Writing
What and when you'll be writing for us: the main page for this writing tutorial.

The Topic
It's as simple as this: what in the course material has you interested? If you can answer that question, you've found your topic -- almost.

The Outline
An outline is the skeleton of the finished product.

Works Cited
How do you indicate that an idea is not your own? Conventions for documentation change, so you'd best be up-to-date.

Proof Reading
Errors are like ants at a picnic: no matter how many you squash, there are always a few more. This page gives you tips on how to produce an error-free final copy.

Glossary
On this page, you'll see the standard abbreviations, with their definitions, for common problems in student papers.

Samples
What does the perfect Liberal Studies paper look like? This page links you to some samples of finished examples.

When will you write?

You'll be doing a good amount of writing in our program. In fact, learning to write standard expository prose is one of the more prominent features of Liberal Studies at UNC Charlotte. Very often, returning students, especially those with years of work experience, have difficulty understanding the nature of expository prose. They may have acquired over the years considerable skill at writing for their profession, and it's frustrating for them to be starting over. It's important to remember that just as there are different tools for different tasks, there are different kinds of writing for different purposes. Writing exposés and writing for learning are unlike the kind of writing that most non-academics are regularly expected to do. It will take time, but we are here to help you.

Some of your professors will ask for one middle-size term paper (eight to twelve pages) at the end, and others will ask for several shorter papers (three to five pages). The final Masters thesis will be long enough to cover the topic adequately. That usually means a minimum of thirty-five pages.

What is "expository prose?"

It's the setting forth of ideas in clear and direct prose. This isn't to say that there aren't other, perfectly legitimate forms of writing that you may wish to develop. Far from it. It's just that in this program, and for our faculty, you will be asked to write in standard, expository prose. If you think that's easy, you'll be in for a surprise. It's harder than you may think.

How will these web pages help me?

We won't be able to cover all you need to know in a couple of pages. Fortunately, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of excellent books available to help you organize your thinking and get on with the work of writing. What these pages will provide you is only some insight into what kind of writing you'll be doing for us.

How to start?

The LBST faculty has adopted the Modern Language Association conventions as the standard for the program. As implied above, you won't be expected to know them all at once. Instead, in 6101 and 6102, these conventions will be thoroughly reviewed and consistently applied throughout your studies. All LBST student purchase two texts at the beginning of their careers that not only serve as a reference. but will also reacquaint with the the fundamental processes of research writing. They are: The College Writer's Reference and Strategies for Successful Writing.

Good luck!