Welcome to the Welcome to the Unit 7 Seminar Unit 7 Seminar

for KU 121!for KU 121!Topic: Completing Your Topic: Completing Your

Rough DraftRough Draft

Professor: Ann Meek, PhD.Professor: Ann Meek, PhD.

In KU 121, we will focus on In KU 121, we will focus on one writing project for the one writing project for the

term—a professional term—a professional autobiography. This autobiography. This

project will be due in Unit project will be due in Unit 9. Each week, in each unit, 9. Each week, in each unit, we are working toward that we are working toward that goal. This week, in Unit 7, goal. This week, in Unit 7, we will finish writing our we will finish writing our

rough draft.rough draft.

Project DescriptionProject Description

Imagine that you have completed your Imagine that you have completed your program at Kaplan University and have program at Kaplan University and have been offered your dream job! The been offered your dream job! The company or organization you will be company or organization you will be working for wants to issue a press working for wants to issue a press release announcing that you are release announcing that you are joining them and in what capacity. In joining them and in what capacity. In order to do so, they need a minimum order to do so, they need a minimum 500-word autobiographical statement 500-word autobiographical statement from you. from you.

Project TimelineProject Timeline Unit 3: Identify your dream job in discussion and Unit 3: Identify your dream job in discussion and

complete and post your Pre-Writing to the discussion.complete and post your Pre-Writing to the discussion. Unit 4: Write and post your outline to the discussionUnit 4: Write and post your outline to the discussion Unit 5: Write and post your autobiography Unit 5: Write and post your autobiography

introduction to the discussionintroduction to the discussion Unit 6: Write and post your 3 autobiography body Unit 6: Write and post your 3 autobiography body

paragraphs to the dropbox paragraphs to the dropbox Unit 7: Submit your completed Rough Draft to the Unit 7: Submit your completed Rough Draft to the

dropbox and send a copy to the Writing Center dropbox and send a copy to the Writing Center Unit 8: Submit Writing Center feedback report to the Unit 8: Submit Writing Center feedback report to the

dropboxdropbox Unit 9: Complete and post Final version of your Unit 9: Complete and post Final version of your

autobiography to the dropboxautobiography to the dropbox

Five Paragraph EssayFive Paragraph Essay

I. Introduction – this is your identification (location, I. Introduction – this is your identification (location, company, job title, etc.) Thesis sentence is the last company, job title, etc.) Thesis sentence is the last sentence of paragraph one.sentence of paragraph one.

II. Body paragraph 1: Personal details (professional level) II. Body paragraph 1: Personal details (professional level) – age, family, hobbies and interests. Remember – do – age, family, hobbies and interests. Remember – do not include any overly personal or inappropriate details.not include any overly personal or inappropriate details.

III. Body paragraph 2: Educational background – include III. Body paragraph 2: Educational background – include program at Kaplan (pretend you already have received program at Kaplan (pretend you already have received your degree)your degree)

IV. Body paragraph 3: Professional experiences and IV. Body paragraph 3: Professional experiences and background – any related work you have done or background – any related work you have done or achievements and awardsachievements and awards

V. Concluding paragraph – the final paragraph in the V. Concluding paragraph – the final paragraph in the essay, wrapping up your overall topic.essay, wrapping up your overall topic.

Key Concepts for Unit 7Key Concepts for Unit 7 CompilingCompiling – bringing all elements of your – bringing all elements of your

draft together.draft together. Concluding paragraphConcluding paragraph- the final paragraph - the final paragraph

in the essay. Its job is to briefly remind reader in the essay. Its job is to briefly remind reader of the key points and then end with some of the key points and then end with some broad, general ideas.broad, general ideas.

ConciseConcise – shortest, most direct way to say – shortest, most direct way to say something.something.

DraftingDrafting - The determining stage of the - The determining stage of the writing process where you organize ideas from writing process where you organize ideas from brainstorming, sorting out the best ones to use brainstorming, sorting out the best ones to use in your writing. in your writing.

