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Academic Writing Syllabus

Teacher Name

Room Number Days/Times

Objective: To develop a sound writing process appropriate to the argumentative and analytical nature of most academic writing.

Content: This course builds upon writing skills covered in Topic Writing. The course will cover topics such as developing and evaluating concepts in writing; organizing initial drafts efficiently; and improving drafts through revision and editing. The course will encourage the effective use of information technology for organizing ideas and conducting research. The areas of focus may include: applying critical reasoning skills within the conventions of academic discourse; cultivating reading skills to derive a full understanding of the information; developing inter-textual argument and analysis; anticipating and responding to potential counter-arguments; orienting text to the theoretical perspectives of the discipline or field in which students are writing; and developing control over extended forms of academic writing.

classes occur two in a row on one day a week. Don't forget this as you conceptualize classes. There is no time for homework between each pair of classes NOTE I ADDED SCOTT'S SAMPLE SYLLABUS AT THE END JUST TO GIVE US ANOTHER VIEW/IDEA Class 1-4 Interpreting a Text; Software for Organizing Ideas

Class 1 Introduction to class, pass out syllabus

Class 2

Alt Class 2 In Lab: Using the computers, outlining software, Introduction to the class blog. (Alt class 2 is one class that might just be only for brian)Remember 1 and 2 occur on the same day...so this would be one period in a classroom and one period in a computer room...I might hold off for 3 and 4 in a computer room to cover criterion...and perhaps some other software/sites like the Purdue Writing center (ssc)

Class 5-8 Summarizing Nonfiction- Essay 1 due

Class 9-12 Writing in Response to Reading

Class 13-15 Incorporating Other's Ideas - Essay 2 due

Class 16-19 using Writing to Understand a Text

Class 20-22 Responding to Exam Questions - Essay 3 due

Class 22-24 Reporting on Research

Class 25-26 Passing a Writing Test - Research Paper due

7. Students' Out-of-class study: Students should be expected to spend at least one hour on homework for each hour in class. Students will spend time practicing many forms of writing, such as pen-pal letters or journals, to gain additional writing experience.

8.Text Writing Workshop: Promoting College Success. Linda Lonon Blanton and Linda Lee. 1998. Heinle & Heinle.

9. Reference Material

APA guide from 1st year study

10. Method and Standards of Evaluation: Class work 50% (Includes homework, quizzes, journals, letters, reports, summaries, timed-writing, and take home tests.) 2-3 Required essays (2-3 pages typed) 30% (this includes pre-writing, outlines, drafts, and final draft) Research paper (typed) (this includes pre-writing, outlines, drafts and final draft) 20%

Required assignments done under class work include three essays, one research paper, summarizing and analysis, and timed-writing. Students will also practice note-taking, do journal writing, and work on grammar worksheets.

   Greetings again,

Here is a VERY rough sample of a course description I put together awhile ago based on the Writing Workshop book. I hope it is helpful.

scott Johnston

Academic Writing: 2004 Instructor: Objective: To develop a sound writing process appropriate to the argumentative and analytical nature of most academic writing. Furthermore, the course will prepare students for writing essay style exams and for the more advanced research they will be expected to do in the 3rd and 4th years. Content: This course builds upon writing skills covered in Topic Writing while presenting new writing skills. The course will cover topics such as developing and evaluating concepts in writing; organizing initial drafts efficiently; and improving drafts through revision and editing. Areas of focus may include: using writing to understand academic readings, developing skills in summarizing and analyzing articles and texts; writing formal research papers; and learning answer essay tests and short answer tests in different subject areas.

Type of class: Lectures, discussion, writing

Schedule Week 1 Overview of course and review of last year (Quick essay assignment) Week 2 Interpreting and describing text; introduce first essay Write a review of a story or article) Week 3 Summarizing nonfiction and notetaking Week 4-5 Writing in response to reading (Hand-in first essay; respond to readings; introduce research project) Week 6-7 Incorporating others' ideas into your writing (Introduce second essay; review research) Week 8 Using writing to understand texts (Notetaking assignment) Week 9 Responding to exam questions (Try TWE and other types of tests; hand-in second essay) Week 10-11 Reporting on research and writing up research Week 12 Passing a written test Week 13 Review writing (Hand in research paper)

TEXT Writing Workshop: Promoting College Success. Linda Lonon Blanton and Linda Lee. 1998. Heinle & Heinle.

Evaluation Class work 50% (Includes homework, quizzes, journals, letters, reports, summaries, timed-writing, practice exams.) 2-3 Required essays 30% (2-3 pages typed) Research paper 20% (Includes pre-writing, outlines, drafts, and final versions.)