Welcome to the Unit 3 Seminar for KU 121 Professor: Ann Meek, PhD. Thank you to Teresa Kelly, the originator of many of these slides.

The Writing Process The step-by-step process anyone can follow in order to complete a writing assignment, whether it's for a class or a workplace project.

We begin with the understanding that writing is a process, not a product.

Stage One: You will start your process by defining the parameters of your writing task – in this case creating your autobiography. When you are first given a paper assignment, it is imperative that you understand all the requirements and expectations

1.Review the assignment and ask yourself: When is it due? How long should the final writing be? Why am I writing? Who is my audience? What details should I include? Let’s answer these questions…

1. When is it due? The final version of your writing is due in Unit 9.

2. How long should the final writing be? 500 words is the minimum. But don’t panic! We will discuss several techniques and tips for generating writing ideas so you likely will have no problem reaching this total. For now, just concentrate on the “big picture.”

3. Why am I writing? You will be writing your professional autobiography, not only to fulfill a classroom assignment, but also so you can explore your professional goals and aspirations in a concrete way. (Note that this is a professional autobiography, and personal details and information inappropriate to the professional environment should not be included!)

4. Who is my audience? Your classmates and your instructor are your audience.

5. What details should I include? As you begin the first step of the writing process, you will discover which details will best fit your writing purpose.

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

Your autobiography should include 5 paragraphs: 1. One paragraph that identifies who you are, where you live, the company or organization that has hired you, and your new job title. 2. One paragraph that gives professional details about you and your life—your age, family, hobbies, etc. (NOTE: this is a professional biography so you need to limit personal details to what is appropriate). 3. One paragraph that talks about your education. You should include high school or your GED, any previous college experience, and your Kaplan program. 4. One paragraph that details professional experiences, honors and awards, or other related details. 5. One concluding paragraph that reinforces where you will be working, your job title, and what you will be doing.

Your autobiography should be written in third person (no I or you), include concrete nouns, descriptive adjectives, active verbs, effective transitions between paragraphs, and be relatively error free. We will go over each of these ideas in the weeks to come.

Project Timeline Unit 3: Identify your dream job in discussion Unit 3: Identify your dream job in discussion Unit 4: Write and post your outline to the dropbox Unit 4: Write and post your outline to the dropbox Unit 5: Write and post your autobiography introduction to the dropbox Unit 5: Write and post your autobiography introduction to the dropbox Unit 6: Write and post your 3 autobiography body paragraphs to the dropbox Unit 6: Write and post your 3 autobiography body paragraphs to the dropbox Unit 7: Submit your completed Rough Draft to the dropbox and send a copy to the Writing Center Unit 7: Submit your completed Rough Draft to the dropbox and send a copy to the Writing Center Unit 8: Submit Writing Center feedback report to the dropbox Unit 8: Submit Writing Center feedback report to the dropbox Unit 9: Complete and post Final version of your autobiography to the dropbox Unit 9: Complete and post Final version of your autobiography to the dropbox

Unit 3 Discussion – Dream Jobs This is where you get to have a little fun! Think ahead and think about what matters to you, professionally. Visualize yourself five or so years from now: You have finished your program at Kaplan and have been hired to work at your dream job. What is your job? What makes it a dream job? What company do your work for, or do you work for yourself? What is the name of your company or business? What type of work do you do? What is your job title? Who is your boss? What are your co-workers like? What would constitute a “good day” at this dream job? This is where you get to have a little fun! Think ahead and think about what matters to you, professionally. Visualize yourself five or so years from now: You have finished your program at Kaplan and have been hired to work at your dream job. What is your job? What makes it a dream job? What company do your work for, or do you work for yourself? What is the name of your company or business? What type of work do you do? What is your job title? Who is your boss? What are your co-workers like? What would constitute a “good day” at this dream job? Write out the specifics of your dream job in this weeks’ discussion before so that you have a concrete topic and focus in mind for your essay.

Sample Discussion Response – Martha Cooper My dream job is to become an administrator for Richmond Hill Medical Center. This is my dream job because it will allow me to use my training to help provide the best care to patients and to improve the medical profession. Since I work as a CNA currently, I want to progress in my profession. I will need to first earn my associates then my RN as well as my BSN and MSN. Once I’ve earned those degrees, I will begin to add to my supervisory experience by working as a charge nurse and shift supervisor and volunteering for committees. My title will be Director of Nursing. My boss will be the Chief of Staff. My co-workers will be the nurses and other medical professionals in various departments as well as the other administrators and staff. A good day at my job would be when the entire medical team works together to provide the best patient care. We may be dealing with normal, day to day issues or a major influx of patients, but regardless we will work as a team.

