Instructor: Michelle Wester
Email: michelle.wester@cgu.edu
Office hours by appointment (909) 607-8305
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 19:
Preface, pages 1-28 and 255-258 of Craft
Students will research for a topic through group brainstorming
Thursday, June 21:
Pages 29-63 of Craft
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 Stephanie Sleeper
from CGU's Writing Center
Tuesday, June 26:
Pages 64-84 of Craft; also the "Appendix on Finding Sources"
Evaluating sources - minimum of 10 sources for the paper
2 web sources
3-4 journal articles
3-4 books
1-2 optional - primary sources
Research Presentation/Workshop with Gail from Honnald Mudd
Thursday, June 28:
Pages 85-110 of Craft
Writing Workshop
Question and Answer session regarding writing and clarifying thesis
Research or MS Word Presentation
Tuesday, July 3:
Pages 111-148 of Craft
Outline, Abstract and Framework for Analysis
Research Methodology
Thursday, July 5:
Pages 149-200 of Craft
First Draft Due - Personal Critique & Peer Critique
Tuesday, July 10:
Pages 201-214 of Craft
Revision for clarity - Peer Critique
Thursday, July 12:
Pages 215-235 of Craft
Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace handout according to research subject
and writing needs
Research & Writing - focus on revising for style
Tuesday, July 17:
Class Presentation of Research Paper
Multimedia, visuals, etc. encouraged
7-10 minutes per student
Thursday, July 19:
Pages 234-254 of Craft
Introduction & Conclusion Focus Session
Tuesday, July 24:
Writing Workshop Class
Final Revision - Peer Critique
Thursday, July 26:
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.
- 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.
- Research Paper
One 15-20 page research paper, double spaced, documented, due at the end of the class.
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.
Recommended Texts:
Williams, Joseph M. Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace. Longman: New York,
1997.
Style guide of your choice.
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