Unit 1 Seminar with Tina D. Miller Welcome to Effective Writing 1- CM 107 Feel free to chat and get acquainted until the top of the hour.

Hello and Welcome to CM 107 We will have an exciting journey together as we lay the foundation for solid writing skills in this course. To ensure utmost success, you want to use the foundation of writing that you have acquired. But first… Have you all reviewed the course syllabus? Do you have any questions?

Who are you? Success in school requires finding a balance… What are you balancing?

Steps to success… Have a clear understanding of what online learning involves An opportunity to obtain a degree on a flexible schedule A setting where you can meet and work with students from all over the world As challenging as a traditional college course

Steps to success… Have a clear understanding of what online learning is not A way to easily earn a degree…quite the contrary It takes motivation and self- discipline. Self-learning…I am available to you through and AIM and will provide feedback through the Discussion Board and projects.

Steps to success… Print Out the Syllabus Find contact information Find due dates Highlight important deadlines Review course expectations Find point values

Steps to success… Familiarize Yourself With the Course Layout Understanding the course layout will make your term run much more smoothly. Even if you are already familiar with the eCollege format, a review is always valuable!

Steps to success…

Your Discussion Board grade is worth 45% of the entire course grade. If you fail the Discussion Board portion of the course, but get 100% on EVERY other assignment, you would earn less than a passing score for the course. You must make the Discussion Board activities a high priority.

In order to do well on the Discussion Board activities, you must read the assigned information in the classroom FIRST. Read the Post: “What is a High Quality DB Post?” It is thoughtful, analytical and explores the discussion question in great detail. Refers to the assigned reading Uses good grammar and punctuation

Steps to success… Read all instructor s and respond accordingly. Read Project Criteria carefully before you begin writing to have a clear understanding of the details.

Steps to success… Read all instructor comments Designed to provide ample guidance Shares personalized insights about writing Gives clues on how to be successful

Look on the side of your draft when in Print View… Look at the end of the grading table.

Steps to success… Turn projects in on time. Organize your time. Plan to check the Discussion Board at the same time each day – during morning coffee, while the kids are napping, or each evening before going to bed.

Steps to success… Attend seminars. Students who consistently attend all seminars have a higher degree of success in the course. Please refrain from conducting side-conversations during seminar because it prevents others from learning the material. Schedule and participate in informal chats on AIM. You can invite everyone on your AIM list to participate. If you would like for your instructor to join in, just send an invite!

Steps to success… Visit your instructor! See your instructor during office hours or anytime he or she may be online. You are not a bother when you ask for assistance. Feel free to send a message when you see your instructor’s username on AIM (AOL Instant Messenger). Please identify yourself the first time you chat on AIM. By giving your instructor this information, you can be easily assisted on a timely basis.

Questions… What questions do you have? Of Writing… Why do we write? What do we try to accomplish by writing? What should we consider when writing? How do you feel about writing?

Points to consider… Interplay of factors in writing- Audience– Who is our audience and what factors about audience do we consider? Purpose– What is our purpose in writing? What are we trying to accomplish? Context- External circumstances surrounding a piece of writing. Writer- What about the writer’s goals and ambitions?

Writer/Hero (Lessons from J. Campbell) “Writing is not a task: it is an adventure!” Taking note of the world around us is the first step for a writer/hero. The reading/writing/speaking/listening/thinking connection The writer/hero must have “faith in oneself.” “Our lives evolve around our character; put yourself in situations that evoke your higher rather than your lower nature.” Follow your bliss not your dragon. What type of writer/hero are you? Have you been swept away by an unexpected adventure (e.g., Do you feel forced to take this class? Are you unsure of why a writing class is required? Etc.) Have you chosen this journey (e.g., Do you feel interested or excited about writing and what you may learn? Do you see the value in learning about more effective written communication? Etc.) What is unique about you, your experiences, your perspective, your interests, etc. that you could draw upon for writing topics?

Work due for this week. –Get to know the course and its icons –Complete Reading section of this unit –Introduce yourself to classmates –Participate in the Discussion 50 points –Attend Seminar or complete Seminar Option 2 10 points Any remaining questions?

Thank you for a wonderful seminar! Have a great week!