COM 170 Week 1 Subjects and Verbs

Instructions

Watch the following videos located in the Week One MyWritingLab Links:

• “Overview of How to Write a Paragraph: Recognizing a Paragraph”
• “Overview of How to Write a Paragraph: How to Write a Successful Paragraph”
• “Overview: Developing a Paragraph”
• “Verb Agreement”
• “Consistent Verb Tense and Active Voice”

Complete the following exercises in MyWritingLab:

• Identifying Subjects
• Commas
• Apostrophes
• Subjects and Verbs

Take a screenshot of your results and paste it into a Microsoft® Word document. Post it for review.

COM 170 Week 1 Paragraph Writing

Instructions

Write a 150- to 200-word paragraph describing the steps of your current writing approach. For example, how do you approach writing an assignment for a class? In addition, outline the ways your process differs from or is similar to the writing process outlined in your texts. This paragraph should follow the structure of an effective paragraph.

Underline your topic sentence.

Boldface your concluding sentence in the paragraph.

Use complete sentences, correct subject-verb agreement, and consistent verb tense in your paragraph.

Post your assignment as a Microsoft® Word attachment.

Review the additional resources from the Center for Writing Excellence for further support:

• Grammar Girl: “Understanding Voice and Tone in Writing”
• “Building Writing Confidence”
• Grammar Girl: “Subject-Verb Agreement”

Review the additional animations listed below located in the Week One  MyWritingLab Links for further support:

• “Subjects and Verbs”
• “Consistent Verb Tense”
• “Active Voice”

COM 170 Week 2 Commas and Apostrophes

Instructions

Watch the following videos located in the Week Two  MyWritingLab Links:

• “Commas”
• “Apostrophes”
• “The Writing Process”

Complete the following exercises in MyWritingLab:

• Commas
• Apostrophes
• The Writing Process

Take a screenshot of your results and paste it into a Microsoft® Word document. Post it for review.

COM 170 Week 2 Strategies for Selecting a Topic

Instructions

Resources: University of Phoenix Materials: Strategies for Selecting a Topic & Final Assignment Overview and Timeline & Ch. 8 of Writing for Success

Complete the University of Phoenix Material: Strategies for Selecting a Topic.

Watch the “Getting Started: Your Personal Ritual” video located in the Week Two  MyWritingLab Links.

Reflect on what you learned in “Getting Started: Your Personal Ritual”.

Write a 150- to 250-word paragraph describing the following:

• Your personal organization techniques for writing
• How your own writing process is changing as you complete the activities in this course
• Techniques you have learned for organization in writing that will help you stay focused

Use commas and apostrophes correctly in your written work.

Review these additional MyWritingLab resources:

• “Prewriting: Brainstorming”
• “Commas”
• “Apostrophes”

COM 170 Week 2 Rhetorical Modes Quiz

Instructions

Review Ch. 10 of Writing for Success.

View the following videos located in the Week Two  MyWritingLab Links:

• “Describing”
• “Narrating”
• “Illustrating”
• “Process”
• “Compare and Contrast”
• “Division and Classification”
• “Definition”
• “Cause and Effect”

Complete the University of Phoenix Material: Rhetorical Modes Quiz.

Review the following resources in the Center for Writing Excellence for further support:

• “Point of View”
• Grammar Girl: “What Is Point of View”

Rhetorical Modes Quiz

Complete the following chart to identify the purpose and structure of the various rhetorical modes used in academic writing. Provide at least two tips for writing each type of rhetorical device.

From Writing for Success by S. McLean. Irvington, NY: Flat World Knowledge. Reprinted with permission.

Select one of the topics below and determine at least one rhetorical mode that would be appropriate for addressing the topic you selected. Write 100 to 150 words explaining the topic you selected, the rhetorical mode, and why you think this mode is most appropriate for addressing your topic.

• Pollution
• Workplace proposal for a new initiative
• Arguing to change a law
• Building a new park in your town
• Climate change
• Profile of your best friend or a family member

COM 170 Week 3 Pronouns, Adjectives, and Adverbs

Instructions

Watch the following videos located in the Week Three  MyWritingLab Links:

• “Grammar and Usage: Adjectives”
• “Grammar and Usage: Adverbs”
• “Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement”
• “Pronoun Reference and Point of View”
• “Pronoun Case”

Complete the following exercises in MyWritingLab

• Adjectives
• Adverb
• Grammar and Usage: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
• Grammar and Usage: Pronoun Reference and Point of View
• Grammar and Usage: Pronoun Case

Take a screenshot of your results and paste it into a Microsoft® Word document. Post it for review.

