COMM105 Introduction to Effective Written Communication
Course Description
This course focuses on the core academic skills of writing effective university-level essays. Learning applications include writing strategies, paragraph structure, sentence construction, and word choices. Emphasis will be placed on developing individual writing skills and applying strategies for collaborative writing in learning teams.
Topics and Objectives
The Writing Process
- Identify the steps involved in the writing process (pre-writing, organizing, drafting, revising, editing, proofreading, and formatting).
- Demonstrate the ability to perform each of the steps involved in the writing process.
Resources for Writing
- Explore resources for writing and for research.
- Utilize the WritePointSM Tool in the Center for Writing Excellence to receive feedback on a paper.
Essay Organization
- Utilize basic essay organization.
- Practice correct use of thesis statements.
- Develop effective paragraphs with correct use of topic sentences and supporting ideas.
- Apply the strategies for writing special use paragraphs: introductions, conclusions, and transitions.
- Recognize structural components of an effective essay.
Writing Strategies
- Explore the various writing strategies (narration, description, illustration, classification, process analysis, comparison/contrast, cause and effect, and persuasion/argument).
- Practice various writing strategies for essays (narration, comparison/contrast, cause and effect, and persuasion/argument).
- Analyze an effective published essay for rhetorical elements and strategy.
Formats for Papers
- Examine elements of documentation and format.
- Demonstrate proper citing and referencing techniques in papers.
Grammar/ Punctuation/ Mechanics/ Style
- Demonstrate the use of proper sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.
- Demonstrate effective word choice and style to match the rhetorical situation (purpose, audience, topic, and writing strategy).
- Demonstrate the qualities of clarity, concreteness, completeness, conciseness, coherence, and cohesion in an essay.
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