COLLEGE WRITING 2.2X, ACADEMIC AND BUSINESS WRITING
Maggie Sokolik, Ph.D., Instructor
I'm @maggiesokolik on Twitter, we're using the hashtag #cwp2x for this course.
You can also follow me on Facebook or join our announcements-only class Facebook group
COURSE DESCRIPTION
College Writing 2.2x is the second half of a two-part course (2.1x was offered previously, and will be offered again later this year.) 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.)
- There are 5 homework assignments, and you may miss one of them without penalty: 40% of your grade
- There are 5 quizzes, and you may miss one of them without penalty: 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.
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. For a paperback copy of the book, go to Amazon.com.
Fifty Ways to Practice Writing by Dorothy Zemach from Smashwords.com. Also on Apple iTunes and Amazon.com.
50 Ways to Practice Vocabulary, by Belinda Young Davy, Wayzgoose Press, is available at a number of online locations: Smashwords, Amazon, Apple iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.
All 50 Ways to Practice books are available as audiobooks 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.