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Life Cycle of a Paper

Kayla SkarbakkaWriting Instructor Coordinator of International Writing Support

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Housekeeping

• Muting

• Questions

• Tech trouble? http://support.citrixonline.com/en_US/GoToTraining

• Recording & PowerPoint: http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/415.htm

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Overview

The writing process: What is it?• Reading critically• Getting started• Writing the rough draft• Sharing your work• Writing the final draft• Reflecting on your writing

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Poll: The Writing Process

What is your biggest concern in writing a paper?A. I’m concerned about my reading skills.B. I have a tough time getting started on a paper.C. I often get stuck finishing a paper.D. I’m not sure how to revise or proofread my

writing.

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The Writing Process

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An Assignment

For a philosophy class:

Choose a historical figure who lived by the Golden Rule: “Treat others as you would like to be treated.” Write a 2-page essay convincing your reader of that person’s adherence to the golden rule. Use examples and credit sources.

Choose a historical figure who lived by the Golden Rule: “Treat others as you would like to be treated.” Write a 2-page essay convincing your reader of that person’s adherence to the golden rule. Use examples and credit sources.

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Brainstorming

With the assignment now in mind, you could try freewriting.

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What It Looks Like: BrainstormingDifferent possible topics

Question about assignmentHoning in on specific topic

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Reading Critically

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Poll: Note-Taking Strategies

What note-taking strategies (if any) have you used?

A.Color codingB.HighlightingC.Asking questionsD.Comparing to your own experience or other

sources

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What It Looks Like: Note-Taking

Slavery as evil.Slavery as evil.

Moral language. But what about actions? Did he

show this morality in action too?

Moral language. But what about actions? Did he

show this morality in action too?

Admitting own faults and not being self-

righteous.

Admitting own faults and not being self-

righteous.

Excerpt from a book on Lincoln with student notes

No malice, no revenge. Proves

that he was concerned with other people.

No malice, no revenge. Proves

that he was concerned with other people.

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Getting Started

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Getting Started

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What It Looks Like: Mind Map

From http://bubbl.us/

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What It Looks Like: Basic Outline

1. Introduction/Main idea a.Abraham Lincoln demonstrated the Golden Rule throughout his life.2. Lincoln’s speeches showed his belief in treating others fairly.a.Speech at Peoria established his hatred of slavery and the idea of seeing people as equalb.Include quotes from speeches3. Lincoln’s actions toward freeing the slaves also showed his devotion to the Golden Rule.a.Abolishment of slavery in the Confederate states with the Emancipation Proclamationb.Paved the way for complete abolishmentc.Address counterargument about political gain here4. Conclusion

1. Introduction/Main idea a.Abraham Lincoln demonstrated the Golden Rule throughout his life.2. Lincoln’s speeches showed his belief in treating others fairly.a.Speech at Peoria established his hatred of slavery and the idea of seeing people as equalb.Include quotes from speeches3. Lincoln’s actions toward freeing the slaves also showed his devotion to the Golden Rule.a.Abolishment of slavery in the Confederate states with the Emancipation Proclamationb.Paved the way for complete abolishmentc.Address counterargument about political gain here4. Conclusion

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Poll: Strategies You Want to Use

When I write, I plan to start (or continue) using (click all that apply):

A. FreewritingB. OutliningC. Reading more critically (while taking notes)D. Using a MindMapE. Other ideas? Let us know in the Q&A box!

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Writing the Rough Draft

Now that you have an outline, develop your supporting ideas into paragraphs.

Four components of a paragraph:M = Main IdeaE = EvidenceA = AnalysisL = Lead-out (including synthesis)

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Writing the Rough Draft

1. Topic sentence: (a) relate your new paragraph to the previous paragraph and (b) introduce the main idea or claim of the paragraph.

1. Topic sentence: (a) relate your new paragraph to the previous paragraph and (b) introduce the main idea or claim of the paragraph.

2. Follow the opening sentence with support in the form of paraphrase or direct quote.

2. Follow the opening sentence with support in the form of paraphrase or direct quote.

3. Analyze your evidence: How should the reader interpret this information? How does the evidence support my thesis statement?

3. Analyze your evidence: How should the reader interpret this information? How does the evidence support my thesis statement?

4. Summary/concluding information to wrap up ideas and lead into the next paragraph.

4. Summary/concluding information to wrap up ideas and lead into the next paragraph.

Contains citation(s)

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What It Looks Like: The Rough Draft

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When I write a paper, I…A.Never share my work with anyone else.B.Usually have a friend, family member, or peer

review my draft.C. Sometimes make an appointment with the

Writing Center.D. Always have multiple people look over my

writing.

Poll: From Rough to Final Draft (Choose all that apply)

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Sharing Your Work

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Writing the Final Draft

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Writing the Final Draft

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What It Looks Like: Writing the Final Draft

Download the proofreading bookmark or create your own!

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What It Looks Like: Writing the Final Draft

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Reflecting on Your Writing

Think beyond the one paper in front of you: What did you do effectively? What would you like to improve?

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What It Looks Like: Reflecting on Your Writing

Use sticky-notesUse sticky-notes

Make a calendarMake a calendar

Keep a journalKeep a journal

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The process begins again!

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Questions?

Now: Type into the Question box

Later: Didn’t get to your question? Enter it in the survey after the webinar closes.

Any time: writingsupport@waldenu.edu

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References

Golden Rule. (2011). In Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goldenrule

Guelzo, A. (2004). Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.

Hofstadter, R. (1948). The American political tradition and the men who made it. New York, NY: Knopf.

Lincoln, A. (1894). Abraham Lincoln: Complete works, comprising his speeches, letters, state papers, and miscellaneous writings. New York, NY: Century Co.

Miller, W. L. (2008). The exacting legacy of a virtuous president. In P. S. Paludin (Ed.), Lincoln’s legacy (p. 28). Champaign, IL: University of Illinois Press.

Rockler, M. (2007). Presidential decision-making: Utilitarianism vs. duty ethics. Philosophy Now. Retrieved from http://www.philosophynow.org/