OCC Week 5: Drafting from the Inside-out

This may be your first opportunity to use the inside-out method to draft a paper. Remember, the inside-out method focuses on developing the body paragraphs first. This is done by working out each pattern or category (and sub-categories) of details one at a time in terms of how they answer your main question(s) for the paper. For example, if our question for the paper was "How expensive is the prom?", we would try to address how each specific detail associated with attire (gowns, tuxes, suits, etc.) answers that question. Once this is done, do the same for the accessories, the transportation, etc.

One key point for inside-out drafting: don't try to write the first draft as if it will be a perfect paper. It won't. The sooner you accept that we are using a process for developing a strong paper that can't be perfected at this stage, the more free and effective your drafting stage will be, not to mention your stress and frustration levels will be minimal.

Now that you are in the process of drafting the paper (or, perhaps, finished with the first draft), please address the following in your response with specific examples/ideas:

1. How did this method make your drafting of the paper easier or more effective?
   
2. Did you struggle in any way using this method? How so?
3. Now that you have used the method, what will you modify or change next time you use it?

CCC Week 5: Drafting from the Inside-out

This may be your first opportunity to use the inside-out method to draft a paper. Remember, the inside-out method focuses on developing the body paragraphs first. This is done by working out each pattern or category (and sub-categories) of details one at a time in terms of how they answer your main question(s) for the paper. For example, if our question for the paper was "How expensive is the prom?", we would try to address how each specific detail associated with attire (gowns, tuxes, suits, etc.) answers that question. Once this is done, do the same for the accessories, the transportation, etc.

One key point for inside-out drafting: don't try to write the first draft as if it will be a perfect paper. It won't. The sooner you accept that we are using a process for developing a strong paper that can't be perfected at this stage, the more free and effective your drafting stage will be, not to mention your stress and frustration levels will be minimal.

Now that you are in the process of drafting the paper (or, perhaps, finished with the first draft), please address the following in your response with specific examples/ideas:

1. How did this method make your drafting of the paper easier or more effective?
   
2. Did you struggle in any way using this method? How so?
3. Now that you have used the method, what will you modify or change next time you use it?

CCC Week 4: Analyzing Literature

For the past two weeks, we have practiced analytical thinking and howprewriting can help us develop papers. There is obviously a connection between prewriting and analysis: analysis finds and organizes details so that you can make meaning from them, and prewriting generates and organizes ideas (details) that can help develop an answer to a question that forms a paper. In other words, analysis and prewritingwork hand-in-hand: analysis is the thinking method and prewritinghelps begin communicating the thinking.

When reading a piece of literature, the use of language develops the meaning. Hence, the words and images are the details that develop the literary elements (plot, character, theme, setting, irony, point of view, symbols). Analyzing the details of a literary piece is vital to understanding it. Based on this, using prewriting can help us identify and organize these details to begin writing a paper.


To provide you more practice in analysis and prewriting, please complete the following activity:

1. Choose one of the two short stories ("The Tell-Tale Heart" or "The Model Millionaire").
2. Choose one of the thesis statements on the Short Story Analysis Paper assignment sheet.
3. Using one of our prewriting techniques and our analytical method, go through the story you have chosen and list at least five specific, significant details that develop the thesis. For example, if you choose the thesis on symbols in "The Tell-Tale Heart", you need to find at least five specific details connected to that thesis. In other words, "symbol" is your pattern or category--what details belong to this pattern? Provide the precise wording from the story, along with the page number where the detail was found.
4. When you're finished, ask any questions that you need answered to help you better understand analysis or prewriting.

OCC Week 4: Analyzing Literature

For the past two weeks, we have practiced analytical thinking and howprewriting can help us develop papers. There is obviously a connection between prewriting and analysis: analysis finds and organizes details so that you can make meaning from them, and prewriting generates and organizes ideas (details) that can help develop an answer to a question that forms a paper. In other words, analysis and prewritingwork hand-in-hand: analysis is the thinking method and prewritinghelps begin communicating the thinking.

When reading a piece of literature, the use of language develops the meaning. Hence, the words and images are the details that develop the literary elements (plot, character, theme, setting, irony, point of view, symbols). Analyzing the details of a literary piece is vital to understanding it. Based on this, using prewriting can help us identify and organize these details to begin writing a paper.


