College Writer’s Guide: Composition and Critical Thinking is a tool to help you communicate effectively and become fluent in reading, writing, speaking and listening to Standard English. Good communication is key to success in our academic, personal and professional lives. Integrating the strategies of process writing, graphic organizers, thinking maps and workbook elements, this text will guide you through the skills you need to be successful. It is a step by step guide to academic skill development and communication strategies. This edition includes Modern Language Association (MLA) style instruction and practice where you can learn to provide documentation and write in any discipline. Ultimately, through the use of this text, you will strengthen your communication skills, understand language, sentence structure, grammar, punctuation and mechanics. The College Writer’s Guide is meant to be a resource you can return to perfect communication skills.
INTRODUCTION
Introduction to College Composition and Critical Thinking
Composition and Critical Thinking: An Overview
Student Learning Outcomes
MODULE I Composition—College Writing and Critical Thinking
College Writing
All about You
Low/High Culture
Semiotic Method
Who Are You?
Introduction Exercise
Educational Background
Writer’s Workshop
Peer Review
Peer Review Responses
Educational Background–Final Draft
MODULE II The Writing Process
Writing is Thinking
Thinking in Print
Being in the Know
What is Research?
The Writing Process
Writing and Rhetorical Situations
Write to Connect
Rhetoric
Rhetorical Situations
College Composition
Other Elements to Consider
Step I: Pre-Writing
Thesis
Organization
Step II: First Draft
Journal #1
Writing Paragraphs
Paragraph Length
Step III: Editing
Step IV: Revising
Writing Process Worksheet
MODULE III MODERN LANGUAGE ASSOCIATION (MLA) Format
“Argumentation is Everything”
MLA Examples
In-Text Citations
Critical Analysis
MODULE IV Critical Thinking
Advertisement
Pre-Writing
Questioning
Quickwrite
Thesis
First Draft
Final Draft
Summary
Journal #2
Module Appendix: Writing Process Worksheet
MODULE V Research
Sources
Internet Searching
Do it Yourself
Sources
Synthesis
Avoiding Plagiarism
Writing a Longer Research Project (Midterm)
Organization and Drafting
MLA Quick Review
MODULE VI ORGANIZATION
World-Class Worldwide
Global Scholarship
Practice
Evidence
Journal #3—Review
Punctuation and Mechanics
MODULE VII Writing Tips and Miscellany
Argumentation
Parts of Speech
Organization Review
Journal #4—Reflection
Lincoln
Johnson
Dr. Lincoln D. Johnson is an educator, consultant and specialist in educational leadership, special education, globalization and composition/critical thinking. He currently works with the California Department of Corrections at California City Correctional Facility in California City, California. He also teaches teacher preparation courses for California State University, English, Speech and Shakespeare for Cerro Coso Community College inside the prison system and English at Los Angeles Southwest College. Dr. Johnson was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, and attended school in Compton from kindergarten through high school graduation. He went from navigating the tough streets of the neighborhood, to navigating college campuses, earning his Bachelor of Arts in English from Morehouse College, in Atlanta, Georgia. After returning to Compton to become an English teacher, he realized that success without purpose is fleeting, so he returned to school, earning his Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University in New York City. Ultimately, he returned to Los Angeles to live out his purpose as a teacher, focusing his career on his commitment to help at-risk and high risk students reach their full potential. He does this through meaningful interaction and leading by example. He earned Special Education, English and Administrative credentials from the California State University system, and earned his Doctorate in Education at University of Southern California in Educational Leadership. He continues to work on research to create global citizens through education – travelling to several countries, presenting at international conferences from Alaska to France, and continually finding ways to provide education, experience and exposure to students from multicultural backgrounds and diverse socioeconomic statuses. He is the President and Founder of True Oil Publishing, FatBoyFresh World Travel Agency, wine ambassador for the Boisset Collection, author, researcher, and educational leader. He is currently developing the Johnson Ranking of Global Engagement to assist school systems and institutions worldwide in creating global citizens by erasing borders and boundaries through education.