Move It or Lose It

Often times when reading, we don't stop to consider the process the author went through to write what we are looking at. We get too focused on the information being presented to think about the other aspects that go into writing something. A writer’s “moves” are techniques they use when writing to achieve some sort of goal. As a reader, especially one who is learning to write, it is important to pay attention to these moves. Mike Bunn states, “When you Read Like a Writer, you work to identify some of the choices the author made so that you can better understand how such choices might arise in your own writing (Bunn,72).” 

• Adding Metacommentary: Writers use this move to further clarify the point they are trying to make. Every concept a writer discusses must be explained in their own clear and succinct words. One phrase that Dirk uses multiple times in Navigating Genres is “In other words.” This move allows Dirk— and other authors— to restate their ideas in different terms so they resonate more deeply with readers. 

• Addition: Addition is a common move used by writers. Phrases such as furthermore, moreover, etc. are characterized as additions. They are used as an extension to an idea or concept that was previously stated. Sometimes additions introduce a new tangent of thought, or just add on to the preceding one. In Navigating Genres, Dirk states, “In fact, the headlines are so important to the success of the newspaper that they are tested on volunteers to see the readers immediate responses.” 

• Cause and Effect: The cause and effect move can be used show how one thing results in another. For example, in Teaching Two Kinds of Thinking, Peter Elbow states, “Thus the two kinds of thinking have the opposite virtues and vices (Elbow 57)." Other cause and effect transitions include: as a result, hence, consequently, and therefore. 

• Capturing Authorial Action: In writing, authors will often include the ideas of others. This can be to prove a point by giving evidence from already existing findings, or to build credibility. Rather than directly quoting them, writers will give them credit before explaining the concept in their own way. Authorial action can be seen in the article Backpacks vs. Briefcases. For example, “In an article called The Rhetorical Situation, Lloyd Bitzer argues that there are three parts to understand the context of a rhetorical moment… (Carroll, 48)"

• Introducing Quotations: Another way to incorporate another person’s ideas into writing is through direct quotes. Writers will use certain words or phrases to introduce such quotes. For example, in Backpacks vs. Briefcases, Laura Carroll says “According to the Ad Council’s website… (Carroll, 50)” Sometimes, the idea you are trying to convey has already been said in the best way possible. Rather than copy it (can we say plagiarism?), authors will use a direct quote. However, the quote can't simply stand on its own. It needs context and ownership. This is where phrases like according to, come into play. It lets the writers know that what is to follow is someone else ideas, and that they are probably pretty important. 

The articles mentioned above contain many more moves, each one having its own purpose for being there. As I was reading the different pieces, I couldn't help but notice other moves the writers used as well. 

• That Was A Rhetorical Question: A very common move writers make is asking their readers a question. This tactic is used to get the audience on the same page of thinking as the author. The questions are designed to get readers to consider a certain aspect of the writer’s argument. The author doesn't intend for readers to actually answer the questions they ask. In fact, many authors will go on to answer the questions they ask immediately after they pose it. 

• Imagine This: Writers will often ask readers to imagine themselves in a certain situation. This move is used to engage with readers and to help further explain a point. For example, Dirk asks students to “imagine the chaos that would ensue if news broadcasts were done in raps.” Writers will then walk readers through the scenario and possible solutions or outcomes to such scenarios. 

• Once Upon a Time: Sometimes authors will use personal anecdotes or stories to help explain a concept. This move gives readers a real-life example to help them understand what the writer is trying to convey. In Navigating Genres, Dirk tells us of a time when he had to write a letter to a credit card company. This helps readers engage with the piece as well as connect to the writer. 

• Locked and Loaded: Many of the writers employed a technique in which they use bullet points throughout their writing. Bullet points can do a variety of things:
• Allow the author to separate multiple ideas
• Get a point across easily and efficiently
• Show the importance of certain concepts or ideas
• Hey Dude: Many of the authors used a very informal and laid back style of writing. They used ‘I’ statements and addressed the reader as ‘you’ throughout the piece. This move is used largely to appeal to the audience, which in this case is students. The choice of language and tone helps a writer connect to their readers. Student’s are going to lose interest very quickly if an article is dry and filled with jargon they don’t understand, just as a scientist might feel patronized if they read something that has been “dumbed-down.”