University Writing Program

The 10- to 12-page research essay builds on the lens essay as it asks students to use multiple lenses and engage in close reading to make an original argument. As the first part of the research process, students prepare a research proposal (graded on completion) that includes their assessment of the literature on the topic, their proposed methodology, an annotated bibliography, and a weekly timeline.

Assignment Sequences

• Sample Research Unit Assignment Sequence — includes instuctions for Pre-Drafts, Research Proposal, and Research Paper — Martha Lagase
• Research Proposal Instructions — Patrick Kindig
  

Finding a Topic

• Paper Topic: Group Exercise —Elissa Jacobs [DOCX]  [GDOC]
• Articulating Your Research Project
• Video: Picking Your Topic IS Research! — NC State University Libraries

Finding and Organizing Sources

• Getting Started
• Locating Sources at Brandeis
• Research Help
• Reference Tools
• Zotero
• Citation Systems and Formatting — Library Research Guide 

Evaluating Sources

• Harvard Guide to Using Sources 
• Evaluating Online Information — scholarship, news, websites, social media — Library Research Guide 
• Scholarly vs. Non-Scholarly Journal Articles (DOCX | PDF)
• Scholarly, Popular, and Industry Sources — adapted by Doug Kirshen
• Major Types of Scholarly Sources (PDF) — Doug Kirshen
• Evaluating Journals: Impact and More —Library Research Guide 
• How to Skim a Book or Article
• Is This Book Relevant to My Research? — Presentation — Infographic (PDF) 
• Is This Article Relevant to My Research? — Presentation—Infographic (PDF) 
• Source Information Form — Doug Kirshen
• How to Read a Science Paper (DOCX | PDF)
• Assessing Sources Exercise (DOCX | PDF) — Catherine Scott
• Assessing a Literature Review Exercise (DOCX | PDF) — Catherine Scott

Integrating Sources

• Integrating Sources — Hacker, Diana & Nancy Sommers, Rules for Writers, 8th ed.
• Active Verbs for Discussing Ideas —  (DOCX | PDF)
• They Say/I Say (DOCX | PDF)  —Adapted from Graf, Birkenstein, & Durst, 2006
• What to Do with Sources (excerpt from Writing Analytically)
• Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing — Purdue OWL
• Summary, Paraphrase, and Quotation in Context —Purdue OWL in-class exercise
• Integrating Quotation or Paraphrase from Outside Sources — Lisa Rourke
• Research Paragraph Analysis
• Staging a Critical Conversation as a Counterargument (PDF) — Doug Kirshen

Research Presentations

• General Guidelines—Lisa Rourke
• Sample Presentation—Murad Berdyklychev
• Using Zoom for Student Presentations—Bofang Li

See Also

RESEARCH PAPERS AND PROPOSALS FROM WRITE NOW!

selections from the uws exercise book & Writing Center 

Style and Citation Guides

• Citation Systems and Formatting
• APA Format and Style Guide at Purdue OWL
• MLA Format and Style Guide at Purdue OWL
• MLA quick guide and Practice Template — MLA Style Center

Plagiarism

• Avoiding Plagiarism Handout [DOCX]
• Harvard Guide to Using Sources — Avoiding Plagiarism —
• Mosaic Plagiarism Slides [PPT]
  • Exercise [DOCX]
  • Exercise Answer [DOCX]
  • Exercise Sources [PDF]
• MLA Style Center: Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty
  
• MLA Handbook  — OneSearch or OpenAthens Login
  • Why Plagiarism is a Serious Matter
  • Avoiding Plagiarism
  • When Documentation is Not Needed
• Plagiarism Infographic [PDF] — Emily Meyers, UCONN
• Plagiarism Tutorial and Games/Quiz — Elissa Jacobs
• Plagiarism Jeopardy — Elissa Jacobs
• Paraphrase: Write It in Your Own Words — Purdue OWL
• Test your Plagiarism Detection Skills—Cornell

• Elements of the Academic Essay —Gordon Harvey
• Elements of the Academic Essay — adapted by Elissa Jacobs

Thesis

• Tips for Writing an Effective Thesis Statement
• Weak and Strong Thesis Statements
• Thesis Statements — Queen's University
• Five Kinds of Weak Thesis Statement and How to Fix Them — Writing Analytically
• Making a Thesis Evolve
• See also: UWS Exercise Book, pp. 13-34.

