ENC 1101: English Composition I: How To Videos

The thesis statement is one of the most important components of your paper. This series of videos explains the process to creating a great thesis statement.

Students who’ve had a hard time with term papers and essay questions may be shocked to learn how much their postgraduation world revolves around writing. This program shows how effective written communication is possible for anyone, even those who struggle to complete a simple fax or e-mail. Methods for improvement include gauging the needs of the reader, keeping prose short and simple, emphasizing benefits, avoiding jargon and overblown language, employing a confident yet respectful tone, and more. Viewable/printable discussion questions are available online. A Coproduction of Films for the Humanities & Sciences and MotionMasters. Part of the series Communication Essentials.

This informative program exposes areas of narrative writing that most frequently pose challenges for beginners, providing tips and techniques for authoring a good read. Viewers learn how to create well-rounded characters, complete with motivations and character flaws; techniques for establishing tone and mood; and how to capture attention starting on page one. The video also covers writing realistic dialogue, developing a good plot line, building tension, and arriving at a successful ending. A viewable/printable worksheet is available online.

Faced with a mountain of research to conduct, reading to do, and papers to write, students must work both efficiently and shrewdly. This three-section program tells how to identify and cite reliable online and offline sources of information, carve textbook chapters into manageable chunks, and outline and revise papers—all elements that are essential to getting the job done well. A Cambridge Educational Production. A part of the series Academic Success: Smart Tips for Serious Students.

Plagiarism is a SERIOUS topic! This set of videos discusses the issues surrounding plagiarism and how to avoid issues in the writing process.

Why do students fall into the plagiarism trap? How does it hold a young person back on the journey toward self-reliance? Is it possible to “steal” material without knowing it? This program addresses the widespread ethical and legal problem of plagiarism, examining reasons used to justify content theft and the wide variety of forms it can take. Students and teachers talk frankly on-screen about their experiences with the problem and what leads some people to copy text or images from books, articles, Internet sites, and other students’ papers and projects. The program introduces writing and research skills that will enable viewers to steer clear of plagiarism, both intentional and unintentional. Viewable/printable educational resources are available online.

In a world of information overload, information literacy has become a survival skill. But what exactly does information literacy mean? With a focus on the Internet, this video explains how to conduct solid online research by collecting information in an organized, efficient, and ethical way. Professor Maurita Holland of the University of Michigan School of Information provides expert commentary and guidance on a range of research activities, including evaluating the credibility of Web content, documenting online sources, and paraphrasing—not copying—the words of others. Additionally, a high school teacher and a graduate student demonstrate real-world examples to reinforce the challenges and rewards of online research. The consequences of plagiarism and shaky facts are emphasized. A viewable/printable instructor’s guide is available online. A Cambridge Educational Production.