ENW3062: Advanced Writing with Research
Prof. Marion Perret 

Like artists, researchers
make something new
out of the resources
at hand.
-John Gage

M.C. Escher
Drawing Hands

 

GOALS
To help the student:

become aware that the art of writing a good research paper requires creativity be always conscious of the reader's expectations and responses

be always conscious of the reader's expectations and responses

to grasp the proper balance of research and argument

learn how to portray the writer as the ultimate authority in a paper drawing upon other authorities

to understand that persuasiveness depends upon clarity of thought and expression

 

SYLLABUS

The syllabus for this course is--and must be--flexible because I do not yet know what your strengths are and what are still only potential strengths.  I want to make this course responsive to your needs: if many of you do not need refreshing on a particular technique or would like more intensive work on some problem of writing, I will adjust the syllabus to address your concerns.  Each class will begin with a question and answer session, so that you can get immediate, specific pointers on how to deal with problems you perceive.

 

8/29 Introduction to the course--getting to know each other and ourselves as writers.   
9/5 Labor Day
9/12

PREP:  Read Neman and Gage selections (on Blackboard).

POST on Blackboard Discussion Board 2, by noon on 9/12, a paragraph explaining which observation in Gage’s essay struck you as most helpful or illuminating, and why.

CLASS:   the most basic structure of a paper patterns of research and thought (induction and deduction) patterns of structure (thesis and support)

TURN IN all of these:

what you consider your three best consecutive pages of writing using research materials (secondary sources)

a topic outline (1-2 pages) of the whole paper, starred to indicate where your selection fits in the overall development bibliography for this paper

an analysis of your presentation of material in these three pages, noting specific strengths and weaknesses

general appraisal of your strengths and weaknesses as a writer of  research papers, based on this, your best work
9/19

CONFERENCE WEEK (Dammann 4; sign up for an appointment)

PREP:  List three possible topics and give two exploratory questions about each.

DISCUSS  possible topics and your skill as a research writer, based on the sample given me.
9/26  PREP:   Read Neman and Booth selections (on Blackboard). 

DISCUSS how you appear in your work (how to project authority) and how your reader appears in your work

TURN IN  15 item bibliography and three research questions
10/3 PREP: Continue research for your project.  Choose a paragraph to respond to.

DISCUSS arguing with, and as, an authority 

TURN IN  xerox of a page from one of your sources with notations of  what could be disputed or should be developed further.
10/10 Columbus Day: no class.

Instead, show the author of the page which you are challenging what he should have thought of or taken into more account, and why--email to me (perretm@mville.edu) your one-page response to the authority, explaining where he has gone wrong.
10/17 CONFERENCE in Dammann 4; sign up for an appointment.

PREP: Fill out form proposing your research of a focused question about your topic.

DISCUSS thesis proposal and your response to an authority.

TURN IN topic outline of your research paper.
10/24 PREP:  Review conventions of documentation for a quiz.

DISCUSS  when and how much to quote, paraphrase, summarize how to remain and appear  the                      authority when using authorities.

TURN IN a page (a paragraph or two) integrating a quote, an inset quote, and a paraphrase.
10/31 DISCUSS organization:  theory and practice, purposeful patterns of development, outlines and                       alternative methods. 

TURN IN  revision and original versions of the page using sources.
11/7 CONFERENCE  in Dammann 4; sign up for an appointment.

TURN IN (via e-mail two days before conference): topic and sentence outlines of paper.

DISCUSS these and page using sources.
11/14 PREP: Revise sentence outline (if necessary)

DISCUSS drafts--more than a breeze: revising from a new perspective, opening paragraphs and abstracts.

TURN IN revision of sentence outline.
11/21 CONFERENCE  in Dammann 4; sign up for an appointment.

TURN IN (via e-mail two days before conference) opening paragraph and sentence outline.
11/28 PREP: Write first three pages.

DISCUSS style and peer evaluation.
12/5 PREP: Assemble folder of written work for semester; bring this and draft of paper to class.

CLASS: Evaluations and in-class paper.
12/8 By noon, turn in to my Brownson box this folder and your research paper. 
 

 

  

TEXTS:  There is no official text for this course:  materials will be posted on Blackboard and exercises passed out in class.  

PLAGIARISM:   During the first class, you will be asked to sign a statement on what constitutes plagiarism, indicating that you know what plagiarism is.  You will be given a copy of this to keep and consult, and I will keep the copy you have signed.  If you have any doubts about what borrowing should be documented, ask me.

GRADING:  There is no final exam in this course.  The grade for the semester will be based upon both the final version of the research paper (60%) and the exercises leading up to it (40%).  A student who does not take the preliminary assignments seriously and hand work in on time is unlikely to get a course grade above B- because acquiring advanced skill cannot be crammed into the last weeks before finals.

ATTENDANCE:  Classes will be part instruction, part workshop, so you cannot make up a missed class.  Be sure you bring to class the work due that day, since we will discuss your examples in class.  Do NOT cut class because you are unprepared; instead, come to class prepared.  More than three absences will affect your grade.

OFFICE  HOURS:  I am available to you in my office (Dammann 4) on Monday from 3:15 to 4:15, on Tuesday from 11:00 to 12:00, on Thursday from 11:00 to 12:00 and 3:15 to 5:15, and on Friday from 11:00 to 12:00.  Feel free to drop by or to make an appointment (x5106) if you are concerned about your work.  You may also call me at home (914-694-5787) or email me (perretm@mville.edu).

 

 

 

 

 

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