General Guidelines
For guidelines of composition for all the writing assignments, please see this memorandum (PDF).
Exercises
Assignment table.
| EX # | DUE DATES | INSTRUCTIONS |
| 0 | Ses #2 |
Find and bring to class two copies of a formal published academic article reporting on research in an English language journal. The article should come from a respected academic journal in your field; it should include an abstract, subheadings, figures and tables, and references. One copy will be collected; you will keep the other copy with you to refer to in class and use in future assignments.
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| 1 | Ses #3 |
Write a formal outline for a scientific report based on the assigned topic. See Alley, The Craft of Scientific Writing, p. 236-45 for outlining conventions.
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| 2 | Ses #8 | Analyze the use of verbs in the introduction of the formal published academic article you brought in earlier. Choose a passage in the introduction of approximately 100 words (one long or two short paragraphs) and explain each verb form that the author uses. |
| 3 | Ses #11 | Tasks on documentation conventions: How should you site your sources? (PDF) |
| 4 | Ses #13 | Analyze the use of articles in the abstract of the formal published academic article you brought in earlier. Explain the authors' article use (the, a, an or none) with each noun in the abstract. |
| 5 | Ses #18 | Punctuation practice |
Memos
Assignments table.
| MEMO # | DUE DATES | TOPICS |
| 1 | Ses #2 |
In a memo (1-2 pages), describe your strengths and weaknesses as a writer of academic and professional documents. What writing tasks have you encountered or do you expect to encounter as a student at MIT and as a professional in the future? What writing instruction have you had in the past, either in English or in your first language? End your memo with a section outlining your 2-3 major goals for yourself in 21F.225/21F.226 this semester. Reader: Professor
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| 2 | Ses #7 |
Rewrite the memo to K. Murphy from R. Golen (CP 59) with a more strategic approach. Reader: K. Murphy
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| 3 | Ses #16 |
In a memo (1-2 pages) to me, evaluate the content, organization, and format of the proposal for a new rat food in CP 146-7. Reader: Professor
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| 4 | Ses #17 |
Write a memo (1 page) with a short data commentary based on a set of your own research results or on those provided in a class handout. Reader: Your research supervisor and/or research colleagues
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| 5 | Ses #21 or #22 |
In a progress memo (1-2 pages), describe and evaluate the progress you have made in writing this semester. Provide specific examples of strengths and weaknesses, as well as your goals for your final project. Attach to your memo a table providing an error analysis based on your drafts throughout the semester. Reader: Professor
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Formal Papers
Procedures
Effective writing requires multiple drafts and feedback from colleagues. As a result, we follow these steps for the four formal papers required in 21F.225/21F.226:
- You are responsible for distributing copies of each of the four formal texts to your editing group members at least 24 hours before the peer workshop in class. You read each group member's draft and make notes (in pencil if you're working with a hard copy) of the points you'd like to discuss with the group members. I provide the names and contact information of your editing groups before each assignment.
- These formal writing assignments are discussed in class workshops.
- You make adjustments to your draft based on the constructive feedback of your editing group.
- Your first good draft is due to me for comments by the class following the workshop. I provide a close reading and assign one point (carefully done draft) or 0 points (carelessly done draft).
- After I return your draft, you have until the following class to revise and submit it for a grade out of 9 points.
Grades
If you receive a grade of "C" (7/10) or lower on any of the four shorter formal papers, you have a chance to submit a third draft. Rewrites are due the next class. Your new grade is a combination of the original grade and the grade received for the rewrite.
There is no opportunity to rewrite the final project. However, each of you has at least one scheduled appointment with me for feedback on your final project in progress.
Format
Unless you are told otherwise, all formal written assignments should be typed in 12 point Times New Roman font, on standard 8.5 X 11" paper using 1.5 spacing. Include page numbers on all assignments longer than one page. Please do not staple pages together. Use a paper clip.
On all papers, provide the following information in the upper right-hand corner of page one: your name, your e-mail address, as well as the intended audience/reader and purpose of the document.
Schedule
Formal Paper 1: Writing for a Non-expert Audience
In a short article (two pages) portraying your research in an understandable context, define a concept that is central to your field of interest. For example, one could define "cookies" in the context of computer science. Your article must be suitable for the intended readership: an interested and well-educated, but non-expert audience. The style and tone should be appropriate for the intended audience. In your header, indicate your intended audience and purpose.
Bring the original and 1 copy to class. Distribute a copy to each member of your editing group at least one day before class.
Formal Paper 2: Writing Correspondence
Write a one- to two-page technical memo, statement of purpose for graduate school or a post-doctorate position or job-application letter suitable for an academic or professional environment. Please single-space this assignment. In your header, indicate your intended audience and purpose.
Bring the original and 1 copy to class. Distribute a copy to each member of your editing group at least one day before class.
Formal Paper 3: Introducing Material
Write an abstract (150-250 words) and an introduction (one-three pages) to a technical report, article or short thesis. In your header, indicate your intended audience and purpose.
Bring the original and 1 copy to class. Distribute a copy to each member of your editing group at least one day before class.
Formal Paper 4: Proposing Research
Write a two- to three-page proposal. In your header, indicate your intended audience and purpose. This assignment can be used to help you organize your final project in advance, or the topic of your proposal may be completely different from that of your final project. Some ideas for the kinds of proposals you can write follow:
- Undergraduate research or undergraduate thesis proposal
- Section of a longer MS or Ph.D. proposal
- Proposal for a research project that you are already working on
- Proposal for a research paper you are working on in another course, or you may write in a future class
Bring the original and 1 copy to class. Distribute a copy to each member of your editing group at least one day before class.
Final Paper
Write a 12-15-page formal paper on a technical topic of your choice. The paper must incorporate headings, figures, tables and equations appropriately into the text; it must include internal and end references that are documented according to the conventions of your field. In your header, indicate your intended audience and purpose.
The project can be one of the following:
- Technical research paper you are writing for another course this semester
- Review or research paper for publication
- Part of an undergraduate thesis or one chapter of a Master's or PhD thesis
- Ph.D. thesis proposal
- Undergraduate research report or other substantial lab report
Other formats may be approved with sufficient advance notice. See me if you are having trouble anticipating a topic for the final project. Do not wait until the end of term.
