COLLEGE WRITING 2.2X, ACADEMIC AND BUSINESS WRITING
Maggie Sokolik, Ph.D., Instructor
I'm @maggiesokolik on Twitter Opens in new window, we're using the hashtag #cwp2x Opens in new window for this course.
You can also follow me on Facebook Opens in new window or join our announcements-only class Facebook group Opens in new window
COURSE DESCRIPTION
College Writing 2.2x is the second half of a two-part course. It is not necessary to complete part 1 in order to take part 2. There are no prerequisites except that you must know English well enough to take a course taught entirely in English.
In this part of the course, you will focus on academic and business writing. Don't worry if you only interested in one of those. You will practice your writing skills in the area that interests you, whether it's academic or business writing. You will also focus on proofreading and self-editing; revision vs. editing; common errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling; understanding tone and diction; and vocabulary development.
The course materials will be offered via readings, videos, and various types of homework assignments. There are suggested optional textbooks for additional writing work. You will participate in online discussions as well as peer review of your writing. You will complete one full essay assignment for this part of the course, in addition to keeping a regular journal.
Grading Policy
This course requires that you score 50% or higher as an average of all assignments that are marked as quizzes, homework, draft, or final assignment. (Even if you miss some assignments, as long as your average is 50%, you can pass the course.) Your work receives an official grade only if you are a paying verified certificate student.
- There are 5 homework assignments, and two of them are graded: 40% of your grade
- There are 5 quizzes, and two of them are graded: 30% of your grade
- There is one draft assignment in week 4: 10% of your grade
- There is one final writing assignment in week 5: 20% of your grade
More information about policies is found at the student FAQ.
Note: Graded assignments are available only to students in the verified track.
Weekly Schedule Week 1:
- What is Genre?
- Welcome to the Course
- Genre
- Homework: Your Journal 1
Week 2: Vocabulary, Tone, and Diction
- Building Vocabulary, Tone, and Diction
- Homework: Your Journal 2
Week 3: Academic Writing and Business Writing
- Academic, Business, or Both?
- Responding--Evidence and Examples
- Homework: Your Journal 3
Week 4: The Nuts and Bolts of Writing
- Before Your Write
- Common Writing Problems
- Your Writing: Draft
- Homework: Your Journal 4
A draft version of your assignment is due this week.
Week 5: Presenting Your Work
- Revising and Presenting Your Work
- Final Essay: Submission
- Homework: Your Journal 5
A final version of your assignment is due this week.
Recommended texts:
Textbooks are not required.
There are some recommended eBooks, paperbacks, and online tools.
A note about piracy of books: The course and its material are offered for free, and we encourage you to take advantage of all the resources. However, we do not support the theft of copyrighted material. Offering pirated material in the course will result in such offers being deleted. Continued violations of this rule could result in being banned from the course. Don't pirate! Writers and publishers are workers, too, and deserve to be paid for their work.
How to Be a Successful MOOC Student, 2nd edition, written by Maggie Sokolik and Dorothy Zemach, and published by Wayzgoose Press (2016). You can purchase a copy of the ebook at smashwords.com. Opens in new window For a paperback copy of the book, go to Amazon.com Opens in new window.
Fifty Ways to Practice Writing Opens in new window by Dorothy Zemach from Smashwords.com. Also on Apple iTunes Opens in new window and Amazon.com. Opens in new window
50 Ways to Practice Vocabulary, by Belinda Young Davy, Wayzgoose Press, is available at a number of online locations: Smashwords Opens in new window, Amazon Opens in new window, Apple iTunes Opens in new window, Kobo Opens in new window, and Barnes & Noble Opens in new window.
All 50 Ways to Practice books are available as audiobooks Opens in new window as well.
Another book that might be useful for you is: Sixty Words or Phrases Commonly Misused by ESL/EFL Students Preparing for Universities.
Find the e-book at smashwords.com/books/view/454895. Paperback or e-book version can be purchased at amazon.com Opens in new window.