Civic Engagement in the Composition Classroom: A Guide to Community-Based Writing

Acknowledgments
About the Editor and Contributors
Letter to Students
Statements from Faculty on the Importance of Writing Across the Disciplines
Statements from Nonprofits on the Importance of Volunteering
Statements from Students on the Importance of Community-Based Writing

Part One: Learning about Civic Engagement and the Nonprofit Sector

CHAPTER 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
What is Civic Engagement
Environments & Arenas of Civic Engagement
Civic Engagement Activities
Why Does Civic Engagement Matter
Personal and Psychological Benefits
Social Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Social Connectedness
How Civic Engagement Applies to the Nonprofit Sector (Civil Society)
Why Civic Engagement Belongs in the Composition Classroom
High-Impact Practices & Creating Connections Through Community-Based Writing
Meaningful Learning in Composition Classrooms
References

CHAPTER 2: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NONPROFIT SECTOR
Overview of the Nonprofit Sector
International Nonprofits
Nonprofit Sector Stats
Nonprofit Classification Systems
Nonprofit Subsectors
Historical Evolution of the Nonprofit Sector
Contributions and Purpose
Theoretical Foundations for the Nonprofit Sector
Legal Foundations and Regulations
Legal Definition
Types of Nonprofits
Other “Types” of Nonprofits
Uniqueness of the Voluntary Sector
What Roles do Nonprofits Play in the Community?
Writing for a Cause: The Writer and the Community
References

Part Two: Writing about Civic Engagement and the Nonprofit Sector

CHAPTER 3: READING TO EXPLORE: READING AND RESPONDING TO TEXTS
Expectations for College Reading and Writing
Understanding Print, Digital, and Multimodal Texts
The Writing Process
What is Active Reading? How do I do it?
Pre-Reading Strategies
Active Reading Strategies
Post-Reading Strategies
What is a Strong Response? How Do I Write One?
Strong Responses as Rhetorical Critique
Strong Response as Ideas Critique
Strong Response as Reflection
Strong Response as a Blend
Strong Response as an Ideas Critique
Peer Review: Strong Response as an Ideas Critique
Questions for Revision: Strong Response as an Ideas Critique
Sample Student Essay: Strong Response as an Ideas Critique
References

CHAPTER 4: WRITING TO ANALYZE: ANALYZING A NONPROFIT’S SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE
What is Rhetoric?
Analyzing Rhetoric
Language of Rhetoric
Visual Rhetoric
Elements of Visual Design
Four Principles of Visual Design
Communicative Modes
Particularities of Digital Media Platforms
Affordances
Constraints
Visual Rhetorical Analysis
Peer Review: Visual Rhetorical Analysis
Questions for Revision: Visual Rhetorical Analysis
Sample Student Essay: Visual Rhetorical Analysis
References

CHAPTER 5: WRITING TO RESEARCH: INTERVIEWING A NONPROFIT
What Is an Interview?
Different Types of Interviews
Different Interview Styles
Key Players in an Interview
Why Should You Interview a Nonprofit?
What Can You Learn from Interviewing a Nonprofit?
Planning for an Interview
Deciding Whom to Interview
Deciding How and When to Conduct an Interview
Initiating Contact
Confirming the Interview
Requesting Consent to Record an Interview
Preparing for an Interview
Knowing The 4 Cs of Responsible Interviewing
Designing Effective Interview Questions
Establishing the Structure of an Interview
Conducting an Interview
Active Listening During an Interview
Verbal and Non-Verbal Cues During an Interview
Asking Follow-Up Questions
Taking Notes During an Interview
Reviewing and Analyzing Interview Findings
Transcribing an Interview
Identifying and Analyzing Common Themes in an Interview
Synthesizing Interview Findings
Team Interview Essay
Peer Review: Team Interview Essay
Questions for Revision: Team Interview Essay
Sample Student Essay: Team Interview Essay
References

CHAPTER 6: WRITING TO EVALUATE: WRITING A NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR A NONPROFIT
What is a Needs Assessment?
What are the Different Types of Needs Assessments?
When Should You Conduct a Needs Assessment?
Why Should You Write a Needs Assessment?
How Do You Write One?
Providing an Overview of the Nonprofit
Identifying a Need
Identifying a Solution
Setting a Budget
Setting a Timeline
Outlining the Benefits
Organizational Needs Assessment
Peer Review: Organizational Needs Assessment
Questions for Revision
Sample Student Essay: Organizational Needs Assessment
References

CHAPTER 7: WRITING TO REFLECT: REFLECTING ON YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH A NONPROFIT
What is Reflection?
What is the Purpose of Reflection?
When Does Reflection Occur in the Writing Process?
How Can Reflection Help You Become a Better Writer?
What is a Critical Reflection?
What is the Difference Between Reflection and a Critical Reflection?
Different Types of Critical Reflections
Process Reflection
Inward-looking Reflection
Outward-looking Reflection
Strategies for Writing an Effective Critical Reflection
What?
So What?
Now What?
Remix Assignment: Video Reflection
Critical Video Reflection
Questions for Peer Review: Critical Video Reflection
Questions for Revision: Critical Video Reflection
Sample Video Reflection
References