Unit_Two_Assignment

Unit Two: Writing a Portrait of a Writer ENC 1101 Dunlap Fall 2009

Objective: To understand that writing is a complex process, and that there are similarities and differences in individual writers. By developing a vocabulary to discuss our own writing processes and reflect on them, we learn how to better respond to our strengths and weaknesses in composition.

Your Task: Develop a “Portrait” of yourself as a writer by drawing on your personal experiences, the articles we have read in class, and our discussions of contemporary technology and writing. Then evaluate how these elements compose your identity as a writer and what significance this might have to writing instructors and other students.

Where To Begin: Read the assigned articles from the textbook and start to build your understanding of writing as a process. You may also want to include additional readings on the role of contemporary technology in our cognitive lives. (See “Is Google Making Us Stupid”) Reflect on your own writing process.

• After you have constructed your views on writing as a process you will want to consider the following: • How does your writing process fit with the previous research on writing? • Who are you writing for? Are you writing something that will keep their interest? • How do you see technology relating to your sense of identity? In what ways does this carry over into your view of yourself as a writer.

Assignment: To write an essay on yourself as a writer incorporating yourself into the current classroom conversations of writing as a process and contemporary technology.

How You Are Evaluated: You will want to consider the following points as key to effective writing. • Do you have a clear knowledge of in class readings as they relate to the writing process? • Are you writing about something of significance to your audience? • Can you incorporate your experiences in an effectively compelling way? • Does your essay make clear, insightful observations about the influence of contemporary technology on the writing process? • Do you write in a personable, involved manner? • Does you essay demonstrate coherent and developed writing? • Is your use of language varied, personable and tonally appropriate? • Are you using concrete details and effective narrative structures to present your writing process?

Specific Directions: • The says needs to be 1000-1400 words • Needs to be double-spaced • Must be formatted to MLA standards (Refer to your handbook) • Submit the paper on time (to my office or mailbox by 5:00 p.m.) • Submit all hard copies: drafts and final portfolio. No electronic