Connecting the discussion to the project The discussion is your starting point The discussion is your starting point Use it to define your dream job Use it to define your dream job The pre-writing assignment establishes details about your dream job and WHY you will be qualified to hold it – personal background, education, experience The pre-writing assignment establishes details about your dream job and WHY you will be qualified to hold it – personal background, education, experience

Stage Two: Brainstorming Brainstorming - The second step of the writing process where you use your imagination to come up with possible ideas to write about. Think of this as throwing out a "big net" to catch as many possibly useful ideas as you can. In brainstorming, you can jot down ideas as they come to you, and grammar, spelling and other concerns aren't important for this step. The main idea is to generate as many ideas as possible. Brainstorming - The second step of the writing process where you use your imagination to come up with possible ideas to write about. Think of this as throwing out a "big net" to catch as many possibly useful ideas as you can. In brainstorming, you can jot down ideas as they come to you, and grammar, spelling and other concerns aren't important for this step. The main idea is to generate as many ideas as possible.

Brainstorming Techniques Jot lists – Like a grocery list or word association, a jot list includes key words that come to mind about your subject. At this point, don’t worry about spelling; just quickly write down as soon new thoughts enter your mind. You can even go back and expand on some ideas as you create the list. Jot lists – Like a grocery list or word association, a jot list includes key words that come to mind about your subject. At this point, don’t worry about spelling; just quickly write down as soon new thoughts enter your mind. You can even go back and expand on some ideas as you create the list.

PersonalProfessionalAcademic Married – Gotham City Hospital, Orderly 1995 – Graduated from Gotham City High School Husband - Jeff 2004 – 2011 Gotham City Eye Associates, Medical Records Manager 2003 – Associate’s Degree, Gotham City Comm. College, Medical Records Children – Jack and Jill 2011 – B.S. Degree, Kaplan Univ., Hospital Administration. Hobbies - scrapbooking Sample Jot List

Brainstorming Techniques Free-writing - Here you sit down either at a computer or with paper and pen and simply begins writing as quickly as possible without stopping. Don’t worry about sentences, spelling or anything grammatical at this point (we’ll get to those later). Right now, just keep the ideas running and capture as many of them as you can. Free-writing - Here you sit down either at a computer or with paper and pen and simply begins writing as quickly as possible without stopping. Don’t worry about sentences, spelling or anything grammatical at this point (we’ll get to those later). Right now, just keep the ideas running and capture as many of them as you can.

Samples of Pre-Writing (Free-Writing) Martha Cooper was born in Virginia. She has been married for fifteen years to her husband, Bill. They have three children, Gwen, Tasha, and George. She attended Plymouth High School in Portsmouth, Virginia earned an Associate’s Degree in Health Sciences from a community college near her home. She later became a registered nurse after earning her RN credentials at the University of the South. After working for several years, she returned to school and earned her BSN at Kaplan University. While serving as an Emergency Room Nurse at RHMC, Martha again returned to school at Kaplan and earned her MSN. Gwen and Tasha attend Middlebrooke Elementary School while George is a Junior at Eastland High School. In their spare time, the Cooper family enjoys hiking and rafting. Martha and Bill have also volunteered for many years with Habitat for Humanity. Martha began her nursing career almost twenty years ago when she served as a CAN in Virginia. After earning her nursing degree in 1990, she joined the staff of Plymouth Medical Services as a home health care nurse. Twelve years ago, Martha joined RHMC in its Emergency Services Department. She has been a shift supervisor and charge nurse for over seven years.

Brainstorming Techniques Mapping – A visual tool that looks something like a spider web, mapping allows you to make connections to ideas and to see how they relate to each other. If you like free-writing and find yourself making connections between ideas as you go, this is a good option. Mapping – A visual tool that looks something like a spider web, mapping allows you to make connections to ideas and to see how they relate to each other. If you like free-writing and find yourself making connections between ideas as you go, this is a good option.

Samples of Pre-Writing (Bubbling)

Looking ahead to Unit 4…

Unit 4 Discussion In your own words, define a thesis statement and how you create one. In your own words, define a thesis statement and how you create one. What three components are required in a thesis statement? What three components are required in a thesis statement? What is the thesis for your essay? What is the thesis for your essay? How does your thesis identify the main goal of your essay and hint at how you will achieve that goal in your writing? How does your thesis identify the main goal of your essay and hint at how you will achieve that goal in your writing?

What Is A Thesis Sentence? A single sentence with an essay, located at the end of the introductory paragraph. A single sentence with an essay, located at the end of the introductory paragraph. The thesis sentence functions as a "signpost" to signal to the reader the main ideas to come later in the essay. The thesis sentence functions as a "signpost" to signal to the reader the main ideas to come later in the essay.

Biography Thesis Sentence Must include: Your full name in third person Your full name in third person Exact name of employer (can be made up) or name and title of business you want to own Exact name of employer (can be made up) or name and title of business you want to own Three main ideas – personal background, education, professional experience Three main ideas – personal background, education, professional experience Exact job title – can be made up Exact job title – can be made up

Sample Thesis Sentence Cooper Medical Center (exact name of employer) announces that Jane Smith (name in third person), a 2011 graduate of Kaplan University, will bring her exemplary personal background, distinguished educational record, and varied professional experiences (three main ideas) to her new position as Director of Nursing (exact job title).

Sample Thesis Sentence II Using her exemplary personal background, distinguished educational record, and varied professional experiences (three main ideas) Jane Smith (name in third person), a 2012 graduate of Kaplan University, will open Ways and Means (name of business), an upscale consignment shop (type of business), in Dunwoody Village (location).

