So, let’s talk about distinctions in writing…

ALL WRITING IS NOT THE SAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are different modes of writing—forms of writing, types of writing, domains of writing—whatever you want to call them. Each mode has a specific purpose. There are four basic modes: descriptive, narrative, expository and persuasive; however, there are many sub-categories/modes within these categories. Different writing prompts require different response modes. When writing, you must always consider PURPOSE ( to determine the MODE) and AUDIENCE ( to determine the TONE).

Expressive Writing: Writing to simply express yourself, explore feelings; chronicle your thoughts. The TONE is generally informal. Journal Writing Reflective Essay Writing to Describe: Self-explanatory—writing that simply “describes” something, a situation, person, event, etc., and attempts to recreate that subject through descriptive diction. TONE will vary according to the specific assignment. Observational Writing Descriptive Essay/Paragraph Biographical Profile Writing to Narrate: To tell a narrative, or a story. Sometimes this will include a self-analysis of the author’s experience with the narrative. The TONE will vary according to the specific assignment. Personal Narrative Eyewitness Account Oral History Creative Writing: Writing that is intended to explore one’s creativity. The TONE/STYLE/DICTION is frequently informal, but will also vary according to the assignment. NOTE: many of the previous types of writing could fall under the umbrella of “creative writing” but still deserve their own category. Short Story Novel Poetry Lyrics

Writing to Inform: Writing that is intended to objectively (free of personal bias) convey information about a subject. The TONE is generally formal/informational. Process Analysis (e.g., explanation of procedures followed for an experiment) Cause-and-Effect Essay News Story (when just reporting the facts) Writing to Persuade: Writing that is intended to persuade the audience to see a subject as the author sees it. The TONE will vary according to assignment and persuasive tactics. Persuasive Essay Letter to the Editor Propaganda Piece Practical Writing: Writing to communicate ideas or information for practical uses. The tone will vary according to the task—often specific jargon and/or formulaic writing should be used. Resume and Cover Letter Writing Grant Proposals Letter of Complaint Speaking, Listening, and Multimedia Projects: Often writing will accompany such assignments, but is generally in transcription, outline, script, or shorthand form. Tone will be equivalent to the corresponding assignment. Interview Speeches Documentary Video Power Point Presentation Multimedia Art Presentation (with explanatory write-up) Film (which would also fall under the umbrella of “Creative Writing”)

Literary analysis writing explores the critical analysis of literary texts, including: novels, essays, poetry, movies, scripts, artwork, song lyrics, short stories, etc. It is NOT your opinion of the text or response to it (liked it, disliked it, reminded you of your mother, etc.); it is your analysis of your reading/interpretation of some aspect of the text.

Your explication of some aspect of the text (like symbolism in the text) Your interpretation of the author’s purpose in a text based on your reading of the text Your rebuttal of someone else’s interpretation of a text Comparative Analysis Essays Literary Review Critical theory writing (Don’t worry about this one; it’s college stuff…) *Note: This will be the MODE for all of your Weekly Writing assignments.

Title, as it pertains to the work as a whole Significant moments Character arch Symbolism Motifs Plot development Setting/atmosphere Tone Style Point of view Theme (and how these literary elements lead to theme) Many, many others

Literary Analysis Writing: Identifies the work and its author and provides necessary background. Explains the meaning of a whole work or some part of it. Presents a clear THESIS (which is the conclusion you came to, based on your reading and analysis of the text—as a response to an essay prompt) that will be the focus of the essay. Provides support for the thesis in the form of personal experience (only in the intro or conclusion, or in the general “humanity” sense); examples from the text itself, either through direct citation or paraphrasing; examples from related works. Provides analysis of that support in order to relate the evidence back to the interpretation. Is organized clearly and logically.

The TONE for literary analysis writing is always formal, unless otherwise stated*. That means that the writer does not use “I,” “you,” or any sort of slang, etc. Your audience is a teacher or member of the academic community. You want to think: I need to write according to the “standard rules of conventional English.” Q: What else do you think this means?

Column A Prompt 1: Describe the most interesting person you know. Prompt 2: Tell about an experience you had in which you learned a valuable lesson. Prompt 3: Create a really creepy opening scene for a horror story. Column B Prompt 1: Choose a character from a novel you have read in and out of class who changes in some important way. Explain how that character changes and why it is significant to the work as a whole. Prompt 2: Choose any short story that we’ve read so far and explain your interpretation of what you believe to be the author’s philosophical message (theme). Prompt 3: From any movie you’ve seen, choose a scene that you believe to be symbolic. Explain the symbolism of that scene. Task: You are going to write two paragraphs that explore two different modes of writing. Choose one prompt from column A and one from column B. These may be hand-written (for this particular assignment), but typed is always better! You should proofread these, of course, but no rough draft is needed.