ExpandingExpanding – looking for additional facts or – looking for additional facts or examples to expand the focus of your essay. examples to expand the focus of your essay. 

Key Concepts for Unit 7Key Concepts for Unit 7 Reworded ThesisReworded Thesis – method of starting a – method of starting a

conclusion with a statement that echoes the conclusion with a statement that echoes the ideas of your thesis in different words.ideas of your thesis in different words.

Stretching Stretching - weakening your writing by - weakening your writing by adding needless words; not a good practiceadding needless words; not a good practice

The writing processThe writing process - The step-by-step - The step-by-step process anyone can follow in order to process anyone can follow in order to complete a writing assignment, whether it's complete a writing assignment, whether it's for a class or a workplace project; it is a for a class or a workplace project; it is a circular process so you can return to circular process so you can return to previous steps.previous steps.

Wordiness Wordiness – over use of needless words in – over use of needless words in writing.writing.

At this point, we have At this point, we have completed our first four completed our first four

paragraphs – the paragraphs – the introduction and the introduction and the

three body paragraphs three body paragraphs (personal, academic, and (personal, academic, and

professional professional background). Here are background). Here are some examples of these some examples of these

paragraphs…paragraphs…

Sample Sample Introductory Introductory Paragraph IParagraph IIt is a pleasure to introduce our new It is a pleasure to introduce our new

four year old kindergarten teacher at four year old kindergarten teacher at Gotham City Elementary School – Jane Gotham City Elementary School – Jane

Doe. The children at Gotham City Doe. The children at Gotham City Elementary are excited that one of their Elementary are excited that one of their

favorite library assistants is now a favorite library assistants is now a teacher! After over ten years of teacher! After over ten years of

teaching children to love books and teaching children to love books and reading, Jane will now be able to share reading, Jane will now be able to share her skills with a class of her own. Jane her skills with a class of her own. Jane

Doe is a dedicated early childhood Doe is a dedicated early childhood educator at Gotham City Elementary educator at Gotham City Elementary

School who has a personal, educational, School who has a personal, educational, and professional background which has and professional background which has

uniquely qualified her to excel in this uniquely qualified her to excel in this field.field.

Body Paragraph 1 Example: Body Paragraph 1 Example: Personal BackgroundPersonal BackgroundA 44 year old mother of three, Jane is an A 44 year old mother of three, Jane is an

active single mom who enjoys traveling, active single mom who enjoys traveling, cooking, and singing in the community choir. cooking, and singing in the community choir. As a mother of school age children, she is As a mother of school age children, she is particularly aware of the importance of good particularly aware of the importance of good communication between parents and teachers. communication between parents and teachers. Jane’s travels have taken her to Europe, Asia, Jane’s travels have taken her to Europe, Asia, and all over North America. She is excited and all over North America. She is excited about the possibility of exposing the children about the possibility of exposing the children in her class to new cultures and foods based in her class to new cultures and foods based on her extensive travels. She also hopes that on her extensive travels. She also hopes that parents, staff, and children will come and parents, staff, and children will come and enjoy the many performances of the enjoy the many performances of the community choir throughout the year.community choir throughout the year.

Body Paragraph 2 Example: Body Paragraph 2 Example: Academic BackgroundAcademic Background

Jane graduated in 1983 from Gotham Jane graduated in 1983 from Gotham City High School, where she was involved City High School, where she was involved with the Glee Club and played the clarinet in with the Glee Club and played the clarinet in the band. As her three children became more the band. As her three children became more independent, she decided to continue her independent, she decided to continue her education at Kaplan University. Jane chose to education at Kaplan University. Jane chose to pursue an online degree so that she could pursue an online degree so that she could more easily continue to work and raise her more easily continue to work and raise her children while working on her college degree. children while working on her college degree. She has recently graduated from Kaplan She has recently graduated from Kaplan with a degree in early childhood education.with a degree in early childhood education.