Stage Three: Outlining Outlining - The third step of the writing process where you sort the ideas you generated in brainstorming, decide which are the best and then place them into an organized structure. This helps you see the "skeleton" of the essay before it is completely written to make sure the order of ideas works well. Outlining - The third step of the writing process where you sort the ideas you generated in brainstorming, decide which are the best and then place them into an organized structure. This helps you see the "skeleton" of the essay before it is completely written to make sure the order of ideas works well.

For the Unit 4 Project, you will submit an outline of your essay.

Creating An Outline Creating An Outline Use the format below for your outline, fill it in with your own sentences, and underline your thesis sentence. Every section should have at least 1 (one) complete sentence about the content you will include in that paragraph: Use the format below for your outline, fill it in with your own sentences, and underline your thesis sentence. Every section should have at least 1 (one) complete sentence about the content you will include in that paragraph: I. Introductory paragraph (general to specific ideas) – II. Thesis sentence: II. Body paragraph 1 III. Body paragraph 2 IV. Body paragraph 3 V. Concluding paragraph (specific to general ideas) The following sample outline is more extensive than yours would be. You would just need the Roman Numerals (I, II, III, IV, V) but the additional information shows you what type of information the paragraph would include.

Sample Outline – Introductory Paragraph I. Introduction A. Richmond Hill Medical Center believes that a caring nursing staff is vital. B. RHMC strives to hire and train dedicated professionals. C. RHMC prides itself on its award winning staff. Thesis sentence: RHMC proudly announces that Martha Cooper, a 2011 graduate of Kaplan University, will bring her exemplary background, education, and personal experience to her new position as Director of Nursing.

Sample Outline – Body Paragraphs II. Martha Cooper’s personal background makes her a fine addition to the staff of RHMC. A. Martha is a native of Virginia. B. Martha has been married for fifteen years to her husband, Bill. C. They have three children, Gwen, Tasha, and George. D. The family enjoys hiking and rafting. Martha volunteers with Habitat for Humanity. III. Martha possesses a solid education that will make her an asset to RHMC. A. She earned an Associate’s Degree in Health Sciences. B. She became a registered nurse. C. She returned to school and earned her BSN D. Martha returned to school at Kaplan and earned her MSN. IV. Martha’s professional experience truly sets her apart. A. Martha began her nursing career almost twenty years ago when she served as a CNA. B. She joined the staff of Plymouth Medical Services as a home health care nurse. C. Martha joined RHMC in its Emergency Services Department twelve years ago. D. She has been a shift supervisor and charge nurse for over seven years.

Sample Outline: Concluding Paragraph V. Richmond Hill Medical Center is pleased to appoint Martha Cooper as its new Director of Nursing. A. Martha’s exemplary personal background, strong commitment to education, and varied professional experiences provide her with the skills she needs. B. She will help RHMC meet the challenges of continuing to fulfill its mission in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. C. Come discover Martha’s skills and attributes at a Community Open House on May 15, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the RHMC Professional Building. D. Join the community in congratulating Martha on her new position with the RHMC family

Unit 4 Project In Unit 4, you will post your essay outline so that your instructor can offer suggestions, tips, and comments. Because professional presentation of writing is critical to your success, please compose all projects in MS Word even if you are asked to cut/copy and paste rather than attach. At a minimum, you must run grammar and spelling check before submitting all work. You should also proof carefully for typos and other noticeable mistakes. You also must employ a formal, professional writing style. Do not use chat lingo. For example, do not use "i" for "I.” Do capitalize the first letter of each sentence, and do not use abbreviations like IMHO, TY, etc. All writing assignments must be double-spaced, use Arial or Times New Roman font, and employ a 12-point font size.

Submitting your Outline Put your outline in a Word document. Save it in a location on your computer with your name. For example: macgrottyoutline.doc. Then, upload a copy to the Unit 4 Project Dropbox: Put your outline in a Word document. Save it in a location on your computer with your name. For example: macgrottyoutline.doc. Then, upload a copy to the Unit 4 Project Dropbox: 1. Click on the Dropbox. 1. Click on the Dropbox. 2. Click the link that says Submit an Assignment. 2. Click the link that says Submit an Assignment. 3. In the "Submit to Basket" menu, select Unit 4: Project. 3. In the "Submit to Basket" menu, select Unit 4: Project. 4. In the "Comments" field, include the title of your paper. 4. In the "Comments" field, include the title of your paper. 5. Click the Add Attachments button. 5. Click the Add Attachments button. 6. Follow the steps listed to attach your Word document. 6. Follow the steps listed to attach your Word document. 7. To view your graded work, come back to the Dropbox or go to the Gradebook after your instructor has evaluated it. 7. To view your graded work, come back to the Dropbox or go to the Gradebook after your instructor has evaluated it. Make sure that you save a copy of your submitted outline. Make sure that you save a copy of your submitted outline.

The End! Any last questions? Thanks for your participation, and have a great week!