academic

I Need You to Say “I”: Why First Person Is Important in College Writing

Volume 1, writing myths and anxiety /

Kate McKinney Maddalena Volume 1 Chapter Description In this essay, I argue against the common misconception that “I” has no place in formal writing. I discuss many theoretical and rhetorical ways (objectivity and intellectual integrity, and clarity and organization, respectively) in which first person, used prudently, can improve written argument. I then show some examples […]

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What is Academic Writing?

demystifying writing assignments, Volume 1, writing myths and anxiety /

Lennie L. Irvin Volume 1 Chapter Description This chapter explores the task of writing in college. It details common myths about academic writing and the importance of developing a “writer’s sense” within the writing situation. It identifies features of the complex “literacy task” college writing assignments require and decodes elements of the academic writing situation

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Everything Changes, or Why MLA Isn’t (Always) Right

quotations, citations, and style, Volume 2 /

Janice R. Walker Volume 2 Chapter Description Citing sources for an academic writing project can seem a bit like trying to hit a moving target—the rules keep changing (they’re more like guidelines anyway). Teaching citation can be especially difficult, then, given multiple styles necessary for multiple disciplines and the occasional style changes; however, what doesn’t

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Reading Games: Strategies for Reading Scholarly Sources

reading to write, Volume 2 /

Karen Rosenberg Volume 2 Chapter Description As a writing instructor, you want to help students reflect on and refine reading practices that are so crucial to writing and academic success.  An examination of the elements of a rhetorical reading strategy—conceptualizing reading as part of an academic conversation, reading actively (and what this looks like), figuring

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Looking for Trouble: Finding Your Way into a Writing Assignment

critical thought and analysis, demystifying writing assignments, Volume 2 /

Catherine Savini Volume 2 Chapter Description How can we help students become invested in their writing? How can we help students write interesting papers that we look forward to reading? Students can learn to write interesting papers that develop complex ideas if they begin by “looking for trouble.” This chapter provides students with a step-by-step

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Critical Thinking in College Writing: From the Personal to the Academic

critical thought and analysis, demystifying writing assignments, Volume 2 /

Gitanjali Dasbender Volume 2 Chapter Description This chapter works to define critical thinking for first year writers, explaining a process that helps them think, read, and write critically. With a focus on Annie Dillard’s essay, “Living like Weasels,” you can show students how they can learn to read carefully for ideas, to identify and analyze

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