1. Tips for Effective Writing Colleen H. Fava, Studio Coordinator College of Basic Sciences Communication across the Curriculum (CxC) BASC CxC Communication Studio Last Updated – June 2009

2. Defining the Rhetorical Situation BASC CxC Communication Studio Last Updated – June 2009 Purpose AudiencePersona

3. Purpose What is the purpose of your essay?  Genre: Research, Explanatory, Position  Subject: Chosen or Assigned Topic  Expectations: Learning objectives and skills BASC CxC Communication Studio Last Updated – June 2009

4. Audience Who is your target audience?  True Readers: Who will actually read and evaluate your essay?  Imagined Readers: Who should be able to read and learn from your essay?  Expectations: What will both real and imagined readers expect to gain from this essay? BASC CxC Communication Studio Last Updated – June 2009

5. Persona What is your authorial expertise?  Are you a novice or an expert?  Are you expected to pose questions or offer solutions?  Are you expected to teach the readers something or prove that you have shared knowledge? BASC CxC Communication Studio Last Updated – June 2009

6. Pre-Writing Format & Requirements:  Source materials (primary/ secondary)  Required Sections  Page length  Citation Style BASC CxC Communication Studio Last Updated – June 2009

7. Research  Identifying and gathering source material  Using the LSU library  Verifying validity of sources  Maintaining a Works Cited Page BASC CxC Communication Studio Last Updated – June 2009

8. Note Taking  Annotating important information with sources  Compiling graphics with sources  Marking supporting and contradictory information  Matching source material to requirements BASC CxC Communication Studio Last Updated – June 2009

9. Drafts: From 1 st to 2nd  Major Reviewers: You, Peers  Map back to the writing prompt, outlines, notes, and your assumptions  Identify and list any gaps, missing information, or contradictions  Ask a peer, preferably someone with a bit less of an understanding of your subject to read and mark up your essay BASC CxC Communication Studio Last Updated – June 2009

10. Drafts: 2 nd to Final  Major Reviewers: You, Peers, Tutors  Tools: Outside readers, Your voice, Grammar Garage, Grammar & Style guide books.  Read your essay aloud.  Form a peer review group.  Consult a technical resource. BASC CxC Communication Studio Last Updated – June 2009

11. Common Pitfalls  Lack of transitions  Unsourced materials  Vague language  Claims without warrants and evidence  Inconsistent / Unprofessional Voice  The murder mystery approach  Redundancies and lack of cohesion  Lack of a true intro and conclusions section BASC CxC Communication Studio Last Updated – June 2009

12. Helpful Resources  Writing & Style Guides  Citation website  LSU online databases  Writing Center  Grammar Garage  Tutors  Peer groups  BASC CxC Studio BASC CxC Communication Studio Last Updated – June 2009

13. BASC CxC Studio BASC CxC Communication Studio Last Updated – June 2009 Colleen H. Fava, Studio Coordinator, colleenf@lsu.educolleenf@lsu.edu Dan Mangiavellano, Assistant, dmangi1@tigers.lsu.edu 155 Howe-Russell Geo-Science Complex, LSU, Baton Rouge, LA