Transcript HOC vs. LOC - The University Writing Center

Higher Order Concerns
v.
Lower Order Concerns
A Useful Guide to Understanding Your
Paper
By:
Donna Cook
Kelly Everage
Shannon Williamson
Shanikia Young
Writing a paper is like…
• Writing your paper is similar to building
your dream house.
• With both, you might have a tendency to
get consumed with the details.
• For both processes, you must have a solid
structure (HOCs) before you can worry
about the small details (LOCs).
Higher Order Concerns
HOCs
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
HOCs
Content
Thesis
Evidence
Organization
Purpose
Home
• Are the solid structures
of your house
• Form the basic structure
of your paper
• Should be the primary
concerns when writing
your paper
• Usually are dealt with
during the revision stage
of the writing process.
Lower Order Concerns
LOCs
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
LOCs
Word Choice
Spelling
Punctuation
Documentation
Grammar
Home
• Are the small details
(decorations) of your
house
• Enhance the basic
structure of your paper
• Should be the secondary
concerns when writing your
paper
• Usually are dealt with
during the editing stage of
the writing process
Interaction Instruction
• This is an interactive presentation
designed to help and guide you when
writing your paper.
• Here’s how it works:
– If you want to know about CONTENT, you
would click on the content link on the House.
– Once you have read the slide, you can return
to the House by clicking on the Home link.
– Once on the House slide, you can then repeat
this process to view the other links.
CSU
Writing
Center
Conclusion
Content: All the parts of your
paper that make up the whole
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
HOCs
Content
Thesis
Evidence
Organization
Purpose
Home
• The introduction comes
first and includes your
thesis.
• The body contains your
detailed, supporting
evidence.
• Be specific—don’t make
generalizations a habit.
• The conclusion brings
closure to your essay and
refers to your thesis.
Thesis: The main idea stated in
your paper
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
HOCs
Content
Thesis
Evidence
Organization
Purpose
Home
• Tells your reader what your
paper is about
• Grabs your reader’s attention
• Uses concrete and specific
language
• Avoids clichés “like the
plague!”
• Sometimes can be found in
the conclusion of rough drafts
(so be sure to move it to the
introduction!)
Evidence: What makes your
idea or argument valid
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
HOCs
Content
Thesis
Evidence
Organization
Purpose
Home
• Comes from examples,
logical reasoning, and
research
• Convinces your readers
• Backs up your thesis
• May challenge your thesis
(counterargument)
• Come from reliable
sources
Organization: The orderly arrangement
of your paper’s components
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
HOCs
Content
Theses
Evidence
Organization
Purpose
Home
• No “one size fits all”
formula
• Arrangement of
evidence in a logical
format
• Are there transition
words and phrases
between ideas?
• Can you outline the
rough draft and find a
shape to it?
Purpose: What the paper is meant
to do
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
HOCs
Content
Thesis
Evidence
Organization
Purpose
Home
• Who is your audience?
How are you trying to
communicate to them?
• Do you wish to persuade,
inform, entertain, etc.
them?
• Is the purpose clear in
your thesis?
• Does your evidence fit
your purpose?
Word Choice: The way you choose
words to fit the context of an idea
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
LOCs
Word Choice
Spelling
Punctuation
Documentation
Grammar
Home
• Choose words your audience
will understand
• Choose words that fit your
subject and purpose
• Use a reliable thesaurus in
conjunction with a dictionary
• Eliminate words that do not
contribute to your meaning
• Don’t use big words just to
impress
• Avoid slang and
colloquialisms
Spelling: Frequent spelling errors
distract your reader
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
LOCs
Word Choice
Spelling
Punctuation
Documentation
Grammar
Home
• Don't rely solely on
automated spell checkers
• Read your paper slowly
or even backwards to
catch errors
• Keep a good dictionary
handy or go to
dictionary.com
• Memorize the spelling of
words that give you
trouble
Punctuation: Use it correctly to make
your meaning clear
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
LOCs
Word Choice
Spelling
Punctuation
Documentation
Grammar
Home
• Helps the reader
grasp your
meaning
• Follows a system
of rules, as stated
in grammar guides,
not the natural
pauses you make
when you read
Documentation: The formal way to
cite information in a paper
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
LOCs
Word Choice
Spelling
Punctuation
Documentation
Grammar
Home
• Place quote marks around any
words you copy from a source.
• Always cite the source when
you use someone else's ideas
and/or words.
• When in doubt, cite! Plagiarism
is serious business.
• Learn to use style handbooks tutors can help.
• Verify the style required for
your assignment.
Grammar: The way words are
put together in sentences
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
LOCs
Word Choice
Spelling
Punctuation
Documentation
Grammar
Home
• No one knows all the
rules - consult a good
guide.
• When in doubt, ask a
tutor or teacher for
help.
• Read your paper as if
you're "talking" it.
• If a sentence sounds
"funny," check your
grammar.
DON’T FORGET…
• The CSU Writing Center is open to ANY CSU
student.
• Check their website or stop by the Writing
Center (located at 116 Woodall Hall) to find out
the Hours of Operation for each semester.
• Make an appointment ahead of time by calling
(706) 568-2483 or e-mail the Writing Center at
[email protected]
• Online Consultation is available per your
request.
Home
Conclusion
• A well-constructed paper, like a solidly built
house, will stand on its own.
• Focus on higher order concerns first and lower
order concerns later.
• Check CSU's Writing Center for helpful tips on
areas that you find troublesome.
• Use the “Resources for Writers” link on the CSU
Writing Center’s website.
• Don't forget - the experienced consultants in
CSU's Writing Center are available to help you
with both HOCs and LOCs!
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