Reading, Writing & Presenting

Reading, Writing & Presenting

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing and Presenting

What are we covering today?

• Why reading is important

• ​​​How to build reading skills

• ​​How to read right​

• How the writing process works

• What the seven C's (writing) and seven P's (presenting) are

• How to make your PowerPoint pop​

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing and Presenting

Why do college students lose Focus?

They miss opportunities!

College can be a whirwind of obligatations, due dates, and meetings. You buys a planner, get yourself organized, but then don't take the time to keep it updated. Don't let opportunities pass you by. Keep your focus sharp!

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Try reviewing your planner at the end of each day for a week. Note your successes and share them with your classmates.​

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

Multiple Choice

What percent of the learning you'll do in college requires careful reading?

• 50%

• 75%

• 85%

• 100%

Multiple Choice

First year students often need to read and understand how many pages per week?

• 50-75

• 75-100

• 100-150

• 150-200

Multiple Choice

The goal of reading is to:

• Read quickly

• Read everything

• Read to understand

• Read slowly

The Building Blocks of English

​Sounds

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Syllables

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Spelling

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Vocabulary​

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Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

Read Right!

1. Understand what being a good reader is all about.

   1. Focus is the key

   2. Understanding is the goal; not speed

2. Take stock of your own reading challenges

   1. Physical and psychological factors affect reading

   2. Assessing your own challenges is important

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

Read Right!

3. Adjust your reading style

   1. Judge how to read by what you need.

   2. Know when to "taste," and when to "digest

4. ​Have a conversation with the author.

   1. Question the author as you read.

   2. ​Keep your own commentary on the text

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

Read Right!

5. Dissect the text.

a. Cut up the text; try putting it into your own words.

b. Write "what" and "why" statements in the margins.

6. Make detailed notes.

a. Find the main points.

b. Write it down to help remember it later​

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

Read Right!

7. Put things into context

a. reading requires "cultural literacy"

b. Authors assume a common ground.

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

Multiple Choice

What are the building blocks of the English Language?

• Prefixes, suffixes, roots and syllables

• Sounds, roots, spelling and vocabulary

• Sounds, syllables, spelling and vocabulary

• Prefixes, suffixes, sounds and syllables

Multiple Choice

Which of the following will help you decipher unfamiliar words you encounter while reading?

• Prefixes

• Suffixes

• Word roots

• all of these

Read Right!

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

8. Don't avoid the tough stuff

a. Reading in college includes complicated sentences.

b. Reading aloud will help you work through difficult texts.

c. A common approach to reading is called SQ3R:

• Survey: Skim to get the lay of the land quickly

• Question: Ask yourself what, why, and how questions

• Read (1): Read the entire assignment

• Recite (2): Put what you're reading into your own words.

• Review (3): Go back and summarize what you've learned.

Read Right!

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

9. Learn the Language

a. Every discipline has its own vocabulary

b. Pay attention to the perspective and priorities of each discipline.

10.​ Bring your reading to class.

a. Instructors may use or refer to the text in class.

b. Bring up the reading in class and ask questions

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Read Right!

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

11. Ask for a demonstration

a. Request a mini-lesson on difficult class readings.

b. Bring up the reading in class and ask questions

12.​ Be inventive!

a. Invent strategies that work for you!

b. Make it applicable to your learning style

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Multiple Choice

The SQ3R approach to reading includes all of the following except:

• Survey

• Recite

• Revise

• Question

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is not a helpful reading strategy?

• taking appropriate reading breaks

• adding variety by switching from one subject to another

• pulling an all-nighter/study non-stop

• paying attention to details/aiming for accuracy

Now let's talk Writing!

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

Multiple Choice

What are the three basic stages of writing?

