Strategies for improving your success in the class	Practicing writing regularly is an important strategy for improving your ability to write. Here are some suggested topics for your practice writing. You may also want some help with reading difficult assignments and with improving your spelling. I've included some suggestions that might help with your first paper, and this exercise is a lighthearted way to gather some unexpected material for your paper on the person you know well. Interested in improving your writing style? Here's a chapter that originally appeared in Persuasive Writing.
Your reading	You may want to look at additional information about Maya Angelou, author of “Sister Flowers.”
What are workshops?	Workshopping one of your papers in class will give you a chance to work with other people to improve your writing.
Your papers	Your first paper is on competition or child rearing. Check the wording of the assignment before you plan the paper. Ebbets Field is a sample of a paper about a place you know well. It was written by David Daniels, who teaches at Camden County College.
Improving your grammar	You can get information and practice exerises from Purdue University’s OWL—online writing lab.
Understanding your grades	I have specific standards in mind when I grade your papers. Papers based on articles and essays you read should meet similar standards. You'll be filling out a form at midterm and at the end of the semester to suggest what grade you think you should get for speaking up in class.
Signing up for your departmental exam	You must sign up for the departmental exam. Be sure to print a page that tells you the time and place of the exam you register for. Check for information on what the test will be like and what materials to bring.
Are you writing a research paper for another class?	This guide should help you use the right form if you need to use MLA style for your works cited page.

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