Module 1: Asking Questions Recommended Readings

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These recommended readings offer an opportunity to deepen students’ engagement with the module through coherent, topical essays. The essays are all Creative Commons licensed, which means they can be downloaded and presented directly in the LMS. (Note: The assumption is that not all of these readings would be assigned. The instructor could pick one to assign to the class, or students could be given a choice if the class format allows.)

The readings listed here pair well with the material in the module “Asking Questions.”

Discourse Communities

  • Reading: Four Things Social Media Can Teach You about College Writing—and One Thing It Can’t
  • Author: Ann N. Amicucci
  • Source: Writing Spaces
  • License: CC BY-NC-ND
  • Short Summary: This chapter explores similarities between social media discourse communities and those of the academic writing community..
  • Discussions and Approaches: Break students into groups have them write definition of the italicized terms in this essay. Ask them to discuss which social media platforms they use or avoid. Have them apply their definitions of the terms to their own social media practices.

Getting Started and Finding Connections with the Research Process

  • Reading: Taking Flight: Connecting Inner and Outer Realities during Invention
  • Author: Susan E. Antlitz
  • Source: Writing Spaces
  • License: CC BY NC
  • Short Summary: Guides students through connecting their personal identity and their research questions. Includes helpful exercises to help students brainstorm and generate connections with their audience. Addresses writing anxiety and ways to combat it.
  • Discussions and Approaches: There are discussion questions listed at the end of the chapter. Consider having students complete one of the exercises discussed in this reading. They could then do a think-pair-share about their writing process.

Identifying Research Questions

  • Reading: Why Cadillac’s New York Move Failed
  • Author: Gerald Schorin
  • Source: 88 Essays
  • License: CC BY SA
  • Short Summary: Short essay on the car company, Cadillac, and their attempt to rebrand and focus its marketing efforts to younger people.
  • Discussions and Approaches: Ask students to identify the writer’s research question. How does identifying the (unstated) research question help us understand the essay overall?