EFFECTIVELY PLANNING AND EXPLAINING ASSIGNMENTS THAT YIELD SUCCESSFUL

WRITING

WIP BROWN BAG SERIES #1SEPTEMBER 17, 2013

PAMELA FLETCHER, FACILITATOR

CHALLENGES OF CREATING ASSIGNMENTSTHAT YIELD SUCCESSFUL WRITING

• 1. What do you grapple with in creating writing assignments?

a. Trying to achieve too much?b. Giving too few or too many directions?c. Assignment too broad?

• 2. Have you ever tried to complete the assignment yourself?

• Discovered any pitfalls?

Group Exercise: Getting the Best Outcome in a Written Assignment

• As a group, choose one of the assignments and decide what specific process and procedures the instructor could suggest to help students write a high-quality paper.

• Consider the following questions to help you think of specific instructions:1. What competencies, methods, or skills are necessary to achieve

successful writing in this course’s discipline?2. Different assignments call for different competencies, methods, or skills.

What learning outcome(s) should students learn and what abilities should they demonstrate in this writing assignment?

3. What universal abilities should students exhibit in any of the assignments?

Discussion

• What questions, concerns, comments arose in your group discussion?

• Let’s review the following handouts for students:- Achieving Focus in writing- Prospectus- Audience and Purpose- Thesis Statement Exercise

References

Hacker, D., & Sommers, N. (2010).The BedfordHandbook (8th ed.). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Walvoord, B. E. F. (1982). Helping Students Write Well: A Guide for Teaching in All

Disciplines. New York: The Modern Language Association of America.