User:Josefhoracek/ENGL 2000: English Composition

English 2000 is the second of two courses in LSU's Writing Program. Most of the students are in their second year of college. The purpose of the course is to enhance the students' writing skills, with an emphasis on research and argumentation. The course does not have a topic per se, and students are often given the option to choose topics for their assignments. The emphasis is on the research and writing skills.

The students will spend roughly one month working on several brief Wikipedia assignments. First, they will edit an article for grammar and clarity, improving at least two sentences. Second, they will add at least four new sources, with corresponding citations, to a poorly researched article. Finally, they will write a lead for an article that's missing one.

Making Changes to A Wikipedia Article
The following steps will help the online community understand your contributions to Wikipedia:
 * After you choose an article to work on, add the course assignment template at the top of the article's talk page: . That will result in the following banner (which lets other editors know that you're working on it):


 * If you use a sandbox, post a link to your sandbox on the article's talk page.
 * Use the article's talk page to propose and explain your changes (unless they are minor changes, like grammar fixes). Don't forget to sign each comment using four tildes ( ~ ). Respond to comments from other editors if necessary.
 * Provide an edit summary every time you make a change to an article (using the box at the bottom of the edit page).
 * Put any article you will edit in your watchlist so you can see recent edits and respond in a timely manner to comments.
 * Remember to always make sure that you are logged in whenever you work on Wikipedia. This is the only way you can get credit for your edits.

Assignment 1: Clarity and Grammar
Assignment Summary
 * Choose one article, identify ways in which you can improve and correct its language and grammar, and make the appropriate changes. Edit a minimum of two sentences. You do not need to alter the article's content.
 * This is a simple assignment designed to help you get your feet wet editing Wikipedia.
 * The assignment is due by Tuesday, February 10, at noon. You will complete the work in stages (see homework below).

Homework for Wednesday, February 4
 * If you haven't already done so, create your user page (your user name will change from red to blue). On your user page, add a link to the course page by copy-and-pasting this:.
 * E-mail me your user name so I know who you are and can give you a grade. (But remember that you don't need to disclose any personal information on Wikipedia.)

Homework for Friday, February 6
 * Find an article in need of copyediting (an article with poor grammar or problems with clarity). Post a link to the article on your sandbox talk page, along with suggestions for how you would improve the article.
 * You can find a list of articles in need of copyediting here: Category:Wikipedia articles needing copy edit.
 * For some advice about copyediting, go to Wikipedia:How to copy-edit.

Homework for Monday, February 9
 * Once you get your article approved (I will post a note on your sandbox talk page), add it to the course page (next to your name below) and edit the article. Use the article talk page to explain briefly your changes.

Assignment 2: Sources
Assignment Summary
 * Choose one article, identify at least four additional sources (using LSU library resources), and add the sources to the article. Provide corresponding citations throughout the article.
 * This assignment makes up 10% of your overall grade.

Homework for Monday, February 9
 * Find an article in need of better or additional sources and citations. Post a link to the article on your sandbox talk page.
 * Here's a link to a list of articles that need more reliable sources: Category:Articles lacking reliable references.
 * Here's a link to a list of articles that need additional sources: Category:Articles needing additional references.

Homework for Thursday, February 12, at noon
 * Find four sources you'd like to add to your chosen article and post them in your sandbox.

Homework for Friday, February 20
 * Integrate your sources into the article.

Assignment 3: The Lead
Assignment Summary
 * Choose one article, analyze its content and structure, and write a lead for the article.
 * This assignment makes up 10% of your overall grade.
 * Here's some information about the lead section: Help:Wikipedia:_The_Missing_Manual/Formatting_and_Illustrating_Articles/Article_Sections_and_Tables_of_Contents.

Homework for Friday, February 20
 * Find an article with a missing or deficient lead section. Post a link to the article on your sandbox talk page.
 * Here's are some links to articles that need a better lead: Category:Pages_missing_lead_section and Category:Wikipedia_introduction_cleanup.

Homework for Monday, February 23
 * Analyze the structure of the article: Is it well balanced (all major points are given proportionate weight)? Is the information in the right order? Post a brief analysis (3-4 sentences) on your sandbox talk page.

Homework for Thursday, February 26, 8:00 pm
 * Write a new lead and post it in your sandbox for review.

Homework for Tuesday, March 3, 8:00 pm
 * Once you get your lead reviewed, add it to the article. Don't forget to leave a comment on the article talk page. Congratulations!! You're done with our Wikipedia class project.