1. ENG 113: INTRODUCTION TO COMPOSITION THE ART OF COMPOSITION

2. WHY STUDY COMPOSITION? Improve Skills Critical Thinking Writing Research Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation Prepare for Coursework Reading Analyzing Researching Writing Appreciate What You Read Media/Advertising Strategies Better Consumers Artistry/Craft of Writing

3. THE BENEFITS Writing is Important to All College Classes Not Just English! Writing is a “Real World” Skill That is Very Important Résumés, Cover Letters, Emails

4. MYTHS Certain People Are “Born to Write” While Others Struggle Only Begin Writing When You Know What To Write You Can Get It “Right” In The First Draft No Revision Necessary

5. REALITY… Writing is a Process And You Can Master the Process!

6. THE WRITING PROCESS Prewriting Writing Revising Editing “Publishing” Handing The Paper In

7. TIME TO THINK: PREWRITING What Are You Writing? What is the Purpose of Your Writing? Choose a Topic Who Are You Writing For? Audience What Form Will Your Writing Take? Tone (Humorous, Serious, etc.) Point of View First Person – “I, Me” Second Person – “You” Third Person – “He, She, They” (Used Most Often in College Writing) Tense Past, Present, Future

8. WHY ARE YOU WRITING: PURPOSE Express Explore Entertain Inform Persuade Argue Evaluate Or a Combination Example: A town historical society wants to save an important landmark. They write create a flyer that informs the reader about the landmark’s history and argues that it is important to save it in order to persuade readers to donate to their cause.

9. HOW TO CHOOSE A TOPIC Does the Topic Fulfill the Requirements of the Assignment? Some Assignments Are Very Specific Example: Describe Heroism in The Epic of Gilgamesh Some Assignments are Vague Example: Write a 5 Page Paper on the Civil War Not Sure? Ask! Does This Topic Interest Me? What Can I Say About This Topic? Is My Topic Specific? Too Broad = More Work! Narrow = Focused

10. AUDIENCE Who Will Read My Writing? What Do Does My Audience Already Know? Background Information? Terms? More? What Information Do I Have to Share? Your Research Your Analysis Your Contribution/Voice How Does My Audience Feel About This Topic? Different Audiences Require Different Approaches Writing Styles Can Vary By Major – If You Are Not Sure What is “Normal” For a Class – Ask! Example: May be OK to Use First Person in English, But Not Biology

11. AUDIENCE EXPECTATIONS Standard Written English Correct Spelling and Grammar Correct Formatting Well-Written Prose Concepts are Explained Accurately Information is Presented in a Way that is Easy to Understand Organized Paper Logical and easy to follow

12. #1 AUDIENCE = YOUR PROFESSOR Does Your Writing Meet Expectations Fulfilled the Requirements of the Assignment Handed In On Time Not Too Short and Not Too Long Correct Formatting Followed Directions Answers Question? Includes Research? Citations Accurate? Different Assignments = Different Requirements Biology Lab Report vs. History Research Paper If You Are Not Sure About An Assignment – Ask!

13. EXPLORE Pre-Write Brainstorm Free Write Outline Map Research Take Notes Plan Thesis Organization Support

14. TIME TO WRITE: DRAFTING Include: Introduction Grabs the reader’s attention Thesis = Main Idea of the Paper Overview of Contents Body Paragraphs Topic Sentence = Main Idea of the Paragraph Support Body Paragraphs Should Connect to the Thesis and Lead Logically to the Conclusion Smooth Transitions from One Idea to the Next Conclusion – wraps up the essay in an interesting way Don’t just repeat the introduction

15. TIME TO MAKE IT BETTER: REVISING Benefits of Revising Corrects Problems Organization Content Clarity Cohesion Stronger End Product Clearer Easier to Read More Convincing Possibility of a Better Grade

16. TIPS Take a Break “Fresh Eyes” Read Out Loud Workshop with Friends (if the assignment permits) Get Help Professor Success Center

17. TIME TO POLISH: EDITING Take A Break (Again) Check Spelling Grammar Word Use Punctuation Try Reading Backwards!

18. TIME TO SHARE: HAND IT IN! There is no such thing as a “rough” draft Some assignments are “one and done” with no opportunity to revise Even if you are able to revise, be sure to hand in a “polished” draft Meets the requirements of the assignment Free of spelling, grammar, and other errors Represents your best work Don’t Over Edit/Revise Learn From Feedback Don’t make the same mistakes in the future If You Are Not Sure Why You Earned a Grade – Ask!

19. IMPROVE YOUR WRITING Read Learn What Successful Writers Do Write Practice Seek Feedback Professors Peers Tutors Learn from Feedback Revise

20. REMEMBER… Writing is a Process And You Can Master the Process!