WRIT

ING A

T TH

E COLL

EGE

LEVEL

YOUR E

XPECTA

TIONS A

ND THE

STANDARD O

F EXC

ELLENCE

HIGH SCHOOL VS. COLLEGE WRITINGHIGH SCHOOL

Few to no spelling errorsSimple or unclear sentence structure is acceptable but not preferred Somewhat address the assigned task

COLLEGE

Establish an argumentUse specific examples to defend your argumentFewer simple sentences and more complex sentences

HIGH SCHOOL VS. COLLEGE WRITING CONT. Difference between high school structure

and college structure

https://www.msu.edu/~comertod/courses/essays.htm

Article discussing the differences

http://writingprogram.uchicago.edu/resources/collegewriting/high_school_v_college.htm

DESCRIPTION OF F LEVEL WRITING

Lacks competence Readers have difficulty discerning a thesis or

pattern of organization The ideas are undeveloped or incoherent, and

problems in sentence structure, usage, and mechanics render the essay unacceptable as college-level writing.

http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/English/eng101f.html

DESCRIPTION OF D LEVEL WRITING

The thesis is vague, the development skimpy Readers have trouble following the writer's

line of thought because of jumbled organization.

Sentences are awkward or immature, and mechanical errors add to readers' difficulties, suggesting that the writer worked in haste, perhaps without taking time to understand the subject thoroughly.

http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/English/eng101d.html

DESCRIPTION OF C LEVEL WRITING

The introduction states the thesis and sets up the paper's organization

The essay meets the requirements of the assignment and contains sufficient supporting details to make the overall point clear to readers, but leaves them with unanswered questions

Some awkwardness indicates that the writer may not be completely in command of the subject or is still struggling with the ideas

http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/English/eng101c.html

DESCRIPTION OF B LEVEL WRITING

The introduction states clearly the controlling idea and sets up the essay's organization

Effective supporting details make the essay worthwhile reading, and sentence-structures emphasize ideas. Strong transitions add to the essay's coherence; the diction is lively and appropriate.

The writer knows the subject well enough to explain it without making mechanical errors that distract readers.

http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/English/eng101b.html

DESCRIPTION OF A LEVEL WRITING

The introduction engages the readers and clearly states a thoughtful, perceptive thesis; the support is concrete and so rich in detail that readers learn by reading the essay.

The ideas are logically organized to achieve maximum effect; transitions are graceful.

The writer is obviously comfortable with his or her material and knows enough about the subject to explain it in great detail.

http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/English/eng101a.html

WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

This standard of excellence in writing is not limited to English courses

Most majors require students to write long research papers and extensive lab reports of some kind

Excellent written communication is one of the most commonly stated required skills in job advertisements in ALL areas of the workforce

WRITING RESOURCES ON CAMPUS

Your BEST resource is the instructor for whom the assignment is due: they are the ones grading your paper!

WRITING RESOURCES ON CAMPUSCONT.Writing Lab: 412 Kent Libraryhttp://ustudies.semo.edu/writing/writing_lab.asp

FREE assistance Appointment is recommended if draft is longer than 10 pages. For any stage of the writing process from invention to revising your Works Cited page.

WRITING RESOURCES ON CAMPUS CONT.OWL: Online Writing Labhttp://ustudies.semo.edu/owl/class/index.htm

Submit a draft for review or send a question.Staff will reply within 24 hours.

HELPFUL LINKS

Guide to Writing a Basic Essayhttp://lklivingston.tripod.com/essay/index.html

Dr. Grammarhttp://www.drgrammar.org/

Purdue Owl (Work Cited Information)http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

Harvard Writing Centerhttp://www.fas.harvard.edu/~wricntr/

resources.html

Guide to Grammar and Writinghttp://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/

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