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Research Writing for McNair Scholars
Mc Nair Scholars Summer Program 2003
Tues & Thurs 1:00 - 4:30


Instructor: Michelle Wester
Email: michelle.wester@cgu.edu
Office hours: By appointment




Objective & Class Structure

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.


Course Schedule

Tuesday, June 17:
Preface, Chapter 1 of Craft

Thursday, June 19:
Chapters 2-4 of Craft
Topic and thesis and/or statement of purpose

Tuesday, June 24:
Chapters 5-7 of Craft; also the "Appendix on Finding Sources" (p. 297-316 of Craft)
Evaluating sources - minimum of 10 sources for the paper
2 web sources
3-4 journal articles
3-4 books
1-2 optional - primary sources
3:00 Book Review Presentation with Jennifer Hillman from CGU's Writing Center

Thursday, June 26:
Lesson 1 in Style - Understanding Style
Chapters 8-9 in Craft
1:30 Library Tour and Research Workshop at Honnald Mudd

****Special Class Session!!! Monday, June 30:****
Lesson 2 in Style - Correctness
Chapters 8-9 of Craft
Research Methodology

Tuesday, July 1:
Lesson 3 in Style - Actions
Chapters 12-13 of Craft
Outline, Abstract, and Framework for Analysis

Tuesday, July 8:
Lesson 4 in Style - Characters
Chapters 14-15 of Craft
First Draft Due - Personal Critique & Peer Critique

Thursday, July 10:
Lessons 5 & 6 in Style
Revision for clarity - Peer Critique

Tuesday, July 15:
Class Presentation of Research Paper
     Multimedia, visuals, etc. expected
     7-10 minutes per student

Thursday, July 17:
Lessons 7 & 8 in Style
Research & Writing - focus on revising for style

Tuesday, July 22:
Lessons 9 & 10 in Style
Writing Workshop Class
     Final Revision - Peer Critique

Thursday, July 24:
Final Paper Due


  1. Attendance & Participation
    Attendance, class participation, and tardiness will be taken into account in determining your final grade. If you must 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.
  2. Journal
    Students will keep a journal to reflect upon stories/articles/books they are reading in preparation for their research paper in the journal, class activities and reading, or other McNair scholar events, courses, etc. (2 pages/week - possibly done the first 10-15 minutes of class).
  3. Research Notebook
    While researching, students 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 each student will determine a method suitable to him/her. This may be in paper format, note card index, etc. Due at the end of classes.
  4. Book Review
    Students will give one oral book review on their 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.
  5. Research Paper
    One 15-20 page research paper, double spaced, documented, due at the end of the term.

Late papers and presentations will not be accepted.
Electronic Documents will not be accepted.

Required Text:
- Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams. The Craft of Research. The University of Chicago Press: Chicago, 1995.
- Williams, Joseph M. Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace. Longman: New York, 1997.

Recommended Texts:
Style guide of your choice.

 


 

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