• prewriting, writing and rewriting

• brainstorming, writing and revising

• writing, editing and revising

• Planning, prewriting and writing

Write Right! Prewriting

Before you begin writing, ask yourself these questions:

1. What is this assignment asking me to do?

2. Who is my audience, and what do I want them to know or do?

3. Can I compose a strong thesis statement?

4. Have I done enough research?

5. Set in-between target dates.

   1. Then set in-between target dates for the three stages of writing, even if your instructor doesnt.​

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

Channel Chooser

Today’s wide array of technology options requires that we choose how to communicate on a minute-by-minute basis. Your grandparents used to make long-distance calls (which were expensive) or write snail-mail letters. Besides talking face-to-face, those were the primary options. Today, you can call someone, fire off a text, send an email or tweet, or post something on Facebook, for example. The particular choices you make send a message about you and whether you are a competent communicator. The bottom-line question is this: Is one channel more appropriate than another for a specific message? Look at the following scenarios, decide which particular communication channel you’d choose for each situation, and then explain why. Here’s an example:

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A student employee who has worked with you for two years wins a prestigious college award. You want to congratulate her. Which channel would you choose, and why?

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Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

A. Phone call	​E. Written note
B. Text Message	F. Face-to​-face conversation
C. Email	G. Tweet​
D. Facebook Post	H. Other​

Channel Discussion

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

A. Phone call	​E. Written note
B. Text Message	F. Face-to​-face conversation
C. Email	G. Tweet​
D. Facebook Post	H. Other​

​* You need your instructor's approval on the thesis statement you've written for your first essay in English class. You're having trouble coming up with something.

​* You want to break up with your romantic partner of six months. You just found out something disappointing that makes you feel hurt and angry.

​* You want to let other students know about an exciting campus event this weekend. It is free and open to everyone.

*​ Your last college tuition bill contained a major error. It's a big mess.

​* The low grade you earned on your history paper counted for a large portion of your overall grade and may put you on academic probation. You need to ask your instructor to reconsider.

​* You want to tell your boss you're not coming in to work today because something came up.

* You want to thank your favorite professor for a great learning experience this term.​

Write Right! Writing

Use these techniques for starting the writing process:

1. Begin by writing what's on your mind.

2. Begin with the words, "The purpose of this paper is . . . "

3. Work with a tutor in your campus Writing Center.

4. Change the audience.

5. Play a role​

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

Write Right! Rewriting

Try these suggestions when rewriting:

1. Leave it alone.

2. Ask for feedback.

3. Edit ruthlessly!

4. Decide on an organizational format.

5. Proofread, proofread, proofread​

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

Multiple Choice

To begin the writing process you should do all of the following except:

• Leave it until you are inspired

• Work with a tutor

• Write what's on your mind

• Change the audience

1. Be Clear

2. Be Complete

3. Be Correct

4. Be Concise

5. Be Compelling

6. Be Courteous

7. Be Convincing

Building a Better Paper: 7 C's

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

To write a better paper you should:

• Be clear and complete

• Be concise and compelling

• Be courteous and convincing

• All of the these

Finally let's talk Presenting!

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

Ten Ways to Oust Speaking Anxiety

1. Read, set, go.

2. Dress for success.

3. Lighten up.

4. Don't be a mannequin.

5. Practice in your presentation room.

6. Find some guinea pigs.

7. Channel your energy.

8. Visualize your success.

9. Mistakes are made to be corrected.

10. If you can't shake it, fake it!!!

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

Craft a Winning Presentation: 7 P's

1. Purpose

2. People

3. Place

4. Preparation

5. Planning

6. Personality

7. Performance

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

PowerPoint or PowerPointless

Five Ways to Make Your Presentations Stand Out

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DO use your whole brain.

DO use color to your advantage.

DON'T crowd your slides with text.

DON'T let your slides steal the show

DO include a bibliography slide.​

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Chapter 8: Reading, Writing & Presenting

Midterm Reflection Assignment

All papers must be in 12 - point font, double-spaced and include a heading in the upper left-hand corner with your name, date and the title of the assignment. Papers will be graded on organization and must be written representing college level grammar and punctuation, as well as citing all referenced sources.

Mid-Semester Reflection

Write a three-page reflection assessing your progress so far this fall. How are your grades? Are there any courses that you may need some extra help (tutoring)? Have you been keeping track of your assignments in your planner? Reference the assignments, projects and discussions from our class that will assist you with achieving your goals.

Chapter 8: Reading, Writing and Presenting