Body Paragraph 3 Example: Body Paragraph 3 Example: Professional BackgroundProfessional Background

After completing high school, Jane After completing high school, Jane worked at her family’s hardware store, worked at her family’s hardware store, but in 1996, our school had the great but in 1996, our school had the great fortune of hiring Jane as a library fortune of hiring Jane as a library assistant at Gotham City Elementary. assistant at Gotham City Elementary. Jane has been heavily involved in our Jane has been heavily involved in our Accelerated Reading program, keeping Accelerated Reading program, keeping track of students’ reading records, track of students’ reading records, points, and the rewards system. points, and the rewards system.

Now that you have an Now that you have an introduction and body introduction and body

drafted for your drafted for your autobiography, it is time autobiography, it is time to draft your conclusion to draft your conclusion and compile the three and compile the three

parts into one document parts into one document for submission to your for submission to your

instructor and the instructor and the Writing Center.Writing Center.

The concluding paragraph of the The concluding paragraph of the essay functions as the balance to essay functions as the balance to

the introduction. Whereas the the introduction. Whereas the introduction funnels attention into introduction funnels attention into

the essay, the conclusion should the essay, the conclusion should let the reader know he or she is let the reader know he or she is

nearing the end of the discussion. nearing the end of the discussion. Don’t introduce new information Don’t introduce new information in the conclusion, and don’t start in the conclusion, and don’t start with “in conclusion.” Make the with “in conclusion.” Make the

ending as strong and tight as the ending as strong and tight as the beginning. Avoid weak conclusions beginning. Avoid weak conclusions

like “Well, that’s all I know.”like “Well, that’s all I know.”

Ways to End an EssayWays to End an Essay

Summarize your main ideasSummarize your main ideas Comment on importance of your topicComment on importance of your topic Ask and answer a thought provoking Ask and answer a thought provoking

questionquestion Use a strong quotation and comment Use a strong quotation and comment

on iton it Predict the futurePredict the future Make a call to actionMake a call to action

Now it’s time to write a conclusion Now it’s time to write a conclusion for Jane’s autobiography. Looking for Jane’s autobiography. Looking back to our outline, this is what we back to our outline, this is what we

had:had:

V. V. Conclusion:Conclusion: Jane looks forward Jane looks forward to working with children and to working with children and

parents to create the best parents to create the best kindergarten experience for all the kindergarten experience for all the

children in her class.children in her class.

Let’s develop this into a full Let’s develop this into a full paragraph…paragraph…

Sample Conclusion Sample Conclusion ParagraphParagraph

Jane looks forward to working Jane looks forward to working with children and parents to with children and parents to create the best kindergarten create the best kindergarten

experience for all the children in experience for all the children in her class. She plans to bring her her class. She plans to bring her

enthusiasm and years of enthusiasm and years of experience to the classroom and experience to the classroom and she will be a valuable addition to she will be a valuable addition to

our staff. According to Jane – our staff. According to Jane – “there’s nothing more important “there’s nothing more important than the future of our children”. than the future of our children”. This is the kind of attitude that This is the kind of attitude that

makes for success in the makes for success in the classroom. Jane invites you all to classroom. Jane invites you all to

come by her classroom, share come by her classroom, share ideas, have a cup of coffee, and ideas, have a cup of coffee, and check out her colorful, exciting check out her colorful, exciting

decorations! decorations!

Let’s look at our second Let’s look at our second autobiography example…autobiography example…

Sample Introductory Sample Introductory Paragraph IIParagraph IIThe employees of General Hospital The employees of General Hospital

would like to welcome John Smith as would like to welcome John Smith as our new surgical technician. John’s our new surgical technician. John’s

enthusiasm for his new medical career enthusiasm for his new medical career is contagious! After many years in the is contagious! After many years in the

construction field, John has met the construction field, John has met the qualifications to work as a surgical qualifications to work as a surgical

technician and is looking forward to the technician and is looking forward to the exciting job of assisting our surgeons in exciting job of assisting our surgeons in the operating room. According to John the operating room. According to John – “this is the most important step of my – “this is the most important step of my

working career, and one that I have working career, and one that I have hoped for throughout my adult life.” hoped for throughout my adult life.” John Smith’s personal, professional, John Smith’s personal, professional,

and academic background have and academic background have prepared him to be a top-notch surgical prepared him to be a top-notch surgical technician at General Hospital, and he technician at General Hospital, and he

is excited to begin his new career!is excited to begin his new career!

