LAB TWO-A

Today we’ll warm up by practicing one of the most valuable writing skills – economy. Then we’ll explore the resources available online for our textbook.

1. Routine Startup

• the first browser shows these instructions. Press Control-N to start a second browser and use it to follow links and carry out the instructions.

2. Cutting Words

Here is the first in a number of exercises that will help you identify common ways to improve your writing; this one works with the idea that fewer words are often much stronger than many. This principle is so important to effective writing that I won't say anything more :-)

1. Do the exercise

1. Read over the following steps before starting the exercise
2. You will be opening a document using a link below
3. Copy/paste the document into Word
4. Save the file on the Desktop or flashdrive as cutting-words_yourlastname
5. In the space after each sentence, rewrite the sentence to show how you would tighten everything you can without changing the meaning.  Notice that cutting the number of words may be done best by choosing different, better ones.
6. You will send your lean version as an attachment to the three students above you in the classlist, counting up. You can do this all at once with all three addresses in one message (separate each address with a semi-colon and a space). Enter cutting words for the Subject Line.
7. Okay ... go ahead and open Cutting Words, complete it, and send it
8. When you receive messages with "cutting words" in the Subject Line, open one of them according to the instructions that follow

3. Save your Reflection paper in a shared folder

You will use a shared folder  to exchange documents for exercises, feedback, and drafts of writing assignments.  It is also the location you will use for submitting your final versions for grading.

A shared folder is a public space. Because everyone's paper will be listed together, it's important to use clear and consistent filenames.  I will always give you a filename to use for papers in the shared folder.  This first paper will be named reflection_yourlastname (please note, the folder is case-sensitive, so please use all lowercase all the time).

To reach the shared folder, check the Lab Alerts link on the course homepage.  (IMPORTANT: when the page opens, hit the Refresh button to make sure you have the current information).  Especially at the start of the quarter, changes in the lab may affect these instructions, so until the methods are stable, you will want to check the Lab Alerts if anything is not working as expected (hit the Refresh button each time you visit).

3. Cutting Words, continued

We lose the value of doing an exercise unless we give – and get – feedback on our attempts.

1. Check the exercise

1. When you have received at least one message containing a completed exercise (this may be later in the lab), open the attachment.
    
2. Save it on your flashdrive or on the desktop as cutting-words_writerlastname_yourlastname
    
3. Look at the Key to Cutting Words and compare with the student’s version. Add changes or comments in a different colored font to point out where more words can be cut or tightened without changing the meaning, or where too many words have been cut.

• If everything already looks good, say so!

4. Save the checked exercise in the shared folder, using the same method as you did for the review (use the Name: cutting-words_writerlastname_yourlastname)

• You need do comments on only one exercise
   
• If you don't receive a completed exercise from someone else by the end of today, that's beyond your control.  Compare your own cutting words exercise with the key and add the checked exercise to the shared folder at the start of the next class (Name: cutting-words_yourlastname_yourlastname).  You'll receive full participation credit.

5. By the end of the lab, take a look at any comments on your own completed exercise that may be saved in the shared folder. Don’t worry if none are saved there yet … you have already benefited from checking the exercise for others.

IV. Your Textbook Resources

Go only as far as you can during this lab.  If you aren't able to finish this project today, that's okay.  You'll have a chance to resume in the next class (nothing needs to be done on this outside of the lab).  However, make sure the amount you've done is saved on your own flashdrive or emailed to yourself.

1.  Start a new Word document saved in your personal folder as resources_yourlastname

2.  Go to the Everyday Writer textbook website at

Everyday Writer (4th edition)

3.  Explore your resources, not only the Premium Resources that are part of the eBook, but also the Free/Open Resources.  Choose any topic that interests you. 

• if you have not successfully signed-up for the eBook, you can still do this exercise by exploring the Free/Open Resources.  Best to try in the Free/Open Resources are The Top Twenty, or Exercises / Exercise Central.
  • let me know in the lab what the sign-up problem is

4.  Explore the links.  If exercises are associated with the topic, visit and complete at least one multiple-choice exercise.  Are your results a surprise?

5.  In your Word document, identify where you visited and record your impressions about what you saw (positive and negative). Try to think of an improvement that could be added to the site (if your suggestion is a good one, I’ll forward it to Lunsford).

6.   In The Free/Open Resources, open the selections and choose one of the Tutorials.  Read over the content and select a multiple-choice exercise to complete (the Avoiding Plagiarism Tutorial is worthwhile).  Add comments about it in your Word document.

7.  Visit one more topic or chapter, exploring it and adding it to your Word document.  Use Exercise Central at least once.  Complete your chosen exercise (don't just look at it).

8.  If you finish during the lab, save and close your document and add it to the shared folder. You should have recorded your impressions about at least three topics.  This document will count for participation.

If you don't finish during the lab, you'll have a chance to resume later (nothing needs to be done on this outside of the lab before next class).