COM 170 Week 3 Thesis Statements

Instructions

Access the Thesis Statement Activities in the Week Three  MyWritingLab Links.

Watch the “Thesis Statement: Writing a Thesis Statement” video.

Complete the Thesis Statement: Writing a Thesis Statement Exercise.

Take a screenshot of your results and paste it into a Microsoft® Word document. Submit to your instructor for review.

COM 170 Week 3 Thesis and Outline

Instructions

Resource: University of Phoenix Material: Thesis Statement and Outline

Complete the following using the University of Phoenix Material: Thesis Statement and Outline:

• Use the Thesis Equation in this week’s reading to develop a thesis statement for your academic essay.

• Write a single declarative thesis sentence that summarizes the main idea of your essay in 25 words or fewer and informs your readers of the intent of the paper

• Complete an outline for your final essay. The outline will be related to the topic you intend to compare and contrast, which was chosen and approved in Week One.

• Your outline must have at least three main points (I, II, III) related to your chosen topic (from the University of Phoenix Material: Strategies for Selecting a Topic).

• Your outline must also have at least an A and B under each main point.

• You can (but are not required to) use a 1 and 2 under the A and B level.

• Include your thesis statement at the top of your document (above your outline).

Use pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs correctly in your assignment.

Post your assignment as a single attachment.

COM 170 Week 4 Composition

Instructions

Watch the following videos located in the Week Four MyWritingLab Links:

• “Essay: Introductions, Conclusions, and Titles: Introductions”
• “Essay: Introductions, Conclusions, and Titles: Conclusions”
• “Essay: Introductions, Conclusions, and Titles: Titles”
• “Essay Organization”
• “Development of Body Paragraphs”

Complete the Comprehension Check question after each video.

Take a screenshot of your results on each Comprehension Check and paste it into a Microsoft® Word document. Post it for review.

COM 170 Week 4 Rough Draft

Instructions

Resource: University of Phoenix Material: Thesis Statement and Outline

Write a first draft of at least 800 words, based on your thesis statement and your outline from Week Three, and include an introduction, body, and a conclusion.

Note. Your final essay, due in Week Five, will be 1,050 to 1,400 words.

Develop an introductory paragraph for your essay. Include your thesis statement in this paragraph.

Develop topic sentences for appropriate types of supporting paragraphs for the body of your essay. Use your topic outline in University of Phoenix Material: Thesis Statement and Outline from Week Three  as a guide.

Develop a concluding paragraph to sum up the main ideas of your entire paper. Avoid adding any new information into the concluding paragraph.

Include appropriate transitions within and between paragraphs.

Submit your essay to Plagiarism Checker for feedback. Use the feedback to check your paper for potential plagiarism issues and make any necessary edits.

Post your draft essay as a Microsoft® Word attachment.

Review the additional writing resources from the Center for Writing Excellence for further support:

• “Topic Sentence”

COM 170 Week 5 Advanced Composition

Instructions

Watch the following videos in the Week Five MyWritingLab Links:

• “A Grammar and Usage Handbook: Varying Sentence Structure”
• “Revising the Essay”
• “Editing the Essay”
• “Combining Sentences”

Complete the following exercises:

• Revising the Essay
• Editing the Essay
• Combining Sentences
• Sentence Structure

Take a screenshot of your results on each Comprehension Check and paste it into a Microsoft® Word document. Post it for review.

COM 170 Week 5 Final Essay

Instructions

Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word final draft of your compare and contrast essay. Include the following elements in your essay:

• An introduction paragraph which includes your thesis statement
• At least three body paragraphs
• Appropriate transitions within and between paragraphs
• A conclusion paragraph
• Any revision or editing changes that should be incorporated from last week’s Revision Practice assignment

Post your paper as a Microsoft® Word attachment.

Review the additional writing resources from the Center for Writing Excellence for further support:

• “Transitions”
• “Sentence Variety”
• Grammar Girl: “Tips for Editing and Revising”
• Grammar Girl: “How to Use Transition Words”