C. Munzenmaier • Kaplan University • Urbandale, IA

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Comp I Assignments 1001C

Week   1   2    3    4    5    6    7   8   9   10

Week 1
Introduction

You're on track if you

Course Overview

What is academic writing?

  • • What will the final project look like?
    The KU Handbook for Writers (KUH), pp. 136–142

    • KUH readings: “An Overview of the Writing Process,” pp. 27-32; pp. 102-110, pp. 3-11, or Kaplan Writing Center 1.1A The Writing Process: An Overview.

What kind of academic writing will we do in this class?

How do I find a topic to research?

Homework:

  • Read

    • • KU-ACE: “What Is an Essay?” (link in Unit 1 Reading on KU-ACE)

    • KUH: “An Overview of the Writing Process,” pp. 27-32; 102-110, or or Kaplan Writing Center 1.1A The Writing Process: An Overview.

    • KUH: “From Topic to Research Questions to Thesis,” pp. 29–31
  • Research

    At least three potential topics you might write about
    NOTE: If you choose a topic that is not listed in the Unit 1 Reading, you must get your instructor's approval.

  • Write
    Baseline (Diagnostic) Essay (complete in class and submit to KU-ACE dropbox) (10 pts)

More about

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Week 2
Prewriting for a Thesis Sentence

You're on track if you

  • found at least three quality sources on your topic
  • are thinking about what angle of your topic you want to cover
  • bring a draft of your Topic Exploration paragraph to next week's class

 

 

 

This week we'll work with librarian Andy Gress to find credible sources on your topic.

Link to EBSCO: http://search.ebscohost.com

Overview of research process

How do I locate sources?

Preview U2 Project

For next class:

  • bring at least three sources you might use to class
  • complete 5-question quiz on KU-ACE (open syllabus; open Overview PPT)
  • write rough draft of Unit 2 assignment: Topic Exploration Paragraph and turn in to dropbox

Readings

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Week 3
The Thesis Key Points and the Body Paragraph

You're on track if you


In Unit 3, you'll start developing a thesis—the main point you want to make about your topic.

Peer-edit Topic Exploration Paragraph

What's a peer-reviewed source anyway?

  • In a group of 2-4, look at the magazines/journals in your bag.
    • What differences do you notice among them?
    • Have one person in your group make a list of the points you used to compare (number of pictures, average article length, etc.)
    • Visit one of these links.
    • After visiting at least one site, discuss: What other criteria might you use to compare the magazines/journals? Add them to your list.
    • Answer this question: How can you tell whether a magazine or journal article is a trustworthy source?

Strategies for taking notes
• In small groups, answer these questions. Use the chart to keep track of your answers.

    • Which method(s) do you usually use to take notes? List at least three. Possible methods include note cards, highlighting, double-column notes, word-processing files, PowerPoint slides, a combination...
    • What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method?
    • What tips do you have to make each method more effective?
    • Now compare your answers to those on the Taking Notes page. Add any new information you find to your chart.


• Sample dual-entry notes

• Practice activity:

•Tips to improve your note taking

Asking yourself questions like these as you take notes will help you do original critical thinking about your topic:

    • Have I found this information in more than one source? (It's probably important.)
    • Why do I accept (or question) what this author says?
    • Do other sources agree or disagree with this author?
    • How can I use this information? (e.g., this is the most complete definition I've found)
    • How might this information be used to solve a problem?
    • What conclusion(s) can I draw from this information?

Developing a Working Thesis

Unit 3 Editing Project

• model and rubric are on KU-ACE

• finding key points

• writing a thesis statement

• writing modes

For next class

  • Draft Unit 3 Project: Thesis Key Points  (50 pts)
  • Take 20-question Grammar Diagnostic on KU-ACE

Reading:

  • KU-ACE: “Using Research to Paraphrase and Quote with APA,” or
    KUH: “APA Documentation and Formatting,”
    pp. 205–210

    Additional information

    KUH: “Prewriting Techniques,” pp. 32–39; “Writing an Informative Essay,” pp. 102–110

Developing a Working Thesis (word-crafter)

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Week 4
Using Research to Paraphrase and Quote with APA Format

Week 4
Using Research to Paraphrase and Quote with APA Format

 

 

 

This week we'll learn to create a reference list in APA style.

