Q Learning Objective: This activity will help you write effective essays using academic language and edit your own writing for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Directions: As you submit your first essay, I wanted us to talk a little bit about academic writing conventions. Academic writing is often formal and has to follow certain requirements. Being able to write academically will help you in other courses, but it will also help you in other communication, whether that is within your workplace or elsewhere is society. Step 1: To remind us of what that looks like, please watch the videos below and check out the handout after that. These will help as you write your draft of this essay this week. Some More Rules: 1. Avoid using contractions in formal writing (can't, won't, isn't, etc). 2. Try not to begin sentences with connecting words like "and," "but," "so" or a vague pronoun, like "this" or "it." 3. Avoid using phrases like "I think," "I believe," or "In my opinion." 4. Make sure you do not write like this is an email. Any written assignment for this course other than a reflective journal is formal writing. Slang, symbols and abbreviations are not accepted. Particularly offensive items include the following: & = and, b/c = because w/ = with, lol – laugh out loud, w/out = without, u=you. 5. Eliminate Passive Voice!!! While we may speak this way, this is not the most effective way to write. How do you prevent this? Make sure the subject of your sentence is actively completing the verb. Writing actively also eliminates wordiness, a. Passive – The paper was graded by the teacher b. ACTIVE – The teacher graded the paper. 6. Avoid overuse of direct quotes and paraphrased material. While these can work great as support, we want the majority of the essay to be your words, opinions, and analysis. If you want to know more, check out the The Dos and Don'ts of Academic Writing.Links to an external site. Step 2: Once you have watched the video and read through the rules, answer the following questions: 1. Do any of these rules surprise you? Have you been breaking any of them so far? 2. What three things did you learn from these lectures that will help you as you do your writing and revisions of Essay Project 1? 3. Do you have any questions on any of these rules? Submission Instructions: Follow these steps: • Click on “Submit Assignment.” • There is no file to submit. Just type directly into the text box. • Click Submit! Grading: By answering the questions above to the best of your ability and submitting your homework to Canvas, you will receive a “Complete” for this assignment. You will receive feedback within 48 hours of the assignment due date. Need Help? As you write, it may also help to review Understanding Your Assignment . If you need further assistance, please consider taking advantage of our Tutoring. Remember, you need to see a tutor in the next four weeks of the semester. Also, don't hesitate to email me with questions or concerns (kelly.allen@gcccd.edu or Canvas Inbox or Remind), make an office hour appointment or post questions to our Class Q&A Discussion. Submission Help: • How do I submit an online assignment? • How do I upload a file as an assignment submission in Canvas? • How do I upload a file from Google Drive as an assignment submission in Canvas? • How do I know when my assignment has been submitted? Finding Feedback Help: • How do I know when my instructor has graded my assignment? • How to Read (Access) Your Grades