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 Unit 3 ‘Reflection and Connection’ to Unit 4  Discussion about Writing Strategies (Internet Research will be discussed in the Discussion area this week)  Field Trip to Kaplan University’s Writing Center  Questions 2

 Think back to the last unit and your LASSI Assessment results. Questions:  In your opinion, which of the LASSI skills could improve most from this unit?  What do you want to learn about Research Tools (Writing Processes and Internet Research)? 3

Name some of the ways we write in our everyday lives. 4

This is the planning part of the writing process. It is where you brainstorm different topics, research material, ask questions, talk to other people, write freely on a topic, take notes (like creating an outline, map, or chart), and narrow down your topic. Prewriting gives you a chance to think about your topic (and assignment) in an unstructured, non-intimidating way. 5

 This is the first draft of the writing assignment. It is where you bring in your prewriting ideas and form them into sentences and paragraphs.  Your first focus in this stage is on content. You want to think about your introduction, forming and organizing your ideas into the body of the paper, and starting on a conclusion.  At this stage of writing, do not worry about grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. 6

 This is a vital part of the writing process. This is where you use your critical thinking skills to make sure you covered all of the important elements in the directions of the assignment. Is the voice of the paper correct? Are you sending a clear message to your audience?  Does the word choice, sentence, and paragraph structure flow?  After reading through your draft, you may want to print it out and make any necessary notes and changes.  Who do you have to help you proofread? Study buddy? Writing Center’s Paper Review Service? 7

 After you are completely satisfied with your paper, it is time to begin the editing process.  This is where you look at the technical aspects of the paper such as grammar, punctuation, and spelling.  You look over the spacing of your project, look at capitalization elements, and make sure to limit contractions.  This is a great time to print the latest version of your paper and slowly read every word (reading out loud helps as well) (MIT Online Writing and Communication Center, 1999).  Read each sentence from the bottom up…this will allow you to check that each sentence can stand on its own. 8

 What  ∙  Which of these steps do you feel is most important and why?  Prewriting  Draft  Revision  Editing 9

How will writing well be an asset to you in your career? How will you use good writing skills in your chosen profession? Provide specific examples. 10

 We are going to take a field trip on Kaplan’s virtual blue and white coach. (It is equipped with a state-of-the-art theatre system). Please buckle your seat belts.  In order to arrive safely and quickly, access the KU Writing Center from your student portal home page. It is on the right-hand side of the page under Academic Support. Keep this seminar window open, and report back in 8 minutes from now. ...but before we leave... 11

...your mission is to find one fact about one of the topics below: Microsoft WordQ& A Writing Center Writing tutor hoursSpellcheckers Commonly Misspelled WordsCapitalizations TransitionsCommas Run on SentencesPaper Review Service 12

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I have the moderator on so you can go ahead and type your response. No one will see your response except me. Please know that I won’t share your response until I get to that topic. 14

Microsoft WordQ& A Writing Center Writing tutor hoursSpellcheckers Commonly Misspelled WordsCapitalizations TransitionsCommas Run on SentencesPaper Review Service 15

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“If you don't have the time to read, you don't have the time or the tools to write.” STEPHEN KING, On Writing Have a Good Night! 17