Day 2: More Course Info + Positive Writing Experience

Goals: You will be able to...

• Identify and discuss common stumbling blocks and bad habits for academic writing (e.g. procrastination, daily distractions, perfectionism, fear of criticism, jumping too quickly to writing without planning)
• Discuss and recognize good writing habits and strategies to overcome difficulties in academic writing (e.g. writing regularly, making plans, outlining, pre-writing)
• Recognize an effective process of writing

[10 minutes] More Course Information + Compass Practice
Course overview with Q&A on the units, main objectives, and technology. 
Please take a minute to upload a word document to Compass to ensure that all is working properly. Here is a "fun" COURSE QUIZ to see how much you know about the course syllabus? 
I would appreciate you taking a few minutes to go to COMPASS and make sure you can access the course.

[10 minutes] Warm-Up Activity 2:  Perceptions on Writing  

To begin our first class, we will first be taking a look at student perceptions with regard to writing. I will be distributing a number to each student. Once you have received your number, please click on the following LINK and fill in the space next to your number with the first answer that comes to your mind.

[5 minutes] Slides 1-3 / Positive Writing Practices Presentation  

Click to access Power Point In this part of class we will be discussing how to avoid procrastination and how to overcome writer’s block as ways to better achieve positive writing practices.

[15 minutes] Slides 4 / Positive Writing Practices / Handout 

Please open the Narratives on Procrastination handout.  Read the narratives individually and highlight phrases or words they identify with in any of the two narratives. After you have finished, form groups of 2-3 peers and compare/relate with in the narratives.Slides 5-14 / Positive Writing Practices 

In this part of the Power Point lecture, I would like to discuss Tips for Avoiding Procrastination & Overcoming Writer’s Block. The link to TIPS is here. 

[5 minutes] The Writing Process 

One of the most important strategies you need for a successful and more "positive" writing experience is to approach your writing task as a process that involves steps. In this next activity, I would like you to open this CHART and fill it out with the steps that you think are the best way to achieve success for you as a writer. Share your responses with your partner. 

[5 minutes] Discuss HW: Reflection Writing + Diagnostic Exam

Please click on the assignment labeled Reflection #1 under Unit 1 and follow along as I explain the directions. 

Homework: Review first assignment, Reflection #1, and come to class on time or a little early for Friday for the diagnostic exam.