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What is an Assignment Sequence?. Hierarchical DefinitionA sequence of assignments requiring increasing levels of complexity, upon which every future assignment relies.Non-hierarchicalUnrelated assignments that move students through different
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1. Writing Program Workshop 9/29/2004 Sequencing Assignments Dr. Felicia Jean Steele
Department of English
steele@tcnj.edu
2. What is an Assignment Sequence? Hierarchical Definition
A sequence of assignments requiring increasing levels of complexity, upon which every future assignment relies.
Non-hierarchical
Unrelated assignments that move students through different situations or that practice different skills.
Combination of the two
3. Examples of Sequences Hierarchical: Assignments lead to a larger paper
Brainstorming
Researching
Drafting
Revision/Reflection
Final Draft
Can be recursive
4. Non-hierarchical Tasks practicing different skills
Summary
Description
Narrative
Exposition
Argument
Definition, Cause, Evaluation, Proposal
Synthesis
5. Sequencing Writing Skills Writing assignments can sequence writing skills
Expressivityhow important is a voice in your discipline?
Writing modes (exposition, narration, description)how important is it in your discipline to be able to tell a story or describe a process?
Argumentationhow important is it for students to persuade an audience?
Standardness and disciplinary conventions
6. How do you formulate a sequence? Work backwards
Identify skills
What skills do you want students to have when they finish your course?
Students at the end of the first year should be able to do x, y, z
What skills do your students need to have to complete the major successfully?
Students graduating from college should be able to do x, y, z
Prioritize skills
What skills must students master before others?
When must they master them? (allows you to prepare for examinations as well)
7. Content of Sequence Sequenced assignments need not all be writing assignments
Nor must they be graded
Sequence should combine recursive and non-recursive tasks
Build revision into the sequence, for example
Allow students to build more objective writing off of more subjective writing
8. Resources for Determining Skills Writing Program Administrators Statement
Course Proposals
Departmental Core Values
Departmental Matrices
Professional Associations Lists of Competencies
Core curriculum standards
Accreditation standards