First Year Writing Instructor Guide

1. Students will implement an effective research process in order to meet an information need.

Components:

1. Identify interest or question
2. Formulate a focus
3. Gather information using appropriate search tools
4. Identify the need for revision of focus and search strategies when needed
5. Implements the process over an appropriate period of time

Learning Objects:

1. Research journal with consecutive entries, including sources selected throughout the process.

2. Students will evaluate information resources in order to determine their appropriateness for a specific purpose.

Components:

1. Determines currency or timeliness of information
2. Determines relevance to a particular need
3. Identifies authority of source or author
4. Determines accuracy of the information
5. Identifies purpose of information
6. Identifies intended audience for information

Learning Objects:

1. Annotated bibliography that includes a source evaluation component.

3. Students will synthesize diverse information resources in order to answer a question.

Components:

1. Reads sources critically
2. Develops original conclusions based on the evidence and/or ideas of others
3. Appropriately cites the work of others

Learning Objects:

1. Culminating academic project (research paper, oral presentation, etc.)
2. Annotated bibliography that includes an analysis of how sources were used in the paper.