academic writing

Research is Fun [Weird!]

| Marisa Donnelly

In my opinion, teaching students to write in first person (about themselves, their life experiences, their reflections, etc.) is much easier than teaching students to write academically or write research papers. That is why I like this strategy: Research is Fun, because I think that finding new ways to teach research/professional writing is essential for engaging them in the classroom content. Continue reading →

Frame-Up

| Marisa Donnelly

‘Frame Up’ is a writing strategy that I love because I think that it is a great way to help students shape their academic essays. A huge problem students have with essay writing is that they aren’t sure how to begin. For the most part, students understand what a thesis statement is, they just don’t know how to actually write one or incorporate one into an introductory paragraph. Continue reading →

Volunteerism to Inspire Research/Writing

| Marisa Donnelly

Using volunteerism to inspire research and writing:

First, students will be given a list of local places in the community. The students are given the freedom to choose one that connects with them personally, research some background on it—go there, talk to people, go on a tour, etc. and then begin several different reports on what they discovered. The reports will serve as both pre-writing and actual writing activities. Students will talk about what the facility looks like, and then create an Objective Report, a Profile/Personal Interview, an Investigative Report, a Letter to the organization, and an Evaluation Essay. Continue reading →