Communications I Skills Assessment Exam This Week: Review

Most of the questions on the test are covered in pages 1-45 of your Subjects and Strategies book:

• Techniques to Get the Most out of your Reading
• The Stages of Writing
• What Makes a Good Thesis Statement
• Intro Techniques
• Conclusion Techniques
• Run-ons
• Fragments
• Commas

Bring paper and pen, and remember you are allowed to use your notes for the exam.

Library Class is Monday, January 24th

Just a reminder that unless Lindenwood cancels classes due to weather, we will meet at Butler Library for our extra class. Bring everything you need to start doing research (a flash drive is a good idea if you have one).

We will at the front desk at 6 p.m.

Class Announcements

I am keeping an eye on the weather. Lindenwood will announce it on the news if they cancel our class, so be sure to check before you leave. If so, I will try to schedule us a room for Thursday night.

Right now, it looks like it won't start until after class has concluded, so stay tuned.

We are experiencing technical difficulties....

Hello everyone. For some reason I have not been able to access my Lindenwood email this week through the new portal, so if you need to get in touch with me, forward your email to triciagrissom at gmail.com.

Also, remember to submit your paper to turnitin.com.

Winter Quarter 2011 Class Westport Turnitin.com Information & Extra Class

Hello everyone,

To register at turnitin.com, go to the website and create an account and join our class using our class's section number: 3748402. You will also need the password, which I will give to you during class tomorrow night.

The extra class, a library orientation, will be on Monday, January 24 at Butler Library starting at 6 p.m. I will update you as we get closer to the date. See you tomorrow night.

Five Tips for Starting the Communications Cluster

1. Fear Not
Many of you have been out of school for years or even decades. This is not necessarily a disadvantage. You are here to learn how to write essays and research papers, so if you aren't sure how to do that, you are in exactly the right place. Sometimes after I have reviewed the first assignments, I recommend some students take a writing review class before attempting the Communications Cluster because we don't have much time for extensive work on the basics. Lindenwood is offering a class starting in the Spring of 2009 that helps students get their writing skills in shape.

2. Polish Your Skills
Some of you are already effective writers, but even the best writers can stand to review the rules once in awhile. So if you have a basic understanding of writing for college, use this class as an opportunity to make your writing even better and more polished.

3. Stock Up
You will need at least four folders: Two for turning in assignments, one for class handouts, and one for storing research paper sources/info. You will also want a notebook for notes and plenty of pens.

4. Take Notes
Part of your participation is taking notes and staying informed on deadlines and other class details. Because you are allowed to use notes on our tests, clear and comprehensive notes can be a big advantage. When you start taking notes, put the class date at the top of the page and mark important/major points with stars or underlining to help keep them organized.

5. Read the Instructions
Many of the questions you might have can be answered by the handouts you get in class. I absolutely do not mind answering questions, but why wait for a response from me on an assignment if you already have it at your fingertips in a handout?