Welcome to the Welcome to the Unit One Seminar Unit One Seminar

for KU 121!for KU 121!Topics: Course Overview & Topics: Course Overview & Chapter 1Chapter 1

Professor: Ann Meek, PhD.Professor: Ann Meek, PhD.ameek@kaplan.eduameek@kaplan.edu

Presentation References: Teresa Kelly & Joanna Presentation References: Teresa Kelly & Joanna ChrzanowskiChrzanowski

Seminar AgendaSeminar Agenda

Seminar Rules Course NavigationCourse OutlineCourse SyllabusGetting OrganizedTypes of AssignmentsGradingChapter One Overview

Seminar RulesSeminar Rules I’ll go over a section then pause for questions; please I’ll go over a section then pause for questions; please

hold questions until I ask for them.hold questions until I ask for them. Please do not use the text box for side chatter once the Please do not use the text box for side chatter once the

seminar begins.seminar begins. If you have audio issues during seminar, try to adjust If you have audio issues during seminar, try to adjust

your speakers. My volume must be high to broadcast, your speakers. My volume must be high to broadcast, so regulate at your end as needed.so regulate at your end as needed.

If you have any technical issues with seminar, call tech If you have any technical issues with seminar, call tech support at 1 -866-522-7747.support at 1 -866-522-7747.

In about four hours, follow the link you used to get In about four hours, follow the link you used to get here to find an audio and visual archive.here to find an audio and visual archive.

The presentation will be posted in Doc Sharing after The presentation will be posted in Doc Sharing after the seminar.the seminar.

Course NavigationCourse Navigation

One of your first goals in the course should One of your first goals in the course should be to become familiar with our course site be to become familiar with our course site and understand how to navigate and understand how to navigate effectively within it. effectively within it.

If you are having trouble with course If you are having trouble with course navigation:navigation:

1.1. Review the materials in KU 085 (this is a Review the materials in KU 085 (this is a great tool). It is located on your My great tool). It is located on your My Campus Page.Campus Page.

2.2. Contact tech support at 1 -866-522-7747.Contact tech support at 1 -866-522-7747.

Course OutlineCourse Outline Unit 1: Introduction to WritingUnit 1: Introduction to Writing Unit 2: An Introduction to Sentence Development and Unit 2: An Introduction to Sentence Development and

Grammar Grammar Unit 3: Developing your Focus and Pre-WritingUnit 3: Developing your Focus and Pre-Writing Unit 4: Planning and Organizing your EssayUnit 4: Planning and Organizing your Essay Unit 5: Starting to Draft – The Introductory Unit 5: Starting to Draft – The Introductory

ParagraphParagraph Unit 6: Drafting the Body ParagraphsUnit 6: Drafting the Body Paragraphs Unit 7: Completing the Rough Draft of Your EssayUnit 7: Completing the Rough Draft of Your Essay Unit 8: Getting Feedback and Reviewing Your WorkUnit 8: Getting Feedback and Reviewing Your Work Unit 9: Editing, Proofreading and Polishing Your Unit 9: Editing, Proofreading and Polishing Your

EssayEssay Unit 10: Share Your Work and Apply Your WritingUnit 10: Share Your Work and Apply Your Writing

Course SyllabusCourse Syllabus

A few highlights:A few highlights: Found in Course Home and Doc Found in Course Home and Doc

SharingSharing Professor’s contact informationProfessor’s contact information Notice that Microsoft Word is Notice that Microsoft Word is

required for all Kaplan coursesrequired for all Kaplan courses Grading Scale and TimetableGrading Scale and Timetable Grading RubricsGrading Rubrics Plagiarism policiesPlagiarism policies

Getting OrganizedGetting Organized

After reading the syllabus, marking After reading the syllabus, marking important dates and noting what to important dates and noting what to expect, the next step is to get expect, the next step is to get organized. Taking a class is a major organized. Taking a class is a major project and it is a long-term project and it is a long-term commitment. With planning and commitment. With planning and organization, each week you will organization, each week you will progress toward your goal of doing progress toward your goal of doing well in this class. well in this class. 