Motive

• Asking an Analytical Question — adapted from Kerry Walk
• Idea and Motive — adapted from Kerry Walk
• Explaining Motive — Nick Van Kley
• Motivation — adapted from Joseph Williams
• See also: UWS Exercise Book, pp. 35-54.

Evidence and Analysis

• UWS Exercise Book, pp. 56-104.

Structure and Stiching

• Structure Exercieses—Amy Easton-Flake
• Revising Drafts — UNC Writing Center
• Building a Snowman — (JPG | PDF)
• Structure Infographic (PDF) — Allison Giannotti
• Transitions — Queen's University

• UWS Exercise Book: Structure & Transition pp. 106-139.

Introductions and Conclusions

• Introduction Paragraphs, adapted from Yale Writing Center
• Introductions, UNC Writing Center
• Ineffective introductions
• Introductions
• Conclusion Paragraphs, adapted from Yale Writing Center
• Conclusions, UNC Writing Center
• Conclusion ideas
• Conclusions (quick tips)
• See also: UWS Exercise Book, pp. 140-165.

Titles and Openers

• How Do I Write a Great Title? 
• Opener/Hook/Prelude 
• Openers from Award-Winning Brandeis Student Papers
• See also UWS Exercise Book: Openers, pp. 141-143, 148-150.  

General Resources

• MLA Handbook — Guide to English Grammar — OpenAthens login
• Purdue OWL
• UNC Writing Center — Tips and Tools
• Purdue OWL Exercises  — grammar, punctuation, sentences, etc.

Formating a Paper

• APA Student Paper Format  — Purdue OWL
• APA Sample Student Paper — Purdue OWL
• APA Student Paper Template — creates a new DOCX file in Google Drive; download to edit it in MS Word
• MLA Format and Style Guide  — Purdue OWL

• MLA Sample Paper — Purdue OWL

Sentences

• Sentence Patterns — UNC Writing Center
• Basic Sentence Types and Modifying Phrases — Scott Moore
• Attending to Style: Basic Principles of the Sentence — Washington University

• Sentence Building — Queen's University

Paragraphing

• Paragraphs — UNC Writing Center
• Introduction Paragraphs  — Yale Writing Center — video
• Body Paragraphs — Yale Writing Center — video
• Topic Sentences (SLIDES / PPT)
• Conclusion Paragraphs — Yale Writing Center — video

Punctuation

• Punctuation Cheat Sheet — Doug Kirshen
• Punctuation Exercises — Purdue OWL
• Comma Rules and Practice — Lisa Rourke
• Comma, Semicolon, Dash, Parentheses, Brackets — Hacker, Rules for Writers, 5th ed.
• Quotation Marks  — Hacker & Somers, Rules for Writers, 8th ed.
• Quoting and Formatting Quotations — UNC Writing Center

Structure & Stiching

• Structure Exercieses—Amy Easton-Flake
• Revising Drafts — UNC Writing Center
• Building a Snowman — (JPG | PDF)
• Structure Infographic (PDF) — Allison Giannotti
• UWS Exercise Book: Structure & Transition pp. 106-139.

Revision

• Reverse Outlining—revision and restructure technique
• Revising Drafts — UNC Writing Center

Editing

• Self-editing checklist — Queen's University
• Eliminating wordiness— Queen's University
• Tone: Write like a scholar — Queen's University

See Also:

selections from THE UWS EXERCISE BOOK

Grades, Comments, Conferences, Peer Review

Grading

• Grading Philosophy
• UWS Grading Rubric

• Assignment-Specific Guidelines and Checklist

• Grading Tips

Commenting

• Commenting on Student Writing
• Sample Final Draft Comments
• Feedback & Assessment — Writing Resources for Faculty
• Alternatives to Traditional Feedback — Elissa Jacobs and Paige Eggebrecht
• Time-Saving, Student-Centered Feedback — Elissa Jacobs and Paige Eggebrecht 

