Left Core Writing Assignments

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Assignments are grouped by the instructor's name, even if the instructor is no longer at UNR, in order to keep all assignments from a given class together.

Up 098 Assignments

Instructor Assignment Name Description of What Students Do Keywords
Anonymous
098
Description Essay Visit a place they have never been, then write an essay describing and reflecting about the place Audience, authority, description, detail, purpose, reflection, senses, specificity
Group Presentation Work in groups to select and present on a piece of writing. Background information, comparison/contrast, description, discussion, imitation, leadership, narration, summary
Bernard
098
Autobiography Write about a significant event or person. Autobiography, description, narrative
Shaped Observation Write an observational essay. Description, observation
Evaluation Write a critical evaluation on a subject of the student's choice. Persuasion
Final Portfolio Create an end-of-semester portfolio. Portfolio
Camarena 098 Expository Essay(New!) Explain an idea, a process, an event, a person, or a place. Audience, citations, development strategies, explanation, exposition, MLA, research
Scholarship Application (New!) Respond to one of two prompts from a scholarship application. Audience, brainstorm, development strategies, prompt analysis, purpose
Editorial (Argument Essay) (New!) Write an editorial about a local issue. Appeals, argument, audience, background, citation, conclusion, introduction, opposing views, research, support, thesis
Movie Review (New!) Review a movie (or something) Argument, audience, evaluation criteria, examples, persuasion, specifics, support
Colombini
098
Essay 1: Memoir Describe an event or experience from the past which had a significant impact on who they are now or on their way of seeing the world Audience, conclusion, description, opening paragraph, purpose, transitions
Essay 2: Place (New!) Write about a place they know about and attempt to capture its essence in a descriptive essay Audience, conclusion, description, development, opening paragraph, organization, purpose, transitions
Essay 3: Profile (New!)

Write a profile on a person they know well.

See also: Workshop Response Sheet

Audience, description, detail, focus, interview, observation, organization, quoting
Essay 4: Substantial Revision (New!) Choose one of the three writing assignments completed during the course, and rewrite it as if it were being written for a specific publication of your choice. Audience, diction, factual support, genre, genre conventions, point of view, purpose, quotations, revision, rhetorical analysis, syntax, tone
Presentation Requirements (New!)

Give an information presentation of the essay or section of an essay that they are most passionate about and/or proud of.

Audience, context, presentation, reading aloud, timing
Portfolio Assignment (New!)

Compile their best works and showcase their progression throughout the course of a semester.

See also: Grading Rubric for Final Portfolio

Citation, cover letter, drafts, MLA, portfolio, reflection, showcase portfolio
Perrault
098
Review 1 and Review 2

In Review 1, students write a review of a place on campus to study, eat, or live. Focus on description and persuasion.

In Review 2, students write about a different place on campus, and incorporate the observations made by a peer in Review 1 of that place.

Description, persuasion, use of sources
Stafford
098
Character Sketch Write an essay about a person or group of persons (e.g. ethnic group). Description, detail, dialogue, introductions, leads, narrative, syntax, thematic unity
Sweeney
098
Restaurant Review Write a restaurant review. Audience, description, detail, focus, introduction, organization, senses.
Identity Write an essay about an aspect of identity as shaped by factors such as family, social status, race, gender, personal beliefs, sexuality, etc. Conclusions, description, discovery, exploration, introductions, invention, self-discovery, sentence structure, thesis
Book Club In small groups, students read, discuss, write about, and present on a book. Group work, presentations, reading
Werner
098
Point of View: Looking Through Their Eyes Write an essay describing the student from the point of view of a familiar object in his or her life. Description, point of view, voice
Description: Seeing Myself Through "Place" Write about a descriptive essay that explains the student's connection to a particular place. Description, focus, senses, showing versus telling, thesis
Identity: What's Your Bag? Write an essay describing a subculture the student belongs or belonged to. Description, dialogue.
Group Story In small groups, students write a story with each student writing an individual contribution. Group work, narrative.
Final Portfolio Create an end-of-semester portfolio. Portfolio.

 

Up 101 Assignments

Instructor Assignment Name Description of What Students Do Keywords
Anonymous
101
Analysis of Rhetorical Ads & Spoof Ads in American Culture Analyze and interpret an ad or a spoof ad. Advertising, analysis, assumptions, complexity, interpretation, rhetorical context
Stealing Chewing Tobacco and Trying on Mama’s Clothes: Telling the Truth to Create Memoir Write a memoir about an experience that involved conflict. Audience, memoir, narrative, self-awareness
Midterm Reflection Write a reflection about him/herself as a writer in English 101 Meta-cognition, reflection, self-awareness
Creative Text for Local Social Change Write two pieces, one planning the rhetorical strategy to use in the second piece, and the second persuading an audience on an issue. Audience, creativity, persuasion, purpose, rhetorical analysis, social engagement
Anonymous 2
101
Dialogue Essay Write a thesis-driven essay that creates a "conversation" with an author. Analysis, evidence, focus, paraphrase, quotation, specificity, summary, support, thesis
Group Presentations Work in two different groups to give two presentations, one on a topic and the other on evaluating sources.

