Bridging the Gap from Reading to Writing The

Bridging the Gap from Reading to Writing

The goal-directed nature of reading-to-write � Reading-to-write makes a special demand for critical literacy because … it brings these two processes [reading and writing] into strong interaction.

� The reading process is guided by the need to produce a text of one’s own. The reader as writer is expected to manipulate information and transform it to his or her own purposes. � And the writing process is complicated by the need to shape one’s own goals in response to the ideas or even the purposes of another writer. � Linda Flower et. al. Reading-to. Write (6, 1990)

A look at my own read to write process � Begins with close reading (and re-reading)

� and then I take notes of what I think is important from the reading

� Next I sort relevant notes from multiple sources (quotes or information) around key topics I will discuss in my paper. One “evidence sheet” for each topic.

� Finally, as I write on those key topics, I pull relevant quotes and information from these evidence sheets.

Moving from Reading to Writing: “The Story of An Hour”--link

Begin with close reading http: //www. lirvin. net/WGuides/closereading. html

Provide (or find) an “Essay Question” and Brainstorm for Reasons Analyze/Understand a Writing Prompt Declare a Focused Thesis Find Primary Supports for the Thesis http: //www. lirvin. net/WGuides/definereasons. htm

Brainstorming for reasons example Topic/Subject: Marriage Essay Question: What does the story communicate about marriage? Tentative Thesis: Chopin in her story communicates that marriage is a “joy that kills. ”

Sample Brainstorming

Mini-outline sheets � Work on defining and phrasing of Primary Supports � Early work on what will be transition sentences for Body paragraphs � claim/thesis + reason

Developing Secondary Support: Finding Textual Evidence Analyze/Understand a Writing Prompt Declare a Focused Thesis Find Primary Supports for the Thesis Develop Specific Secondary Support for Each Primary Support http: //www. lirvin. net/WGuid es/Support. htm

Textual Evidence Sheets

How Evidence Sheets Work � Each Evidence Sheet focuses on a SINGLE Primary Support � Restate the Essay Question and the Thesis � Write out the CLAIM + REASON (Primary Support) � E. g. Chopin communicates that marriage is a joy that kills because the view out the window reveals a freedom and life missing in her marriage. � What evidence IN THE TEXT is there that shows/proves that what she sees out the window Onreveals one side write the quote and life Onabsent the otherin side explain how the a freedom her marriage exactly word for word quote is showing or proving the life? reason to be true or likely

Writing from Evidence Sheets � Evidence sheets become sources of selected textual support that students can access as they build supporting paragraphs

It’s a messy process