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Class Information
Composition I (GE117)
Theory 1 Schedule
Tuesday 6 – 9:24 PM Office: Tuesday 5-6
or by appointment (516) 314-8644 Do_Leary@itt-
tech.edu
Book(s): Longman Writer Prentice Hall
Reference Guide Writing Lab Hours
Monday 3-6 PM Thursday 12:30-6
PM Friday 12-3 PM
Today’s Agenda
Review Course Syllabus Review Class Rules/Expectations Introduce the Writing Process Introduce Prewriting Complete a Diagnostic Assignment to
determine your baseline writing level
Major instructional areas
The Writing Process : - Prewriting
- Planning
- Drafting
- Revision
- Editing & Proofreading
Major Instructional Areas
The Research Paper: - Choosing a topic
- Conducting Research- Outlining and Drafting- Revision- Citations and bibliographies
Major Instructional Areas
Specific Writing Models:- Compare and Contrast- Description & Illustration- Cause and Effect- Process Analysis- Resumes and Cover Letters
Major Instructional Areas
Other Topics Covered:- Study Skills and Note-taking- Time management- Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling
Course Objectives
1) Write Clearly, Concisely, and Effectively.
2) Write in order to complete a variety of writing assignments.
3) Analyze an audience and adapt writing styles and conventions appropriately.
4) Effectively and Efficiently use the ITT Virtual Library.
Course Objectives
5) Prepare an Independent Research Paper.
6) Synthesize information from a variety of sources into a new document.
7) Utilize peer review and instructor feedback in revising and editing writing.
8) Draft an error-free Resume and Cover Letter.
Course Requirements
Course Requirements:1) Attendance and Participation – Regular
attendance and participation are a must! In the past, an average student “might” lose 10 points off his/her final grade for EACH class missed.
2) Completed Assignments – Each student will be expected to submit work regularly and on time. Late assignments will lose one full grade value PER WEEK(E.G. – An “A” paper becomes a “B”, the “B” becomes a “C”, etc.)
3) Writing Workshop – Students will be expected to commit to the Writing Process by meeting with the instructor outside of class for feedback and revisions.
Grading Breakdown
Grading Breakdown:Discussion Forum
(Participation) – 20%Exercises (In-class) –
15%Writing Assignments
(Homework) – 30%Project Part 2 – 7%Project Part 3 – 8%Project Part 5 – 20%
***NOTE –The Research Project Totals 35% of your overall grade in this class!!!!!!***
Course Outline (subject to change)Weeks 1-3: Introduction to The Writing Process:
Weeks 4-6: The Writing Process (continued) and the Research Paper
Weeks 7-10: Advanced Writing Models, Resume and Cover Letters, The Research Paper
Week 11: Final Revision of Research Paper
Class Rules and Expectations Be on time and with the necessary
materials for class. This includes textbooks, assignments, a notebook, a pen, etc.
Attend class regularly and participate actively in your own learning.
Ask questions when you do not understand something. (If you don’t understand something, that’s my fault, not yours!!!!!)
All homework assignments must be typed!
Class Rules and ExpectationsCommit to the Writing Process and strive to
improve upon your current abilities.Be respectful to your classmates and
instructor.Keep a folder or Flash Drive for your
assignments. (You must stay organized!)Keep a binder/folder for your assignments and
Research Paper (Again, stay organized!!!!)Try to have fun (or this class will really, really,
really suck!)
Break Time!
Let’s take a 10-15 minute break now. When you come back, I will answer any questions you may have, and then we will get started on our first writing lesson!
The Writing Process
Welcome back from break! We will now begin our first lesson.
Here are the main objectives:
1) Describe the nature of the writing process and its importance in the professional world.
2) Describe and utilize a variety of prewriting techniques.
The Writing Process
Q: What is “Composition”?
A: It’s not a product, but a process.
We will stress the process of writing, from the tiniest of thoughts in your brain to drafting to revision and finally to the final “version” you submit to your instructor(s).
The Writing Process
Q: Why are Composition and the Writing Process so important?
A: The business world today hinges upon many rapid forms of communication. As Technical Professionals, you will be required to write!!! Those who can write clearly, concisely, and effectively will have advantages over those who cannot. We don’t want to turn you into Shakespeare, but rather, the next Bill Gates!
The Writing Process
Q: Why am I taking a writing class in a technology oriented school?
A: Technology is the application of knowledge, usually scientific, to solve practical problems. Based on that definition, writing IS technology. In fact, it’s one of the oldest technologies we have.
