D3: Writing Across Borders

9/4: Writing Across Borders / Cultural Writing Diagrams / Learning Style

Hi students!

Today's class will be focused on the writing process for people from different countries.

First, please make groups of 2-3 students and think about/answer the following questions:

1. When you first arrived in the USA, did some of the ways that Americans deal and speak with each other seem different than your own country? Please give some examples.

2. Did you speak in a certain way or do a certain action that was understood differently by Americans? Please give some examples.

3. What other cultural differences have you noticed since you arrived in the USA?

Second, I would like for us, as a class, to share what was discussed.

Third, please make new groups of 2-3 (someone you were not with in the first activity) students. Read the Different Paragraphs individually and then share with your group members what you understood from the reading. Please think about how similar/different that culture is from yours. 

Fourth, I would like for us, as a class, to share what was discussed.

Fifth, think about the American writing style. If you had to draw a diagram for it, how would it look like? Now, focus on how Writing Diagrams may look for other cultures. Do you agree or disagree? If you are from one of the cultures in Kaplan's diagrams, do you think this represents how you and/or people from your country write?

Finally, after briefly sharing your thoughts will the class, please pair with another student and draw a diagram that you think is most appropriate with the writing process in your country.

Homework: Please upload a picture of your country on the course website!

Thanks

--Lisa