Body Paragraph 1 Example Body Paragraph 1 Example II: Personal BackgroundII: Personal Background

John is a devoted sportsman who enjoys John is a devoted sportsman who enjoys weekend hunting and fishing trips with weekend hunting and fishing trips with his wife, Sue. He and Sue own a cabin at his wife, Sue. He and Sue own a cabin at Camp Gotham, and most weekends, you Camp Gotham, and most weekends, you will find them there enjoying the great will find them there enjoying the great outdoors. John and Sue are the parents outdoors. John and Sue are the parents of one adult child, and have two of one adult child, and have two grandchildren. John is also an organizer grandchildren. John is also an organizer for the local “Toys for Kids” program, for the local “Toys for Kids” program, and spends his holidays delivering toys to and spends his holidays delivering toys to charity organizations throughout the city.charity organizations throughout the city.

Body Paragraph 2 Example Body Paragraph 2 Example II: Academic Background II: Academic Background

John graduated from Gotham City High John graduated from Gotham City High School in 1979, where he was a member of the School in 1979, where he was a member of the football team for all four years. Through the football team for all four years. Through the vocational education program, John became vocational education program, John became interested in carpentry and completed the interested in carpentry and completed the carpentry program at Gotham City Community carpentry program at Gotham City Community College in 1982. In 2005, he returned to College in 1982. In 2005, he returned to college to earn his bachelor’s degree in the college to earn his bachelor’s degree in the medical field from Kaplan University. John medical field from Kaplan University. John completed his degree online, and he feels that completed his degree online, and he feels that he benefited greatly from the flexibility of the he benefited greatly from the flexibility of the online degree program. online degree program.

Body Paragraph 3 Example Body Paragraph 3 Example II: Professional BackgroundII: Professional Background

After completing the carpentry After completing the carpentry program at Gotham City Community program at Gotham City Community College, John worked for many years as College, John worked for many years as an independent carpenter. John worked an independent carpenter. John worked on many well known buildings at Gotham on many well known buildings at Gotham City, including the public library and the City, including the public library and the courthouse. However, John always had courthouse. However, John always had an interest in the medical field, and after an interest in the medical field, and after a serious back injury, he decided to take a serious back injury, he decided to take the steps to qualify to work as a surgical the steps to qualify to work as a surgical technician at General Hospital. technician at General Hospital.

Now it’s time to write a conclusion for Now it’s time to write a conclusion for John’s autobiography. Looking back to John’s autobiography. Looking back to

our outline, this is what we had:our outline, this is what we had:

V. V. Conclusion:Conclusion: It has been a lifelong goal of John’s to work in the medical

field, and he is looking forward to working with the patients and staff of

General Hospital.

Let’s develop this into a full Let’s develop this into a full paragraph…paragraph…

Sample Conclusion Sample Conclusion Paragraph IIParagraph II

It has been a lifelong goal of John’s to work in the medical field, and he is looking forward to working with the patients and staff of General Hospital. John will bring John will bring his personal, academic, and professional his personal, academic, and professional background to his new role as a surgical background to his new role as a surgical technician. He plans to serve with technician. He plans to serve with diligence and dedication, and challenges all diligence and dedication, and challenges all staff to give 100% to the patients in their staff to give 100% to the patients in their care, as he intends to do throughout his care, as he intends to do throughout his career here. career here.

