Assignment: Workshop

TASK 1: A Descriptive Outline

Step 1: Read the entire article in the attachment carefully and define unfamiliar words in the margins.

Step 2: Break of the reading into sections; you may use the headings provided by the writer or, if there are no headings, break up the paragraphs by what they say. Reread each section very carefully.

Step 3: For each section, write (a) a statement that summarizes the content of the section, and (b) a statement that explains the function or purpose of the content in relation to the overall purpose of the larger text.

For Step 3.b, the following verbs help to describe what texts do (e.g., "This section provides statistical evidence to support the author's central claim."):

• analyzes
• argues
• asks
• cites
• compares
• connects
• continues
• contradicts
• contrasts
• demonstrates
• describes
• details
• dramatizes
• elaborates
• evaluates
• explains
• expresses
• extends
• generalizes
• illustrates
• informs
• interprets
• introduces
• lists
• narrates
• offers
• opposes
• predicts
• presents
• projects
• proposes
• provides
• qualifies
• questions
• quotes
• reasons
• rebuts
• reflects
• repeats
• states
• speculates
• suggests
• summarizes
• supports
• synthesizes
• traces
• uses

TASK 2: Thesis & Argument

Step 1: Read over your sentences from Task 1 and summarize the THESIS - this should be 1-3 sentences only and in your own words. The thesis should be supported by each section of the text.

Step 2: Summarize the ARGUMENT in your own words. This should align with the thesis.

Step 3: You now have all the pieces to create your summary. Begin with identifying the author(s) and title of the text. Write your summary draft directly on the Google doc.

Article: Does New Media Generation Technology Pose an Existential Threat to Factual Information?