In this textbook, we’ll cover theconventions of writing, and we’ll alsocover some of the resources available toyou as a CNM student

In Part One of this textbook, we covered collegewriting at CNM, and reading strategies that will helpyou succeed in different disciplines. As reading andwriting go hand-in-hand, we will now turn to the stepsyou can take toward effective writing, also known asdeveloping a writing process.

Problem-Solution PaperPresents a problem, explains its causes, and proposesand explains a solution

Common Types of College Writing Assignments

ollege composition courses will focus on writing for its own sake, helpingyou make the transition to college-level writing assignments.

in high school, teachers generally focus on teaching you to write in avariety of modes and formats, including personal writing, expository writing,research papers, creative writing, and writing short answers and essays for exams.Over time, these assignments help you build a foundation of writing skills. Incollege, many instructors will expect you to already have that foundation

your primarycomprehension goal is to identify the or main point: the most important idea thatthe writer wants to communicate and often states early on. Finding the main pointgives you a framework to organize the details presented in the reading and relatethe reading to concepts you learned in class or through other reading assignments.After identifying the main point, you will find the supporting points, the details,facts, and explanations that develop and clarify the main point

The other key component of planning is setting a purpose. Knowing what you wantto achieve from a reading assignment not only helps you determine how toapproach that task, but it also helps you stay focused

Now comes the challenge: making sure you actually understand all theinformation you are expected to process.

When you are eager to begin the coursework in your major that will prepare youfor your career, getting excited about an introductory college writing course can bedifficult.

Some students might haveearned a GED, some might be returning to school after a decades-long break, andstill other students might either be graduating high school, or be freshly graduated.If the latter is the case, you might enter college with a wealth of experience writingfive-paragraph essays, book reports, and lab reports.

College instructors are familiar with the ups and downs ofwriting, and most universities have support systems in place to help students learnhow to write for an academic audience. The following sections discuss common on-campus writing services, what to expect from them, and how they can help you.

Mostof your writing assignments—from brief response papers to in-depth researchprojects—will depend on your understanding of course reading assignments orrelated readings you do on your own. And it is difficult, if not impossible, to writeeffectively about a text that you do not understand

we will discuss another important strategy:college reading. Two important steps of reading at the college level includeconsidering your writing situation and developing strong reading strategies.