Shoukry 1 Jeanette Shoukry John Kubler English 114A 3 September 2013 Helpful Academic Writing Tips Writing an essay

usually requires learning many complicated moves that may seem to be baffling or tough to those who have not yet learned these moves. Writers are experts at their capability of conveying interesting thoughts but they are incredibly capable Of an inventory of basic moves that they probably picked up by reading a wide range of other accomplished writers (1). Writers who have not had that much experience compared to others are not familiar with these moves and do not know how to use them when they are writing. The top academic writing has one key feature which is that it deals with others views. Writers do more then just make a logical, well supported, and consistent statement in order for them to make an impact. Yet writers are not born knowing all of these moves for writing. One question that we struggle with when reading an authors writings is what is their argument. When asking a class about an assigned reading in a discussion the first question that had been asked was What is he or she trying to say (145). As the discussion had started the students tried to figure out the argument, but once the silence had ended the class was able to come up with a summary of the authors thesis. Rather than thinking of the argument as a secluded entity, they now thought of the argument as one that could be answered and, generate other arguments. Energetic debates had started between the students who established that the authors explanation was compelling, and by others who were convinced more by what it was challenging.

Shoukry 2 When it comes to reading for the discussion the trick is to consider What views the author is responding to and ... how the author responds to it (147). Readers always need to be aware for any changes in voice that an author could make. There have been many writers that have come to the assumption that their readers have become familiar with the they say that there is no point for the writers to summarize them anymore. Instead, the readers should Reconstruct the unstated they say that is motivating the text through a process of inference (149). A challenge that arises when reading for the argument is that the author occasionally constructs their arguments by replying to an absence of discussion. It can be difficult at times to figure out the authors views that he or she is responding to and, this is not because the writers do not make these views clear but because their language and, the idea that they are dealing with is especially difficult. Therefore, when you translate, do not ... allow your own views to be challenged (153). When constructing a bridge to the authors you read, it is imperative to meet the authors more than halfway. Critical reading is about being open with the way the authors challenge you. Reading for the conversation means being perceptive for the various strategies writers use to capture the views that are influencing them. There are many rules when it comes to reading an authors writing. Reading for the conversation means to read the authors writings and, decide if you are for the argument or against it. In order, to understand what they are writing about you must first identify the they say. The they say may also be about something that others have overlooked. All of these rules are essential when reading an authors writings and, when writing a paper for a class.