Introduction to Academic Writing

DESCRIPTION:
Introduction to reading, writing, and thinking skills central to academic discourse. Emphasis on summarizing and critically responding to nonfiction texts. Frequent informal writing exercises in addition to formal revised writing assignments.

RATIONALE: 
The objective of this course is to introduce novice academic writers to the reading and writing skills central to academic discourse. Students will be encouraged to engage critically with contemporary issues through college-level readings of appropriate length for developing academic writers. They will practice analytical reading skills, presenting the arguments of others, and critically responding to texts with their own arguments. Students will develop academic literacy skills through written assignments that emphasize the following intellectual tasks: reading comprehension; summarizing; critically responding to substantive arguments; using the ideas and language of others as support. Importantly, students will understand how and why to use other viewpoints in their writing. WP 1010 will also prepare students for writing in WP 1111. To ensure that students are given time to develop college writing skills, this class will only be taught during semesters and the Summer Term.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: 
As a result of taking this course, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate writing as a process (prewriting, drafting, revising);
2. Identify the rhetorical features of a text (e.g., audience, purpose for writing) and annotate.
3. Summarize another’s views accurately;
4. Demonstrate the ability to choose, frame, integrate and cite quotations appropriately;
5. Utilize argumentative writing by responding to another’s views with adequate reasoning and examples;
6. Organize and develop their ideas effectively in essay form.

METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING:
In congruence with the teaching and learning strategy of the college, the following tools are used:
* structured and focused small- and large-group discussion of texts;
* structured and focused writing activities in which students produce, share, and submit writing individually or collaboratively;
* close reading of texts for rhetorical and content features;
* analysis of exemplary models of student writing;
* peer feedback workshops;
* individual and group presentations;
* short take-home writing exercises (preparatory work for the assessed coursework);
* regular conferences with instructor; 
* conference with DEREE Student Academic Support Services facilitator to respond to specific, prioritized instructor feedback in writing assignments.