English 13: Writing as Thinking Prof.

Anna Melinda Testa – de Ocampo

2nd semester 2019-20 Pavilion 1, Palma Hall, DECL atdeocampo21@gmail.com
Course Objectives:1. To describe the process of writing as textual construction: thinking
about, questioning, integrating, and creating knowledge itself. 2. To relate critical
reading to critical writing by reading for ideas in classroom discussions, reading
classmate’s works for the revision process, and reading for research in writing
documented essays3. To recognize that writing works in a larger context and is directed
towards specific discourse communities 4. To participate in a specific discourse
community by producing the following types of writing: writing as inquiry, writing as
analysis, and writing as conversation

Weeks 1-2: I: Writing as Thinking and Writing for Discourse communities

Prof. Randy David – “The Burden of being a National University” – UP Forum Article
Martha Nussbaum – “Education for Citizenship in an Era of Global Connection”
Carlos Fuentes – “E is for Education”

Weeks 3-6: II: Writing as Analysis – to make students understand and generate writing
to examine, scrutinize or analyze a person, place, thing, concept, event, phenomenon, etc.
– to reveal organization principles, causes/effects, prior assumptions/implications,
processes, evaluation, etc.

1. “A Catalog of Reading Strategies” (Chapter 12) and “Arguing” (Chapter 19) “Children
need to play, not compete”“Revising your paper”
th
From The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing by Rise B. Axelrod and Charles R. Cooper. 9
Edition. NY: Bedford/St. Martin’s. 2010

2. Individual outline and Group presentation/outline. Thesis statement, Main points,

Analysis of the Structure, modes of development used

1. Dy, Manuel B. Jr. “Globalization: An Issue for Ethics” Budhi 1 (ADMU)

2. Giddens, Anthony. “Globalisation” in Runaway World: How Globalisation is
reshaping our lives. UK: Profile books, 2002.
3. Jameson, Fredric. “Globalization and Political Strategy”. NLR 4, July-August 2000.

Essay # 1 Paper on an aspect of Philippine society linked to Globalization

Using the 3 papers as RRL, summarize the main arguments of each of the writers and
compare and contrast them. Paper on a social issue here linked to Globalization.

Weeks 7-10: III: Writing as Conversation – academic writing is essentially a claiming

of discursive space
Pierre Bourdieu – “For a Scholarship with Commitment”
Ian McEwan – “ Only Love and then Oblivion” Guardian article
Arundhati Roy – “The Algebra of Infinite Justice”
Daniel Mendelsohn – “300” essayCritique of a film – “Asylum”
Jia Tolentino – “The I in the Internet”; “Always be Optimizing”
Critique of a Film/Book

Weeks 11-14:Essay #2: First Draft of Individual paper/peer review/consultations

Individual paper: Problem/Solution format – on a Philippine contemporary social issue
Group project: Infographic project with a group presentation on a current Philippine
social issue/problem + group outline

Course Requirements:
2 documented essays, 1500-2500 words 2 x 15% @ = 30%
Critique of a film or book = 15%
An infographic project with a group presentation = 20%
Class standing (participation in discussions/presentations, homework, etc. = 35%

Policies:
1. Active participation in class is important. Students must be civil at all times.
2. Maximum of 6 absences allowed. If you come to class 10 minutes late – 3 lates is
equal to 1 absence.
3. All papers will go through 2 rounds – first and second draft.
4. Please keep your cellphone on silent mode and refrain from texting, watching movies,
playing games, etc. during class.
5. For your paper, use the format of your College – MLA, APA – see OWL@purdue.
Short Bond, TNR or Arial, size 12 font.