Introduction to Graduate Writing – GRST 500

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

This course is designed to give students the skills they need to complete successful written projects in graduate-level courses. Students who pass the course will demonstrate proficiency in the following areas: grammar, punctuation, syntax, diction, organization, revision, documentation, and topic development.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

As Christian scholars, we bear a particular obligation to research, read, and write well so that the ideas and interpretations we advance will bring credit to our faith and our Father. To assist in this goal, GRST 500 students will receive personal care concerning their writing.

Course Assignment

Online textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Worksheet Assignments (4)

The worksheets will give the student practice with the principles learned in the course. To pass, the student will need to complete the practice exercise from the textbook.

Research Paper: Approval Form Assignment

The student will identify an upcoming research paper assignment from a concurrent course that he/she will use for GRST 500/501 and receive instructor approval of the topic, length, and number of sources.

Research Paper: Draft Assignment

The student will submit a draft to the GRST instructor and the Online Writing Center that must be 8 pages, contain 8 sources, and must be formatted in a current format guide (Turabian, MLA, or APA) according to his/her selected discipline. The draft must be submitted by the end of Week 6—no late drafts accepted without an officially documented excuse. It is encouraged that the student submits the draft earlier than the due date given.

Research Paper: Online Writing Center Feedback Assignment

The student will submit his/her OWC Feedback received from submitting his/her Research Paper to the Online Writing Center (OWC). It is encouraged that the student submits the paper earlier than the due date given as feedback from the tutor can take up to one week.

Research Paper: Revision and Report Assignment

The student will submit the final version of his/her Research Paper that has been revised according to the OWC and GRST instructor’s feedback. The final paper must be 8 pages, contain 8 sources, and must be formatted in a current format guide (Turabian, MLA, or APA) according to his/her selected discipline. In addition to the paper, the student must submit 10 revision report answers to questions provided by the GRST instructor.

Quizzes (3)

The quizzes are designed to focus the student’s attention on common writing errors and problems. Each quiz allows for multiple attempts and no specific score is needed to pass.

Quiz: Graduate Writing Assessment

This test provides both the student and the instructor with an idea of the student’s level of basic writing skills and level of critical thinking skills about writing and research.