Writing in art design architecture Aalto University School

Writing in art, design & architecture Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Session 1 • Intro to the course • Getting acquainted • Intro to Mycourses (if needed? ) • Intro to Learner Blogging • First Learner Blog in class • Instructions for next lesson: an online class 1/13/15 2

Writing Inspirations Teacher: Will Sillitoe, Email: will. sillitoe@aalto. fi 1/13/15 3

Course Goals Upon the completion of this course, students will be able to • write about concepts related to art, design and architecture • demonstrate the stages of writing from inspiration to revision and final work • construct sentences and paragraphs that are cohesive and easy to read • write both formal and informal texts 1/13/15 4

Course Content (in class) • Elements of both creative and academic or professional writing. • Paragraph and essay structure as well as cohesion and coherence. • Collaboration with peers through brainstorming, sharing ideas, responding to each other’s writing, and giving feedback. 1/13/15 5

Course Content (at home) • Four (longer) writing assignments • 4 shorter Learner activities • Some exercises 1/13/15 6

Assessment methods 1/2 • Regular attendance required • (max two absences; 3 rd > - 5% off the grade; more than 3> fail!!) • No compensation for missed classes. • No compensation for missed deadlines. (Mycourses missed deadlines. ) • Work submitted late will NOT be accepted or commented on. 1/13/15 7

Assessment methods 2/2 Completion of four writing assignments (from planning stage to the final version) 1) Exhibition writing 5% (graded) = 5% 2) Artist Statement 5% +15% (graded) = 20% 3) Job Application 5% + 15% (graded) = 20% 4) Visual Analysis 5% + 20% (graded) = 25% • Completion of 4 learner activities / 150 -200 words each 20% • Active in-class contribution & participation 10% • = total of 100% 1/13/15 8

Study Materials Provided by the teacher (and you!) 1/13/15 9

Any questions? Still interested in the course? 1/13/15 10

Getting Acquainted Write a short (150 – 200 words) introduction to yourself including the following: who are you? , what do you study, which year of studies? , how do you like your studies here? , how do you feel about being here today/ taking this English course? (be honest), how do you see your own writing skills in English? other comments? 1/13/15 11

Getting Acquainted Swap your paper with your neighbor. Read your neighbor’s intro to him/herself. Introduce your neighbour to the rest of the class. Help the rest of us remember your neighbour’s name! 1/13/15 12

Learner task 1: Go to mycourses. aalto. fi Session 1: Writing Activities 1 1/13/15 13

Learner Blog.

Why use short writing activities on this course? Write and express yourself freely in English. Informal expression of ideas & thoughts. No teacher intervention/ comments on your language, only some comments on the content of your posts. 4 entries in total with each entry of min. 150 – 200 words. Minimum of 2 replies to others’ posts. Must be submitted by the deadline. No work submitted after the deadline will be accepted! 1/13/15 15

Why use Writing Activities? • Records progress of your learning • Helps you think deeply about the process of learning • Strategies to get around those difficulties • Your evaluation of your own performance • Communicates your thinking process: how and why you did what you did, and what you now think about what you did • Helps get to know the other students better and how they feel/write about the same issues EVERYONE CAN READ YOUR WORK! 1/13/15 16

Writing Activity 1: Write a short introduction to yourself and your goals and expectations for this course (150 -200 words) in ’email format’ to your teacher. Submit this in Mycourses – Session 1, Writing Activity 1 by Friday. 1. Your Background • as a (TAIK) Student • as a student of English 1. Your goals and expectations for the course • What are the skills you want to improve during this course? • Ideas, wishes? 1/13/15 17

No Session two! • Please go through Session 2 slides in Moodle and acquaint yourself with the online sources mentioned. • Write your Writing Activity 2 (150 - 200 words) on what you learned or found useful. You can also discuss an online tool you use that was not mentioned in my slides. • Submit your Writing Activity 2 before our next lesson (23: 55). 1/13/15 18

Intro to Exhibition writing (for next lesson) • The students choose exhibitions to visit this week • Opening hours/ cost: check online • Each student will work on a different aspect of the exhibition (see the following list; other aspects? ). • Brainstorm your own topic. • Visit the exhibition, make notes while there. 1/13/15 19

Intro to Exhibition writing • Read any texts on the walls. • If a brochure is available, take it and read it to get more out of the exhibition. Take notes on the comments, too. • Take notes of even all of your own responses to individual works. • Put down everything you think is worth saying, and don’t limit yourself. You will revise your writing only later. • Express your opinions by calling attention to details (Descriptive words). • Bring your draft (150 -200 words, full sentences) to class. 1/13/15 20

Intro to Exhibition writing • Read any texts on the walls. • If a brochure is available, take it and read it to get more out of the exhibition. Take notes on the comments, too. • Take notes of even all of your own responses to individual works. • Put down everything you think is worth saying, and don’t limit yourself. You will revise your writing only later. • Express your opinions by calling attention to details (Descriptive words). • Bring your draft (150 -200 words, full sentences) to next class. 1/13/15 21

Exhibition writing A description of a layout () An observation of the viewers at the exhibition () An interview of another exhibition visitor () A description of the content () Other inspirations (creative, reflective, analytical) () Putting the subject in its art-historical context () A comparison to other exhibitions () Bringing out the negative side of the exhibition () Personal feelings, inspirations… () Relevance to your own field () 1/13/15 22

Exhibition writing • Then the pieces will be discussed and edited by the group • Useful for: appreciation of styles, practice in doing different alternatives, contribution of feedback, experience of editing 1/13/15 23