Reinventing the Freshman Writing and Research Course: A Text for All Freshmen, Co-Requisite and Writing Across the Curriculum Courses
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2020
Pages: 526
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2020
Pages: 526
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Designed to work with the required freshman writing and research course, its co-requisite course, and the Writing Across the Curriculum approach course for teaching both, Reinventing the Freshman Writing and Research Course is organized according to a fifteen-week semester comprised of five units:
- Entering the Academic World
- Finding a Research Topic and Question
- Finding and Assessing Existing Academic Dialogues
- Formalizing Our Contributions to the Dialogue
- Presenting Our Discoveries and Conclusions
Each of these units outlines its own objectives, but in general, the course objectives include leading students to demonstrate an understanding of writing as a multi-stage process; to produce texts that present ideas effectively and fluently; to use appropriate research methods; and to develop the foundations for creative, independent, and critical thinking that considers a multiplicity of perspectives and disciplines.
The predominant metaphor of the book emphasizes an academic dialogue – the conversation of students with peers (class dialogue and peer review), of students with professors (information and feedback), of students with and as scholars (research and talking back), and of students with themselves (reflection). In addition to explanations, examples, and models, the text offers features that envelop one or more of these types of dialogues, sometimes in writing and sometimes in speech, always scaffolded and encompassing a mixture of low-stakes and high-stakes work: In-Class Activities, Journal Entries, Assignments/Assessments, Readings and Resources, Targeted Grammar Skills, Co-Requisite Course Material, and WAC/WID (Writing Across the Curriculum/Writing in the Disciplines) Activities.
A complete semester plan in one volume, the text focuses on interaction and collaboration, writer in relation to others (as opposed to just the teacher), writing as opportunity for informed self-expression for specific audiences, and writing as self-directed learning.
Preface
Acknowledgments
CHAPTER 1 Entering the Academic World: Weeks 1–3
Considering Our Own Frame of Mind and Determination
Defining College-Level Writing, Reading, and Thinking
Entering the Class Academic Dialogue and Peer Review
My Writing Mindset Reflective Letter Assignment
Defining College-Level Research
My Writing Mindset Reflective Letter Model
Readings on Mindset, Grit, and Intelligence:
“What is Mindset?” by Carol Dweck, a Web link
“How Does Mindset Affect Success?” by Carol Dweck, a Web link
“Test Your Mindset” by Carol Dweck, a Web link
“Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset: What Characteristics Are Critical to Success?” by S. J. Scott, a Web link
“The Key to Success: Grit?” by Angela Duckworth, a TED Talk link
“5 Ways to Develop Growth Mindset Using Grit and Resilience” by Birgit Ohlin, a Web link
“Blue-Collar Brilliance” by Mike Rose, a Web link
“‘Find Your Passion?’ That’s bad advice, scientists say” by Tara Bahrampour, a Web link
“Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences” by Kendra Cherry, a Web link
“Shitty First Drafts” by Ann Lamott, a Web link
Grammar Concept: Sentence Structure: Patterns, Combinations, Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers, and Parallelism
CHAPTER 2 Finding a Research Topic and Question: Weeks 4–6
Searching First
Forming a Research Question
Determining Significance
Forming a Research Plan
Making a Research Proposal
Model Research Proposal
Readings to Get You Thinking about 5 Possible Topic Categories
On the Environment:
“Excerpt from Our Vanishing Wild Life” by William T. Hornaday
“Wilderness Letter” by Wallace Stegner
“Your Food Choices Can Have a Big Climate Impact, So Be Picky, New Study Says” by Georgina Gustin, a Web link
“Food Waste Challenge” by USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), a Web link
“The Causes of Climate Change” by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), a Web link
“Population Control: The Environmental Fix No One Wants to Talk About” by Samantha Dooley, a Web link
“Extreme Weather” by the National Climate Assessment Program, a Web link
“Landfills” by The Environmental Literacy Council, a Web link
“Health Care Waste” by the World Health Organization, a Web link