Conferencing

• Helpful Strategies —Nick Van Kley
• Reflections — Adam Rutledge
• Using the Appointments Feature on Google Calendar (video)

Peer Review

• Peer Review Instructions (DOCX)
• Peer Review Instructions (DOCX) — Paige Eggebrecht
• Suggestions for Peer Review — Adam Rutledge
• Beyond Critique: Alternative Ways for Writers to Respond to Other Writers (PDF) — from Writing Analytically, in UWP Faculty Library & Brandeis Library: PE1408. R69 2019 
• Ron DePeter, “How to Write Meaningful Peer Response Praise” (PDF)
• Jillian Grauman, “What’s That Supposed to Mean? Using Feedback on Your Writing” (PDF)

For Instructors: Facilitating Participation

• Icebreaker Questions and Ideas (DOCX | PDF)
• Learning about Learning (in a Writing Class) (DOCX | PDF)
• The Thoughts and Questions Method – "It Changes Everything!" The Simple Change that Fundamentally Alters Teaching and Learning — Dan Pearlman — (DOCX | PDF)
• Tips for Leading a Classroom Discussion (DOCX | PDF)
• Tips for Leading Discussion — Brandeis CTL
• Tips for Teaching International Students (DOCX | PDF)

For Students: Reading, Studying, Participating

• Student Study Habits Survey — Texas A&M — (PDF)
• 10 Rules of Good Studying — Barbara Oakley — (PDF)
• Speak Up: How to Talk in Class — Interactive Lessons — Queen's University
• Reading and Notetaking — Queen's University

For Students: Managing Your Writing & Overcoming Obstacles

The following online guides and tutorials from Queens University in Canada offer assignment strategies and address common stumbling blocks for first-year students, including those who struggle in UWS:

Managing your Writing

Overcoming Obstacles

• Focus and Concentration
• Motivation and Procrastination 
• Perfectionism
• Time Management
• Academic Stress
• Language: See English Language Programs

TED Talk: “Self-Worth Theory: The Key to Understanding & Overcoming Procrastination”

Free Resources for Students 

• Brandeis Emergency Fund
• Laptop and Equipment Loans at the Library 
• Medical Services
• Mental Health 
• Microsoft Office 365 plus 
• New York Times Online
• Wall Street Journal

Failing or Struggling Students

• Inform Lisa Rourke & Katrin Fischer and cc them on all correspondence 
• Academic Advising — Email their Advisor 
• Academic Alert Form —aka Mid-Semester Performance Alert

Students in Crisis

• EMERGENCY: 781-736-3333 —Brandeis Public Safety
• Support at Brandeis — brandeis.edu/support
• Care Team — brandeis.edu/care 
• Brandeis Counseling Center (BCC) — brandeis.edu/counseling
• Prevention, Advocacy & Resource Center (PARC) — sexual assault, dating violence, stalking
• Chaplaincy 

UWP Faculty Library, Rabb 205

Books are in the UWP Office, Rabb Graduate Center 205. Please sign them out when borrowing. Some items are also in the Brandeis Library—click call number to request. See also: Zotero Shared Library.

Pedagogy

• AI and Writing. Dobrin, Sidney I., 2023. In Brandeis Library only. PN171.T43 D63 2023
• Cross-Talk in Comp Theory: a Reader. 3rd edn. Eds. Villanueva, Victor, and Kristin L. Arola. NCTE, 2011. See: Full Table of Contents. Selections:
  • "Teach Writing as a Process, Not Product." Murray, Donald M.  (PDF), pp. 3-6.
  • "Writing as a Mode of Learning." Emig, Janet.  (PDF), pp. 7-16.
  • "A Discourse-Centered Rhetoric of the Paragraph.  Paul C. Rodgers, Jr. (PDF), 175.
  • "The Frequency and Placement of Topic Sentences in Expository Prose. Richard Braddock.  (PDF), 189.
  • "Grammar, Grammars, and the Teaching of Grammar." Patrick Hartwell. (PDF), 205.
  • "Contemporary Composition: The Major Pedagogical Theories." James A. Berlin. (PDF), 235.

