FYWR1020: First Year Writing

Abstract

What is “good writing”? As Robert Masello’s quote above illustrates, good writing is more than just an introduction, body, and conclusion. Writing is nothing if it doesn’t mean something, for the writer and for the reader. Good writing is intimate, and it is surprising. It reveals deep truths about the self, about one’s local and global communities, about one’s place and responsibilities therein. Good writing elucidates the human experience. Ideas are the foundation, but a strong piece of writing also has organization that is logical and effective, a voice that is individual and appropriate, word choice that is specific and memorable, sentence fluency that is smooth and expressive, and it follows writing conventions (punctuation, spelling, grammar, and mechanics) that are correct and communicative. All these elements have a symbiotic relationship and converge through a process that involves brainstorming and free writing, gathering and evaluating information, outlining, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading. In every academic major and in the world beyond college, your success will depend in part on your ability to effectively navigate through this process to produce “good writing.” This semester we will build on these core writing concepts and work toward making all these different pieces fit together.