Getting OrganizedGetting Organized Week begins Wednesday and ends TuesdayWeek begins Wednesday and ends Tuesday Visit announcements on main course page every Visit announcements on main course page every

time you log into class.time you log into class. Click the Unit to the left to see all the Click the Unit to the left to see all the

material/assignments for the Unit.material/assignments for the Unit. Tasks for the Unit can be found by clicking the Tasks for the Unit can be found by clicking the

Unit Home then the To Do List (far right).Unit Home then the To Do List (far right). Be sure to complete all reading assignments Be sure to complete all reading assignments

prior to completing discussions, quizzes, and prior to completing discussions, quizzes, and projects.projects.

There are ten units; Units One - Nine have There are ten units; Units One - Nine have graded items.graded items.

Types of AssignmentsTypes of Assignments Weekly Discussions (Unit 1-9) – Initial response to Weekly Discussions (Unit 1-9) – Initial response to

question plus at least two responses to classmates; see question plus at least two responses to classmates; see examples in Discussion area; all responses including examples in Discussion area; all responses including posts to classmates must be 5-7 sentence each. posts to classmates must be 5-7 sentence each.

Weekly Seminars (Unit 1-9) – attend Weekly Seminars (Unit 1-9) – attend OROR complete complete Option 2; not bothOption 2; not both

Weekly Quizzes (Unit 1-9) – timed (1 hr.) & may only Weekly Quizzes (Unit 1-9) – timed (1 hr.) & may only be taken once.be taken once.

MyWritingLab (Unit 1-9) – click the MyWritingLab MyWritingLab (Unit 1-9) – click the MyWritingLab Section under each UnitSection under each Unit

Projects (Units 3- 8) – we will discuss these as we get Projects (Units 3- 8) – we will discuss these as we get to them; all build to the final projectto them; all build to the final project

Final Project (Unit 9) – we will review this in Unit 2Final Project (Unit 9) – we will review this in Unit 2

GradingGrading Weekly Discussions (Unit 1-9) – 20 points each week; see rubric in Weekly Discussions (Unit 1-9) – 20 points each week; see rubric in

syllabussyllabus Weekly Seminars (Unit 1-9) – 5 points each week; see rubric in Weekly Seminars (Unit 1-9) – 5 points each week; see rubric in

syllabus syllabus Weekly Quizzes (Unit 1-9) – 5 points each week; auto-graded; Weekly Quizzes (Unit 1-9) – 5 points each week; auto-graded;

grades appear in the gradebook immediately. May only be taken grades appear in the gradebook immediately. May only be taken once.once.

MyWritingLab (Unit 1-9) – points and grading vary; auto-graded. MyWritingLab (Unit 1-9) – points and grading vary; auto-graded. Click the MyWritingLab Section under each Unit to access.Click the MyWritingLab Section under each Unit to access.

Projects (Units 3- 8) – points vary; rubrics found in the syllabusProjects (Units 3- 8) – points vary; rubrics found in the syllabus Final Project (Unit 9) – 250 points; rubric found in the syllabusFinal Project (Unit 9) – 250 points; rubric found in the syllabus

Total 1000 points – students must earn 730/1000 points to earn Total 1000 points – students must earn 730/1000 points to earn credit and continue at Kaplan. See the catalogue addendum in the credit and continue at Kaplan. See the catalogue addendum in the Announcements Area.Announcements Area.

Grades and feedback are posted in the KU gradebook; make sure Grades and feedback are posted in the KU gradebook; make sure you know how to use that! See the tutorial in KU-85.you know how to use that! See the tutorial in KU-85.

Units end on Tuesdays. Grades are posted by the following Sunday Units end on Tuesdays. Grades are posted by the following Sunday (within 5 days after the unit ends).(within 5 days after the unit ends).

