Course

10-801-195 Written Communication
Course Information
Description
Develops writing skills which include prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. A variety of writing assignments are designed to help the learner analyze audience and purpose, research and organize ideas, and format and design documents based on subject matter and content. Also develops critical reading and thinking skills through the analysis of a variety of written documents.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Establish document purpose
    Assessment Strategies
    through written assignments made throughout the term
    Criteria
    purpose encompasses subject, scope, and thesis
    purpose indicates primarily informative or persuasive approach
    purpose establishes the focus for a unified document
    purpose statement is free of confusion and contradictions
    stated purpose matches the assigned task

  2. Apply audience analysis techniques
    Assessment Strategies
    through written assignments made throughout the term
    Criteria
    learner identifies specific audience
    learner analyzes audience
    learner incorporates analysis into documents

  3. Employ rhetorical strategies
    Assessment Strategies
    through written assignments made throughout the term when criteria checklists call for specific rhetorical patterns
    Criteria
    document uses appropriate strategy(ies) (e.g. narrative, example, comparison and contrast)
    one strategy dominates the document (e.g. argumentative, analytic, informative)
    strategy matches task

  4. Generate ideas for writing
    Assessment Strategies
    through written assignments made throughout the term
    Criteria
    ideas are generated using accepted invention techniques, (e.g. outline, mapping, brainstorming)
    ideas are generated from analysis of text(s)
    sufficient ideas are generated to complete the task
    ideas are recorded

  5. Research outside sources
    Assessment Strategies
    through the completion of researched arguments and/or reports
    Criteria
    learner locates a variety of appropriate sources
    document follows an accepted standard for documentation (e.g. MLA, APA, Chicago)
    learner uses varied sources of information
    learner differentiates between primary and secondary sources
    learner extracts information using a variety of methods, i.e., quotes, paraphrases, summaries
    learner uses accepted documentation standards

  6. Synthesize information from sources
    Assessment Strategies
    through the completion of researched arguments and/or reports
    Criteria
    document relies on multiple sources
    document presents relevant evidence from sources that is sufficient to the purpose, scope, and audience
    quotes and paraphrases retain the intent of the original document
    document presents concrete and accurate evidence from sources
    document integrates quoted and paraphrased information
    document distills source material into original statements
    document forms valid conclusions based on diverse viewpoints

  7. Organize document content
    Assessment Strategies
    through written assignments made throughout the term
    Criteria
    document presents an organizational scheme suited to purpose and audience
    document displays distinct introduction, body, and conclusion
    document utilizes appropriate transitions

  8. Write final text from drafts
    Assessment Strategies
    through written assignments made throughout the term
    Criteria
    final text incorporates ideas generated in earlier steps
    final text relies on concrete support
    final text includes necessary documentation
    final text's tone matches document's purpose
    final text selects language for the specific audience (concrete, abstract)
    final text uses ideas that are clearly related to thesis
    final text emphasizes ideas of greatest importance
    final text is free of confusion and contradiction
    final text states or clearly implies a thesis
    final text is concise

  9. Design document format
    Assessment Strategies
    through written assignments made throughout the term
    Criteria
    learner produces document format appropriate to audience, purpose, content, and situation
    document appearance conforms to specified standards for format
    document design contributes to readability

  10. Assess document for revision
    Assessment Strategies
    through written assignments made throughout the term
    Criteria
    learner evaluates credibility of sources of feedback
    learner responds to/gives feedback
    learner discriminates between valid and invalid criticism
    learner identifies specific aspects of current draft influenced by reader- and/or self-assessment
    document incorporates valid criticism in revision

  11. Edit document based on conventions of standard English
    Assessment Strategies
    through written assignments made throughout the term
    Criteria
    learner verifies English usage against conventional standards (spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and usage)