• Linguistic Justice on Campus: Pedagogy and Advocacy for Multilingual Students. Schreiber, Brooke R., et al., editors.  Multilingual Matters, 2022. Online Access Only.
• "Process Pedagogy." Lad Tobin, 2001. (PDF)
• Writing Across Contexts: Transfer, Composition, and Sites of Writing. Kathleen Yancey et al. Online Access Only.

Transfer: Writing in the Disciplines

• Decoding the Disciplines: Helping Students Learn Disciplinary Thinking. Pace &. Middendorf, 2004.
  
• The Elements of Teaching Writing: for Instructors in All Disciplines. Gottschalk & Hjortshoj, 2004.
• A TA’s Guide for Teaching Writing in All Disciplines. Hedengren, Beth Finch. 2004.
• Writing Across Contexts — Kathleen Yancey et al. — Online Access Only
• "Writing in Academic Fields of Study" — Norton Field Guide to Writing. (PDF)
• Writing in Anthropology: A Brief Guide. Brown, Shan-Estelle. Oxford UP, 2017. GN307.7 B76 2017
• Writing in Biology: A Brief Guide. Roldan, Leslie. Oxford UP, 2016. QH304.R65 2016
• Writing History : A Guide for Students. Oxford UP. In Brandeis Library ONLY— D16.S864 2021 — D16.S864 1999
• Writing in Music: A Brief Guide. Rogers, Lynne. Oxford UP, 2020. ML3797. R64 2020
• Writing in the Life Sciences. Greene, Laurence S. Oxford UP, 2010. — R118 .G74 2010
• Writing Philosophy: A Student’s Guide to Reading and Writing Philosophy Essays. Oxford UP, 2018 — B52.7 .V38 2018
• Writing in Political Science: A Brief Guide. LaVaque-Manty, Danielle. Oxford UP, 2015. JA86. L38 2015
• Writing in the Social Sciences. Muller, Jake, 2015. PE1479.S62 M85 2015
• Writing in Sociology: A Brief Guide. Moskovitz, Cary. Oxford UP, 2017. QH304. R65 2016

Textbooks & Handbooks

• Convergences: Themes, Texts, and Images for Composition: 3rd edn. Atwan, Robert., 2009.
• The Craft of Research. 4th ed. Booth, Colomb, Williams, & FitzGerald , 2016. Online Access. 
  
• Envision: Writing and Researching Arguments. 5th edn, 2018.
• Everyday Arguments. 3rd edn, 2009.
• MLA Handbook, 9th (2021). Online Access Only. Includes Citation, Grammar, Punctuation, Inclusive Language, Plagiarism, Annotated Bibliographies, and Quoting and Paraphrasing Sources. See also: MLA Style Center.
• MLA Handbook, 7^th
• Mosaics: Reading and Writing Sentences. 4th edn., 2012.
• Rules for Writers, Instructor's Edition. Hacker, Diana, and Nancy Somers. 9th edition, Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2018. Various editions, instructor’s edition, exercises book. PE1408 .H277 2004
• Seeing and Writing 2 and 4 with teacher’s guides. McQuade, Donald, and Christine McQuade. 
• Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace, 10^th and 12^th editions. Joseph Williams et al.
• They Say / I Say. Graff, Gerald and Cathy Birkenstein. PE1431 .G73 2021. Brandeis Library has several editions. 
• Writing Analytically. 8th ed.,Rosenwasser, David, and Jill Stephen. Cengage, 2019. PE1408. R69 2019
• Writing Analytically. 4th ed., 2006.  In Brandeis Library only. PE1408.R69 2006
• Writing in Response 2nd Ed. 2016 Parfitt, Matthew. with teacher's guide. 
• Writing Worth Reading and teacher’s guide. Packer, Nancy Huddleston and John Timpane.

Online Resources

• A Guide to Rhetoric, Genre, and Success in First-Year Writing, Melanie Gagich & Emilie Zickel (open access resource) 
  
• Handouts and Exercises 
  
• Open-Access Resources (OAR) for Students 
• UWS Exercise Book
  
• Write Now!