Peer edit Unit 3 Project:

  • Warm-up: Unit 3 Editing Project
  • Peer edit: On your first reading
    • Point out anything that's confusing or missing.
    • Mention anything that's especially interesting or effective.
  • On your second reading

Rate your sources:

Draft Unit 4 Project: Working References Page (75 pts)

Reading: KU-ACE: “Learning to Outline for Body Paragraphs: or
KUH, p. 40-44’ “Writing a Formal Outline,” pp. 98–99; p. 148

Additional information

KUH: “Prewriting Techniques,” pp. 32–39; “Writing an Informative Essay,” pp. 102–110

Keep taking notes on your sources. For help, go here.

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Week 5
Learning to Outline for Essay Paragraphs

You're on track if you

  • have a draft of the Unit 4 project ready at the beginning of class
  • have read enough sources to know your thesis and main points
  • have a draft of the Unit 5 project by next week
  • are reviewing for the midterm quiz

 

 

 

Key skills this week are intext citation and working with notes.

Finding Information on Web Sites

Find the Web site author: Procrastination Central

Find the Web site sponsor: StemCellResearch.org

Is this site biased:
ReligiousTolerance.org

Tips:

Peer edit working reference list

  • formatting tips:
    • double-space
    • use hanging indent (Control-T)
    • alphabetize (A-Z button)
    • change case (Aa button)
    • remove all hyperlinks from your reference list (press CTRL+A and then press CTRL+SHIFT+F9).
  • references to use for checking APA
  • Turn in proofed version to eCollege

Review for midterm (and practice outlining for Unit 5 project)

Parenthetical citations

Draft Unit 5 Project: Outline (100 pts)

Reading

KU-ACE: “Drafting, Peer Review, and Introductions and Conclusions,” or KUH: “Writing a Formal Outline,” pp. 98–99; “How to Write a Strong Paragraph,” pp.44 –51; and “Introduction and Conclusions," pp. 52–58

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Week 6
Drafting, Peer Review, and Introductions and Conclusions

You're on track if you

  • have reviewed for the midterm quiz
  • have a draft of the Unit 5 project ready at the beginning of class
  • have a rough draft at least 5 paragraphs long ready by next week

 

 

This week we'll explore ways to organize your paper.

Peer edit Outlines

  • Is your thesis a sentence (not a question)?
  • Is your outline balanced? (For every I, there should be a II; for every A, a B; for every 1, a 2)
  • Do the points in your outline match the points in your preview sentences? (They should be the same points in the same order.)

Review APA

Erwin, D. (2009, August 27). On Carol Dweck: Why your belief about intelligence impacts your success. Message posted to http://danerwin.typepad.com/my_weblog/science/

Introductions and Conclusions

Draft Unit 7 Project (5-par. essay) (75 pts)

For help, see Drafting resources at

http://word-crafter.net/CompI/Revising.html

Reading: KU-ACE: “The Second Draft” or KUH, ”Editing and Revising,” pp. 66–69 KUH reading: ”Editing and Revising,” pp. 66–69

Check thesis in U3 project; revise and turn in to dropbox before end of class.

Preview U5 outline.

Homework:

  • read 3.8 "Plagiarism: What It Is and How to Avoid It" from Kaplan Writing Center (KWC)
  • if you need help getting ideas for your paper, read 2.8 "Writing an Informative Essay" from the KWC
  • create a draft of your Unit 7 Project (for help with introductions and conclusions, see Hooks & Clinchers handout)
  • bring your sources to class Week 7 so we can create documentation in class (note: your grade for the U4 project will be based on the reference list for your paper)

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Week 7
The Draft

You're on track if you

Revise and improve your draft with the help of a peer editor.

Midterm Quiz (on KU-ACE)

After you're done, review intext citation tutorial (UWisc).