Writing is technology
3500 BC: - Sumerians use cuneiform etched on clay tabletswith reeds and baked in the sun
Writing is technology
3000 BC: Egyptians invent papyrus, a crude paper made from plant fiber
Writing is technology
1000 BC: Egyptians invent lead stylus, a precursor to the modern pencil.
Writing is technology
1440: Johannes Gutenburg invents printing press
Writing is technology
1560: Graphite pencil invented – makes a more visible mark than lead, sharpens easier, AND it’s not toxic!
Writing is technology
1836: Samuel Morse invents telegraph - electric pulses
transmit Morse Code
Writing is technology
1870: Typewriter invented
Writing is technology
1874: QWERTY keyboard layout created
Writing is technology
1980’s: Personal Computers can support Word Processing software; dot matrix printers can synchronize with PC’s
Writing is technology
1990’s: Speech recognition software becomes commercially available. You speak; computer “translates” into text.
Writing in the workplace
Q: I don’t believe I’ll have to write. I’m a technical or numbers person. How can you be so sure?
A: You will need to write a Resume and Cover Letter to even get a job. Once there, you will write emails, memos, reports, audits, customer service receipts/tickets. You may have to ask for a raise or promotion in writing. You may have to request additional time/money/resources for a project in writing.
As they say here at ITT, “IF IT AIN’T DOCUMENTED, IT NEVER HAPPENED!”
The Writing Process
Q: What are the “stages” of the writing process?
A: There is no “correct” answer, but in general, the process consists of:
1) Prewriting and Idea Generation 2) Planning for Audience, Tone, Style 3) Drafting4) Revising the Draft for Overall Meaning, then
Paragraph Development, then for Sentences and Words.
5) Editing and Proofreading the Draft.6) Polishing the Draft into a “Final Version.”
The Writing Process
Q: What is that first stage, “Prewriting”?A: “Prewriting” refers to any number of
activities that writers engage in BEFORE drafting. The purpose of prewriting is to generate a sufficient amount of ideas/thoughts/material that later can be “molded” into something more refined and polished.
Prewriting
Think of prewriting like sculpting – you will always need more clay or marble to start than there will be in the final sculpture.
Some material will get cut, and will hit the floor – it won’t be in the final version.
But you can’t sculpt with material you don’t have, so we always need more than we will really use!
Prewriting Techniques
Q: What are some prewriting techniques I can use?
A: Some common prewriting techniques include: Brainstrorming, Freewriting, Questioning, and Mapping.
Each technique has its own pros/cons and some students prefer one over another. You will have to learn over time what prewriting technique works best for you!
Prewriting Techniques
Brainstorming – An activity where the writer creates a list of thoughts/ideas they have about a topic.
- Grammar/Punctuation doesn’t matter - Use bullets, dashes, or numbers - A Stream of Consciousness activity- No idea is too “stupid” or “bad.”- Best as a timed exercise (5 minute
intervals)
Prewriting Techniques
Freewriting – An activity in which the writer writes out the thoughts or ideas he or she has about a topic. It generally “appears” more like real prose writing. It uses to some degree punctuation and grammar. It’s also a stream of consciousness activity, and is also timed in 5 minute intervals. The thoughts can jump from here to there and all over the place.
Prewriting Techniques
Questioning – An activity where the writer assesses his or her knowledge and thoughts about a topic by writing out specific questions he or she has about the topic.
1) What is global warming? 2) How does it occur? 3) What are factors that contribute to
global warming?
Prewriting Techniques
Mapping - An activity where a writer places a central idea/topic in a “box”, and then branches off that box into several subtopics. Each subtopic can then be further branched outwards until all ideas have been exhausted.
In-Class Activity
We’re going to practice some prewriting ourselves now!
This assignment is called “My Favorite…”
Tasks:
1) Choose a favorite activity, object, place, person, meal, song, whatever.
2) Choose 2 different prewriting techniques to try.
3) Spend 5-10 minutes prewriting on “My Favorite….” for EACH prewriting technique.
Homework Assignment
1) Read in Longman Writer pages 15-24.2) Send an email to: [email protected] A) Include your name, quarter, major, and
a hobby you have outside of class.3) Write a Personal Essay: 1-2 paragraphs
about you. Where are you from? What do you study here? Why did you choose that major? What are your career goals? What experience do you have in reading/writing? What worries or concerns do you have about this class? Anything else you want me to know!
