Topic 4: Responding to Traditional Writing Assignments More Analytically | Trường Đại học Quốc tế Miền Đông

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Eastern International University
WRT 122 English Composition
Topic 4 Responding to Traditional Writing Assignments More Analytically
Move beyond oversimplification Learning Objectives
1.Identify and interpret the key words in a writing assignment.
2.Analyse the wording of writing assignments for unstated questions.
4.Write definitions that acknowledge the tension among differing perspectives or emphases.
5.Produce a comparative analysis using the strategy Difference within Similarity / Similarity Despite Difference.
6.Explain the pitfalls of agree–disagree topics.
Interpreting Writing Assignments
❑ Writing questions = not just what to write, but how to write
❑ Example: “Discuss eliminating tariffs on imported goods” o Summarise or analyse? o Evaluate assumptions? o Point out inconsistencies?
o Argue for/against the supply-side view?
❑ Look beyond obvious tasks → hidden analytical potential
(Rosenwasser & Stephen, 2024)
Common Types of Assignments
❑ Summary → restating ideas concisely
❑ Personal response → testing your attitude/experience
❑ Agree/Disagree → taking a stance, making a case
❑ Compare/Contrast, Define → examining tensions, differences, similarities
➢ Think: How does the word “discuss” change meaning in
different subjects (economics, history, literature)?
(Rosenwasser & Stephen, 2024)
Find the Analytical Potential
❑ Locate areas of uncertainty (no clear/obvious answers)
❑ Look for what needs explaining, not just restating
❑ Train yourself to ask questions rather than leap to answers
❑ Analytical writing = exploring ambiguity & conflict
(Rosenwasser & Stephen, 2024) Shift in Orientation
❑ Many students think writing = providing answers
❑ Actually: best writing = finding questions ❑ As you read:
✓ Notice what you don’t understand
✓ Question what seems contradictory or unclear
❑ These are the “hot spots” where the best papers emerge
(Rosenwasser & Stephen, 2024)
Activity: Find the Hot Spot Statement:
“AI will improve education because it saves teachers time and gives
students personalised learning.”
Your task (2 minutes – in pairs):
Do not agree or disagree.
Instead — ask questions.
•What is uncertain, missing, or assumed? •Who might not benefit?
•What needs more evidence or explanation? Goal:
Find two thoughtful questions — not answers.
These are the “hot spots” where analytical writing begins. Six Rules of Thumb 1. Reduce Scope
2. Study the Wording for Unstated Questions 3. Suspect First Responses
4. Begin with Questions, Not Answers 5. Expect to Become Interested 6. Use Freewriting
➢ These strategies move you from surface-level
answers → deeper analysis.
(Rosenwasser & Stephen, 2024) Rule 1: Reduce Scope
Narrow your focus → don’t cover everything.
Move from general → specific.
Example: Instead of “The New Deal,” focus on
critics of the New Deal.
Benefit: More complex, manageable analysis.
Think: What is one big topic you could “zoom in” on for sharper analysis?
(Rosenwasser & Stephen, 2024)
Activity: Too Big -> Zoom In
The topic below is too big for strong analysis:
“Climate change and business strategy” Task (in pairs):
Rewrite it into a more focused topic by zooming in using one of these angles:
•A specific industry (e.g. fashion, airlines, tech startups)
•A specific group (e.g. factory workers, Gen Z consumers, small suppliers)
•A specific tension/problem (e.g. greenwashing, cost vs ethics, AI vs jobs) Goal:
Create one sharper, narrower version of the topic.
Rule 2: Study the Wording Every assignment
question hides unstated questions. Go beyond yes/no → uncover deeper issues. What does “good” mean?
Example: “Is feminism good for Judaism?” What counts as “Judaism”? Look for definitions, contexts, implications.
(Rosenwasser & Stephen, 2024)
Rule 3: Suspect First Responses
❑ First answers often = conventional wisdom.
❑ They may overlook rival explanations.
❑ Dig deeper: ask what might be missing, flawed, or limited?
❑ Example: Marriage = happiness? → consider hidden social issues.
❑ Interactive: Can you think of a “common
sense” response that breaks down under scrutiny?
(Rosenwasser & Stephen, 2024) Challenge Common Sense
Many beliefs sound true at first — until you look closer.
Think of a “common sense” belief that breaks down under real scrutiny. Examples: 1. “Money = happiness”
2. “University degree = guaranteed success”
3. “AI will solve all our problems” Your task (30 seconds):
Come up with one more example of a belief that sounds true…
but is more complicated than it appears.
Rule 4: Begin with Questions, Not Answers
❑ Don’t rush to conclusions.
❑ Start with what you don’t know.
❑ Example: Instead of cataloguing a
company’s cost-cutting measures → ask
why the company chose to invest heavily
in automation rather than layoffs.
❑ Questions drive stronger analysis than quick answers.
(Rosenwasser & Stephen, 2024) Example:
Weak writer: “Here are all the cost-cutting strategies
the company used…” → This is just listing.
Strong writer: “Why did the company invest in
automation instead of doing mass layoffs?”
→ Now it becomes analytical, strategic, purpose- driven.
Rule 5: Expect to Become Interested
❑ Interest grows out of engagement with writing.
❑ Don’t wait to feel curious → curiosity comes from exploration.
❑ Writing itself reveals hidden angles and new interests.
(Rosenwasser & Stephen, 2024)
Curiosity Comes From Not Knowing (2 minutes — pairs) Question:
What is one thing about today’s world that you find even a little confusing,
surprising, or questionable?
(Example: AI replacing humans? Rising cost of living? Dating culture? Fast fashion? etc.) Task:
Turn to your partner and just talk for 1 minute.
Each of you shares one thing you don’t fully understand yet — no right or wrong answers. Goal:
Notice how the topic becomes more interesting the moment you question it.
Curiosity doesn’t come before writing — it comes from exploring the unknown. Rule 6: Use Freewriting Write to find your idea, not after you have it. Freewriting = Pick a antidote to writer’s puzzling/important block. passage. Try Passage-Based Focused Write non-stop for Freewrites: 15 minutes. Look for meaning, context, connections.
(Rosenwasser & Stephen, 2024) What Makes a Good Analytical Summary?
❑ Goes beyond facts & lists →
shows connections & significance ❑ Asks:
✓ Which ideas matter most, and why? ✓ How do they fit together? ✓ What do key passages mean?
❑ Purpose: translate ideas + spark new insights
(Rosenwasser & Stephen, 2024)