Writing in College:
A Short Guide to College Writing
by Joseph M. Williams and Lawrence McEnerney
This guide is intended to help first and second year students at the University of Chicago write effective papers in the Humanities Core and Social Sciences Core. If you wish to learn more about the principles of organization and argumentation you find here, you may consult with your Humanities Intern in your first year. After your first year, you may take the Writing Program's advanced course in academic and professional writing, the Little Red Schoolhouse (aka Academic and Professional Writing, English 13000/33000).
Contents to "Writing in College"
I. Some crucial differences between high school and college writing
From high school to college
Argument: a key feature of college writing
Interpreting assignments: a guide to professors' expectations
Another key feature of college writing: what's your point?
But what's a good point?
II. Preparing to write and drafting the paper
Preparing to prove your point: the process of gathering evidence
Planning your first draft: styles of outlining
Beginning your first draft: the draft introduction
After your draft introduction: a common danger
Two styles of drafting: fast vs. slow
The crucial part of writing: revision
III. A strategy for analyzing and revising a first draft
Finding your best point -- and making sure your readers can find it
Creating coherent sections
Ensuring your evidence fits your claims
Making your case without oversimplifying it
Lawrence McEnerney is Director of the University of Chicago Writing Program. Joseph M. Williams (1933-2008) was Professor of English Language and Literature and the founder of the University of Chicago Writing Program.
Writing in College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives license. You may use and share this essay and/or its chapters for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that you give credit to the authors (Joseph M. Williams and Lawrence McEnerney) and reproduce this notice.