Basic Writing, Sentence-level Worksheet and Writing Analysis

Please read “The Simple Sentence,” “Compound and Complex Sentences,” “Writing Concisely,” and “Sentence-level Weakness” (find under Writing Module Readings).  These are easy reading; I will summarize the highlights in Lecture. These help with our overall discussion of syntax, and how you should approach your writing in terms of simplifying and clarifying your basic writing at the sentence level, which supports your quality and credibility.

Also read (or skim intelligently — the essay and webpage are organized well for such a “skim”): “Teaching the Conventions of Academic Writing” and the website by Lumen Learning. See the links under Writing Module Readings.

What you need to complete and post (follow these instructions) in order to receive points for this Journal assignment.

• Find ON YOUR OWN a sample of professional or academic writing from your major or your field.  A scholarly journal article would work, a syllabus from one of your classes, other course materials, or other kinds of writing (NOT WRITTEN BY YOU) that represent an academic or professional voice, industry specific language, syntax, and subject matter.  This should not be very difficult to find.  Then:
• Write a 2-page, double-spaced analysis of how the author establishes credibility as seen in the writing, the use of language and syntax, and, lastly, you can comment on how the discussion, from the topic to the point of the document is typical of the kind of work done in that discipline or field.  This should be a focus on the sentence-level writing (syntax, active voice, etc.) as well as the use of language and other conventions authors use to establish their ethos or credibility (in your discipline).  You will find these methods in the Thonney article (“Teaching the Conventions. . .”) and on the Lumen Learning website.  I will discuss these in 5/22 Lecture, as well.
• Please refer to these documents that I discuss in the 5/22 Lecture: “Teaching the Conventions of Academic Discourse” and the website from Lumen Learning.  Again, these two sources are found under our Writing Module Readings.  
• This is a 2-page analysis incorporating discussion of YOUR sample and BOTH sources.  You can provide a short introduction for the reader at the beginning, but then discuss the ethos (the academic authority and professionalism) via the writing strategies used in these documents. 
• Make ~2 specific references to each source (note the reference, cite it in your writing), “Teaching the Conventions . . .” and Lumen Learning.

In addition, find the Sentence-level Worksheet (find under Writing Module Readings — you will find it on “Compound and Complex SentencesLinks to an external site.“) 

• Complete and post the Sentence-level Worksheet. Download it, write-on and upload the actual worksheet, or complete it and take pictures of the completed worksheet. Please try to make sure your writing/answers are clear, especially if this is hand-written; yes, you can write by hand.