Digital Options

LaunchPad Solo

Do assignments, take quizzes, prepare for exams and more, to help you achieve success in class.

Learn About LaunchPad Solo Schedule LaunchPad Solo Demo

Writer's Help

Search for help with your writing, quiz yourself to improve your grammar, and check out sample papers to help you learn more and improve your writing.

Learn About Writer's Help Schedule Writer's Help Demo

E-book

Read online (or offline) with all the highlighting and notetaking tools you need to be successful in this course.

Learn About E-book

Table of Contents

Part 1: Joining the Conversation            

Chapter 1 Getting Started
1a           How can I research and write with confidence?                    
                    Think of writing as a form of conversation
                    Understand the rhetorical nature of writing situations
                    Understand and manage your research writing processes
1b           How can I approach an assignment?
                    Consider your writing situation
                    Generate ideas about potential topics
                    Choose an appropriate topic
 
Chapter 2 Exploring and focusing   
2a           How can I explore my topic?
                    Create a plan to explore your topic
                    Discuss your topic with others
                    Conduct preliminary observations
                    Identify useful types of sources
                    Find sources    
2b           How can I focus on an issue?
                    Identify conversations about issues in your topic
                    Assess your interest in the issues
                    Choose an issue                 
                                
Chapter 3 Developing Your Research Question and Proposal          
3a           How can I develop my research question?          
                    Reflect on your issue and disciplinary context
                    Focus on your role
                    Focus on an aspect of your issue
                    Choose and focus your research question
                    Refine your research question

Part 2: Working with Sources  
Chapter  4  Reading Critically and Actively  
4a           How can I read sources critically?
                    Read with an attitude
                    Distinguish between critical reading and evaluating
                    Approach a source with your writing situation in mind
                    Read promising sources more than once
                    Develop a position on your research question
4b           What strategies can I use to read actively?   
                    Skim for organization and content
                    Mark and annotate sources
                    Take notes
4c            What should I pay attention to as I read?          
                    Identify the genre
                    Note illustrations
                    Identify primary and secondary sources
                    Identify main points
                    Identify reasons and evidence
                    Identify interpretive frameworks
                    Identify new and hard-to-understand information
                    Identify similarities and differences
 
Chapter  5 Evaluating Sources        
5a           What factors should I use to evaluate a source?
                    Evaluate relevance
                    Evaluate evidence
                    Evaluate the author
                    Evaluate the publisher
                    Evaluate timeliness
                    Evaluate comprehensiveness
                    Evaluate genre
5b           Should I evaluate all types of sources in the same way?
                    Evaluate the relevance and credibility of digital sources
                    Evaluate the relevance and accuracy of field sources

Chapter  6 Taking notes    
6a           Why should I take notes?           
6b           How can I take notes? 
                    Choose a method and use it consistently
                    Quote directly
                    Paraphrase
                    Summarize  
6c            How can I use my notes to improve my understanding of an issue?    
                    Record your reactions and impressions
                    Compare sources
                    Classify sources
                    Plan your document 
 
Chapter  7  Working with Information, Arguments, and Genres
7a           What should I know about academic writing? 
                    Understand academic genres
                    Understand how to develop an academic argument
                    Understand the role of "intermediate" genres
7b           How can I create and use a bibliography?
                    Create a working bibliography
                    Create an annotated bibliography
7c           How can I summarize sources?
                    Write a main-point summary
                    Wite a key-points summary
                    Write an outline summary
7d           How can I respond to sources?
                    Write an agree/disagree response
                    Write a reflective response
                    Write an analytic response
                    Write an evaluative response
7e            How can I respond to sources?
                    Explore ideas through informal writing
                    Create a review of literature
7f            How can I create a research proposal?
                    Identify your topic, issue, and research question
                    Provide a review of literature
                    Explain how you’ll collect information
                    Develop a project timeline
                    Compile a working or an annotated bibliography
                    Clarify and elaborate on your core proposal

Chapter 8  Managing Information
8a            How can I save and organize print information?
8b            How can I save and organize digital information?

Chapter  9  Avoiding Plagiarism       
9a           What is plagiarism?  
                    Unintentional plagiarism
                    Intentional plagiarism
                    Plagiarism in group projects
9b           What are research ethics?         
9c           What is common knowledge?  
9d           What is fair use and when should I ask permission to use a source?        
9e           How can I avoid plagiarism?
                    Conduct a knowledge inventory
                    Take notes carefully
                    As you draft, distinguish between your ideas and ideas in your sources
                    Identify sources in your document
                    Understand why writers plagiarize
9f            What should I do if I’m accused of plagiarism?   
 

