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© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
A QUICK WALK along the path to
professional publishing
13 things you can do to help students improve their writing
Laurie Putnam SJSU SLIS Faculty Institute May 14, 2010
© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
1 Don’t expect miracles.
© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
Do expect progress.
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© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
Design clear assignments. ■ Say what you want & imagine
students doing it. ■ Use class time. ■ Build in process.
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© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
Set checkpoints. ■ Request thesis & outline early. ■ Help struggling students early.
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© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
Try group work or peer reviews. ■ Let students help one another. ■ Provide guiding questions.
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© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
Know what’s important to you.
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© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
Classic criteria Content; substance ■ Research ■ Ideas and analysis
Writing quality; expression of ideas ■ Organization ■ Style ■ Mechanics
Know what’s important to you
© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
3. 3. Set expectations.
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© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
Set expectations
Sample guidelines
Assignment: Does paper fully address requirements?
Substance ■ Research: Are appropriate sources used & incorporated?
■ Content: Are author’s ideas and analyses well developed?
Writing quality ■ Organization: Is content clearly & logically organized?
■ Style: Is voice clear, strong, & pleasing to read?
■ Mechanics: Are grammar, punctuation, & spelling correct?
© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
Try using an evaluation tool.
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© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
Try using an evaluation tool LIBR 200 Term Paper Checklist
Title Page • Includes paper title, your name, course number and section, and date
Abstract • Brief but comprehensive summary of the paper’s contents, not
exceeding 120 words (See APA 1.07)
Intro • Topic I.D.
• Why it’s important
• Core overarching/synthetic question assembled from all the secondary scholarship
• The overarching answer/thesis interpreted from all the secondary scholarship
• Naming the sub-topics identified (the sub-headings)
• A new original question that deserves future treatment by the field (based on current gaps or furthering hot topics).
• The best papers will offer a speculative answer to the new question
Lit Review • A brief (one or two paragraphs only) synthetic survey of the most
recent and relevant scholarly writing on your topic.
• Note: this is not just a “revision” of your earlier lit review paper
Gaps • A brief section (about 1 paragraph) noting questions and topics that
you find would strengthen this body of literature or note any gaps you perceive in the current scholarly literature
• A transition sentence or two that reiterates what specific topic your paper will address and how it contributes to the literature
Methodology (According to APA, lit review
comes before methodology)
• Explain the searching processes and search syntax you used to search, discover, and gather sources used in paper
Body and Findings
• Present your findings. This should consist of grouping your secondary sources into categories that makes sense to you. Approach this literature from the point of view of your own original and overarching question.
• Take care to use APA format for your parenthetical references
Conclusion • Summarize by restating the core overarching/synthetic question and
thesis assembled from all the current secondary scholarship you covered
• Restate your own central/controlling question and the conclusions that your research supports. This is also an excellent point to also offer or nominate new or different questions you feel are important but have not yet been asked thus far by the literature on your topic.
References • Reference list should include at least 20 items (mostly peer-reviewed)
and be presented in the style dictated in the APA Publication Manual.
© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
Criteria Points Comments
Content (50%) 3 6 9 12 15
Organization 1 2 3 4 5
Style 1 2 3 4 5
Mechanics 1 2 3 4 5
Total points & general comments
Try using an evaluation tool
© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
A QUICK WALK along the path to
professional publishing
Sample rubrics ■ http://tinyurl.com/Drake-Rubric ■ http://tinyurl.com/MarsHill-Rubric ■ http://tinyurl.com/UC-Harvard-Rubric ■ http://tinyurl.com/UColorado-Rubric ■ http://tinyurl.com/APUS-Rubric
Try using an evaluation tool
© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
Read each paper twice. ■ Skim through once. ■ Then read carefully.
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© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
Give summary comments. ■ Restate paper’s main point. ■ Discuss strengths. ■ Discuss weaknesses.
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© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
Encourage. Question. Consider.
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© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
Review others as you would have others review you. ■ Be kind. ■ Be clear. ■ Stay focused.
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© L. Putnam Communications | Toward Better Writing
Remember the goals. ■ Let students know where they stand. ■ Help students improve their work.
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