Unit I Journal (Research Topics & Ideas) (CATHERINE OWENS ONLY)

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Unit I

Lesson 5: Thinking about the Writing Process

Introduction

One constant during EH 1010 and now in EH 1020 is the writing process. More specifically, these two courses have emphasized the importance of learning about and understanding the writing process—particularly, the importance of discovering your own writing process. In this lesson, we will review some of these key concepts and discuss how your writing process will change, given that you are working on one project throughout the course.

Thinking about the Writing Process

The act of writing is often described as a process rather than as one action. In this way, writing is not simply a thing that you accomplish by sitting down at a desk and doing it. Instead, it is something that is accomplished through steps that are often recursive. This is true of the essays that you wrote in EH 1010, but it will be especially true of the research paper that you will write for EH 1020. Mainly, this is the case because of the way that we will think about, plan, organize, draft, and revise the paper. Indeed, there will be some parts of the paper that you will process a number of times. Especially for a research paper, it is important for you to accept that the writing will not be linear. There will be several assignments that require you to revise previous drafts, but the expectation is that you will be constantly revising and reconsidering your work as you proceed through the course.

Throughout the course, you will gain a better understanding of your own process. This is a natural byproduct of taking on a large writing project. No doubt, you will discover the ways that you work best and the situations in which you are less productive. These are important elements to learn about how you write and work because writing in this way is very different than reading a unit’s materials and taking an exam.

The Rigor of Research

A research project is an intimidating undertaking; it often causes anxiety for students. There are a number of reasons for this reaction:

· The commitment: A research paper like the one we will be undertaking is an eight-unit commitment. It is difficult to keep up the pace of the writing process for that length of time. Students will often become worried about meeting this commitment for a number of reasons.

· The schedule: Because of the nature of an extended research project like this one, you will find out quickly that the assignments in the course are meant to keep you on a schedule of production so that you can submit the final paper by the end of the course. The schedule is also designed to help you reach peak success with the writing process. In other words, like any large writing project, you will revisit your writing in order to improve upon it, and the schedule helps to break up the work of that process so that you are not too overwhelmed at any one time.

· Fear of writing: Some students express a fear of writing that makes them wary of such a large project. These students have a lack of confidence in their own abilities to write. Perhaps these students feel “fine” about writing short essays, but the thought of taking on a paper that could be 8-12 pages long is too much.

· Breaking it down: One of the fundamental philosophies in this course is that no writing project is completed at one time. If writing is a process, then topic selection, research, planning and organizing, drafting, and revising are all processes as well. Therefore, throughout the lessons, we will take on one idea at a time. You will not be asked to do more than what is reasonable in a single unit. If you do your best in each unit to write what is asked of you, then at the end of the course, you will have a successful paper.

· Going it alone: Much of the research on nontraditional, online students states that they are vastly independent, often by necessity, because many are returning to school after several years, have careers and families, and want to succeed on their own terms. However, as much as these are strong qualities that CSU values in its students, these qualities can also lead some students to feel as though they cannot ask for help. Of course, they realize that help is available to them, but for a variety of reasons, they do not seek out forms of assistance.

· You are not alone: Asking for help before you do something is really the best way to save time and to be the most productive you can be. Your professors want to help you. They have dedicated themselves to your success, but they cannot help you if you do not help yourself. Make it your mission to understand the concepts of each lesson as much as you can. Then ask your questions because that is what your support network is for!

· Seeking assistance from the Success Center: Because writing is a central component of EH 1020, utilizing the resources available in the Writing Center can be very beneficial. The Writing Center offers services to help you in writing your assigned papers, such as essays and research papers. Writing specialists can provide recorded tutorials, coaching, and assistance with academic writing and APA formatting skills. Contact the Success Center at (877) 875-0533, by emailing [email protected], or by visiting https://mycsu.columbiasouthern.edu/student/support-services/math-writing-center/writing-center/

· Not able to find enough relevant research: Students are often concerned about being able to find enough relevant research to support their arguments and assertions. This is a common concern because even a student who feels confident in his or her writing ability might become concerned about not being able to find the supporting materials.

