This class meets Tuesdays AND Thursdays.
I don’t know what I think until I write it down.” –Joan Didion
Engaging in academic writing is taking part in an ongoing conversation about the world. Whatever the subject, academic writers show an understanding of what others have said about a topic, where their own thoughts fit in, and how those thoughts advance the conversation. This requires reading critically, reflecting thoughtfully, and expressing ideas clearly. As Didion suggests, the act of writing in this way clarifies and sharpens what we think.
Academic Writing is a yearlong course that prepares students for the kinds of writing they’ll do in college and beyond. In the fall semester, we’ll develop an effective writing process, reviewing the basics of writing and responding to readings. We’ll look at how our audience and our purpose as writers affect how we present our ideas. And we’ll learn how to research a topic and document our sources. In the spring, we’ll continue to develop our skills in research and making an argument, using research to support our ideas, culminating in a research paper about a topic of interest.
**NOTE: This class has the option for dual enrollment. When enrolling, participants will be asked to select whether or not they would like to take this course for college credit. If taking the course for credit, a fee will be charged to offset the costs associated with accreditation, though we estimate these fees at near a third the cost to take the course independently. Additional assignments may be required of those opting to take it for college credit and traditional numeric grades will be given. College credit will be through Tompkins Cortland Community College for ENGL100 and ENGL101. This also fulfills the SUNY General Education Basic Communication requirement.**
Instructor: Nancy Holzner
Instructor Bio: Nancy Holzner is a writer and editor. She holds a Ph.D. in medieval English literature from Brown University and has taught at a wide variety of institutions, including Brown, Auburn University, Phillips Andover Academy, and Ithaca College, among others. Her published works include technical books, short stories, and seven novels, including the Deadtown urban fantasy series.
Required Materials: Pen or pencil, notebook, laptop encouraged by not required
Required Text: Academic Writing Now with Readings: A Brief Guide for Busy Students by David Starkey and Who’s Your Source? A Writer’s Guide to Effectively Evaluating and Ethically Using Resources by Melissa M. Bender and Karma Waltonen
Additional Materials Fee: $175/semester for those desiring college credit (participants can select to earn credit for one or both semesters)
TEEN DAY Ithaca 