Writing Research Papers, Form and Structure Mc Nair Scholars Summer Program 2004 Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:00-4:30

Instructor: Michelle Wester e-mail: mbwester@earthlink.net Office Hours: by appointment Course Description: This class is designed with the intent that students will leave knowing not only the fundamentals of writing a research paper but with the ability to write with style and clarity. For each class, students will be expected to read an article or essay within their field and write on it in their journal.  This will provide supplementary material for their research papers as well as get students writing.  Additionally, chapters from the assigned text(s) will be discussed.  Peer editing workshops will be implemented throughout the writing process.     Required Readings:   Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams.  The Craft of Research.  The University of Chicago Press: Chicago, 2003. Williams, Joseph M.  Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace.  Longman: New York, 2003.   Style guide appropriate to your field of research.     Course Requirements and Grading:       Attendance & Participation   Attendance, class participation, and tardiness will be taken into account in determining your final grade.  If you miss a class, make sure to e-mail or tell me ahead of time.  Five or more missed classes will result in an 'F' for the class.   Journal The journal should reflect the texts you are reading in preparation for your research paper. This is a free-write assignment where you should focus on writing or revising a portion of your paper. (2 pages/week - possibly done the first 10-15 minutes of class).    Research Notebook While researching, you will be required to keep a research notebook.  This will include consistent documentation of sources with important notes of the texts.  Different methods will be suggested but you may choose or develop a method that best fits you.  This may be in paper format, note card index, etc.  Due at the end of classes.   Book Review You will give one oral review on a book within your field of research.  The review will be 1 1/2 - 2 pages, single-spaced.  Two students will present per class.  Dates will be assigned the first day of class.   Research Presentation Students will have 10-15 minutes to present their research to the class. Your grade will be determined by the speaker's presence, organization, clarity, and effectiveness.   Research Paper One 15-20 page research paper, double spaced, documented, due at the end of term.   Late papers and presentations will not be accepted. Electronic Documents will not be accepted. I will give "pop" quizzes if I find it necessary (ie: students aren't reading the material). If the quizzes are not necessary, full percentage points will be allotted in determining grades.   Grading: Participation                    5% Quizzes                           5% Homework/Drafts           5% Journals                        10% Research Notebook      10% Book Review                20% Research Presentation   15% Research Paper            30%     Grade Scale: A  95-100            B+ 86-89        C+ 76-79        D+ 66-69        F 59 or A- 90-94              B   83-85        C   73-75        D   63-35         lower                             B-  80-82        C-  70-72        D-  60-62                                   Schedule:     Tuesday, June 22:             Preface, part I and pgs. 283-288 of Craft   Thursday, June 24: Chapter 3 of Craft Topic and thesis and/or statement of purpose 2:40 Lit Review Presentation with Guest Speaker Stephanie Sleeper from CGU's Writing Center   Tuesday, June 29:             Chapters 4-6 of Craft; also the "Appendix on Finding Sources" (pgs. 297-316)             3:00 Research Presentation/Workshop with Gail from Honnald Mudd   Thursday, July 1: Chapter 7 of Craft Question and Answer session regarding writing and clarifying thesis Writing Workshop   Tuesday, July 6:             Chapters 8-11 of Craft             Outline, Abstract and Framework for Analysis             Research Methodology     Tuesday, July 8:             Chapter 12 of Craft             First Draft - Personal Critique & Peer Critique   Tuesday, July 13:             Chapters 13 of Craft             Part I of Style Writing Workshop   Thursday, July 15:             Chapters14 & 15 of Craft             Part II of Style             Exercises 3.6, 4.2, 4.6, 5.1, 6.1             Second Draft - focus on revising for style   Tuesday, July 20: Class Presentation of Research Paper             Multimedia, visuals, etc. encouraged             7-10 minutes per student   Thursday, July 22:             Part III of Style             Exercises 7.4, 8.2, 9.3             Introduction & Conclusion Focus Session   Tuesday, July 27:             Part IV of Style             Style Workshop   Thursday, July 29:             Writing Workshop Class Final Revision - Peer Critique   Final Draft due Friday, July 30th at noon       BACK TO THE MAIN PAGE