To provide you more practice in analysis and prewriting, please complete the following activity:

1. Choose one of the two short stories ("The Tell-Tale Heart" or "The Model Millionaire").
2. Choose one of the thesis statements on the Short Story Analysis Paper assignment sheet.
3. Using one of our prewriting techniques and our analytical method, go through the story you have chosen and list at least five specific, significant details that develop the thesis. For example, if you choose the thesis on symbols in "The Tell-Tale Heart", you need to find at least five specific details connected to that thesis. In other words, "symbol" is your pattern or category--what details belong to this pattern? Provide the precise wording from the story, along with the page number where the detail was found.
4. When you're finished, ask any questions that you need answered to help you better understand analysis or prewriting.

CCC Week 3: The Importance of Prewriting

One of the most common mistakes I see students make is skipping prewriting. Students will often claim that prewriting "takes too long" or "wastes time" because they don't truly understand its purpose or its value.

Yet, when done properly, prewriting can provide a substantial amount of ideas for a paper, including the structure and content needed for an effective draft. Many times this great information can be generated in as little as 10-15 minutes.

Furthermore, because there are so many techniques for prewriting and because there are no right or wrong answers at this stage of the process, prewriting can be tailored to an individual's learning style and preferences.

Based on these points and our class discussions, please respond to the following questions by posting a comment:

1. Have you used prewriting before? If so, in what ways? If not, why haven't you?
2. How did this week's classes and readings add to your understanding of how prewriting can benefit a writing project? Be specific.
3. What prewriting technique or techniques do you prefer? Why?

OCC Week 3: The Importance of Prewriting

One of the most common mistakes I see students make is skipping prewriting. Students will often claim that prewriting "takes too long" or "wastes time" because they don't truly understand its purpose or its value.

Yet, when done properly, prewriting can provide a substantial amount of ideas for a paper, including the structure and content needed for an effective draft. Many times this great information can be generated in as little as 10-15 minutes.

Furthermore, because there are so many techniques for prewriting and because there are no right or wrong answers at this stage of the process, prewriting can be tailored to an individual's learning style and preferences.

Based on these points and our class discussions, please respond to the following questions by posting a comment:

1. Have you used prewriting before? If so, in what ways? If not, why haven't you?
2. How did this week's classes and readings add to your understanding of how prewriting can benefit a writing project? Be specific.
3. What prewriting technique or techniques do you prefer? Why?

CCC Week 2: Sentences and Paragraphs

When you think about it, you probably write in some fashion just about every day. You use it to communicate with others (and sometimes yourself) in variety of ways. To ensure clear communication, writing takes practice.

One of the most important aspects of mastering any skill is consistently practicing the fundamentals. If you want to learn how to play guitar, you have to practice the scales, chords, and fingering techniques that make up this endeavor. The same is true in basketball; if you want to be a great player, practicing dribbling, passing, shooting, and defense are all vital.

Writing is no different than these other skills. If you want to be successful, you have to practice the fundamentals, namely writing effective sentences and paragraphs. This makes perfect sense if you think about it; you can't write a good paragraph if you can't write solid, clear sentences. Likewise, you can't write an effective paper if you can't write paragraphs that convey a clear, unified message.

With this in mind, please answer the following questions as specifically and completely as possible (200 or so words) in a comment to this blog:

1. How do you or have you used writing in your academic, professional, or personal life? What types of daily tasks require writing?
2. What do you want to improve in your writing when it comes to sentences or paragraphs? Some examples of answers might be comma usage, correcting run-ons or fragments, writing effective topic sentences, supporting ideas in a paragraph better, etc.
3. How can you practice proper writing techniques everyday?

OCC Week 2: Sentences and Paragraphs

When you think about it, you probably write in some fashion just about every day. You use it to communicate with others (and sometimes yourself) in variety of ways. To ensure clear communication, writing takes practice.

One of the most important aspects of mastering any skill is consistently practicing the fundamentals. If you want to learn how to play guitar, you have to practice the scales, chords, and fingering techniques that make up this endeavor. The same is true in basketball; if you want to be a great player, practicing dribbling, passing, shooting, and defense are all vital.

Writing is no different than these other skills. If you want to be successful, you have to practice the fundamentals, namely writing effective sentences and paragraphs. This makes perfect sense if you think about it; you can't write a good paragraph if you can't write solid, clear sentences. Likewise, you can't write an effective paper if you can't write paragraphs that convey a clear, unified message.

With this in mind, please answer the following questions as specifically and completely as possible (200 or so words) in a comment to this blog:

1. How do you or have you used writing in your academic, professional, or personal life? What types of daily tasks require writing?
2. What do you want to improve in your writing when it comes to sentences or paragraphs? Some examples of answers might be comma usage, correcting run-ons or fragments, writing effective topic sentences, supporting ideas in a paragraph better, etc.
3. How can you practice proper writing techniques everyday?