Networked Writing & Research On-Line Handbook

Introduction and Objectives 

General Writing Concerns



Invention/Planning

• Sequential Exercises
• Example: Sequential Exercises
• Defining Subject and Thesis
• From Prompts to Outlining
• Problem-Solving
• What is Illustration?
• Looping
• Cubing
• Writing Thesis Statements
• Drafting from Freewriting
• Critical Thinking Exercise
• Collaborative Creation
• Reading Sources as Writing Sources



Editing/Revising

General Concerns

• Revision: Part I
• Revision: Part II
• Cooperative Editing
• Rewriting Exercise
• Revising Guidelines
• Tunnel Vision Editing



Paragraph Concerns

• Coherence Among Sentences
• Opening and Closing Paragraphs
• Paragraph Construction
• Paragraphs: Topic Sentences
• Paragraphs: Controlling Idea
• Paragraphs: Sentence Levels
• Shaping Paragraphs
• Paragraph Unity and Coherence
• Cohesion and Coherence
• Transitions and Other Connectors
• Transitions
• Conclusions
• Paragraph Effectiveness



Peer Reviews

• Peer-Critique with a Split Screen
• Anonymous Peer Reviews
• Peer Review: Taking a Position
• Peer Review: Using a Descriptive Outline
• Peer Response Sheet
• Peer Response Sheet: Final Drafts
• Peer Response Sheet: Essay One
• Responding to Initial Drafts
• Examining a Paper Topic
• Peer Review: Problem-Solving Paper
• Problem Solving Heuristic
• Review Response: Problem-Solving
• Peer Response: Summary Paper
• Peer Evaluation Questions
• Peer Revision Work



Style/Clarity/Coherence

• Writing Better Sentences
• Sentence Style
• Practice with Parallelism
• Wordy
• Cliches
• Pithy
• Metaphors
• Concision (includes exercises)



Grammar & Punctuation

• Sentence Coordination and Subordination
• Comma Splices and Fused Sentences
• Bound Modifiers
• Subordinating Conjunctions/Passive Voice



Modes of Writing

Writing to Reflect

• Writing to Reflect

Narrative

• Narration
• Sample Assignment: The Narrative Essay
• Sample Narrative Essay

Interview

• Creating Questions for Interviews
• Reading Interview Notes
• Job Interviews: Role Playing
• Peer Interviews for a Case Study
• Sample Essay: Interview

Comparison & Contrast

• Sample Outline: Comparison of Wholes
• Sample Outline: Comparison of Parts
• Sample Essay: Comparison/Contrast
• Comparison-Contrast


Persuasive & Argumentative

• The Persuasive Essay
• Sample Essay: Persuasive Research Paper
• Crossfire
• Analyzing an Argument
• UPDATED! Analyzing an Argument
• Detecting Logical Fallacies
• Sample Essay: Critical Analysis
• Sample Outline: Analytic Essay
• Sample Essay: The Illustration Essay
• Worksheet for Ad Analysis
• Sample Essay: Problem-Solving
• Sample Case Study
• Parody




Writing the Research Paper

Research Paper Checklist

Source Analysis

• Analysis of Simple Data
• Developing Critical Thinking
• Critical Reading: Persuasion
• Analytical Reading: Compare/Contrast
• Tools for Reading Critically
• Electronic Note Taking: Content Grid
• Synthesis Workshop
• Source Synthesis Exercise
• Summarizing Your Article
• Article Analysis and Summary
• Comparing Sources
• Analysis of Source Material
• Electronic Notes: Context Grid

Thesis Statements

Paraphrasing & Quoting

• Paraphrasing and Summarizing
• Paraphrasing
• Playing with Connotations
• Using Direct Quotations
• Goldfish: Paraphrase and Summary
• JAWS: Paraphrase and Summary
• Summarizing Sources
• Summarizing
• Using the Comment Box for Summary
• Paraphrasing Sources
• Quoting and Paraphrasing
• Paraphrase
• Paraphrase and Summary 

Citation

• Quoting and Citing Sources
• MLA and APA Documentation
• Answers to MLA/APA Activity
• Citation and Summary
• Using Proper Documentation
• Using MLA and APA Documentation
• Annotated Bibliography
• Creating An Annotated Bibliography
• Citations
• Documentation
• Creating Works Cited Entries

Samples

• Sample Paper Using APA
• Sample Paper Using MLA
• Sample Research Proposal
• MLA/APA Research Paper
• Sample Paper: Classification
• Sample Paper: Classification



Navigating the Networked Classroom

Getting Started

• Continuous Narrative
• Introductory Lesson
• Directions: Introductory Lesson
• Computer Quiz: "Hotel California"
• Directions: Computer Quiz

Software Help

• Basic Server: Douglas and Neptune
• Basic Commands: WordPerfect 3.0 (Mac)

Computer Skills Help

• Quiz: Computer Skills
• Alphabetizing (DOS)
• Virtual Lecturing
• Columns and Tables (DOS)
• Merge (Mac)
• Outline (DOS)
• Spreadsheet (DOS)
• Editing in WP5.1 (DOS)
• Formatting a Document (DOS)
• Search Editing (DOS)
• Macros (DOS)
• Moving, Blocking, etc. (DOS)
• Cancel, Help, Save (DOS)
• Tables, Columns (Outline) (DOS)
• Cancel, Spell Check, etc. (DOS)
• Alphabetizing (MAC)

The Internet & E-mail

• On-Line Journals
• E-Mail Through Netscape
• Newsgroups through Netscape
• Using a Listserv
• Using E-Mail
• Netscape Scavenger Hunt
• WWW as a Research Tool
• P-Mail

Sample Syllabi

• Sample Course Syllabi Online



Links to Other On-Line Writing Centers

** For a more exhaustive listing, visit the directory of Online Writing Labs and Centers created by the National Writing Centers Association.

• Bowling Green State University OWL
• California State University, Fresno Writing Center
• Colorado College Writing Center
• Dickinson College Writing Center OWL
• Eastern Illinois University'sWriting Center Homepage
• The Iowa State University Writing Center
• The University of Illinois Writers' Workshop.
• The University of Maine Writing Center.
• The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor OWL.
• Michigan State University Writing Center
• The University of Missouri Online Writery
• University of North Carolina Writing Center
• Syracuse University's Writing Consultation.
• The University of Texas, Austin Computer Writing and Research Lab.
• The University of Wisconsin Writing Lab.

Return to the Department of English homepage or the NIU homepage.

nwr@niu.edu

_{Copyright 1997 by Network Writing and Research, NIU. Last updated, April 28, 1998
Created by Sarah Quirk & Eric Hoffman; edited and maintained by NWR.}