1. Welcome to GE 117- Composition I
Mr. O’Leary

2. Today’s Objectives Review Course Syllabus
Review Class Rules/Expectations
Introduce the Writing Process
Introduce Prewriting
Complete a Diagnostic Assignment to determine baseline writing level
Today’s Objectives

3. Course Syllabus Major Instructional Areas: The Writing Process
Illustration and Descriptive Writing
Comparison/Contrast Writing
Cause and Effect Writing
Process Analysis Writing
Resume and Cover Letter
Research Paper
Course Syllabus

4. Course Syllabus Major Course Objectives:
Students by the end of this course should be able to:
Write Clearly, Concisely, and Effectively.
Write in order to complete a variety of writing assignments.
Analyze an audience and adapt writing styles and conventions appropriately.
Effectively and Efficiently use the ITT Virtual Library.
Course Syllabus

5. Major Course Objectives: 5) Prepare an Independent Research Paper
Major Course Objectives: 5) Prepare an Independent Research Paper. 6) Synthesize information from a variety of sources into a new document. 7) Utilize peer review and instructor feedback in revising and editing writing. 8) Draft an error-free Resume and Cover Letter.
Course Syllabus

6. Textbooks and Resources: 1)The Longman Writer: Rhetoric and Reader by Judith Nadell and John Langan 2) Prentice Hall Reference Guide by Muriel Harris. 3) ITT-Tech Virtual Library (
Course Syllabus

7. Course Syllabus Course Requirements:
Attendance and Participation – Regular attendance and participation are a must! In the past, an average student “might” lose 10 points off his/her final grade for EACH class missed.
Completed Assignments – Each student will be expected to submit work regularly and on time. Late assignments will lose one full grade value PER WEEK(E.G. – An “A” paper becomes a “B”, the “B” becomes a “C”, etc.)
Writing Workshop – Students will be expected to commit to the Writing Process by meeting with peers and the instructor for feedback and revisions.
Course Syllabus

8. Grading Breakdown: Discussion Forum – 20% Exercises – 15% Writing Assignments – 30% Project Part 2 – 7% Project Part 3 – 8% Project Part 5 – 20% ***NOTE –The Research Project Totals 35% of your overall grade in this class!!!!!!***
Course Syllabus

9. Course Outline: Weeks 1-3: Introduction to The Writing Process: The POW method (Plan, Organize, Write.) Weeks 4-6: The Writing Process (continued) and the Research Paper Weeks 7-10: Advanced Writing Models, Resume and Cover Letters, The Research Paper Week 11: Final Revision of Research Paper
Course Syllabus

10. Class Rules and Expectations
Be on time and with the necessary materials for class. (Books, assignments, a notebook, a pen, etc)
Attend class regularly and participate actively in your own learning.
Ask questions when you do not understand something. (If you don’t understand something, that’s my fault, not yours!!!!!)
Class Rules and Expectations

11. Class Rules and Expectations
Commit to the Writing Process and strive to improve upon your current abilities.
Be respectful to your classmates and instructor.
Keep a folder or Flash Drive for your assignments. (You must stay organized!)
Keep a binder/folder for your Research Paper (Again, stay organized!!!!)
Try to have fun (or this class will really, really, really suck!)
Class Rules and Expectations

12. Let’s take a 10-15 minute break now
Let’s take a minute break now. When you come back, I will answer any questions you may have, and then we will get started on our first writing lesson!
BREAK TIME!!!

13. Welcome back from break. We will now begin our first lesson
Welcome back from break! We will now begin our first lesson. Here are the main objectives: 1) Describe the nature of the writing process and its importance in the professional world. 2) Describe and utilize a variety of prewriting techniques.
The Writing Process

14. Q: What is “Composition”. A: It’s not a product, but a process
Q: What is “Composition”? A: It’s not a product, but a process. We will stress the process of writing, from the tiniest of thoughts to drafting to revision and finally to the final “version.”
The Writing Process

15. Q: Why are Composition and the Writing Process so important
Q: Why are Composition and the Writing Process so important? A: The business world today hinges upon many rapid forms of communication. As Technical Professionals, you will be required to write!!! Those who can write clearly, concisely, and effectively will have advantages over those who cannot. We don’t want to turn you into Shakespeare, but rather, the next Bill Gates!
The Writing Process

