Introduction To Effective Written Communication –

comm105

(3 credits)

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.

This undergraduate-level course is 5 weeks. To enroll, speak with an Enrollment Advisor.

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 WritePoint^SM 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 and 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.

The University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses.
While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with a University Enrollment Advisor.
Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice.

Introduction To Effective Written Communication –

comm105

The Writing Process

Resources for Writing

Essay Organization

Writing Strategies

Formats for Papers

Grammar, Punctuation, Mechanics and Style

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