Surfing ELT25th ARTESOL Convention, Mar del Plata, Argentina

May 10-11, 2013

Writing Academically for Student Success

Pamela Duran & Elena Smith

Intensive American Language CenterWashington State University

Washington State

Washington State University Campus

Teaching Academic Writing

What’s Important?

Academic Writing Challenges

audiencegrammar, mechanicscritical thinkingpurposedocumentation of sourceslogical transitionsorganizationanalysis/synthesissmooth handling of contentand many more…

The Biggest Challenge in Teaching Academic Writing We Have Found

Developing adequate support of the point to prove using clear

details and

examples

Major Characteristics of Successful Academic Writing:

1. The continuous movement of logic is“assert then support; assert then support.” 2. No statement - without specific support At the IALC, we require:Each assertion has to have at least

three supporting points.

Studies Show:

• Interests• Needs• Values• Beliefs• Knowledge

generate writer’s ability to provide adequate support

What generates adequate essay support?

When teachers assign topics

• Interests (whose? students or teachers?)

•Knowledge (whose? students or teachers?)

IALC’s Technique

Write a short paragraph about this piece of music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eQiTqVQdHk&feature=related

Discussion

Was it interesting?

Did you have knowledge about it?

How did you feel?

Interests? Knowledge?Global Topics

• Social discrimination• Dystopia• Human Rights• Ethics in mediaImagine - you are students…what could you write?

Students Reaction to Music Piece #1

• No movement• Scary environment• Struggling for life• Maybe it has meaning, but I don’t understand

it• Boring• Like opening doors in a horror movie• Producing headache

IALC’s Technique

Write a short paragraph about this piece of music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqBJFDbE2ZI

Discussion

Was it interesting?Did you have knowledgeabout it?

How did you feel? What helped you write about it?

Students Reaction to Music Piece #2

• Feel happy but bored• I want to fly• It has harmony, so I can understand• There is matching voice and melody• My heart is warm• My mind is in peace

Topics with personal focus

1. Love or money?

2. The happiest day in my life

3. A person I admire

4. My favorite restaurant

Emotions

Abdullah’s Personal Story

Personal emotional connection to the topic helps develop adequate support

GLOBAL

PERSONAL

Write a paragraph about Time to Say Goodbye

answering the following questions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl9WMIPzd6w&feature=related

1. Do you like this musical piece?2. How does this music make you feel? 3. Explain why it makes you feel this way?4. Explain in details your attitude to this piece of music.

Discussion

• Compare the three different pieces of music you’ve listened to.

• Which piece seems the most developed of the three?

• Why?

Students Reaction to Music Piece #3

• Well developed music in harmony with many instruments

• The combination of voices and instruments make it more fun

• As if I’m walking to heaven up the stairs• Familiar and more pleasant, easy to understand• Real art; special and creative• Expresses confidence and conveys information• Balanced

Discussion

What do emotions add to writing?

The role of emotions in providing adequate support in academic writing

• Interests• Knowledge•Emotionsbuild writing progression

The IALC Students’ Opinions

Excerpts from Students’ Evaluations

• My favorite activity this session was writing about the music.

• When I had to write what I felt when I was listening to the music, I understood how to support my opinion.

• Music activity was very useful. Now I know how to explain what I think or know.

Thank you

ReferencesIrvin, L. What is Academic Writing? 2010http://wac.colostate.edu/books/writingspaces1/irvin--what-is-academic-writing.pdf

Intellectual Challenges in American Academic Writing: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/

Palmquist, M. A Social Model of Writing. Writing@CSU. 2010Thaiss, Chris and Terry Zawacki. Engaged Writers & Dynamic Disciplines: Research on the Academic Writing Life. Portsmouth: Boynton/Cook, 2006Music Pieces :H. Lachenmann: Salut für Caudwell www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2lyQc-6Mz4Caccini Ave Maria by Andrea Bocelli http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqBJFDbE2ZITime to Say Goodbyehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl9WMIPzd6w&feature=related http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/img/college-photo_8117._445x280-zmm.JPGhttp://photomoodblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/photo-mood-palouse-valley-landscape-1.jpg