Written Communication

9/13/10

#8

Part I.  Communication can take many forms.  Name five of them:

Part II. Icons, pictures or symbols with widely known meanings, can replace the use of written words.  Identify five places where icons are used instead of written words.

Part III.  Look at the depth and complexity icons we will be using in class this year.  Read through the meanings of each and what the icon should indicate to you.

Depth & Complexity Icon Chart

 

Depth	Icon	Definition	Example
Language of the Discipline		What vocabulary terms are specific to the content or discipline?	Tools Jargon Icons Acronyms Special phrases Terms Slang Abbreviations
Details		What are the defining features or characteristics? Find examples and evidence to support opinions and ideas.	Parts Factors Attributes Variables Distinguishing Traits
Patterns		What elements reoccur? What is the sequence or order of events? Make predictions based on past events.	Predictability Repetition
Unanswered Questions		What information is unclear, missing, or unavailable? What evidence do you need? What has not yet been proven?	Missing Parts Incomplete Ideas Discrepancies Unresolved issues Ambiguity
Rules		What structure underlies this subject? What guidelines or regulations affect it? What hierarchy or ordering principle is at work?	Structure Order Reasons Organization Explanation Classification “Because…”
Trends		Note factors (Social Economic, Political, Geographic) that cause events to occur. Identify patterns of change over time	Influence Forces Direction Course of Action Compare, Contrast and Forecast
Ethics		What moral principles are involved in this subject? What controversies exist? What arguments could emerge from a study of this topic?	Values Morals Pro and Con Bias Discrimination Prejudice Judging Differing Opinions Point of View Right and Wrong Wisdom
Big Ideas		What theory or general statement applies to these ideas? How do these ideas relate to broad concepts such as change, systems, chaos vs. order, etc? What is the main idea?	Draw conclusions based on evidence Make generalizations Summarize Theory Principle Main Idea
Across the Disciplines		Relate the area of study to other subjects within, between, and across disciplines.	Connect Associate Integrate Lind Ideas Cross-Curricular study
Changes over Time		How are elements related in terms of the past, present, and future? How and why do things change? What doesn’t change?	Connecting points in time Examining a time period Compare and Contrast
Different Perspectives		How would others see the situation differently?	Different roles and knowledge Opposing viewpoints

 (Based upon the work of Sandra Kaplan)

Part IV.  Apply five of the icons to an analysis of Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken":

Robert Frost (1874–1963).  Mountain Interval.  1920.

1. The Road Not Taken

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;         5   Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,         10   And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.         15   I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.         20