OER English Composition

Students in a distance learning English Composition class meet as a writer's group for the first time and discuss their class assignment - writing about a past experience or memory. They demonstrate how writing ideas can originate in personal experience. close captioned.

This video discusses what it means to "be a writer" and explains the basic steps in the writing process: invention, delivery, and revision.

Members of a student writer's group demonstrate the peer review process, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of their essays. The power of collective experience and 'memory' in a writer's work is explored and emphasized.

An illustration of the writing process and various writing strategies as members of a student writer's group begin their narrative essays.

This video starts with a quick tip about punctuating dialogue, then explores what it means to write a first draft and the importance of revision in the writing process.

This short animated video is a quick tutorial on the rules for punctuating dialogue.

This short animated video defines and provides examples of metaphors and similes.

An introduction to the writing process focusing on the recursive nature of writing; also discussed is the importance of feedback, especially from a writer's group.

This video discusses how to organize an argument around an arguable thesis, with an emphasis on what makes an effective thesis statement.

Two students use analytical skills, Socratic questioning, and effective word choice to strengthen a thesis statement.

How to make a thesis statement clear and decisive by focusing on word choice and allowing the thesis to evolve over time.

An introduction to the Socratic method of questioning to help students focus and narrow a thesis statement; Professional writers offer advice on developing analytical skills.

A member of a writer's group refines her thesis about the meaning of family by researching books, browsing the Internet, and conducting interviews. Her research leads to a new, and more focused, thesis statement for her essay.

This short animated video illustrates words that weaken thesis statements, focusing on linking verbs and adjectives of value.

Introduction and discussion of the tools used to build support for an argument: evidence, examples, and appeals.

A writer's group explores the meaning of family. The discussion process helps one student develop a thesis for an argument about the topic.

A writer's group uses an exercise called "What are you, nuts?" to target weak points in a student's argument that require additional support. Professional writers comment on the role of passion in writing a formal argument.

A writer's group helps a student develop a working thesis for a formal argument.

A member of a writer's group conducts an interview for research to develop support for his working thesis. The interview provides him with an appeal to emotion and an appeal to logic as he works on his first draft.

Illustration of the use of counterargument, concessions, and qualifiers in supporting a formal argument.

Exploring the definition of argument and presenting the elements of formal argument.

A writer's group provides feedback to help a member revise her essay, demonstrating how to strengthen the essay by re-arranging ideas, adding personal pronouns and more details, and using informal sentence structure.

This video discusses strategies of expressing a writer's unique voice in the work. The use of pronouns, the level of formality, and the role of active voice vs. passive voice are discussed.

Exploring the importance of observation in writing.

Exploring how choosing and arranging details can add vitality to writing. Included are interviews with professional writers who discuss how they use details in their work.

A member of a writer's group confronts the challenges of writing a first draft, deciding which details to use in her essay.

This short animated video explains active voice vs. passive voice in writing.

A student writer explores the importance of careful observation, recording details, and making connections. The writer's group helps her find meaning in the observations as she prepares to write her essay.

An illustration of how adding the right details can make writing come alive.

An introduction to the importance of observing details and including details in the writing process.