16. Writing IS Technology – A lot of technological progress is based on writing! BC: Sumerians use cuneiform on clay tablets BC: Egyptians invent papyrus BC: Egyptians invent lead stylus : Gutenburg invents printing press : Graphite pencil invented
The Writing Process

17. Writing IS Technology – A lot of technological progress is based on writing!
- 1836: Samuel Morse invents telegraph
- 1870: Typewriter invented
- 1874: QWERTY keyboard layout created
- 1980’s: Personal Computers can support Word Processing software
- 1990’s: Speech recognition: Talk to Type
The Writing Process

18. Q: I don’t believe I’ll have to write
Q: I don’t believe I’ll have to write. I’m a technical or numbers person. How can you be so sure? A: You will need to write a Resume and Cover Letter to even get a job. Once there, you will write s, memos, reports, audits, customer service receipts/tickets. You may have to ask for a raise or promotion in writing. You may have to request additional time/money/resources for a project in writing. As they say here at ITT, “IF IT AIN’T DOCUMENTED, IT NEVER HAPPENED!”
The Writing Process

19. Q: What are the “stages” of the writing process
Q: What are the “stages” of the writing process? A: There is no “correct” answer, but in general, the process consists of: 1) Prewriting and Idea Generation 2) Planning for Audience, Tone, Style 3) Drafting 4) Revising the Draft for Overall Meaning, then Paragraph Development, then for Sentences and Words. 5) Editing and Proofreading the Draft. 6) Polishing the Draft into a “Final Version.”
The Writing Process

20. Q: What is that first stage, “Prewriting”
Q: What is that first stage, “Prewriting”? A: “Prewriting” refers to any number of activities that writers engage in BEFORE drafting. The purpose of “prewriting” is to generate a sufficient amount of ideas/thoughts/material that later can be “molded” into something more refined and polished.
The Writing Process

21. Think of prewriting like sculpting – you will always need more clay or marble to start than there will be in the final sculpture.
Some material will get cut, and will hit the floor – it won’t be in the final version.
But you can’t sculpt with material you don’t have, so we always need more than we will really use!
Prewriting

22. Q: What are some prewriting techniques I can use
Q: What are some prewriting techniques I can use? A: Some common prewriting techniques include: Brainstrorming, Freewriting, Questioning, and Mapping. Each technique has its own pros/cons and some students prefer one over another. You will have to learn over time what prewriting technique works best for you!
Prewriting

23. Brainstorming – An activity where the writer creates a list of thoughts/ideas they have about a topic.
- Grammar/Punctuation doesn’t matter
- Use bullets, dashes, or numbers
- A Stream of Consciousness activity
No idea is too “stupid” or “bad.”
Best as a timed exercise (5 minute intervals)
Prewriting

24. Freewriting – An activity where the writer writes out the thoughts or ideas he or she has about a topic. It generally “appears” more like real prose writing. It uses to some degree punctuation and grammar. It’s also a stream of consciousness activity, and is also timed in 5 minute intervals. The thoughts can jump from here to there and all over the place.
Prewriting

25. Questioning – An activity where the writer assesses his or her knowledge and thoughts about a topic by writing out specific questions he or she has about the topic. 1) What is global warming? 2) How does it occur? 3) What are factors that contribute to global warming?
Prewriting

26. Mapping - An activity where a writer places a central idea/topic in a “box”, and then branches off that box into several subtopics. Each subtopic can then be further branched outwards until all ideas have been exhausted. Note: This is very good for visual learners!!!!
Prewriting

27. Assignment # 1 We’re going to practice some prewriting ourselves now!
This assignment is called “My Favorite…”
Tasks:
Choose a favorite activity, object, place, person, meal, song, whatever.
Choose 2 different prewriting techniques to try.
Spend 5-10 minutes prewriting on “My Favorite….” for EACH prewriting technique.
Assignment # 1

28. 4) Can be done by hand or on computer
4) Can be done by hand or on computer. 5) Staple or Clip the 2 prewriting samples together and submit to instructor. 6) Congrats! You’ve earned your first grade in the class. Great job!
Assignment # 1

29. For next week, please complete the following assignments:
Read in Longman Writer pages
Send an to:
A) Include your name, quarter, major, and a hobby you have outside of class.
B) Write a Personal Essay: 1-2 paragraphs about you. Where are you from? What do you study here? Why did you choose that major? What experience do you have in reading/writing? What worries or concerns do you have about this class? Anything else you want me to know!
Homework Assignment