Part 3 Collecting Information  
Chapter 10 Searching for Information
10a         How can I prepare to search digital resources?     
                    Review your research plan and proposal
                    Identify keywords and phrases
                    Plan basic searches
                    Plan advanced searches
10b         How can I locate sources using digital tools?
                    Search library catalogs
                    Search databases
                    Serach the Web    
                    Search media sites     
10c         How can I locate sources using print resources?                      
                    Discuss your search plan with a librarian
                    Visit the library stacks
                    Browse periodicals
                    Check reference works                            
                              
Chapter  11 Collecting Information with Field Research
11a         When should I use field research methods?      
11b         How can I conduct an interview?     
                    Plan your interview
                    Decide what you should ask
                    Conduct your interview
                    Analyze your results         
11c         How can I conduct an observation?           
                    Plan your observation
                    Conduct your observation
                    Analyze your results
11d         How can I conduct a survey?    
                    Plan your survey
                    Conduct your survey
                    Analyze your results
11e         How can I engage in other forms of field research?  
                    Engage in correspondence
                    Attend public events
                    Collaborate with others             
 
Part 4 Creating Your Document     
       
Chapter  12 Developing Your Thesis Statement        
12a         How can I prepare to draft my thesis statement?      
                    Review your position statement
                    Review your notes
                    Consider your purpose and role
                    Reflect on your readers      
12b         How can I develop an effective thesis statement?    
                   Identify important information, ideas, and arguments associated with your position
 
Chapter  13 Developing and organizing Your Argument         
13a         How can I develop my argument?  
                    Choose reasons to support your main point
                    Select evidence to support your reasons
                    Decide how to appeal to your readers
                    Decide how to address opposing arguments
                    Check for logical fallacies        
13b         How can I organize my argument?     
                    Choose an organizing pattern
                    Review and arrange your evidence
                    Create an outline   
 
Chapter  14 Drafting              
14a         How can I help my readers follow my argument?   
                    Work from an outline
                    Create paragraphs that focus on a central idea
                    Create paragraphs that use appropriate organizing patterns
                    Create transition within and between paragraphs
                    Provide cues to keep your readers on track
                    Integrate information from sources effectively         
14b         How can I write with style and engage my readers?
                    Use details to capture your readers’ attention
                    Write clearly and concisely
                    Write actively (most of the time)
                    Adopt a consistent point of view
                    Vary your sentence structure
                    Avoid sexist language
                    Consult a good handbook
14c         How can I use my introduction to frame my issue?
                    Call attention to an aspect of the issue
                    Choose an appropriate strategy for your introduction         
14d         How can I use my conclusion to frame my issue?       
                    Reinforce your argument
                    Select an appropriate strategy for your conclusion      
 
Chapter  15 Using Sources effectively           
15a         How can I use sources to accomplish my purposes as a writer?  
                    Introduce an idea or argument
                    Contrast ideas or arguments
                    Provide evidence for your argument
                    Align your argument with an authority
                    Define a concept, illustrate a process, or clarify a statement
                    Set a mood
                    Provide an example
                    Amplify or qualify a point
15b         How can I integrate sources into my draft?      
                    Identify your sources
                    Quote strategically
                    Paraphrase information, ideas, and arguments
                    Summarize
                    Present numerical information
                    Use images, audio, video, and animations
15c         How should I document my sources?   
15d         How can I ensure I’ve avoided unintentional plagiarism?        
                    Quote, paraphrase, and summarize accurately and appropriately
                    Distinguish between your ideas and ideas in your sources
                    Check for unattributed sources in your document 
 
Chapter  16  Designing Documents  
16a         What role does design play in my document?      
                    Understand design principles
                    Design for a purpose
                    Design for your readers
                    Design to address genre conventions       
16b         What design elements can I use?       
                    Use fonts, line spacing, and alignment
                    Use page layout elements
                    Use color, shading, borders, and rules
                    Use illustrations                                              
16c         How can I design my document?
                    Design an academic essay
                    Design a multimodal essay
                    Design an article
                    Design a website                             
                              
