NUTR Fundamentals of Writing About Nutrition and Health Fall 2017

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1 Tufts University, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy NUTR Fundamentals of Writing About Nutrition and Health Fall 2017 Class Meetings: Tuesdays, 5:00pm to 7:00pm, Jaharis Building, Room 118 Instructor(s): Office hours: Teaching Asst.: Graduate Credits: Prerequisites: Christine Perry Smith, MS, RD By appointment Rachel Bleiweiss-Sande 0.5 credit None Course Description: This introductory 10-week course is designed to teach the basic skills necessary to write nutrition- and health-related papers that are clear, accurate, and audience-appropriate. It is a practical review of grammar, writing, and revision, and will enable students to develop a clear, fluent, and readable writing style. The course will include both individual and collaborative exercises and will require several writing and editing assignments. NUTR 220 is a prerequisite for NUTR 205 and NUTR 306. Course Objectives: Texts or Materials: Students will learn to identify and correct common errors in English grammar and punctuation. They will review the principles of direct, well-organized writing and incorporate these into their own written work. A Pocket Style Manual, 7th ed., by Diana Hacker. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin's, ISBN-13: Words Fail Me: What Everyone Who Writes Should Know About Writing, by Patricia T. O'Conner. New York, NY: Mariner Books, ISBN-13: Random House Webster's Handy Grammar, Usage & Punctuation, 2nd ed. New York, NY: Random House, ISBN-13: Writing models, readings for discussion, and additional resources will be posted on Canvas.

2 Academic Conduct: Each student is responsible for upholding the highest standards of academic integrity, as specified in the Friedman School s Policies and Procedures manual ( and Tufts University policies ( academic-integrity-policy). It is the responsibility of each student to understand and comply with these standards, as violations will be sanctioned by penalties ranging from failure on an assignment and the course to dismissal from the school. Classroom Conduct: Students are expected to come prepared for each class and participate in each class. Assignments must be submitted on their due dates. Use of electronic devices is limited to classroom activities; please turn cell phones to quiet mode at the beginning of class. Assessment and Grading: This course is letter graded. Grade weights are as follows: Essay 20% 3 editing each 30% Research report 20% Class participation 10% Consumer brief 20% A passing grade in the course is B- or better. Course grades will be based on the following scale (subject to revision during the course): A > 94% B <90% B <84% A <94% B 84 - <87% Assignments and Submission Instructions: All assignments must be submitted on time and in readable format, i.e., in 12- point font; on single-sided, double-spaced pages; and with 1" margins all around. Assignments received after their deadlines will not be accepted or graded unless an extension is approved in advance. Students who are unable to complete an assignment on time for any reason should notify the instructor by , text message, or phone call prior to the deadline, with a brief explanation for why the extension is needed. Writing assignments will be graded for grammar, punctuation, clarity, organization, and development of content. Grades will be based on how well a paper adheres to these criteria and on how well the writer incorporates instructor feedback. An assignment sheet will be provided for each paper. Students may rewrite any or all of the papers one time to improve their grades. A rewrite must be substantively different from the original to be considered for an improved grade, and students must turn in the original with it for comparison. Page 2 of 4

3 Editing assignments are opportunities to relate class topics to outside written material and to build proficiency at identifying and correcting errors in English grammar and punctuation. Editing assignments may not be rewritten. Accommodation of Disabilities: Tufts University is committed to providing equal access and support to all students through the provision of reasonable accommodations so that each student may access their curricula and achieve their personal and academic potential. If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodations please contact the Friedman School Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at to make arrangements for determination of appropriate accommodations. Please be aware that accommodations cannot be enacted retroactively, making timeliness a critical aspect for their provision. Course Schedule: This schedule is subject to modification at the instructor s discretion. Assignment sheets will be provided separately. Models for discussion and readings not in the textbooks will be posted on Canvas or provided in class. Week Class topic and reading covered Assignment (due date) 1 Sept.12 Introduction to writing well Common grammar mistakes Essay (due week 2) 2 Sept Sept Oct. 3 Pocket Style Manual - chapters 10, 12, 19 Words Fail Me - chapters 1-5, 18, Basing your writing on research Organization, sourcing, and plagiarism Pocket Style Manual - chapters 25-28, Punctuation Pocket Style Manual - chapters 15, 17-21, 23 Words Fail Me - review p Usage Direct writing Pocket Style Manual - chapters 11a, 13, and glossary of usage, p Words Fail Me - chapters 6, 7, 16 NARA Plain Language Principles Outline (due Mon. 9/25) Research report (due week 5) Editing #1 (due week 4) Page 3 of 4

4 Week Class topic and reading covered Assignment (due date) 5 Oct Oct. 17 Effective consumer writing Pocket Style Manual - chapters 8, 9a Words Fail Me - chapters 14, 15, 17, 19 Spelling and capitalization Effective consumer writing continued Editing #2 (due week 6) Consumer brief (due week 7) 7 Oct Oct. 31 Nov. 7 9 Nov Nov. 21 Pocket Style Manual - chapters 22, 24 Random House Webster - pages Words Fail Me - chapters 8, 9, 10; review p Direct writing continued Modifiers Pocket Style Manual - chapters 1, 4, 7, 9b Random House Webster - p Words Fail Me - chapters Voice, parallelism, and perspective Causes of indirect writing Pocket Style Manual - chapters 2, 3, 5, 6 Random House Webster - pages and Words Fail Me - chapters Veterans Day holiday switch - no class Panel discussion Class wrap-up and discussion Writing with sensitivity Changes in pronoun usage Grammar review Pocket Style Manual - chapter 9c-e Random House Webster - pages Words Fail Me - chapter 27 Handouts as provided Editing #3 (due week 9) All rewrites due Page 4 of 4

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