Writing 3 Fall Syllabus

30 Steps to a Research Paper

Week	Step	Discussion Topic	Assignment due	Grammar Topic
Week 1 8/29	1.	Understanding the thesis-driven paper		The Sentence Parts of Speech
	2.	Identify possible subjects
	3.	Read general sources
	4.	Narrow the subject
	5.	Select your topic
	6.	Form leading research questions
Week 2 9/5	7.	Formulate working thesis	r List of 5 - 10 possible topics with a thesis idea for each. r Narrow the topic to 2 options with leading questions for each.	Types of Sentences
	8.	Make research plan
	9.	Write proposal
	10.	Brainstorm/Cluster/Free-write
Week 3 9/12	11.	Find sources (print & electronic)	r General Topic:  1 -2 pages describing your interest in your topic r Write a Proposal & Research plan	Phrases, part 1
	12.	Evaluate sources
	13.	Prepare working bibliography
Week 4 9/19	14.	Research & take notes	r Initial list of sources r General subtopics	Phrases, part, 2
	15.	Paraphrase, summarize, quote sources
	16.	Organize information
	17.	Make a running/ informal outline
Week 5 9/26	18.	Develop detailed outline	r Informal outline	Clauses, part 1
	19.	Write first draft #1
Week 6 10/3	20.	Prepare works cited in MLA style	r Detailed outline	Clauses, part 2
	21.	First draft of presentation plan
Week 7 10/10	22.	Peer edit	r Rough Draft #1	Coordination &Subordination
Week 8 10/17	23.	Revise rough draft #1	r Works Cited draft #1; r Peer Edit	Parallel Structure
Week 9 10/24	24.	Finalize presentation plans	r Initial Presentation plan	Agreement:  Subject/Verb
	25.	Prepare visuals for presentation
Week 10 10/31	26.	Rough Draft #2	r Final presentation plan;	Agreement:  Pronoun/Antecedent
Week 11 11/7	27.	Finalize works cited page	r Rough Draft #2	Punctuation
Week 12 – 13 11/14 & 11/21	28.	Proofread	r Works cited draft #2 (Week 12)	Capitalization
Week 14 – 15 12/5 & 12/12	29.	Presentation	r Presentations r Final Draft	Grammar Test
	30.	Final Draft