Unit 7 ProjectUnit 7 Project

In Unit 7, you will be required to submit your In Unit 7, you will be required to submit your rough draft to the dropbox and to the Writing rough draft to the dropbox and to the Writing Center for review. You can find the Writing Center for review. You can find the Writing Center in your student homepage under “My Center in your student homepage under “My Studies”. Click on “Writing and Math Studies”. Click on “Writing and Math Center”, then “Writing Center”, then “Paper Center”, then “Writing Center”, then “Paper Review Service”, and follow the instructions Review Service”, and follow the instructions you find there. You will also find a document you find there. You will also find a document explaining how to use the Writing Center in explaining how to use the Writing Center in our course site under Doc Sharing. It is our course site under Doc Sharing. It is titled “Accessing and Using the WC”. titled “Accessing and Using the WC”.

Common Writing Common Writing ErrorsErrors

Tonight’s Topics:Tonight’s Topics:

Run-On SentencesRun-On Sentencesandand

Sentence FragmentsSentence Fragments

Run-On SentencesRun-On Sentences

One of the most common errors is called a One of the most common errors is called a run-on sentence, in which two or more run-on sentence, in which two or more complete thoughts are joined together complete thoughts are joined together without the use of proper punctuation. Here without the use of proper punctuation. Here is an example:is an example:

““Jane is very dedicated to creating the most Jane is very dedicated to creating the most positive kindergarten experience possible for positive kindergarten experience possible for the children in her class she has worked for the children in her class she has worked for many years to achieve the goal of becoming a many years to achieve the goal of becoming a kindergarten teacher.”kindergarten teacher.”

Four Ways to Correct a Run-Four Ways to Correct a Run-On SentenceOn Sentence

Make two sentences out of it.Make two sentences out of it. Use a semicolon.Use a semicolon. Use a comma with a connecting word.Use a comma with a connecting word. Change an independent clause to a Change an independent clause to a

subordinate clause and use a comma.subordinate clause and use a comma.

Here is an example of each way…Here is an example of each way…

Make Two Sentences Make Two Sentences

Incorrect: “Jane is very dedicated to creating Incorrect: “Jane is very dedicated to creating the most positive kindergarten experience the most positive kindergarten experience possible for the children in her class she has possible for the children in her class she has worked for many years to achieve the goal of worked for many years to achieve the goal of becoming a kindergarten teacher.”becoming a kindergarten teacher.”

Correct: “Jane is very dedicated to creating the Correct: “Jane is very dedicated to creating the most positive kindergarten experience most positive kindergarten experience possible for the children in her class. She has possible for the children in her class. She has worked for many years to achieve the goal of worked for many years to achieve the goal of becoming a kindergarten teacher.”becoming a kindergarten teacher.”

Use a Semi-ColonUse a Semi-Colon

Incorrect: “Jane is very dedicated to creating Incorrect: “Jane is very dedicated to creating the most positive kindergarten experience the most positive kindergarten experience possible for the children in her class she has possible for the children in her class she has worked for many years to achieve the goal of worked for many years to achieve the goal of becoming a kindergarten teacher.”becoming a kindergarten teacher.”

Correct: “Jane is very dedicated to creating the Correct: “Jane is very dedicated to creating the most positive kindergarten experience most positive kindergarten experience possible for the children in her class; she has possible for the children in her class; she has worked for many years to achieve the goal of worked for many years to achieve the goal of becoming a kindergarten teacher.”becoming a kindergarten teacher.”

Use a Comma with a Use a Comma with a Connecting WordConnecting Word

Incorrect: “Jane is very dedicated to creating Incorrect: “Jane is very dedicated to creating the most positive kindergarten experience the most positive kindergarten experience possible for the children in her class she has possible for the children in her class she has worked for many years to achieve the goal worked for many years to achieve the goal of becoming a kindergarten teacher.”of becoming a kindergarten teacher.”

Correct: “Jane is very dedicated to creating Correct: “Jane is very dedicated to creating the most positive kindergarten experience the most positive kindergarten experience possible for the children in her class, and possible for the children in her class, and she has worked for many years to achieve she has worked for many years to achieve the goal of becoming a kindergarten the goal of becoming a kindergarten teacher.”teacher.”

