3.11 Using a design model to plan/revise writing projects

We started class with a discussion of the readingby Wysoki & Lynch.  They present a design approach to composing,  and as we noted in our conversation, this approach is particularly useful (necessary) for considering projects which use more and different media or modes different from print.  Their piece is fairly straightforward, and in sum, the set forward the steps indeveloping a communication project as follows.

1. purpose
2. audience expectations
3. larger context
4. communication strategies
5. choice of medium
6. order/arrangement
7. testing your work on a sample audience

After talking through what each of these steps entails, we read through a sample process narrative (posted in the second unit within the course readings, linked to the right).  We then assessed this project using the three methods for reflecting on writing which we have covered so far: using a writing rubric based on the requirements for the assignment; using the kind of writerly response suggested by Elbow; and using the "design" principles suggested by Wysoki & Lynch.  Each of these approaches considers the writing from a different perspective.

The assignment sheet-based assessment looked at writing as a product = a "thing" which either has or does not have the required features.

Elbow's approach looks at writing as an interactive communication - which evokes (or not) particular responses from its various audiences.

Wysoki and Lynch's list of design principles looks at composing as a process, and engages writers in reflecting on whether and how they have successfully engaged different considerations within that process.

Reviewing your work in light of these different perspectives can help you decide uponwhat and how to revise a work in process.

This review took all but about 5 minutes of the class, so you didn't really have much time to work on your draft process narrative.   Hopefully, what we did do - reading/evaluating the sample process narrative - gave you some ideas for thinking the form and content for your narrative.

For next class:
Read: "Origins & Forms of Writing" Denise Schmandt-Besserat and Michael Erard; <= (We won't be reading this first one.)  Introduction to Sociolinguistics and Literacies: Ideology in Discourse, James Gee
AND
the sample process narratives.
Write:  Draft process narrative - send as an attachment to the course email + post to the portfolio.

Make sure you have done the pre-writing  (writing to the various prompts on your writing process which are posted on the blog) and posted it to your portfolio before you do the draft.  As stated in the assignment sheet, this essay should document (describe in detail from observation) and analyze your writing process, and to do the analysis you need observations.

For the draft - don't worry about editing/spelling/perfect (or even complete) sentences.  Focus on getting all your observations and ideas onto the page.  IF the focus is not quite clear to you - that is OK, too.  We will work on in in the peer review on 4.4.

What we will do in class. After discussing the readings, we will review + evaluate the sample process narratives.

Have a great break, and see you in two weeks!