English 2100

Reading Questions:

1. The myths that apply to me would be Myth#4 and Myth #6, the first being that I believe that my writing ability is something fixed. I honestly believe my writing hasn’t grown or improved nor can, but maybe just maybe I’m wrong. The second being I almost always use a five-paragraph essay format, no matter the situation. It’s just what I’ve grown with, I don’t know anything else!
2. College-level research requires much higher level of critical literacy as compared to high school. Good research skills include the ability to read complex texts, understanding key concepts, and devising strategies for analyzing and responding critically.
3. An argument is a carefully arranged and supported presentation of a viewpoint. In simpler terms, it’s a detailed showing of a claim along with proof to support that claim. The author exemplifies a conversation who don’t have similar opinions, but want a better understanding of the matter at hand.
4. The three kinds of writing assignments you might receive are The Closed Writing Assignment, The Semi-Open Writing Assignment, and The Open Writing Assignment. The first would ask you to make inferences and form an analysis from a yes-no question. The second involves analyzing a reading and discuss at new patterns about what you read. The third, allows you to decide what to write about and making your own claims.
5. The three characteristics are, “clear evidence in writing that the writers have been persistent, open-minded, and disciplined”, “the dominance of reason over emotions or sensual perception”, and “an imagined reader who is coolly rational, reading information, and intending to formulate a reasoned response.”
6. Give two examples of when the author feels first person is more appropriate in a particular context. Use 3-4 sentences. One example includes using first person when it supports objectivity and integrity. An example of that would be scientific writing. A second example is when you’re showing ownership, intellectual involvement, and exigency. This strengthens your own argument and cites scholarship.
7. It’s clearly a bad idea to use “I” when you have already used it once. The reading states we shouldn’t overuse first person. Although, if you’re going to make a transition, you should give the reader an idea that you’re using your voice as an introduction when you are going to use “I”.