Citation, description, discussion, evaluation, examples, groups, group roles, leadership, reflection on participation, sources, specificity, use of visuals

Borrowman
101
Descriptive Profile Write a profile about a person or group to show how they people are part of a larger trend/issue/problem in American culture Coherence, details, objectivity, profile, research, social engagement, subjectivity
Film Review/Commentary Review or write a commentary about a film Analysis, conclusion, details, focus, introduction, relevance, summary
Memoir Write a memoir about a person, place, or thing Description, dominant impression, focus, making meaning, organization, self-awareness, thesis statement, transitions
Public Document Analysis Analyze how a particular group defines itself and its values in its public documents Analysis, description, organization, quoting, summary, transitions
Colombini
101
Essay 1: Memoir Describe an event or experience from the past which had a significant impact on who they are now or on their way of seeing the world Audience, conclusion, description, opening paragraph, purpose, transitions
Essay 2: Profile Write a profile on a person they know well. Audience, description, detail, focus, interview, observation, organization, quoting
Essay 3: Rhetorical Analysis Write a rhetorical analysis of a particular piece of writing Analysis, annotation, argument, audience, author's intention, critique, objectivity, opinion, rhetorical analysis, summary
Essay 4: Proposal Write a proposal that introduces and discusses a problem at UNR and offers a solution Audience (real), evidence, facts, persuasion, proposal, statement of intention, summary, testimony
Revision Choose one the pieces written during the course and rewrite it as if it were being written for a specific publication of your choice. Audience, diction, factual support, genre, genre conventions, point of view, purpose, quotations, revision, rhetorical analysis, syntax, tone
Portfolio Compile their best works and showcase their progression throughout the course of a semester Citation, cover letter, drafts, MLA, portfolio, reflection, showcase portfolio
Hemstrom
101
Essay 1: Memoir

Write about an experience that shaped who they are today

See also: Memoir workshop handout

Audience, author's investment, authority, detail, dialectic thinking, flow, purpose, truthfulness
Essay 3: Review

Review something

See also: Review workshop handout

Audience, author's investment, context, credibility, detail, evidence, opposing views (including), position (writer's), purpose, reader's investment, support, tone
Essay 4: Genre Revision Rewrite an earlier essay in a different genre citation, credibility, details, genre, genre analysis, MLA, purpose, research, revision, rhetorical analysis, sources, support, tone, works cited
Martinez
101
Argument Essay Research and make a judgment on a controversial issue. Suggest a resolution of the issue. Citations, conclusion, evidence, graphics, interviewing, introduction, organization, outlining, presentations, research, thesis statement, works cited.
Letter Assignment

Write a well-constructed letter directed to a specific audience.

See also Letter Peer Critique

Audience awareness, author credibility, details, ethos, focus, logos, pathos, rhetorical purpose
Rhetorical Analysis

Write a well-constructed rhetorical analysis that makes a claim regarding the rhetorical tools exhibited in a text.

See also Rhetorical Analysis Peer Edit

Analysis, appeals, audience awareness, conclusion, introduction, objectivity, organization, rhetorical analysis, rhetorical purpose, structure
Perrault
101
Reader/Writer Profile Write a profile of her/himself as a writer Details, meta-cognition, reflection, self-awareness
Essay 1: Narrative Tell a story about an event. Detail, description, relevance, revision, sensory detail
Essay 2: Body of Fact Inform the reader about some body of fact in a way that is both informative and interesting Audience, clarity, detail, exposition, information, invention, voice
Essay 3: Analysis of a Cultural Icon Analyze the significance of a cultural icon Analysis, awareness of one's own position, clarity, critical thinking, details, revision, sources, voice
Reading Response Respond to a reading in four ways: literally, emotionally, intellectually, and as a writer Analysis, craft, critical reading, reading, responding, summarizing
Turner, C
101
The Profile Profile a particular person or place of interest — tell their/its story as the student sees it. Citation, clarity, conciseness, focus, profile, sources, voices (more than one)
The Review Choose a book, movie, record, consumer product, food item, concert, or anything else about which we tend to make judgments, and write a brief essay evaluating the subject. Audience, clarity, comparison, conciseness, criteria, detail, ethos, evaluation, evidence, imitation (of style), logos, organization, pathos
The Commentary Write a social commentary using advertising as the main focus. Argumentation, audience awareness, citation, claim and evidence, clarity, conciseness, detail, ethos, induction, logos, pathos, revision, sources, thesis.

 

Up 102 Assignments

Instructor Assignment Name Description of What Students Do Keywords
Anonymous
102
Guidelines for Writing Research Annotations Write annotations Annotating, citation, sources
Visual Rhetoric Analysis & Investigation: Extra Paper Options Write a paper that relates to the research project relating to visual analysis. Three prompts and an open prompt given.. Analysis, interpretation, visual rhetoric
Anonymous 102 Essay 1: Race, Ethnicity, Class (New!) Reflect on how race, ethnicity, or class have affected them, using an assigned reading as a starting point. Central idea, closure, conclusion, support, thesis, title
Essay 3: Argument (New!) Argue for or against visiting a particular place or restaurant in Reno, or for or against watching a particular film currently in theaters.  Background information, citations, details, MLA, research, senses, support, thesis, visual argument
Essay 4: Research Proposal (New!)