For more on intext citation, see

Register for a free TurnItIn account

  • use class ID 3079345 and enrollment password student
  • Check your Originality Report (see sample)

Peer edit Unit 7 Project (75 pts.; 25 pts. for edit)

  • First, edit for global issues:
    • Does anything need to be cut? added?
    • Is the organization logical, or should you move things around?
    • Is the introduction interesting? Can you tell what the thesis is?
    • Can you tell how quotations fit into the paper? See Quotation Sandwich and KU Handbook, p. 135.
    • Does the conclusion wrap up the key points without introducing new ideas and end with a strong statement of what you want readers to do or remember?
  • Then read the paper again to look for surface issues.
    • Do you notice any problems with sentence structure, spelling, etc.?
    • Check for correct handling of quotations.
      • Anything taken word-for-word from your source should be quoted, except for common language like titles or technical terms. (Common language varies by field.)
      • Quotations longer than 40 words should be set off as block quotations.
  • Finally, check APA formatting.
    • Use the APA checklist
    • Are parenthetical citations correct?
    • Are reference list entries alphabetized, double-spaced, and correctly formatted?
    • Does every entry in the reference list have at least one parenthetical citation?
    • Does every parenthetical citation (except personal communications) have a reference list entry?

Reading

  • KU-ACE: “Proofreading and Editing the Informative Essay Draft” or KUH readings: “The Paramedic Method of Revision,” pp. 70–72, and ”Proofreading the Final Paper,” pp. 72–75
  • Revisions for the final informative paper (190 points)

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Week 8
Proofreading and Editing the Informative Essay

You're on track if you

  • are ready to make revisions to your rough draft
  • are planning to turn in your final draft this week or no later than Week 9
  • are preparing for the informal presentation


Smooth the edges off your rough draft.

Polishing Your Paper

Good writing is essentially rewriting. Roald Dahl

I have never thought of myself as a good writer....but I'm one of the world's great rewriters. James Michener

Review of writing process (Flowers model)

Conventions of Academic Style

1. What is college-level writing?

2. Rule Seven: Don't Use "I" (or "We" or "You" (Bailey-Hofmann)

3. Avoid contractions. Use Word's Find command to find apostrophes and make it easier to spell out words like can't and isn't.

4. Use Word's Find command to do one-thing-at-a-time editing. Check for errors you typically make, such as using the wrong form of there, affect instead of effect, it's instead of its, or using an apostrophe to form plurals

(To find sentence errors, use these sentence tests or these strategies from LEO.)

5. Integrate; don't regurgitate:

Use quotation marks for anything taken word-for-word from a source:

  • Quotations quiz:
  • How many of the four methods of introducing quotations did you use?
    • complete sentence and colon
    • signal phrase and comma (According to ....,)
    • combining your words and a quotation (Thoreau states his purpose directly when he says that "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately.")
    • working a short phrase into your sentence (no punctuation other than quotation marks)
    • parenthetical citation review
  • follow quotation with a sentence that summarizes the point you want readers to get or that shows how it relates to your topic (also called a quotation sandwich)

6. Trim excess verbiage

7. Check your list of personal pitfalls.

  • Peer edit Final Project: Informative Essay (190 pts.)
  • Prepare for Informal presentations (50 pts) with short PPT or handout (25 points)

Start thinking about final letter (15 pts)

Reading:

KU-ACE: “Proofreading and the Final Project”

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Week 9
Proofreading and the Final Project

You must have intext citations and a reference list to receive credit for your final paper. Except in special circumstances, final drafts will not be accepted after Week 9.

 

Share what you've learned in an informal presentation.

  • Correct any places where the originality report shows you're too close to your sources.
  • Peer-edit essay and complete revisions in class.
  • In class, hand in PersonalProofingChecklist with page 2 completed.

Informal presentations (50 pts) with short PPT or handout (25 pts)

If you wish, begin drafting final letter (15 pts)

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Week 10
Final exam

Turn in final letter

Tools for continued progress

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Copyright in word-crafter materials belongs to C. Munzenmaier © 2009.
Teachers are free to reproduce or modify them for nonprofit educational use. 

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