Chapter  17 Revising and editing      
17a         What should I focus on as I revise my document?          
                    Consider your writing situation
                    Consider your argument and ideas
                    Consider your use and integration of sources
                    Consider the structure and organization of your document
                    Consider genre and design
17b         What strategies should I use to revise? 
                    Save multiple drafts
                    Highlight your main point, reasons, and evidence
                    Challenge your assumptions
                    Scan, outline, and map your document
                    Ask for feedback
17c         What should I focus on as I edit my document?
                    Focus on accuracy
                    Focus on economy
                    Focus on consistency
                    Focus on style
                    Focus on spelling, grammar, and punctuation
17d         What strategies should I use to edit? 
                    Read carefully
                    Mark and search your document
                    Use spelling, grammar, and style tools with caution
                    Ask for feedback 
 
Chapter 18  Presenting Your Work  
18a         How can I make an oral presentation?  
                    Consider your purpose and audience
                    Narrow your scope
                    Create a barebones outline
                    Think about language
                    Prepare speaker’s notes
                    Engage with your audience
                    View speaker’s notes
18b         How can I give a multimedia presentation?      
                    Consider your purpose
                    Consider audience expectations about design
                    View a multimedia presentation
18c         How can I create a poster presentation?
                    Consider your purpose and audience
                    Consider audience expectations about design
                    View a poster                            
18d         How can I develop a portfolio? 
                    Consider your writing situation
                    Select your materials
                    Choose a publishing tool
                    Design your portfolio
 
Documenting Sources  
 
Chapter  19 Understanding Documentation Systems             
19a         What is a documentation system and which one should I use? 
19b         How should I document my sources?   
 
Chapter 20 Using MLA Style             
20a         How do I cite sources within the text of my document?
20b         How do I prepare the list of works cited?            
 
Chapter 21 Using APA Style              
21a         How do I cite sources within the text of my document?
21b         How do I prepare the reference list?    
 
Chapter 22 Using Chicago Style       
22a         How do I cite sources within the text of my document?
22b         How do I format notes and prepare the bibliography?  
 
Chapter  23 Using CSE Style
23a         How do I cite sources within the text of my document?
23b         How do I prepare the reference list?   

Authors

Mike Palmquist

Mike Palmquist is Professor of English and University Distinguished Teaching Scholar at Colorado State University. Prior to returning to his role as a faculty member in the 2020-’21 academic year, Mike served for fourteen years in various university leadership roles, including founding director of the Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT), director of CSU Online (CSU’s Division of Continuing Education), and Associate Provost for Instructional Innovation. His scholarly interests include writing across the curriculum, the effects of computer and network technologies on writing instruction, and new approaches to scholarly publishing. Mike's work has appeared in journals including College English, College Composition and Communication, ADE Bulletin, Computers and Composition, Kairos, Written Communication, Writing Program Administration, Marketing Education Review, IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, and Social Forces, as well as in edited collections. Since 1992, he has coordinated the development of WAC Clearinghouse, a publishing collaborative that provides open-access to more than 125 scholarly books, several academic journals, and a wide range of instructional and professional resources. Mike is the author of several books, including the textbooks In Conversation, Joining the Conversation: Writing in College and Beyond, The Bedford Researcher, and Designing Writing, all published by Bedford/St. Martin's. He is co-author, with Kate Kiefer, Jake Hartvigsen, and Barbara Godlew, of Transitions: Teaching Writing in Computer-Supported and Traditional Classrooms, published in 1998 by Ablex, and co-author, with Don Zimmerman, of Writing with a Computer, published in 1999 by Allyn and Bacon. Mike is a member-at-large of the executive board of the Association for Writing Across the Curriculum, a trustee of the University Press of Colorado, and a member of the editorial boards of several journals. He served as chair of the National Council of Teachers of English College Section Steering Committee and as a member of the NCTE Executive Committee from 2009 to 2011. He served as chair of the NCTE College Section Steering Committee Working Group on the Status and Working Conditions of Contingent Faculty, whose policy statement and recommendations were endorsed by the NCTE Executive Committee and published on the NCTE website in 2010. In 2004, Mike was the recipient of the Charles Moran Award for Distinguished Contributions to the Field, awarded by Computers and Composition. In 2006, he was presented with the Outstanding Technology Innovator by the CCCC Committee on Computers in Composition and Communication. He was named a University Distinguished Teaching Scholar in 2000.

Related Titles