Center For Writing Excellence

Laura Kelly

Long Writing Assignment for Students

2005 Workshop on Improving Student Writing

Center for Writing Excellence

Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching

INTRODUCTION FOR FACULTY TO THIS LONG WRITING ASSIGNMENT


Introduction to Audiology is a first semester sophomore level course.  The class is required for majors in Speech Pathology and Audiology and the content is required for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.  While there is some basic physics included, much of the content is new and requires becoming familiar with discipline specific language.  The simultaneous acquisition and application of vocabulary always creates a challenge for students. They find themselves in the position of having to memorize definitions, read and listen to lectures within the new “language” from the first day of class.   After meeting with students to discuss their progress it is clear some students have not developed strategies for studying the vocabulary.  In addition, they often create study materials for themselves which contain incomplete or inaccurate definitions.  The sequence of writing assignments therefore has primary objectives reflecting the need to solidify understanding, retention and synthesis of new vocabulary and core concepts.   A second goal reflects the need to introduce students to writing conventions used in the discipline.   The three writing assignments types are intended to build upon each other in the acquisition and application of course content.

LONG WRITING ASSIGNMENT FOR STUDENTS

Double-Entry Vocabulary Worksheets

Learning Objectives of the Assignment:

  • Improve your ability to identify key terms and concepts.
  • Create definitions that are meaningful to you.
  • Improve your ability to explain material in a manner that is accurate, clear and complete.
  • Improve concept recognition when material appears elsewhere in the course.
  • Aid in developing materials that can be used to study for examinations.
  • Exposure to the current APA citation format.

              Throughout the semester you will be asked to make entries on worksheets. At least once in each class there will be an opportunity to stop and reflect on the material we have covered by identifying important material. 

  1. On the left  side of the worksheet you will be asked to write a term(s), statement(s), concepts or  theories.  Sometimes the instructor will provide one.  At other times you will be asked to provide your own.  
  1. On the right side of the page you will provide a formal definition or explanation of the item.  The information can be from your text or any other source. You are encouraged to seek out any sources that help you understand the material. 
  2. You must cite the source (even if it is your text) using current APA style.
  3. The quotation should then be followed by a rephrasing of the item in your own word and one other learning technique such as a drawing which will help you remember the information. For example, if it is term it might be helpful to use it in a sentence or two with other material from the class; if it is a process create a flow chart.
  4. Rephrasing should use correct grammar and spelling.
  5. Hand the sheet(s) on the day specified.

Notes:  The sheets may be hand written – though they must be legible to receive credit.  Keep in mind that spell checkers often do not contain specific professional vocabulary.

Grading Criteria:

  1. Are requested items present?
  2. Is your rephrasing and/or explanation accurate, clear and complete?

Have appropriate citations been used for information from other sources?


SAMPLE

Worksheet for Tuesday --------------------

Term/Concept            Response

Amplitude              “ The extent of the vibratory movement of a mass from its position of rest to that point

of furthest from the position of rest” (Martin & Clark, p.427)

Example of an incomplete rephrasing -

                 Distance an air molecule moves away from its starting point.

Example of an inaccurate rephrasing

The back and forth movement of a molecule.

Example of an unclear rephrasing

When it moves from one point to another, this creates the amplitude.

                             Example of accurate, complete rephrasing –

When a molecule vibrates it moves away from a starting point. The distance the molecule is furthest away from the starting point represents the amplitude of the movement.

Sample sentence: A jet taking off would create vibrations of great amplitude.
Drawing:

References

 

Martin, F. & Clark, J. (2003) Introduction to audiology (5th ed.).  Boston: Allyn and Bacon.


Worksheet Rubric

 

10 pts for ratings in all areas below.  Must have all for 10 pts. 8 pts for ratings in all areas below. 6 pts for ratings in all areas below 3 pts for ratings in all areas below.

Requested Items

(term, quotation, source, rephrasing, learning tool)

All present 3 present 2 present 1 present
Accuracy Completely accurate. Minor error. Significant error An essential component is in error.

Clarity

Very specific use of

Language.
Lack of specificity at a non-critical point. Lack of specificity at a significant point, but concept still identifiable. Extensive use of this, it, these.  Lacks specific identifiers at several points.
Completeness

Reflects all aspects of

term or concept.
Minor omission Significant omission, but concept still identifiable. Lacks components essential for full understanding.
Mechanics

APA, grammar,

spelling – all correct
A single error. Some

Numerous grammar,

Spelling, APA errors

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