Week Two

One of the most important things that first-year college students (the likely student demographic for Composition I) can learn is how to read and comprehend material thoughtfully. Many students are used to "skimming" rather than actually critically reading. Critically reading means taking the time to carefully consider what you're reading so that you fully understand the material. Writers benefit from critical reading immensely, particularly when they are reading genres they may be asked to compose on their own later.

To get started this week, read the "How to Read Like a Writer" essay by Mike Bunn, published on WritingSpaces.org. Then, review the Critical Reading & Thinking; Reading Like a Writer slideshow embedded below.

From the Week One readings, you should know that good academic writing requires process. Often, texts on the writing process will divide it, roughly, into five components:

1. Invention - brainstorming for ideas

2. Research - gathering of information

3. Writing - planning and drafting

4. Revising - re-reading, re-organizing, editing, and proofreading

5. Reflecting - looking back on what you've learned

Reflecting, or reflection, is not a task unique to the writing process. Most disciplines use some sort of looking back on learning to carry it forward to the next task, project, assignment, etc.

We'll do a couple of different reflective writings this semester:

• your first major project (4.1) will be a reflective essay, a 600-700 word essay in which you reflect back over your writing experiences up to this point in your life (more on this to come)

• at the end of each major project, you'll have a project learning reflection; these project reflections will be 1-2 paragraphs in which you reflect back over your writing process and learning of course objectives while completing the project (4.2 will be your first learning reflection, over the 4.1 project)

Note: *Your 4.1 essay and 4.2 learning reflection will be due at the end of Week 4*

• at the end of the semester, you'll write a semester reflection essay that will serve as the focal point of your final portfolio; in that reflection essay, you'll reflect over your writing process and learning of course objectives over the entire semester.

To learn more about reflective writing, read the following:

• "Reflective Writing"

• "Genres in academic writing: Reflective Writing"

• "Reflection Essay"

• "How to Write a Reflection Essay" (YouTube)

After you've completed the readings for this week, you'll be ready to complete the 2.1 Discussion (see below).