Day 3: Positive Writing Experiences

Today, we are going to discover a little bit about different types of writers.  Well, that's not really true.  Today, we are going to learn about the different types of problems that writers have.  That's better.  None of us are perfect writer's, but our goal for this semester is to improve our academic English writing.

Short List: 

1. Attendance
2. 5 Kinds of Writers Activity
3. Writer's Help Check
4. Community Circle Get-To-Know-You Game

Homework: 

• Review your diagnostic
• Identify strengths 
• Identify 2-3 specific goals for improvement

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The Details
Schedule of events:

1. Attendance Check

2. [20 minutes] 5 Kinds of Writers Activity
Designed by Jin Kim, but adapted by Jon Bair

Each of us could become better writers.  As we do this activity, reading the "scripts" of the five different writer's, try to think about yourself--which of the five do you most relate to?

Directions:

• In small groups, read the different parts--but be a good actor as if this part was really you! :) 
• After each "character" the group should, as a whole 
• Define the main problem(s) the writer has
• Identify and give good advice for the writer
• When you are done, each person from the group will share their advice for one of the characters here for the whole class to see.  
• Follow this format: 
• <Your name> - <The name of the character> - <Your advice> 

3.  [15 - 20 minutes] Writer's Help Check

Content for the "Some features" portion was planned by Cassandra Rosado.  

In this activity, we are going to learn a little bit about Writer's Help.  Writer's Help is the required ebook for this class.  It is not like a normal textbook.  You can think of it as more of a reference book.   For the next 15 - 20 minutes, we will troubleshoot problems and learn about the main features of the textbook, as well as explaining how we will grade exercises in it.  

1. Some features
• Contents vs. Index
• Exercise Help
• Scorecard
2. Troubleshooting
3. Grading
• Using this sheet. 

4. [Remaining class time] Community Circle Get-To-Know-You Game

Homework:
Here at the beginning of the semester, we are trying to get to know ourselves and our writing better.  We will look at how we are writing, and we will set realistic goals for improvement over the semester.  However, not everyone is at the same exact level, nor does everyone have the same strengths and weaknesses.  For homework, take your diagnostic home, look at my notes on it, and write me an email suggesting what your strengths are and 3 specific goals are for improvement based on your diagnostic or another piece of real evidence that you have of your academic writing.