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Research Writing for McNair Scholars
Mc Nair Scholars Summer Program 2002
Tuesdays & Thursdays 1:00 - 4:30


Instructor: Michelle Wester
Phone: (909) 607-8423
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. Students will learn through reading and writing. 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 18:
Preface, pages 1-28 and 255-258 of Craft
Students will research for a topic through group brainstorming
Research Presentation/Workshop with Honnald Mudd librarian

Thursday, June 20:
Pages 29-63 of Craft
Lesson 1 from Style
Topic and thesis and/or statement of purpose
Basic outline - Informal class presentation for suggestions, possible sources, assistance from peers
Lit Review Presentation with Guest Speaker from CGU's Writing Center

Tuesday, June 25:
Pages 64-84 of Craft; also the "Appendix on Finding Sources"
Lesson 2 from Style
Evaluating sources - minimum of 10 sources for the paper
     2 web sources
     3-4 journal articles
     3-4 books
     1-2 optional - primary sources

Thursday, June 27:
Page 85-110 of Craft
Lesson 3 from Style
Writing Workshop
Question and Answer session regarding writing and clarifying thesis
Research or MS Word Presentation

Tuesday, July 2:
Pages 111-148 of Craft
Lesson 4 from Style
Outline, Abstract, and Framework for Analysis
Research Methodology

*****SPECIAL CLASS due to July 4th Holiday*****
Wednesday, July 3:

Pages 149-200 of Craft
Lesson 5 from Style
First Draft Due - Personal Critique & Peer Critique
Research Notebook due

Thursday, July 4:
No class

Tuesday, July 9:
Pages 201-214 of Craft
Lesson 6 from Style
Revision for clarity - Peer Critique

Thursday, July 11:
Lessons 7 & 8 in Style
Research & Writing - focus on revising for style

Tuesday, July 16:
Class Presentation of Research Paper
     Multimedia, visuals, etc. encouraged
     7-10 minutes per student

Thursday, July 18:
Pages 234-254 of Craft
Lesson 9 from Style
Introduction & Conclusion Focus Session

Tuesday, July 23:
Lesson 10 from Style
Writing Workshop Class
     Final Revision - Peer Critique
Research Notebook due

Thursday, July 25:
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. The first 15 minutes of class will be devoted to this activity.  
  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. 
  4. Lit Review
    Students will give one oral lit 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 course.

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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