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ENG 101 CRITICAL THINKING & ACADEMIC WRITING

Unit 1: Introduction to Critical Thinking

Minimum of 1-2 pages

Purpose of the assignment. This assignment requires you to write a detailed analysis of a higher

order critical reading strategy. You must select one of the approved higher order critical reading

strategies below and one of the essays from Chapters 1 and 2 (see selected essays listed below).

Please note, you will apply the essays from Chapters 1 and 2 to Roman numeral III (outline) and your

third body paragraph (essay) only.

§ Synthesizing

§ Contextualizing

§ Evaluating the logic of an argument

§ Judging the writer’s credibility

§ Recognizing emotional manipulation

Purpose of an outline: Developing an outline helps you organize your work hierarchically enabling

the reader and the writer to see how the essay is organized. Additionally, complete sentences

articulate the reasoning that is beneficial to both the reader and the writer. Please note that you may

expand the outline format to suit your needs.

Unit 1 Outline Format: Develop a formal outline (see sample outline format below). Each entry

should contain full sentences. Roman numeral I will define the higher order reading strategy using

at least three writing strategies (see Sample Outline Format on pgs. 2 and 3). Roman numeral II will

explain what vocabulary building strategies you use to help define any words you read while

developing this assignment. Roman numeral III will give a concrete example of its application (see

essays below; these essays will guide this section).

q "Who Does the Talking Here?" by Deborah Tannen - pps. 7-9

q "Actually, Let's Not Be in the Moment" by Ruth Whippman - pps. 14-16

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q "The Future is Now: It's Heading Right at Us, but We Never See It Coming" by Joel

Achenbach - pps. 20-23

q "Nasty Women Have Much Work to Do" by Alexandra Petri - pps. 45-47

q "In Praise of a Snail's Pace" by Ellen Goodmanpps. 50-52

q "Why I Taught Myself to Procrastinate" by Adam Grant - pps. 57-60

Unit 1 Essay Format: Based on the outline, you will develop a five-paragraph essay. This essay

must include a detailed introduction, with a motivator and thesis, and a conclusion with a reworded

thesis and clincher. You will research two academic sources (newspaper, magazine, journal article,

etc.). These sources should thoroughly explain the meaning of your selected higher order reading

strategy. Be sure to edit and proofread your final draft.

Sample Outline Format

Introduction (first paragraph) – must include the following:

Strong opening with a motivator: Arouse the interest of readers and involve them in the

subject (a statement of fact and a question, a series of questions, interesting or startling facts,

use of a metaphor, fascinating incident).

Context: Provide a clear content-driven background that gives an overview of your critical

reading strategy. Please remember to select one of the following higher order reading

strategies (synthesizing, contextualizing, evaluating the logic of an argument, judging the

writer’s credibility, and recognizing emotional manipulation). Research two academic

sources (newspaper, magazine, journal article, etc.) to assist with your understanding of

the reading strategy.

Thesis Statement: this should be the last sentence in your introduction and it must reflect

why your selected higher order critical reading strategy is valuable.

I. First Body Paragraph – Topic sentence goes here – Explain your critical reading strategy

– what does it mean. Use three writing strategies (defining, illustrating, comparing and

contrasting, and showing causes or effects) to help with your explanation. State each

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writing strategy on your outline and essay – place in parentheses ( ). Find an academic

source (newspaper, magazine, journal article, etc.) to assist with this section.

A. Supporting details – (Defining)

B. Supporting details – (Illustrating)

C. Supporting details – (Causes or Effects)

II. Second Body Paragraph – Topic sentence goes here – State what vocabulary building

skills (context clues, definition, additional readings – outside sources, etc.) you used to

understand any unfamiliar words. List the vocabulary words you encountered and explain

the vocabulary building skills used. Find an academic source (newspaper, magazine,

journal article, etc.) to assist with this section. Select vocabulary words from Chapters 1

and 2 or your academic sources.

A. Supporting details –

B. Supporting details –

C. Supporting details –

III. Third Body Paragraph – Topic sentence goes here – Apply your reading strategy to one

of the essays from Chapters 1 or 2. For example, explain why your reading strategy

would be applicable to reading “Who Does The Talking Here?” (pgs. 7-9). Again,

explain why your critical reading strategy is valuable.

A. Supporting details –

B. Supporting details –

C. Supporting details –

Conclusion

Reworded thesis

Clincher

**Please note that each outline entry must contain full-sentences**