(no subject)

[eleneariel]

I got the last spot in the Comp. I class. The last spot. I told God I'd like some confirmation that I was doing the right thing--guess I got it!

Now, anyone care to tell me what you DO in a composition class? I am seriously fairly clueless, although I know there are five "major" writing assignments. I really don't know what kind of writing, but I'm not very worried.

Comments

[melyndie.livejournal.com]

Well, I took an advanced composition class last semester, and it was all query and article writing. We had five assignments--for each we had to write a query letter, send it to a publication of our choice, and write an article to go with it. Talk about fun! :-D

I don't think all composition classes are like that, though. I imagine you'll be writing in different modes....rhetoric essays, maybe something in the classical or rogerian modes, argumentative papers, etc. All that can be quite fun to do if you like writing, which you do. :-D

[eattheolives.livejournal.com]

I think it's practicing writing in various styles. Which isn't that scary--except that I've never had to worry much about getting the form right (such as absolute-properly-correct footnoting, bibliography, etc.), and have concentrated almost entirely on the actual writing. The writing I know I can do: the rest I'll not so sure! Guess I'll learn. Still, if anyone could point me to some good websites explaning how to write college papers, that would be terrific. =D

[melyndie.livejournal.com]

The form will come very easily to you. I had never heard of some of the formats before (I had only written one research paper prior to entering college), but I caught on right away. Meanwhile the other students, who had been exposed to it before, still floundered. Then in that one semester, I became a writing tutor and got paid to help them figure it out--O the irony! It's anything a homeschooler could understand blindfolded. You'll do fine.

As far as I understand it, all English departments use the MLA (Modern Language Association) format for all their papers. Here is what you need: http://www.mla.org/cgi-shl/hazel.exe?action=detail&template=bookinfo.html&item=S178

Diana Hacker also writes a good MLA manual that includes other writing how-tos: A Writer's Reference.

I'm sure your library would have an MLA handbook. Just make sure it's the latest edition. They've already gone through at least two editions since I've been in college.