Write a practical proposal offering a solution to a local problem.

See also: Peer Review Form

Citations, ethos, focus, paraphrasing, proposal, quoting, sources, summarizing, visual argument
Borrowman
102
Essay 1: American Education Describe and relate to an issue in American education Citations, documentation, narrative, personal experience, quoting, research, sources, story
Essay 2: Work Write about work, using research and personal experience. Citations, details, documentation, narrative, personal experience, quoting, research
Essay 4: American Cultural Commentary Analyze and/or interpret a trend or idea in American society Analysis, citations, documentation, interpretation, personal experience, profile, research, sources
Butler
102
Documented Essay Write an argumentative essay; five topics given Citations, documentation, evidence, MLA, paraphrasing, quotation, sources, summary, thesis statement
Hemstrom
102
Examining the World Examine and write about a new part of the world Expectations, field work, interviews, observation, reflection
Ethnography 1: Proposal Propose an ethnographic study of a subculture Analysis, details, ethnography, interviews, methods (research/observation), note taking, observation, reflection, research, self-awareness
Ethnography 2: Field Work Write a response to field work done in the subculture being studied Consent forms, ethics in research, observation, questions
Ethnography 3: Using Texts to Examine Conflicts & Persuade Readers Investigate and explain a conflict in the subculture, and the texts related to the conflict Bias (overcoming), citation, evidence, interpretation, MLA, persuasion, points of view (multiple), quoting, research, support
Ethnography 4: The Spatial Gaze Identify and analyze spaces and how they affect the subculture Analysis, citation, description, MLA, research
Ethnography 5: Oral Myths & Legends Learn and share the stories of the subculture Analysis, citation, interviews, MLA, points of view (multiple), quotations
Ethnography 6: Group Presentations Give a group presentation on the subculture Citation, group work, media, presentation
Martinez
102
Annotated Bibliography Create an annotated bibliography with at least 10 sources (no more than 4 online) Analysis, annotation, APA, audience, bibliography, citation, evaluation, MLA
Exploratory Essay Explore potential research topics Exploration, invention, research
Perrault
102
Semester Overview and Essay 1

Semester Overview: Write a series of pieces on the same issue.

Essay 1: Explain the background information necessary to understand the issue. Include an annotated bibliography.

Annotations, bibliography, citations, documentation, evidence, library research, objectivity.
Essay 2 Present three points of view on the issue, without arguing or showing bias for any of the three. Add to the annotated bibliography. Annotations, bibliography, citations, documentation, evidence, library research, objectivity.
Presentation Guidelines Present an argument on the issue. Argument, counter-arguments, evidence, public speaking, support, visual aids.
Article Write an article on the issue, targeted for a specific publication. Argument, audience, counter-arguments, evidence, publishing, support.
Ryan
102
Biggest Carbon Loser Challenge Calculate, attempt to reduce, and keep track of carbon footprint; write a reflective essay about the experience Critical thinking, primary research, reflection, self-awareness
Turner, C
102
Annotated Bibliography Compile a short annotated bibliography of five articles, books, novels, films, web sites, and/or other sources. Annotation, bibliography, citation, sources
The Forum: A Robot Round Table Present ideas and research to the class. Conciseness, guiding questions, presentation, research, summary
Final Paper Write an essay based on research. Citation, clarity, conciseness, critical thinking, grammar, mechanics, research, sources, spelling, voice
Turner, D
102
Interview: Essay & Presentation Conduct an interview and write up and present results Evaluation, inquiry, interview, MLA, presentation, research, synthesis

Survey: Essay & Presentation

Conduct a survey and write up and present results Evaluation, inquiry, MLA, presentation, research, survey, synthesis
Research Project Do a research project on some aspect of science and/or technology that affects their daily life Analysis, APA, bias, citation, documentation, evaluation, evidence, examples, inquiry, MLA, research, self-awareness, sources

 

Top General Assignments

Instructor Assignment Name Description of What Students Do Keywords
Farnsworth
General Assignments
Memoir Write a creative memoir. Detail, imagination, memoir, memory, narrative
Persuasive Essay Write a persuasive essay that represents at least three points of view. Audience, citations, documentation, evidence, persuasion, point of view, sources
Persuasive/Argumentative Essay Argue for a specific view, position, opinion, or solution Argumentation, citation, documentation, persuasion, sources, thesis
Profile and Analysis Essay Write a profile and analysis Analysis, description, detail, facts, interpretation, opinion, profile
Review or Best/Worst of… Write a review, or a "Best/Worst of..." list, with support for the ranking. Audience, evidence, opinion, persuasion, support, tone
Padilla
General Assignments
Writing Notebook Keep a reading, writing, thinking journal. Journal, notebook, reading, self-awareness, writing
Sweeney
General Assignments
Reader Response Journal Keep a journal on a novel they are reading. Active reading, description, journal, reading, responding