Writing is not a single-step process. All writing involves Writing is not a single-step process. All writing involves five five basis stepsbasis steps::

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:The Writing The Writing ProcessProcess

Before you can write about a topic, you have to Before you can write about a topic, you have to collect ideas collect ideas to write about. Two helpful to write about. Two helpful techniques aretechniques are

FreewritingFreewriting—writing nonstop whatever comes to —writing nonstop whatever comes to mind about a topic for a specified period of time.mind about a topic for a specified period of time.BrainstormingBrainstorming—making a list of everything you —making a list of everything you can think of that has to do with your topic, such can think of that has to do with your topic, such as facts, ideas, examples, questions, and feelings.as facts, ideas, examples, questions, and feelings.

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:Tips for Generating Tips for Generating IdeasIdeas

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:Example of Example of Freewriting Freewriting Here is a sample of freewriting done on the topic of owning a dog:

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:Example of BrainstormingExample of BrainstormingHere is a sample of brainstorming on the topic of fast food:

A common A common method method ofof organizing ideas is organizing ideas is outlining: outlining:

OutliningOutlining is a method of listing the main points is a method of listing the main points you will cover and their sub-points (details) in the you will cover and their sub-points (details) in the order in which you will present them.order in which you will present them.

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:Tips for Organizing Tips for Organizing Your IdeasYour Ideas

Here is a sample outline for a brief essay on the topic of a Here is a sample outline for a brief essay on the topic of a vacation to San Francisco:vacation to San Francisco:

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:OutliningOutlining

A A paragraphparagraph is a group is a group of sentences that of sentences that expresses one main idea.expresses one main idea.

A paragraph's one main A paragraph's one main idea is expressed in a idea is expressed in a single sentence called single sentence called the the topic sentencetopic sentence. .

The other sentences, The other sentences, called called supporting supporting detailsdetails, explain or , explain or support the main idea.support the main idea.

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:Writing Writing ParagraphsParagraphs

Here is a sample paragraph with its idea map:Here is a sample paragraph with its idea map:

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:Sample ParagraphSample Paragraph

An An essayessay, which consists of three or more paragraphs, , which consists of three or more paragraphs, expresses and explains a series of related ideas, all of which expresses and explains a series of related ideas, all of which support a larger, broader idea. support a larger, broader idea.

It contains one key idea about the subject, called the It contains one key idea about the subject, called the thesis thesis statementstatement. .

Each paragraph in the essay Each paragraph in the essay supportssupports or explains some or explains some aspect of the thesis statement.aspect of the thesis statement.

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:Writing EssaysWriting Essays

An essay follows a An essay follows a logical and direct logical and direct plan. Itplan. It

1.1.introduces an idea introduces an idea (the thesis statement)(the thesis statement)

2.2.explains it, and explains it, and

3.3.draws a conclusion.draws a conclusion.

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:How Is an Essay How Is an Essay Organized?Organized?

Your Your introductory paragraph introductory paragraph should accomplish three should accomplish three things: things:

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:The Introductory The Introductory

ParagraphParagraph

The The bodybody of your essay should accomplish three things: of your essay should accomplish three things:

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:The BodyThe Body

The The concluding paragraph concluding paragraph should accomplish two things: should accomplish two things:

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:The Concluding The Concluding ParagraphParagraph

Consider the following points as ways to get off to a Consider the following points as ways to get off to a successful start:successful start:

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:Practical Advice for Practical Advice for

Getting StartedGetting Started

Classmates can tell you what they like and what they think Classmates can tell you what they like and what they think you need to do to improve your writing. You can also learn a you need to do to improve your writing. You can also learn a lot from reading and commenting on the work of other lot from reading and commenting on the work of other students.students.

The following tips tell you how to use the peer review The following tips tell you how to use the peer review process: process:

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:Peer ReviewPeer Review

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:Peer ReviewPeer Review

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:Writing Success Writing Success Tip 1Tip 1Participating in Your Writing Class

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:Writing Success Writing Success Tip 1Tip 1

Have a great first Have a great first week, and enjoy the week, and enjoy the

course!course!