“The Link between the Environment and Our Health” by “Earth Talk” in Scientific American, a Web link
“Environmental Issues: Green Computing” by Carnegie Melon University, a Web link
“401 Prompts for Argumentative Writing” from The Learning Network of the New York Times, a Web Link
On Technology and Us:
Excerpts from Chapter 3 of Open Source Democracy by Douglas Rushkoff
“The Future of Truth and Misinformation Online” by Janna Anderson and Lee Rainie for the Pew Research Center, a Web link
“How the Internet is Changing Our Brains” by Academic Earth, a Web video with written summary
“Pros and Cons of Online Dating” by Jeremy Nicholson, a Web link
“Social Media and Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Mental Health” by Elina Mir and Caroline Novas for the National Center for Health Research, a Web link
“Big Fail: The internet hasn’t helped democracy” by Bryan Keogh, a Web link
On Negotiating Cultural, Political, and Other Differences:
Excerpt from Imported Americans by Broughton Brandenburg
“What Makes a Good Interaction Between Divided Groups?” by Zaid Jilani, a Web link
“Is Diversity Good for the Bottom Line?” by Zaid Jilani, a Web link
“These Kids Are Learning How To Have Bipartisan Conversations” by Elizabeth Svoboda, a Web link
“How Good People Can Fight Bias” by Jill Suttie, a Web link
“Bridging America’s Divide: Can the Internet Help?” by John Gable, a Web link
“Bridging Cultural Gaps: 3 Ways to Speak English” by Jamila Lyiscott, a TED Talk video link
On a College Education:
Excerpts from The School and Society by John Dewey
“How much is too much to pay for college?” by Jeffrey J. Selingo, a Web link
“College is more expensive than it’s ever been before, and the 5 reasons why suggest it’s only going to get worse” by Hillary Hoffower, a Web link
“Is College Education Worth It?” by ProCon.org, a Web link
“The Value of GE or the Answer to, ‘Why Do I Need to Take This Class?’” by Beth Smith, a Web link
“A Comparison of Online and Face-to-Face Instruction in an Undergraduate Foundations of American Education Course” by Barbara Slater Stern, a Web link
“Does everyone need a college degree? Maybe not, says Harvard study” by Amanda Paulson, a Web link
On Food:
“Excerpts from The Logic of Vegetarianism: Essays and Dialogues” by Henry S. Salt
“Where GMO’s Hide in Your Food” by Consumer Reports, a Web link
“How to Force Ethics on the Food Industry” by Michael Mudd, a Web link
“Sugar is Definitely Toxic, a New Study Says” by Alice Park, a Web link
“The disturbing ways that fast food chains disproportionally target black kids” by Roberto A. Ferdman, a Web link
“The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food” by Michael Moss, a Web link
“Is Your Meat Safe?—Antibiotic Debate Overview” by PBS (Public Broadcasting System), a Web link
“America Has A Hunger Problem” by Atlantic’s Marketing Team for Feed America, a Web link
Grammar Concept: Subject-Verb Agreement
CHAPTER 3 Finding and Assessing Academic Dialogues: Weeks 7–9
Using Databases versus Using Internet Search Engines
Summarizing and Evaluating Sources
Assessing the Overall Dialogue
Addressing the Opposition Positions
Creating and Annotating a Bibliography
Documenting Your Sources
Making Our Claim: Our Contribution to the Dialogue
Model Annotated Bibliography
Readings and Resources:
“Google vs. Databases” by Penfield Library, a Web link video
“What Are Databases and Why You Need Them” by Yavapai College Library, a Web link video
“Summarizing: Five Keys To Writing Effective Summaries” by SIU Writing Center, a Web link
“How to Write a Summary” by Smrt English, a Web link video
“How to Write an Effective Academic Summary Paragraph” by Maritez Apigo, a Web link video
“Addressing Opposing Viewpoints” by Brigham Young University Idaho, a Web link video
“APA-MLA Annotated Bibliography: Complete Guide To Writing Annotated Bibliography Part 1 and Part 2” by David Taylor, Web link videos
“Making a Claim” by Caroline Johmann, a Web link video
Grammar Concept: Pronouns
CHAPTER 4 Formalizing Our Contribution to the Dialogue: Weeks 10–14
Types of Evidence and Argument Structures
Using the Research: Plagiarism, Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing
Synthesis
Balance
Citing Sources
Targeting a Purpose and an Audience
Acknowledging What Remains to Discover
Choosing a Delivery Genre, Part A: I-Search Essay or Traditional Research Essay
Outlining the Research Essay
Drafting the Research Essay
Revising the Research Essay
Choosing a Delivery Genre, Part B: Outreach Project: Pamphlets, Letters to Editors, Speeches, Social Media Posts, etc.
