07 Jan Three body paragraphs

Week 2 discussion

Personalizing the Writing Process

We’ve covered a few very important characteristics of good writing this week: How to write effective sentences and paragraphs, avoiding common errors, documenting your sources, and thinking critically as you write. Now, here’s a scenario that will allow you to practice what you’ve learned.

For any writer, telling one’s life story in three paragraphs can be a challenge, but an exciting one.

Initial Post Requirements

For this reflection, write an initial post composed of three sections:

Your life story in roughly three full paragraphs.

A reflection: What was challenging about writing your life story in three paragraphs? (one paragraph minimum)

A Personal Writing Plan: With this assignment in mind, list some areas of written communication on which you’d like to focus in order to become a better writer.

Some areas for writing improvement include (but are not limited to):

grammar and punctuation

sentence structure

paragraph structure

organizing thoughts

using the best wording

writing with clarity

Reply Post Requirements

When responding to your classmates, discuss your thoughts about their writing plan. What similarities and differences do you see to your own? Share where you plan to focus your attention to improve.

Week 3 discussion

Reflection – Peer Review of Thesis

This week, we’re in the early stages of planning for our final essay. You may have already selected a topic. If you haven’t, select a topic for our persuasion essay about which you are passionate. Click on the link below for a list of approved topics.

After selecting your topic and watching this week’s lecture on thesis statements, post a working thesis statement in the discussion forum. Later in the week, be sure to comment on classmates’ thesis statements as well as answer any clarifying questions students have about your work.

Peer critique is of great value to the writer and reader. The writer benefits from another set of eyes and the reader is able to learn a variety of ways in which to provide feedback. Your review is meaningful and important.

Week 4 discussion

Professional, Social, and Personal Writing

What are the distinctions between professional, social, and personal writing? Do you have a different approach for each? Do you see yourself as strong in one or two areas but needing work in another?

Week 5 discussion

Reflection – My Writing Process

This week’s reflection coincides with the persuasive essay you will be finishing next week. So far, what has helped you improve your writing in general and your persuasive writing in particular?

Module 01 Written Assignment

Diagnostic Writing Sample, Part 1

To improve your writing skills, first you have to identify areas that you need to work on in order to make yourself a better writer. Over the first two modules, you will work on a short writing sample that you will share with your course faculty member so that he or she can identify areas for development in your writing.

For this assignment:

Click the link that follows to download a list of six linked articles from the Online Library. Select and read one of the articles.

Diagnostic Writing Sample Articles

In a Word document:

Type the article’s title and the name of the article’s author.

Write a one sentence summary of the article’s main idea.

Submit this document as your assignment.

Submit your completed assignment by following the directions linked below. Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates.

Module 02 Written Assignment –

Diagnostic Writing Sample, Part 2

Previously you selected an article from this list.You also submitted a one sentence summary of the article.

For this assignment, write a summary paragraph about your chosen article. The summary should include:

An introductory sentence that identifies the title of the article, who wrote it, and the main idea of the article.

At least 3-5 body sentences that identify supporting details and any questions the article left unanswered.

A sentence that comments on the effectiveness of the article’s conclusion.

A concluding sentence that restates the main idea and provides closure for the paragraph.

An APA style citation for the article. For more information on APA, click on the Resources tab in this course.

Use of appropriate, standard grammar and mechanics, as well as careful proofing. The final product should be relatively error-free.

Submit your completed assignment by following the directions linked below. Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates.

Module 03 Written Assignment

Annotated Bibliography

It probably feels like we just started our learning in this class, but this week we’re going to begin planning for our final paper. To begin, start thinking about a topic for our final persuasive essay. You learned about persuasive writing during this week’s lecture – and we’ll get into more details about the essay in the coming weeks – but for now, let’s focus on two areas:

Select a topic for this essay about which you are passionate. Click on the link for a list of approved topics.

Locate five sources that will be helpful in the research of your final paper. You’re going to submit these sources in the form of an annotated bibliography. “Annotation” is another word for “notes.” Using APA formatting, write the name of the source. Directly below the source, write an annotation of approximately 100-125 words. In the following links you will find some examples of annotated bibliographies.

Here are some resources for an annotated bibliography:

Rasmussen Guides

Annotated Bibliography Guide

Submit your completed assignment by following the directions linked below. Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates.

Module 04 Written Assignment

Persuasive Paper, First Draft

Because good writing is always a process, our persuasive essay will be written in two parts: a first draft due this week and a final draft due in week 6. Your paper should be 3-4 pages in length.

As you prepare, here are a few reminders for this week’s draft:

In week 3 you posted a thesis for peer review. Use the revised thesis, based on your classmates’ and teacher’s feedback as the basis for your persuasive paper.

Use your sources to support your thesis. Research and prepare the passages you will consider using. Remember to review methods of paraphrasing, summarizing, and using direct quotations.

Prepare the body paragraphs by deciding where to place supporting information. Remember, each paragraph of the paper should act to build the momentum of the argument.

Apply pathos, logos, and ethos whenever possible.

Finally, remember that it’s okay if your ideas, opinions, or sources change during process of writing this paper. Writing makes us think, and it’s fine – even beneficial – to have our thoughts change as we express them on paper.

Submit your completed assignment by following the directions linked below. Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates.

Module 06 Written Assignment

Persuasive Paper, Final Draft

t’s time to submit the final draft of your persuasive essay. At this point, your course faculty member has returned to you the graded first draft of the assignment, as well as, some insightful feedback.

For this assignment, consider all the feedback you’ve received on your first draft, including from last week’s Online+ session, and submit your 3-4 page persuasive essay based on the following criteria:

An introduction paragraph with a thesis statement.

Three body paragraphs that each focus on a separate major detail.

A summary paragraph that summarizes your main ideas and puts a bow on the essay.

Your reference page will list all of your sources in APA style.

Additionally, be sure to proof your essay draft carefully for grammar, mechanics, and spelling.

Applied revision and editing strategies to strengthen the essay.

Submit your completed assignment by following the directions linked below. Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates.