for pacesetters2121
For this discussion board, you will compare popular (non-academic) vs. academic writing by reading two sample articles and writing a thoughtful analysis paragraph about their differences based on audience. This assignment will allow you to
· begin thinking critically about writing;
· examine how audience affects communication;
· investigate the differences between academic and non-academic writing broadly; and
· begin crafting well-organized, well-supported paragraphs using the MEAL plan strategy.
Assignment
Review the following two articles:
Article from the popular press, CNN : "Move Over, Sit Still! Why Kids Need to Move in School": (https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/03/health/children-movement-schools-classroom/index.html)
Academic article from a scholarly journal, The Physical Educator (academic journal): "Perceptions of the Effects of Recess on Kindergartners" (Academic Piece download)
Once you have read both articles carefully, take a few moments to review their rhetorical situation (see Chapter W-1 from your reading below). What is the context for each article? What is the purpose? Who is the audience? Why style of writing (genre) did they use and why? Once you identify the audience of each piece, look very carefully at how the articles were written. How are they organized? What kind of evidence do they use? What's their tone and style like? How is the article formatted on the page? How do they interact with the reader? Consider these questions with care.
Writing Prompt: Once you've investigated both articles, your task will be to write a paragraph that examines HOW the two articles differ based on their AUDIENCE.
Use the MEAL plan to organize your paragraph (main idea, evidence, analysis, and linking statement). Select specific evidence from both articles to show your reader your point, and make sure you analyze how each piece of evidence proves your topic sentence. For this paragraph, you should use a formal tone and style, so edit with care.
Response Requirement:
You must respond to two students within 24 hours of the due date. Please engage constructively with them as you point out the strengths of their posts as well as areas they could improve or continue thinking.
Resources
Textbook Reading: The Little Seagull Handbook
· Section W-1: Writing Contexts
· Section W- 2: Academic Contexts
· Section W-4: Developing Paragraphs
· Helpful Handout:
Paragraphing with the MEAL Plan
M: Main Idea
E: Evidence or Examples
A: Analysis
L: Link
Main Idea: Every paragraph should have one main idea. If you find that your paragraphs have more than one main idea, separate your paragraphs so that each has only one main point. The idea behind a paragraph is to introduce an idea and expand upon it. If you veer off into a new topic, begin a new paragraph.
Evidence or Examples: Your main idea needs support, either in the form of evidence that buttresses your argument or examples that explain your idea. If you don’t have any evidence or examples to support your main idea, your idea may not be strong enough to warrant a complete paragraph. In this case, reevaluate your idea and see whether you need even to keep it in the paper.
Analysis: Analysis is the heart of academic writing. While your readers want to see evidence or examples of your idea, the real “meat” of your idea is your interpretation of your evidence or examples: how you break them apart, compare them to other ideas, use them to build a persuasive case, demonstrate their strengths or weaknesses, and so on. Analysis is especially important if your evidence (E) is a quote from another author. Always follow a quote with your analysis of the quote, demonstrating how that quote helps you to make your case. If you let a quote stand on its own, then the author of that quote will have a stronger voice in your paragraph (and maybe even your paper) than you will.
Link: Links help your reader to see how your paragraphs fit together. When you end a paragraph, try to link it to something else in your paper, such as your thesis or argument, the previous paragraph or main idea, or the following paragraph. Creating links will help your reader understand the logic and organization of your paper, as well as the logic and organization of your argument or main points.
Adapted from Capella University Writing Center, January, 2006: “Paragraphing with the MEAL Plan.”