.

 

The case for not using computers in the classroom is also made here in an article by Dartmouth professor Dan Rockmore. This may help explain some of my own classroom exercises and polices.

The ability to summarize is key to all writing for and about the media.

 

To summarize:

 

Identify the writer/show/website/whatever's purpose.

• to inform: as in the primary purpose of most newspapers, TV News, etc.
• to persuade: as in the advertisements for adult medical products that come before, during and after the 6PM News.
• to entertain - entertainment is an emotional response: comedy. :-) or tragedy :-(
• or a combination - this is usually the case with one purpose being prime.

 

Identify the writer/show's structure.

• What are the stages of thought. These are typically broken into paragraphs, scenes or segments. Write a one sentence summary of each.
• If you are analyzing a film or television show, what does each scenes or segment convey? Write a one sentence summary of each.
• Identify the thesis, main theme or idea
• Write a first draft summary by combining the thesis with the summaries of each stage of thought, scene, or sequence.

A written discussion that draws on two or more sources.

 

To synthesize:

 

Consider your own purpose

• to inform
• to persuade
• to entertain
• or a combination

Consider your sources

• textbooks
• interviews: either first-person or compiled by someone else
• critical reviews
• the internet: testing credibility is important here! Is the source known? For example are you on the NY Times website or The Citadel, a survivalist website?

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Select and read sources, noting or marking ideas of significance.

 

Summarize those ideas. (See previous module.)

 

Formulate a thesis. What is your main idea. Use a model if necessary:

• Process/example
• compare and contrast
• cause and effect, there are many more!

 

Develop an organizational plan. An outline is a good way to do this.

 

Write a first draft, documenting the sources used and drawing on the structure suggested by any model that you used in formulating your thesis.

 

Write a second draft. The revising process is the key to developing your writing skills.

 

Be flexible!

 

Always remember that citation or attribution, depending on the course or assignment, is necessary in academia!

 

Adapted from Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum by Behrens and Rosen, ISBN 0-316-08761-0