By learning how to write a proper research paper for college, students will begin their freshman year well prepared to tackle most assignments in their first general ed courses. 

This class will benefit any student wanting to get prepared for not just research writing or history classes, but academic college writing.

Each week we will cover a new strategy or technique in the writing process, and even write a few essays applying these skills.

This class is designed so that students can drop in any weeks and stay as long as they like, and come away with techniques to implement in their own research writing.

Students should know how to use Google Docs.

Below is the schedule, subject to change. (Classes are often changed to best support the needs and interests of enrolled learners, so please message if you want to be sure):

Week 1: Introductions (thesis)
Week 2: Body Paragraphs (topic sentence, background, supporting evidence)
Week 3: Body Paragraphs Part II (" ")
Week 4: Conclusions
Week 5: Citations/Sources (where to find them, how to use them)
Week 6: Citations in Chicago/Turabian Format (examples, practice using)
Week 7: Finding and Incorporating Sources
Week 8: Drafting Research Papers
Week 9: Self-Revising Research Papers
Week 10: Drafting More Research Papers
Week 11: Peer Revising Research Papers
Week 12: What to Look for in Future Research Assignments

About Your Instructor: 
SYDNEY BARBARA is an academic, a historian, a passionate artist, and published children’s book author. She’s also a pirate expert. Yes, that’s right! She already has her Master’s Degree in History, and is currently pursuing her PhD in History and writing her dissertation on the History of Piracy! Arghhh! She loves studying and teaching the Humanities because she knows it is the ultimate learning tool for our present. You can find any answer to a present day problem just by looking throughout history. Her art practice involves mixed media, painting, and illustration. She is also a writer. She has published the first in a series of children's books titled” Why Did the Lord Create the Sea Otter?" It is all about the different animals on our planet that have specific purposes for being here. She likes to remind her students that they too have a very important role to play on this planet, just like the animals. Her classes are fun and relaxed and full of fascinating new facts and experiences. In her spare time, you’ll find her making music, painting furniture, working on her next book, or caring for her little white bundle of puppy joy, Lady.