Reading Ch.1-3 Summary

In the first three chapters of the McGraw-Hill book it talks about how to write better. In the first chapter the book talks about how the four different areas of writing which are: writing as a professional, college student, to friends or family, and as a citizen. There are four different goals in this class which are rhetorical knowledge, critical reading, writing, and thinking, processes, and knowledge of conventions. Rhetorical knowledge is writing to a particular audience. Critical thinking, reading, and writing is where you can examine the different formats. Processes is where you make many drafts of your paper in order to get the perfect paper. Finally the knowledge of conventions is where you know how to properly use grammar and punctuation. Chapter two is about being able to better understand the information you get from readings, visuals, and websites. In order to get a better understanding of your readings you should skim over the text before you actually read it. While reading the texts you should underline the thesis and the main points, in order for you to better annotate your sources. When you look over visuals you should find key words in it that help describe it. You should make a journal of the summary of what you read on the website. In order to make a good summary you should skim over the text and then go back and read it thouroughly and write down the main points. Then you should write a statement that captures the main points and the thesis that author has. In chapter three the book talks about how to discover topics to write about. Some ways to come up with a topic is to freewrite, makes lists, and brainstorming ideas.

Reaction:
My reaction to this reading is that it was very helpful in showing me how to write better. On how to find my topic by freewriting and brainstorming my ideas.

Questions:
1) How do you figure out what writing process is best for you?
2)How do you better learn how to use the goals in your writing?
3)How do I know what type of journal to use for my papers?