Teaching format

WRIT 101 is taught through a process-based, writing workshop approach. Students are expected to engage in class discussion, participate in peer and small group exercises, complete practical writing activities, and analyse a variety of texts. Regular and on-going class participation and engagement with fellow students are important aspects of the workshop approach. Some writing activities may be conducted online via Blackboard assignment tasks or discussion forums.
 
Students are expected to attend ALL workshops unless prevented by illness, injury, bereavement, or some other circumstance. The reason for this requirement is that WRIT 101 is not an information-based course that allows you to catch up through borrowing of notes, access to lecture handouts, reviews of workshop PowerPoints, etc. Instead, WRIT 101 revolves around writing activities, peer engagement, and group-oriented learning activities that require on-going participation. Students who miss more than six hours of workshop contact time without satisfactory explanation will fail the mandatory course requirements.

Workload

The expected workload for a 20-point course is 200 hours spread over the trimester, including the mid trimester break. It is difficult to estimate the time you will spend on workshop assignments, since individuals vary markedly in their writing and reading processes and speeds. As a general guide, you should plan to use approximately 14-15 hours per week for writing, revising, reading, researching, and completing focused exercises. This applies for each of the 12 teaching weeks, for one week during the mid-semester break, and for the week following the end of teaching before the final assessment is due.

Additional classes

There are no tutorials for this course. The three-hour workshop each week is the only class time.

Texts

Required

This workbook is available at Vic Books on Kelburn campus. Students are also expected to purchase a 2-ring binder to contain and reference the workbook and course handouts.

• Wallace, D. & Ruegg, R. WRIT 101 Workbook: Becoming an Effective Writer and Researcher.

There are no required texts for this offering.

Recommended

• Hughes, J., & Wallace, D. (2010). Fit to Print: The Writing and Editing Style Guide for Aotearoa New Zealand. Wellington: Dunmore.
• Kane, T. (1988). New Oxford Guide to Writing. Oxford University Press.
• Miller, P. C., Ruegg, R., Araki, N., Agnello, M. & DeBoer, M. (2017).  The Concise APA Handbook. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Press.
• Mounsey, C. (2002). Essays and dissertations, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Peck, J., & Coyle, M. (1999). The Student’s Guide to Writing. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
• Sword, H. (2007). The Writer’s Diet. Auckland: Pearson.
• Williams, J. & Bizup, J. (2017).  Style:  Lessons in clarity and grace.  New York:  Pearson.