Level 5: Writing for Sources Greenville College Spring 2014 CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES MUST
BE TURNED OFF UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCED BY THE TEACHER. Instructor: Kayla Spitler Office: Prairie Center A119 Email: [email protected] Phone: 618-751-0097 COURSE DESCRIPTION In this class, we will discuss the rules associated with writing a paper with multiple different sources. This is an individualized instruction program and is designed to teach the student the procedures and mechanics of writing a research paper. The papers written in this class will vary from size, beginning with five paragraphs and progressing to three or more pages. COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1) Utilize various sources to gather data for a research paper 2) Organize ideas, write annotated bibliographies, and thesis statements 3) Understand how to develop outlines for research papers 4) Complete a rough draft of a research paper by correcting punctuation, mechanics, and spelling 5) Compile a final form of the research paper with a works cited page. TEXT: Writing from Sources. Brenda Spatt. 2011. LEARNING EXPERIENCES: 1. Utilizing a library for research 2. Textbook readings 3. Instructor guidance 4. Research proposal 5. Annotated bibliography 6. Thesis statement 7. Outline 8. Rough draft 9. Works cited page 10. Final draft
COURSE EXPECTATIONS: You are expected to read this syllabus completely and follow the weekly schedule. One of the requirements is to meet with the instructor, or in other words me, individually once a week to observe the progress of the final research paper, and to discuss any questions or problems each student is having with the course. GRADING SCALE: Students must pass the class with at least a 75% to go on to the next level of the program. EVALUATION PROCEDURE: Each assignment is graded and a numerical grade is assigned. The FINAL form of the research paper carries the most points. This number is then divided by the total number possible to determine the final grade. Remember there are penalty points for misbehavior, late assignments, and unexcused absences. ATTENDANCE POLICY: Students with excessive absences will have those absences reflected in their final grades. Exceptions include sickness, and other emergencies. Students will have points taken away for any unexcused absences. Each student is allowed two free absences without consequence. Each additional absence will result in loss of points.
PLAGERISM POLICY: Students who engage in dishonest acts such as plagiarism or other forms of cheating in meeting the requirements of this course will be notified by the instructor that they are receiving an F for that assignment. Any further acts of plagiarism will result in a repeat of the level the student is currently taking. Sources for learning: Lab SEMO (www.elearning/research_outlinehelp.edu) OWLS writing Lab (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/06) MAKING AN OUTLINE: What is it? An outline is a general plan of the material that is to be presented a paper. The outline shows: 1. The order of the various topics 2. The relative importance of each 3. The relationship between the various parts. Order of the Outline There are many ways to arrange the different parts of a subject. A chronological arrangement works well but it may be written in emphatic order (placing your points in a logical order). The most common order in outlines is to go from introduce general material and then progress to more specific material. This means you begin with a
general idea and then support it with specific examples. Thesis Statement All outlines should begin with a thesis statement. The thesis sentence presents them main idea of the paper. It must always be a complete, grammatical sentence, specific and brief, which expresses the point of view you are taking towards the subject. A thesis is a limited topic that expresses the authors attitude towards the limited topic. Example: Reckless driving could be avoided if drivers would stop trying to multitasking while on the road. Reckless driving would be the limited topic. The authors attitude is dangerous driving should be avoided or stopped (focusing especially on multitasking: talking on the phone, texting, makeup, eating, etc.) Types of Outlines The two main types of outlines are the topic outline and the sentence outline. In the topic outline, the headings are given in single words or brief phrases. In the sentence outline, all the headings are expressed in complete sentences.
Rules for Outlining
Subdivide topics by a system of numbers and letters. Example: Thesis Statement: I. Introduction II. First Body Paragraph/First Point A. Supporting Detail B. Supporting Detail C. Supporting Detail III. Second Body Paragraph/Second Point Each paragraph should have a point with relating support. Each paragraph should relate to your thesis statement to ensure your paper is coherent and unified. Be consistent. Do not mix up the two types of outlines. Use either whole sentences or brief phrases, but not both.
Sample of Paper Outline I) II) Thesis Statement: Describes the essays main theme and your purpose in writing the paper. It sometimes gives your reader clues to the organization of the paper. First main idea A) Detail 1) Support 2) Support B) Detail 1) Support 2) Support III) Second Main idea A) Detail 1) Support 2) Support B) Detail 1) Support 2) Support IV) Third Main Idea A) Detail 1) Support 2) Support B) Detail 1) Support 2) Support V) Conclusion
Research Proposal (Example) (Note: This is single spaced to save paper yours should be double spaced) Remember to meet with a Writing Lab instructor every week for guidance and suggestions to improve your research and your paper To: Kayla Spitler From: Name Date: Date Subject: Research proposal Proposed Research Topic: provide a brief description or a descriptive title or a research question Purposes: Expand on the topic/question by describing what you hope to accomplish, and the desired outcomes (especially the practical or theoretical benefits to be gained) Background: Describe the context of the proposed research, making it clear how this context will allow you to accomplish your stated purposes Method: (suggested methods develop your own to suit your research topic) Describe in detail the steps you will take in attempting to answer your research question. For example: 1. Utilize your own knowledge of the subject 2. Conduct a literature review 3. Interviews 4. Write a research report that combines your understanding of the relevant theories and previous research with the results of your own research. References: List the books, articles, web sites, interviews, etc. that you expect to include in your paper. You may find that you dont use all of them you may find others that you wish to include. The final list of references will be on your works sited page. You may not use Wikipedia or similar sites sources.
WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS: Week 1: Chapter One: Reading for Understanding-- underlining, annotating, and asking questions. Chapter Two: Summarizing SourcesSummarizing a paragraph, summarizing an article and summarizing a complex Essay. Also covered this week is plagiarism and how to avoid it. Week 2: Chapter Three: Quoting Sources.Reasons for quoting, using quotations, quoting accurately, and writing citations. Chapter Four: Paraphrasing SourcesUsing paraphrase in essays, paraphrasing a difficult text, and using paraphrase with quotation and summary. Week 3: Chapter Five: The Single Source EssayStrategy One: Arguing against your source, and Strategy Two: Developing an essay based on a source. Midterm Exam and Midterm Essay also Due. Week 4: Chapter Six: The Multiple Source EssayAnalyzing multiple sources, synthesizing multiple sources, organizing multiple sources, evaluating sources, etc. Week 5: Chapter Seven Finding Sources.Topic narrowing, locating sources, interviewing, field research, and saving and recording information for your bibliography. Chapter Eight: Evaluating SourcesPrint sources, web sources, and integrating sources. Week 6: Chapter Nine: Writing the Research Essay.Saving information, Taking notes, list of topics, outlining, and writing an introduction. Chapter Ten: Acknowledging Sources Understanding plagiarism, using documentation, managing documentation, and preparing the final bibliography. Week 7: Chapter Eleven: Two Research Essays. Chapter Twelve Basic Forms for Documentation. Final Exam and Final Paper Due.