· Choosing a good topic: One of the easiest ways to put your mind at ease is to choose a topic that is ubiquitous. In other words, you want to avoid topics that are obscure or limited in their scope. By choosing a topic about which many people are concerned, you will be able to find a number of materials that will give you expert opinions. While students are always encouraged to choose topics about which they are interested, students should also realize that the focus of the course is not necessarily on the content of the research paper as much as it is on the student’s ability to demonstrate a good understanding of the concepts presented in the class. In other words, you want to be able to construct a sound argument that is supported by relevant research. Meeting this requirement is far more important than struggling to write on a topic about which there is little research.

· The CSU Online Library: The CSU Online Library has an extensive collection of journal articles, e-books, and other materials for your access. You can search the catalog to find materials relating to your topic. If you ever have questions about how to find materials on a particular subject, you can always seek out the assistance of one of CSU’s librarians, who are always happy to help students in navigating the online library. Contact the CSU Online Library at 1-877-268-8046, by emailing [email protected], or by visiting http://libguides.columbiasouthern.edu/

Making a Plan (and Sticking to It)

When many people think of the research paper, they are struck by the anxiety of producing a product. However, instead of thinking about the final product, this course encourages you to think about the process of writing the research paper. Concentration on the process will help you to create the required products. In the same way that making a cake is not as simple as envisioning the final cake, writing a research paper is not as simple as envisioning the final paper itself. There are a number of steps that you must follow to get you to that final stage. In many ways, this course is designed to take you from the point of choosing a topic to that final research paper one step at a time, with plenty of feedback and guidance along the way. Therefore, an essential element of this process is being organized. Success in this course, and in any course that requires a writing component, requires being organized with your writing. A key element of being organized is to know where you are going before you get there. Planning and setting goals are essential, and you are the only one who can plan researching and writing time into your schedule. Do not allow deadlines to sneak up on you. By setting goals and reminders for yourself, you can organize your research and writing time so that you can approach the process of writing a research paper with as little anxiety as possible.

There are a few things you can do to help yourself along:

· Make the commitment: Make a commitment to yourself that you will be successful in this course. Be strategic about how you are going to be successful given your own life circumstances. Give yourself the time you need to work on the project. Do not wait until the last minute.

· Make time in your schedule for writing and research: Many students have busy lives, so it is important that you schedule a time when you can be dedicated to working on your research project. You may need to find a quiet space to set up a block of a few hours where you can sit quietly to read and write.

· Be gentle on yourself: If you plan to write at a certain time and you are unable to meet that commitment, then do not allow the disappointment to get the better of you. If you receive feedback that is critical and constructive after working several hours on an assignment, then accept your mistakes and incorporate the changes and corrections. Writing is very much about how you feel as much as it is about your abilities. So do not be discouraged. Be positive!

Check for Understanding

(Answer Key is below Review)

1. True/False: Students who are concerned with the commitment they must make to write the research paper should consider the assignment schedule in the course because the schedule provides a reasonable way for the commitment to be broken down.

2. True/False: Many students have a fear of writing, which is mostly founded because in this course they will be asked to write the entire research paper at one time.

3. True/False: Students are all alone in the process of writing the research paper.

4. True/False: Although it can be challenging to find relevant research, it is possible to do so by choosing an accessible topic and by using the CSU Online Library.

Review

1. Two key goals of this course are to discover and understand your own writing process.

2. The act of writing is often described as a process rather than as one action.

3. It is important to make a commitment, to make time in your schedule for writing and research, and to be gentle on yourself.

Answer Key

1. True: The schedule helps to break up the work of that process so that you are not too overwhelmed at any one time.

2. False: Throughout the lessons, we will take on one idea at a time. You will not be asked to do more than is reasonable in a single unit.

3. False: Students may always call upon the professor or the Success Center’s writing specialists to help with the process.

4. True: One of the easiest ways to put your mind at ease is to choose a topic that is ubiquitous. The CSU Online Library has an extensive collection of journal articles, e-books, and other materials for your access.