experience * Resist binary thinking *Build and extend on the ideas of others * read to discover a writers frame * consider the constraints of the situation
Read to discover a writers frame
What theories or ideas shape the writer's focus? How can these theories or ideas help you frame your argument?
Prepositional phrase
anything that follows a preposition
Build on and extend on the idea of others
as you read, be open to new ways of looking at the issue. The issue you finally write about may be very different from what you set out to write about
Past participles end in
ed, d, en, t, n
Definitive thesis
final thesis
working thesis
general idea of the direction of essay will take but will be ultimately refined and clarified as the essay develops (valuable in the early stages of writing)
Draw on your personal experience
start with your own sense of what's important, what puzzles you, or what you are curious about. Then build your argument by moving on to other sources to support your point of view
understand the situation
the factors that give rise to the issue and shape your response
parallel structure (parallelism)
the repetition of words or phrases that have similar grammatical structures
Formulating a question
what you intend to answer in response to the issue
Academic thesis Characteristics
*Makes an assertion that is clearly defined, focused and supported. *Reflects an awareness of the conversation from which the writer has taken up an issue. *Is placed at the beginning of the essay. *connects to every paragraph *Acknowledges points of view different from author's, reflecting the complexity of issue. *Demonstrates awareness of readers' assumptions & anticipates counterarguments.
Gerund
A verb form ending in -ing that is used as a noun
Participle
A verb form that can be used as an adjective
Infinitive
A verb form, usually preceded by "to," functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
Consider the constraints of the situation
Craft your argument to meet the needs of and constraints imposed by your audience and form
infinitive phrase
Group of words that starts with an infinitive and functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb
Resist binary thinking
Think about the issue from multiple perspectives
Identify what is open to dispute
identify a phenomenon or some idea in a written argument that challenges what you think or believe
Present participles end in
ing
infinitive complement
persuasive verbs want verbs believe verbs plan verbs make/let verbs
