The Process of Writing: Individually-Paced Format

This course explores the craft of writing, including techniques like brainstorming, outlining, drafting, and revision that effective writers use across multiple genres. You will write a family narrative describing an event experienced by a family member, telling a story that is important to you and your family history. You will also pen an argumentative essay on a topic of your choice and compose a vivid poem using concrete images and abstract concepts. You'll work on each assignment three times, engaging in all steps of the writing process: ideation, pre-writing, drafting, applying feedback, revising, editing, proofreading, and reflection. At the end of the course, you'll write a reflective piece carefully considering your writing progress in your three major projects. Individually paced writing courses are best suited for self-motivated writers with excellent time management skills who will maintain regular email correspondence with their instructor. Recommended length of enrollment: 6 months Time Commitment: 3-5 hours of independent work per week. Course Overview Learning Objectives: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence Produce clear writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing Apply vocabulary knowledge when considering words or phrases important to comprehension or expression Write routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences