Writing the Learning Agreement

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Transcript Writing the Learning Agreement

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Writing the Learning Agreement

Matt Smith, MFA Writing Consultant

Agenda

• Overview of the Learning Agreement (LA) • Strategies for organizing your information • The structure of the LA • Common mistakes to avoid • Writing Center resources • Questions and answers

LA and KAM: Definitions

LA: Agreement in which you indicate the subject area, objectives (goals), resources (sources), and demonstration of mastery for your KAM.

Knowledge Area Module (KAM): Comprehensive, independent unit of study in a social science area.

Your Job as a Scholar

Show that: 1. You understand your subject 2. Your information is true 3. Your research matters Write for an informed but critical reader.

Why Write an LA?

• An LA can help you

focus

research.

and

design

your KAM • It is also a kind of contract in which you plan your KAM research and agree to stick to that plan.

• It saves time: Your assessor can help you develop the framework of your study before you research and write the entire KAM.

How Does the LA Work?

• You submit the LA to your assessor, who may or may not have further suggestions for revision. • By reviewing your LA, the assessor assures you that your plan for the KAM appears workable, is sufficiently comprehensive, and meets basic expectations.

Basic Components of an LA

• Overview of the KAM – A summary of what you plan to accomplish in each component of the KAM, with an indication of how the components relate to each other.

– Include 120 words or fewer • Outlines of the Breadth, Depth, and Application • Each outline contains: – Objectives (goals) – References – demonstration

KAM Model Breadth Depth Application

Your LA describes the structure of your KAM

A Note on Scholarly Writing

“While scholarly writing has style conventions, it does not have to be wordy, stuffy, or dispassionate. You should avoid colloquialisms and slang, but do not strive to sound academic. Sentences should not be long and complex. Your convictions about what you are writing, dynamic evidence, and honest voice should not be lost in tedium. Crispness, curiosity, honesty, and enthusiasm are ingredients of impassioned scholarship” (Yob, 2010, p. 36).

Yob, I. (2010). A guide to the Knowledge Area Modules: Making the KAMs work for you. Retrieved from the Walden University website: http://researchcenter.waldenu.edu/Documents/Guide_to_the_Knowledge_Area_Modules.pdf

Avoiding Common Problems

• Format throughout the writing process • Use Walden resources as you go along • Use your LA to guide the writing of your KAM • Focus on one task at a time to avoid becoming overwhelmed

Resources

Go here (and bookmark this page!) http://researchcenter.waldenu.edu/367.htm

Questions?

[email protected]

Did you know?

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Don’t forget!

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