Skip to content
Home ยป What Type of Writing Skills Do You Learn in Writing 121?

What Type of Writing Skills Do You Learn in Writing 121?

Writing 121 is a prerequisite for many undergraduate degrees, but it’s also a major that can be quite demanding. If you decide that you want to pursue higher education, you’ll need to be sure that you’re prepared for the academic rigors of this major. Here’s some information about the type of writing skills that you learn in Writing 121 and whether or not you’ll be able to utilize them later on in your career.

The Various Types Of Writing You Learn

The first thing you’ll need to do to ensure that you’re prepared for Writing 121 is to familiarize yourself with the different types of writing that you may encounter. If you’re taking the online version of the class, you should be able to access the syllabus which will list the various assignments that you’re expected to complete throughout the semester. If you’re taking the traditional (i.e. not online) version of the class, you’ll receive a paper copy of the course syllabus which you’ll need to refer to in order to ensure that you’re on the right track.

Adjective-Noun Combinations

One of the first things that you’ll learn in Writing 121 is how to combine an adjective with a noun. For example, you’ll be taught how to write a sentence such as: “The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog’s back.” While it’s not essential that you learn this particular grammar rule, it is a commonly used one and a good place to start if you’re just developing your linguistic skills. You’ll also learn to write a few sentences without using the conjunction “and”, then you’ll be prompted to use it. For example, you may initially be taught to write: “The quick brown fox and the lazy dog jumped over the back” and then be asked to write: “The quick brown fox and the lazy dog jumped over the wooden fence.” Being able to combine an adjective with a noun is a useful skill in the English language which provides a good start to your literary career.

Active And Passive Voice

Another important skill that you’ll learn in Writing 121 is how to use the active or passive voice. The active voice is when you make the action the subject of the sentence, while the passive voice is when you don’t. You’ll begin to see examples of each during the course. For example, if you want to write about the movie you just saw, you’d use the active voice. “The movie was good.” The passive voice would be used if you say: “The movie was good because it was based on true events.” You’ll need to learn to use each one correctly and appropriately depending on the situation. If you have an essay to write that needs a dramatic tone, you should probably go with the active voice. If you’re just writing a fact sheet, you should probably opt for the passive voice. Knowing when to use each one can help you build a more effective writing style.

Using The Present Continuous

The present continuous is another important aspect of writing that you’ll learn in writing 121. This is the action that you’re taking at the time that you’re writing the sentence. For example, if you want to write about your favorite hobby, you could use the present continuous: “I’m knitting a hat right now.” If you want to write about the weather, you could use the present continuous: “It’s cold out there today.” Knowing how to use the present continuous will help you develop your own style and make your writing more natural and easy to understand. You’ll also learn to use different tenses (i.e. the present, past, and future) which can further enhance your command of the English language. Additionally, many educators consider using the present continuous to be one of the keys to effective writing.

How To Organize An Effective Worksheet

One of the most challenging aspects of Writing 121 is putting together a coherent worksheet that’s effective and has a chance of being accepted. You’ll be expected to create a coherent body of work which includes an introduction, three to six paragraphs of discussion, a conclusion, and a reference page. The introduction and conclusion should each be roughly three to four pages long. The discussion paragraphs should be a few hundred words in length. Each reference page should be no more than six lines of text, including the heading and a few bibliographic details such as a full point-form citation. When you’re first starting out, it can be difficult to know how much space to give each section of the worksheet, but you’ll soon learn that less is more when it comes to academic writing. Over the course of the semester, you’ll be asked to revise and extend your worksheet and ensure that each part serves a purpose. Your Professor will be the best judge of whether or not your paper is effective, so it’s essential that you take the time to create something that will impress them.

How To Argue Against A Point Of View

You’ll learn how to argue against a point of view during the course of Writing 121. Essentially, you’ll be expected to take a side in an argument presented by your professor and then justify that position using supporting evidence from the text. If you’re arguing against vegetarianism, for example, you might want to cite several health benefits that come from a vegan diet. Many students find that having to argue for a position forces them to critically analyze the strengths and weaknesses of their case, and then better decide on a course of action. This is a skill that many professors consider valuable in honing the critical-thinking skills of their students.

How To Write A Good Literature Review

Many scholarly articles that are published in professional journals consist of a literature review. A literature review is a form of summary which provides a comprehensive survey of the relevant research which has been published on a particular topic. You’ll learn how to write a good literature review in Writing 121 and be able to cite the source of the material that you’re using effectively. Additionally, you’ll learn how to write a bibliography which consists of all of the sources that you’ve used in your review. You’ll look at a few examples of good and bad literature reviews in the course and continue to develop your skills throughout the semester. If you want to become a professional writer, it’s essential that you’re able to write a decent literature review which will help you land that job.

How To Craft An Abstract

The abstract is an important part of a scholarly article which provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of the contents of the entire article. Many readers, including potential employers, will be seeking to find out what the article is about before they even start reading it. If you’re planning on publishing an article in a professional journal, you’ll need to learn to craft an abstract which will effectively sell the article to their target audience. You’ll learn how to write an abstract in Writing 121 and continue to develop your skills throughout the semester. If you want to become a professional writer, it’s essential that you’re able to write an abstract which will help you sell your work.

How To Interview A Subject Matter Expert

Many scholars, journalists, and bloggers rely on the expertise of subject matter experts when they write about a particular subject. An interview is one of the most effective ways to gain insight from an expert on a particular topic. In an interview, you’ll question the expert on a particular topic and then have the opportunity to utilize the information which you’re gaining from the interview in your own writing. Interviewing experts is a great way to learn new things and ensure that your writing is as comprehensive and accurate as possible. You’ll learn how to interview a subject matter expert in Writing 121 and continue to develop your skills throughout the semester. If you want to become a professional writer, it’s essential that you’re able to interview subject matter experts and use the information which you’re learning from the interview in your own work.

How To Critique Another Writer’s Work

Many times, you’ll be asked to write a literary analysis on another student’s paper. Essentially, you’ll be given a few paragraphs in which you’re supposed to comment on a piece of writing. Your role will be to assess the paper and provide suggestions for improvement. You’ll learn how to critique another writer’s work in Writing 121 and continue to develop your skills throughout the semester. If you want to become a professional writer, it’s essential that you’re able to effectively critique another’s work and offer suggestions for improvement.

How To Use MLA Style

Many scholars, journalists, and bloggers follow a specific format when writing academic articles or reviews. One of the most recognized and popular styles is the Modern Language Association (MLA) format. Your professor will help you learn how to use proper MLA formatting, which will make your papers look much more appealing to potential employers. Additionally, many academic journals utilize a specific format when they’re publishing your article, so it’s essential that you learn how to follow it.