Model 1—Search and Traditional Research Essays
Model Outreach Pieces
Readings and Resources:
“How to Integrate Quotations In Essay Writing—APA and MLA,” by David Taylor, a Web link video
“Synthesizing Information” by GCF Learn Free, a Web link video
“Strategies for Synthesis” by Mary Lourdes Silva, a Web link video
“What is Plagiarism?” by mjmfoodie, a Web link video
“What is Plagiarism and How to Avoid It” by Brock University Library, a Web link video
“Purpose and Genre” by BYU Idaho, a Web link video
“Audience, Purpose, and Genre” by Caitlin Foley, a Web link video
“Genre, Audience, and Purpose” by Kate Green, a Web link video
“Purpose, Audience, and Form (P.A.F.)” by Vicky Maxted, a Web link video
“Audience, Purpose, and Tone” by DoE Curriculum, a Web link video
“Poster Presentation Basics” by Boise State URC, a Web link video
“Giving an Effective Poster Presentation” by George Hess, a Web link video
“How To Create a Research Poster” from NYU Libraries, a Web link
“How to Prepare an Oral Presentation” by Michigan State University—Undergraduate Research, a Web link video
“Research Talk 101” by Lucia Dettori, DePaul University, a Web link slide show
Grammar Concept: Apostrophes
CHAPTER 5 Presenting Our Discoveries and Conclusions: Week 15
Talk Basics
Poster Basics
Multimedia Basics
Readings and Resources:
“How to Give a Good Research Talk” by Stephanie Weirich, University of Pennsylvania, a Web link
“How to Sound Smart in Your TEDx Talk” by Will Stephen, a Web link video
“TED’S Secret to Great Public Speaking” by Chris Anderson, a Web link video
“The Secret Structure of Great Talks” by Nancy Duarte, a Web link video
“How to Give a Great Research Talk” by Peyton Jones with John Hughes and John Launchbury for Microsoft Research Cambridge, a Web link video
“How to Avoid Death By PowerPoint,” By David JP Phillips, a Web link video
Appendices
MLA and APA Citations
Word Confusions
Sample Syllabus Template
Sample Side-by-Side Schedule
Some Rules for Co-Requisite Courses
Active Learning Strategies
Bibliographies
Descriptive Annotated Bibliography
Bibliography for Readings and Resources
About The Author
A former 7–12 public school English teacher, teaching fellow at Fordham University, and adjunct at Pace University before coming to SUNY Westchester Community College, Patricia Sehulster earned her PhD in American literature at Fordham University, New York. Her academic publications include essays for The Western Journal of Black Studies, The Journal of Black Studies, A.T.Q.: 19th Century American Literature and Culture, The Facts on File Companion to the American Short Story, Literary Themes for Students: War and Peace, The Facts on File Companion to the American Novel, Teaching English in the Two-Year College, and Kate Chopin in Context: New Approaches. She has presented at conferences including the Guided Pathways Institute III, the Successful Teaching Conference, the NYU National Symposium, Information Literacy and the (New) Student Learner, and Using E-Portfolios to Assess Student Learning. Professor Sehulster also serves as a peer reviewer for Teaching English in the Two-Year College, African American Review, and Pearson Higher Education. In 2011–2012, she received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Service and the SUNY Westchester Community College Foundation Award for Excellence in Service and in 2017 –2018, the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Work and the SUNY Westchester Community College Foundation Award for Excellence in Scholarship. She is also a published freelance writer and editor of long and short mainstream fiction and nonfiction, and her works have appeared in such publications as Troika; Dogsongs; Reader’s Break; Elements; Ink; Poor Katie’s Almanac; Behind the Yellow Wallpaper: New Tales of Madness Anthology; First Came Fear New Tales of Horror Anthology; Salon Style An Online Literary Journal; Salon Style: An Anthology of Fiction, Poetry, and Art; Off shore: Northeast Boating; Boston Parents’ Paper; Big Apple Parent; Children’s Writer; Family Times; Naturally Women Magazine; and Camping Today.