PAPER EXPERIMENT PROJECT

1 PAPER EXPERIMENT PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS

PURPOSE REQUIREMENTS DIRECTIONS SUGGESTIONS Prepare and write a paper in an organized and systematic way.

Part 1 of Experiment due 3 days before the paper is due in your other course.

Submit the following strategies a minimum of three days prior to the due date of the paper in your other course:

(1) Planning Tool (2) Paper specifics, (3) Before section of the paper writing profile, (4) Topic outline or graphic organizer, (5) Source outline, (6) Writing schedule, (7) Write draft paper, (8) Critique of the draft and (9) The final paper.

All of the above should be typed except for the topic outline/graphic organizer and writing schedule which can be created by hand. Instructions for each of the above strategies are below.

Chunk this project by creating a planning tool that will keep you on task.

Plan to complete the project

1. Before beginning, use a time and task management tool from Chapter 4 to plan the completion of each part of the project.

Use a Target Planner or D’s Due and Do.

Understand the instructor’s expectations.

Paper Specifics

2. Select a course that you will have a paper due in the next 2 to 3 weeks and identify the following details of the paper: Topic, length, format that should be used, when it is due and the grading rubric. Note the paper should be at least 1000 words or 3 full pages in length.

Your professor may have provided this in the syllabus or in a separate handout. You can just photocopy it.

Document what you do now.

Before Section of Paper Writing Profile

3. Complete the “Before Experiment” section of the Paper Preparation Profile on pg. 375 in textbook: • In the 1st column, describe what you usually do to prepare for

Be honest with yourself.

2 PAPER EXPERIMENT PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS

writing a paper and, • In the 2nd column, write a letter grade to signify the effectiveness

of your current strategies to prepare for writing a paper.

Decrease anxiety about what to write and organize your ideas for a paper.

Topic Outline or Graphic Organizer

4. Based on an initial brainstorming of your own ideas, create a topic outline for your paper OR arrange these ideas in a graphic organizer. • To create a topic outline, use standard outline format to organize

the topics you will discuss in your paper and the sub-topics. • If you create a Graphic Organizer, use a format that clearly

illustrates how one idea relates to another and includes the main idea(s) and significant detail(s).

Visual and kinesthetic learners would find a graphic organizer most helpful.

Helps keep the material organized and cite sources easier.

Source Outline

5. Create a source outline detailing all sources for each of the topics and sub-topics in your paper. • You can add sources to your topic outline or graphic organizer,

use reading/note taking strategies like flash cards, plug in, or post its.

• This can also be a separate document that lists sources in an outline or reference list format.

• Include citation information, page references, quotes to use and location in paper or topic it relates to.

Use an online reference builder to create your reference page or bibliography. 12 Best Free Online Bibliography and Citation Tools: https://elearningindustry.com/12- best-free-online-bibliography-and- citation-tools

Helps prevent last minute composing and editing or writing the whole paper in one sitting.

Writing Schedule

6. Create a writing schedule using one of the time and task management tools in Chapter 4: • Label specific dates and times for preparing for your paper and

writing. For e.g. research for writing, consolidation of your information, writing page 1 or introduction, write a preliminary draft, meet with consultant, revise, and writing the final paper.

• Submit a copy of your planner.

Your paper preparation and writing is planned during 1 to 2 weeks prior to the due date. Be realistic with your planning.

3 PAPER EXPERIMENT PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS

Compose the Preliminary Draft

7. Implement your writing schedule and write a preliminary draft of your paper. • The rough draft should match the assignment instructions. • The draft follows the graphic organizer or topic outline.

Sometimes while writing a new idea formulates. Note any changes you have made on your topic outline/graphic organizer and include your rationale for your changes.

Improve the quality in your paper.

Critique the Draft

8. Solicit constructive feedback of the preliminary draft from a writing consultant, TA, or professor.

• Draft submitted must show editorial changes and comments. Can

be hand written or tracked changes.

It is helpful to have someone critique your writing so that unclear points, misspellings and grammar can be corrected.

Revisions and Final Copy

9. Make final revisions incorporating the constructive feedback and proofread your final copy.

To reflect on your experience of completing the experiment.

Part 2 of Experiment due two days after the due date of the paper.

Submit the following strategies two days after you have completed and submitted the paper: (10) After section of the paper writing profile, (11) Reflection

Make sure these steps are in your D’s Due and DO to make sure you don’t forget this part of the experiment.

Assess how helpful the experiment strategies were.

Paper Writing Profile

10. Complete the “After Experiment” section of the Paper Writing Profile on pg. 375 in textbook: • Write a letter grade in the last column to signify the effectiveness of

each of the strategies you tried for the experiment.

Assess the impact of the strategies.

Reflection

11. Summarize your results and describe your experience.

• Contrast the difference in effectiveness between your paper writing activities before the paper experiment, to the strategies used in the paper experiment.

The paper writing profile and the reflection should be consistent with each other.

4 PAPER EXPERIMENT PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS

• Describe the steps that were particularly helpful and why. • Describe your level of confidence writing and with the final

product. • Describe how you would change to efficiently write for your next

paper. • Your reflection should be at least 3 full pages typed and doubled

spaced. Font size 12 Times New Roman.