Connection to Your Major

Weeks 10-15

Connection to Your Major (CtM)

Mr. Turner majored in music and minored in Film Studies

Research a case in which music intersects with your major.

Visit a member of the faculty from your major area during their office hours. Introduce yourself, ask any questions you have about the major, internships, research, graduate school, or employment. Then ask about connections with music. Bring back a photo or signed business card.
Due 3/22
Create a bibliography of at least five sources in Chicago Notes-Bibliography format, including at least one book/eBook and one journal article. Set up an appointment with Bryan Nicholls or another Library staff member and bring back a photo or signed business card. *Due 3/27
Free-write a first draft: synthesize the information into 500-700 word essay; write it in one sitting (by hand is encouraged) and make no corrections or edits as you go. Don't stop writing until the essay is over. Let it be bad - we'll fix it later. Due 4/12
Revise into a second draft: reshape the first draft according to peer and instructor comments (including footnotes for citation). Visit the Writing Center and bring back a photo or signed business card for additional pass credit. Due 4/19
Final draft: make any final changes according to instructor comments and embed the file to your site. Be sure that a) all footnotes appear in the embedded copy, b) the Bibliography is included on a separate page at the end and formatted correctly and c) file sharing permissions will allow anyone with the link to view. Due 4/24

Writing Benchmarks and Tips

"500-700 words" might seem a little vague... or perhaps intimidating. Breaking the paper down into 10 "parts" and taking a general structure of introduction : body : conclusion, with the proportions 2 parts:7 parts :1 part, it might seem easier to manage. This will also help build a sense of how much is "enough," so that you don't end up "filling" the paper with unnecessary material.

Each paragraph should also do a job. You might consider making an outline that lists the purpose of each paragraph alongside or in adsdition to the topic and sources you plan to use.

Learning_to_Write_from_the_Masters_from_the_Inside-Out.pdf

Check out the short e-Book to the left as well: he insists that this technique is guaranteed to make your writing better. Even if you;re skeptical, what can it hurt, right? I'd liek to write better...

Finally, if it's easier to talk your thoughts out than to write them, use speech-to-text software. It's actually a feature of Google Docs, and MS Word.

Forbidden Words and Phrases

Heavily (except: "he fell heavily," or "he played metal heavily")
Greatly (except for "greatly diminished" - as Yoda said, "Adverbs not make one great")
Prevalent (never, under any circumstances)
In [source], it is stated that (be careful with "that" in general: "the fact that," "it is believed that," "they found that" all have to go)

In general, resist using the passive voice.

Final ePortfolio Showcase

The Final Showcase, on Tuesday, April 30 13, at 2:00, will be in the form of a "Virtual Poster" Session. We will set up around the room with laptops open. As our guests circulate through the room, you will take them through your websites to demonstrate the work you've done in the course, with a special emphasis on the CtM.

Between 4/8 and 4/27, invite at least three HPU Faculty and Staff (cc. me on the emails for credit) including the professor you visited earlier in the semester
My final evaluation of your site will be on 4/27. Neatness counts, and I will expect your site to have the same pages, in the same order as this model.
On 4/30: arrive around 1:30 to set up the room. Business casual is appropriate dress, and bring business cards if you have them: the goal is not only to present your work, but to make connections with the faculty and staff who will be your mentors and guides in the coming years. Make the most of the opportunity.

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