QUESTIONS - THE EVERYDAY WRITER BY LUNSFORD

 Please respond to the following questions as you read chapters in this text.

 CHAPTER 1

 1.  Why is appropriate use of supportive evidence so critical in any piece of writing?

 2.  How does a writer increase credibility?

 3.  Why is it so important to pay attention to the VERBS a professor uses when describing an assignment?

 4.  Think of two writing assignments you completed in high school.  Who was the audience for each and how did you modify the assignment to reach each particular audience?

 CHAPTER 2

 1.  Introduction with clear thesis;  clear and well structured body of the essay that addresses thesis;  proper use of evidence within body of essay;  effective closure…this general pattern is typical in a well-designed essay.  How do effective transitions relate to the above overall structure or pattern?

 2.  Why are strings of short sentences so ineffective?

 3.  What are two principles to remember in writing an effective paragraph?

 4. overall format and documentation style in this course is 12 point print, Times New Roman or Arial, double spaced, and use of APA for in text citations and references.

Any questions?

 CHAPTER 3

 1.  Review this chapter and the twenty errors commonly made.  Identify THREE of the 20 errors you sometimes make.

 (Chapters 4 and 5 are interesting but you can read these on your own.)

 CHAPTER 6

 1.  On page 38 you will see an example of a “graphic organizer.”  Review it since we will use this technique in planning writing assignments.  What are key features of a graphic organizer?

 2.  If our topic for a three page paper is to “compare and contrast” scholarly viewpoints on why more women than men live below the poverty line in the U.S., what are FOUR questions you would write to help you think about this topic and the research you will pursue?

 3.  In this class we will visit the library to learn more about different databases to use in this and other classes.  Go to the GAC library website using your computer and find DATABASES.  Explore one that you think might be appropriate for use in this course and list that DB title here.  What kinds of sources did you find in the database?

 CHAPTER 7

 1.  Narrowing any topic is always a challenge but a critical step in any writing assignment.  The thesis helps us focus writing.  Based on the information on page 42, what is wrong with this thesis?

“Researchers and other experts believe that treatment for body image disorders must address physical, emotional, cultural, social, and gender differences.”

 (Review the rest of chapter 7 very carefully.  Do you use an outline before writing a first draft?  Why or why not?)

 CHAPTER 8

 1.  Read about writing effective paragraphs.  What are three principles explained in this chapter that you need to pay attention to when you write an essay?

 2.  On pages 60-61, the Introduction and Conclusion are discussed.  Think about a piece of writing you developed in high school.  What technique did you use for the introduction?  Conclusion?  What other techniques could one use?

 (Chapter 9 addresses editing, a very important part of writing.  You will use this chapter as you write each first draft.)

CHAPTER 10

 1.  Beginning on page 74, there are several “emotional fallacies” or appeals that every writer must avoid.  Writers who are finding and evaluating sources must also look for use of these techniques when deciding whether to use a source.  As you review these fallacies, explain WHY the writer must be cautious when a source uses these techniques.

CHAPTER 11
You will carefully read this chapter before you begin the Compare and Contrast essay developed in this course.

 CHAPTER 12
This chapter focuses on use of a computer for writing assignments.  I will assume you have computer and word processing skills.  If you need help, ask.

 CHAPTER 13

This chapter focuses on designing documents, using headings, visuals, and so on.
Read it as needed when you write in this course and others.

 We will not use chapter 14.

 CHAPTER 15
Read before you do oral presentations in class.  You will do several presentations of readings and finally, your papers.

 CHAPTERS 16,17,18, 20 focus on research

The Compare and Contrast Analysis Paper in this class is a research-based paper.  Carefully read these chapters before you begin that assignment.  We will discuss research-based writing in class.

CHAPTER 19

1.  How does one decide whether to quote, paraphrase, or summarize?

 2.  When should a quote be indented according to APA format?

 3.  What is a “signal phrase” and when does a writer use one?

 4.  What criteria does a writer use to decide when a sentence or idea should be cited?

 5.  What are THREE examples of plagiarism?

 6.  What is the GAC HONOR CODE and why would a college have one?

 7.  How does plagiarism relate to that Honor Code?

It is my expectation, and the expectation of every professor at GAC, that you are ethical and do your own work.  Any violation of the Honor Code in this class will result in a grade of “F” and immediate referral to the dean for appropriate action.

 Notice that beginning with chapter 21, the text helps a writer problem solve.  Sentence style, punctuation, and other writing conventions are discussed.  You will refer to these chapters as needed to better understand comments on your writing.

 Now turn to page 414.  Study the section on APA style.  We will use APA in this course but you may well use the other styles as you complete your course work at GAC. 

 THIS IS AN EXCELLENT TEXT YOU SHOULD KEEP FOR ALL FOUR YEARS AT GAC.  YOU WILL USE IT OFTEN AND PROFESSORS WILL REFER YOU TO A SECTION WITHIN THE BOOK AS WE SEE PROBLEMS WITH WRITING.