English 302/Business Communication
Spring 2004
Assignment #1
How I Became Interested in My Major
Write about how you became interested in your major and what you plan
to do in your field once you graduate. What you produce for this first
assignment will be used as a diagnostic writing sample.
Length: Successful assignments have ranged from 500-700 words.
Time: Your first draft is due on Friday, January 16th at the beginning of class.
Bring five copies to class. We will use your first draft for an introduction to the
writing workshop.
Format: On the due date of the first draft, submit a typed, double spaced copy to
each member of your workshop and one to your writing instructor. Later
instructions will be given to submit the second and the final draft.
Audience: Your instructor, the members of your class, and possibly the readers of
a website will be the audience for this assignment. Your writing for this
assignment will also be compiled and assembled in a booklet to be distributed in
class.
Evaluation: You will be given feedback for revision during your workshop. You
will submit a revised second draft to your writing instructor who will give you
further feedback for revision. Please use anecdotes and plenty of specific detail
in your narrative.
Questions for How I Became Interested in My Major
These questions are not to be answered literally. Their function is to trigger thoughts to
start you writing.
• What is your major?
• When was the first time you thought about this becoming your major?
• Was there a specific incident that triggered this decision?
• Was there a person who influenced you in this decision?
• How certain are you that this will continue to be your major?
• What is your background in science and how does it relate to your major?
• What do you visualize doing after you finish studying your major?
• Do you want your narrative to be presented chronologically or do you want to
begin with a related anecdote or some interesting fact or data?
• Is the sequence of events you narrate connected and easy to follow?
• Is the narrative clear?
• Can your audience understand everything to which you refer?
• What tone do you want to use?
• Do you use plenty of vivid adjectives and active verbs?
• Do you use specific examples and sufficient detail?
• Does the beginning tie in with the ending?
• Did you use spelling check?
• Does your title reflect a particular incident in your narrative?