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
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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