HIGH SCHOOL VS. COLLEGE WRITING
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE
Few to no spelling
errors
Simple or unclear
sentence structure is
acceptable but not
preferred
Somewhat address
the assigned task
Establish an
argument
Use specific
examples to defend
your argument
Fewer simple
sentences and more
complex sentences
HIGH SCHOOL VS. COLLEGE WRITING CONT.
 Difference between high school structure and college
structure
https://www.msu.edu/~comertod/courses/essays.htm
 Article discussing the differences
http://writingprogram.uchicago.edu/resources/collegewr
iting/high_school_v_college.htm
DESCRIPTION OF F LEVEL WRITING
 Lacks competence
 Readers have difficulty discerning a thesis or pattern of
organization
 The ideas are undeveloped or incoherent, and problems in
sentence structure, usage, and mechanics render the essay
unacceptable as college-level writing.
http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/English/eng101f.html
DESCRIPTION OF D LEVEL WRITING
 The thesis is vague, the development skimpy
 Readers have trouble following the writer's line of
thought because of jumbled organization.
 Sentences are awkward or immature, and mechanical
errors add to readers' difficulties, suggesting that the
writer worked in haste, perhaps without taking time to
understand the subject thoroughly.
http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/English/eng101d.html
DESCRIPTION OF C LEVEL WRITING
 The introduction states the thesis and sets up the
paper's organization
 The essay meets the requirements of the assignment
and contains sufficient supporting details to make the
overall point clear to readers, but leaves them with
unanswered questions
 Some awkwardness indicates that the writer may not
be completely in command of the subject or is still
struggling with the ideas
http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/English/eng101c.html
DESCRIPTION OF B LEVEL WRITING
 The introduction states clearly the controlling idea and
sets up the essay's organization
 Effective supporting details make the essay
worthwhile reading, and sentence-structures
emphasize ideas. Strong transitions add to the essay's
coherence; the diction is lively and appropriate.
 The writer knows the subject well enough to explain it
without making mechanical errors that distract
readers.
http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/English/eng101b.html
DESCRIPTION OF A LEVEL WRITING
 The introduction engages the readers and clearly
states a thoughtful, perceptive thesis; the support is
concrete and so rich in detail that readers learn by
reading the essay.
 The ideas are logically organized to achieve maximum
effect; transitions are graceful.
 The writer is obviously comfortable with his or her
material and knows enough about the subject to
explain it in great detail.
http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/English/eng101a.html
WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM
 This standard of excellence in writing is not limited to
English courses
 Most majors require students to write long research
papers and extensive lab reports of some kind
 Excellent written communication is one of the most
commonly stated required skills in job advertisements
in ALL areas of the workforce
WRITING RESOURCES ON CAMPUS
Your BEST resource is the instructor for whom the
assignment is due: they are the ones grading your
paper!
WRITING RESOURCES ON CAMPUS
CONT.
Writing Lab: 412 Kent Library
http://ustudies.semo.edu/writing/writing_lab.asp
 FREE assistance
 Appointment is recommended if draft is longer than
10 pages.
 For any stage of the writing process from invention to
revising your Works Cited page.
WRITING RESOURCES ON CAMPUS
CONT.
OWL: Online Writing Lab
http://ustudies.semo.edu/owl/class/index.htm
 Submit a draft for review or send a question.
 Staff will reply within 24 hours.
HELPFUL LINKS
 Guide to Writing a Basic Essay
http://lklivingston.tripod.com/essay/index.html
 Dr. Grammar
http://www.drgrammar.org/
 Purdue Owl (Work Cited Information)
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
 Harvard Writing Center
http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~wricntr/resources.html
 Guide to Grammar and Writing
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
WE VALUE YOUR OPINION!
 Thank you for viewing Writing at the College Level: Your
Expectations and the Standards of Excellence
 Please take the time to submit a brief survey about this
presentation:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/onlinecssfall2012
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