Description:

This course is designed to complement and/or support classes in which writing is intrinsic to the curriculum and provide students with a process that can be applied to the variety of written assignments typically assigned in classes other than composition. Students will practice writing a variety of short papers using a prescribed process for each assignment. The course is individualized. Students enrolled in this class must come to the Writing Center, LIB 308, to make arrangements for their class schedule, to pick up a syllabus and other materials, and to be assigned an instructor. The course is a combination of written material and software. All completed work will be kept in a folder in the Writing Center. Students should anticipate approximately 20 hours of work to complete the course. This course does not fulfill degree requirements.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): TBA

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Connect writing skills learned in composition courses to other academic writing assignments.
2. Apply the writing process to any writing assignment.
3. Break any writing assignment down into a manageable process.
4. Know and define terms connected to rhetorical problems.
5. Use library indexes, Infotrac and other online data bases, and bibliographic files with competence.
6. Know criteria on which to base the credibility of media sources.
7. Write in several documentation styles including the Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), and Chicago styles and understand their applications.
8. Critique and revise their own writing.
9. Use software programs which assist in editing and formatting a document, i.e., Citation (a documentation program); Editor, Writers Workbench, or other style checker.
10. Write in a variety of writing formats indicative of assignments given in college.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Review the Writing Process of prewriting and invention, drafting,
revising, and editing.
   A. Choose an audience appropriate to the writing assignment and analyze
that audience.
   B. Demonstrate an ability to use various prewriting strategies to
decide on a topic, discover ideas, and develop support. Practice a variety
of devices such as the following:
      1. Freewriting
      2. Clustering
      3. Listing
      4. Observing
      5. Reading/Researching
      6. Interviewing
      7. Notetaking
   C. Demonstrate the ability to choose a topic, focus ideas, and write a
thesis statement
      1. Write a thesis statement appropriate to the assignment
      2. Organize and write a plan (outline) appropriate to the
assignment
   D. Choose a format appropriate to the assignment and the discipline
      1. Recognize and use various expository modes, i.e., description,
narration,  classification, etc.  Practice a variety of methods for
developing and supporting ideas, i.e., examples, statistics, anecdotes,
facts, etc.
   E. Support content with appropriate documentation within the text of
the paper and in the compiled list of sources at the end of the paper.
   F. Revise and edit drafts using specific revising, editing, and
proofing strategies
      1. Demonstrate an improved sense of style
      2. Demonstrate an improved use of language
      3. Demonstrate an ability to apply appropriately a specific
documentation style

II. Apply critical thinking skills to specific writing assignments which
demonstrate an understanding of the writing process. 
   Each of the assignments will include readings and models appropriate to
the discipline. Style sheets are available for each of the following
disciplines:  Biology, Humanities, Psychology and History.  Others as the
need arises.  Each assignment begins with an appropriate description and
then sets up the writing process.  Readings specific to each task and
discipline will be assigned. Samples of the completed assignments, written
by JCCC students for actual classes, will be available for review. Each
step of the process will be critiqued by a member of the Writing Center
staff, and correct grammar and usage will be discussed. Reviews of
mechanics will be included as individual needs arise.  Stylistic points
will be emphasized.
   Each assignment will include the following steps: a) Prewriting (a
variety of prewriting strategies will be provided); b) Focusing, reading,
researching, observing, notetaking; c) Writing- analyzing, interpreting,
synthesizing; d) Rewriting- appropriate style, appropriate language,
appropriate documentation; e) Proofreading/Editing - grammar, punctuation,
mechanic, spelling.

   A. Analysis: Students will select a professional journal article to
read, identify key points, and summarize in three formats.
      1. Point out the distinguishing characteristics of a precis,
abstract, and a summary by writing one of each format.
      2. Discover disciplinary applications and appropriate terminology
for potential collegiate writing assignments such as the executive summary
or the science hypothesis.
   B. Synthesis: Students will select, read, analyze, interpret, and
synthesize several (at least three) articles which provide varying
perspectives on a focused topic.
      1. Demonstrate research skills by accessing electronic data bases
and the Internet.
      2. Assess the selected articles by qualifying them against a
prepared set of criteria.
      3. Create an essay (300 to 500 words) which combines the ideas of
the sources with  their own explanations and point of view. The research
report or synthesis paper may include all or some of the following parts:
a proposal or executive summary or abstract, a journal or log, search
questions, an interview as a source, field research.
      4. Write the report in the appropriate form and style of a specific
discipline.
      5. Demonstrate ability to work assignment through the writing
process.
      6. Rephrase or paraphrase, summarize, or quote the articles
appropriately and    document the information as it is integrated into the
text in the previously decided upon format (APA, MLA, Chicago).
      7. Prepare and compile a bibliography, works cited, or references
cited page which documents the sources used in the essay in the
appropriate discipline format.
   C. Interpretation and Critique: Students will write a literature review
which demonstrates a critical review of a professional journal article.
      1. Select an article from a professional journal and critique its
appropriateness to its topic and discipline.
      2. Read the article carefully, select several disciplinary
characteristics of its content, form, or writer's style and measure these
traits against established criteria.
      3. Provide adequate support in the form of examples.
   D. Evaluation and Critique: Students will write a book, art, or film
review.
      1. Select and study by taking notes the selected art form to be
evaluated against a set of criteria determined by its genre or
classification.
      2. Develop essay or review with specific examples, facts, or
illustrations.
   E. Comprehension and Application: Students will define instructional
key words frequently used in designing essay examinations, write their own
essay questions using these terms and write their own answers to the
questions.
      1. Select terms to be defined as those representative of a specific
discipline.
      2. Create essay questions using cognitive behavioral terms.
      3. Demonstrate an understanding of the question.
      4. Write sample answers to the questions.
      5. Show knowledge of relevant material in answers.
      6. Reflect an ability to present the material in an organized form
appropriate to academic discipline.
      7. Demonstrate an ability to state ideas clearly.

WRITING CENTER HOURS:

Spring and Fall Semesters       Summer Semester
  Monday-Thursday: 8:00-8:00      Monday-Thursday: 8:00-8:00
  Fri.: 8:00-2:00
  Sat.: 9:00-3:00
  Sun.: Noon-4:00

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Each writing assignment will be graded by the assigned Writing Center
instructor. Although the final product is important, points will also be
awarded for the steps of the process. Each assignment will be worth 20
points-100 points total. Five papers = Summary, precis, abstract; research
project; literature review or analysis; art review; essay examination.

Grading Rationale:

 100% - 90% = A 
  89% - 80% = B 
  79% - 70% = C 
  69% - 60% = D
  Below 60% = F

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.