Strategies for the WSA Goals for Today: - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Strategies for the WSASlide2

Goals for Today:

Persuasion Task strategies

Break down the Position Task

Mock debate for developing Position Task arguments and counterargumentsSlide3

What Brings You Here Today?Slide4

Example Prompts

Practice WSA prompts from UW Tacoma

UW Bothell WSA prep PDFSlide5

Persuasion Task

Scan the text for

the problem

your audience

your role and taskSlide6

The problem

Look for what the characters want and the obstacles to their goals—make a note of them

Look for direct questions posed—circle or note them as wellSlide7

Your Role—typical phrases

You have been hired as . . .

Taking the role of . . .

In the role of . . .

As the [job title] of [Company X], writeSlide8

Your Task

“write a letter” = more personable

“write a memo” = more businesslike

“compose an e-mail” = could be either style: depends on the audienceSlide9

Your Audience—some key phrases

Write a letter/an email to [Name]

Write [Name] a letter/email

Write a memo to [job title of a person]Slide10

Read thoroughly

Use this reading to gather argument fuel

Note or underline specific elements that may support and/or counter your argumentsSlide11

Outline solution and opposition

For every point for your argument,

have an illustration

For each question your reader could have, prepare a response

Annotated ExamplesSlide12

Write Persuasively

Even though letter or memo, no greeting

Your reader needs to trust your persona: you are a good sibling, an ethical employee, a reasonable manager, etc. Establish trust with something concrete.

“Remember when I steered you away from buying that car, and two weeks later it was the subject of a nationwide recall? This situation is very similar in that . . .

In my years at Company B, I’ve resolved conflicts that threatened to impact . . .Slide13

Address Skepticism with Solutions

“You might think you have no experience in this arena, but look at everything you’ve done so far that is preparation . . .”

“While it’s true that other departments are cutting their staffing and reducing their services, our department can afford to hire one new person and open one hour earlier by ending the unprofitable practice of . . .” Slide14

Invent, but fit the story (examples)

If the prompt only says you’re a brother or sister asked for advice, then invent a qualification that can help your credibility or solve the problem

If the scenario mentions Boss X’s niece, but not the kind of relationship they have, you could invent their family dynamic to help your argument.Slide15

Review and Proofread

Make sure all your paragraphs match your argument

Scan first and last sentences for logical progression of ideas

Conclude with a statement

Proofread for varied sentence structures, subject-verb agreement, plural and singular clearly marked, and periods end sentences

.Slide16

Pre-writing for Position Essay

Framework

Stance

Opposition

RebuttalSlide17

Framework

Define what the prompt means—and what it doesn’t mean

This creates the framework for your stanceSlide18

Stance = Position

You don’t have to actually believe

the stance you take, just argue it well!

Explain why you agree, don’t agree,

or would agree if certain changes

were made to the prompt statement.Slide19

Give examples

Illustrate your reasons with examples

Real-world events

Personal experiences

Concrete scenariosSlide20

Opposition: What would an opponent say?

For every point you raise in support of your stance, consider a well-reasoned opposition to it

Don’t create straw-man counterarguments: use strong, realistic oppositionSlide21

Rebuttal

Well-reasoned responses against opposition

Add further argument in favor of your stance

Annotated ExamplesSlide22

Key Elements of Writing

Not quantity—

Quality

is valued most

Purposeful

paragraphs

Topic sentence

Concrete illustrative examples

Arrive at a

conclusion/Make a point

Each new paragraph relates to the

ideas

before it

Varied sentence structuresSlide23

Revise

Make sure your thesis and topic sentences relate logically and lead to your conclusion.Slide24

Proofread

Know your weaknesses to prioritize your focus.

It’s basic but essential: make sure sentences start with capital letters and end with periods.

Make sure “he” refers to a male-identified person, and “she” to a female-identified person, and “they” to two or more people or things.

Make sure the verb following “which” or “that” fits the noun giving the pronoun its meaning.Slide25

Position Essay Development as a Debate

Form “Pro” and “Con” teams

Choose from position statementsSlide26

Practice Position Statement

Directions:

Write an essay in which you agree or disagree with the following statement:

A. The recent decline in manners is having a serious impact on today's society.

or

B. The key component of being successful in leadership is the ability to make confident decisions.

*Practice prompts by Kelvin

Keown

, English Language Consultant at the Teaching and Learning Center, UW Tacoma; this prompt is an unofficial practice prompt, and its author has no affiliation with the

Milgard

School of Business Slide27

Pros and Cons

Pro side: How is the statement true? What examples could illustrate or explain the ways the statement is true?

Con side: What do you think makes the statement false? What reasons or examples do you have for disagreeing with the statement?

Take a few minutes to develop your ideas for

only

your team’s perspective.Slide28

Take Turns Looking at

Both

Sides

Pro side: Present argument, then take notes on con side

Con side: Take notes on pro side, then present your argumentSlide29

Consider the opposition

Pro side: What did you hear? Respond to the specifics of the “con” argument with a counterargument.

Con side: What did you hear? Respond to the “pro” counterargument.Slide30

Conclusion

Pro side: What have you decided from this exchange of ideas? What keeps you coming back to agreeing with the statement?

Con side: What have you concluded? What brings you back to disagreeing with the statement?Slide31

ReviewSlide32

Have a plan

Saves time

Keeps writing focused

Makes writing more thoroughSlide33

Manage your time

In case phones are forbidden, have a timepiece other than your phone

The more time you spend preparing and writing, the less you should spend on proofing, and vice versaSlide34

Your argument stance/thesis

Reasons/illustrations/examples

Counterarguments

Rebuttals

They can be structured according to the style of the writing asked for in the prompt in the way you want: creativity is encouraged!

Responses should include Slide35

Highlights and Take-

Aways

There is no single right answer or structure to the position or persuasion prompts—just be thorough

Avoid repeating much prompt info

Focus on effective argument techniquesSlide36

References and Resources

Annotated Example WSA Essays from the

UWBothell

WSA prep PDF. [Word document.]

civilianglobal

. “Student Profile: Elizabeth

Rodland

, WSA Overview, and Sample Prompts.”

APLUS USA.

[Blog entry]:

https://aplususaseattle.wordpress.com/

2015/12/18/student-profile-elizabeth-rodland-wsa-overview-and-sample-prompts/

Accessed February 8, 2016

Practice WSA prompts from BLC handout

Practice WSA prompts from UW Tacoma:

https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/

sites/default/files/WSA%20Practice%20Tests.pdf

UWBothell

WSA prep PDF:

http://www.uwb.edu/babusiness/admission-requirements/assessment