Mini-Classes

Besides Speed Reading, the Writing Center offers a number of mini-classes to help familiarize students with citation styles and technology used in the English department. These classes are available by schedule only. Contact our secretary if you have any questions or would like to schedule a class.

APA

Based on the 5th edition Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), this 50-minute class offers an overview of APA style. Students will become familiar with styles for headers, abstracts, general formatting, citations, and reference lists.

InDesign

This lecture offers an introduction to Adobe InDesign CS3. The class assumes limited or no experience with InDesign and focuses on boosting familiarity with the interface. Students will learn how to import text and graphics, set and apply master pages, and organize content within the pages. More than half of the time in this 50-minute class is spent doing projects in InDesign.

Italian MLA

This lecture compares American MLA to Italian writing and style rules. Students will not only learn how to formation citations, block quotes, and bibliographies, they will also review the rules of writing thesis statements, paraphrasing, and avoiding plagiarism.

Students should bring their MLA manuals; since this class in an overview, they will want to mark sections for further study.

MLA

Based on the 6th edition MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, this lecture introduces the basic style rules of MLA. This 50-minute class will help students to become familiar with formatting, citing, and punctuating papers written in MLA.

PowerPoint

This lecture focuses on PowerPoint 2007 but assumes little or no familiarity with the program. The tutor will explain how and where PowerPoint is used, how to navigate and use the toolbars, and how to create simple but creative presentations.

Rhetorical Analysis

Intended for English 150 students, this 50-minute class discusses the concepts that go into a rhetorical analysis essay. Students will learn the difference between rhetorical tools and rhetorical appeals and how to apply this knowledge to their argument.

The materials for this class are handouts that can be found in the center or on our website.

Speed Reading 1

This 50-minute lecture focuses on the basic principles necessary to increase one's reading speed. Students will learn to read faster by performing reading drills with a ReadMate metronome. Through continued practice, students should see their reading speed increase by fifty percent.

Read Mates are provided by the Writing Center and can be checked out at the front desk at any time.

Speed Reading 2

After taking Speed Reading 1, students are invited to take this course. This lecture is designed to help students to manage their rapidly increasing reading rates. Students will learn skills such as verbalization and hand techniques that will increase their comprehension at high reading speeds. Tutors will also explain how to apply speed reading to textbooks.

Classes in Development

English 150 Issues Paper, Research Skills, Pre-Writing, Visual Rhetoric, Word 2007