Make One Part a Make One Part a Subordinate ClauseSubordinate Clause

Incorrect: “Jane is very dedicated to creating the Incorrect: “Jane is very dedicated to creating the most positive kindergarten experience possible most positive kindergarten experience possible for the children in her class she has worked for for the children in her class she has worked for many years to achieve the goal of becoming a many years to achieve the goal of becoming a kindergarten teacher.”kindergarten teacher.”

Correct: “Since Jane is very dedicated to creating Correct: “Since Jane is very dedicated to creating the most positive kindergarten experience the most positive kindergarten experience possible for the children in her class, she has possible for the children in her class, she has worked for many years to achieve the goal of worked for many years to achieve the goal of becoming a kindergarten teacher.”becoming a kindergarten teacher.”

Is This a Run-on Is This a Run-on Sentence?Sentence?

Jane is looking forward to teaching Jane is looking forward to teaching kindergarten after working for kindergarten after working for several years in the school library several years in the school library because she has developed many because she has developed many learning activities that she wants to learning activities that she wants to share with the children.share with the children.

Is This a Run-on Is This a Run-on Sentence?Sentence?

John is planning to work twelve John is planning to work twelve hour shifts so that he can work a hour shifts so that he can work a four day week because that is the four day week because that is the schedule that his wife works she schedule that his wife works she works at a textile plant in the works at a textile plant in the neighboring town of Springfield.neighboring town of Springfield.

Sentence FragmentsSentence Fragments

Another very common error is the Another very common error is the sentence fragment. A complete sentence sentence fragment. A complete sentence must have at least one noun, at least one must have at least one noun, at least one verb, and must form a complete thought. verb, and must form a complete thought. A sentence fragment is an incomplete A sentence fragment is an incomplete thought, such as this example:thought, such as this example:

““Community college for carpentry, not Community college for carpentry, not surgical technology.”surgical technology.”

Sentence FragmentsSentence Fragments

Usually sentence fragments will occur Usually sentence fragments will occur because the missing information is in because the missing information is in another sentence, like this:another sentence, like this:

““John had attended college before. John had attended college before. Community college for carpentry, not Community college for carpentry, not surgical technology.”surgical technology.”

The first sentence is complete, but the The first sentence is complete, but the second sentence is a fragment. second sentence is a fragment.

Correcting Sentence Correcting Sentence FragmentsFragments

We can correct sentence fragments by We can correct sentence fragments by adding any missing information to make adding any missing information to make the sentence complete, like this…the sentence complete, like this…

““John had attended college before. He John had attended college before. He attended community college for carpentry, attended community college for carpentry, not surgical technology.” or like this…not surgical technology.” or like this…

““John had attended college before; he John had attended college before; he attended community college for carpentry, attended community college for carpentry, not surgical technology.”not surgical technology.”

Complete or Fragment?Complete or Fragment?

Which sentence below is a fragment?Which sentence below is a fragment?

1. Jane’s favorite T.V. shows are CSI 1. Jane’s favorite T.V. shows are CSI and Ghost Whisperer. 2. She also and Ghost Whisperer. 2. She also like to watch cable news and usually like to watch cable news and usually watches CNN. 3. When she’s not watches CNN. 3. When she’s not watching MSNBC. 4. Actually, she watching MSNBC. 4. Actually, she likes them all.likes them all.

Complete or Fragment?Complete or Fragment?

Which sentence below is a fragment?Which sentence below is a fragment?

1. John feels that there are many 1. John feels that there are many benefits to having a college benefits to having a college education. 2. He encourages education. 2. He encourages anyone who is interested to pursue anyone who is interested to pursue online education. 3. Flexibility, online education. 3. Flexibility, convenience, and working at home. convenience, and working at home. 4. What could be better?4. What could be better?

Thank you for coming!Thank you for coming!

Any last questions?Any last questions?

Have a great week, Have a great week, everyone!everyone!