ELSO offers four writing courses. Are you wondering which one to choose? Here is some guidance.
First, a brief overview of the four courses:
- ELSO 6500 Strategies for Writing with AI: This course is best thought of as a sandbox, a time to play with generative AI tools for writing, while in the supportive atmosphere of an ELSO course. Taught by Nathan Lindberg, this course introduces strategies for using AI during the invention, revision, and editing stages of the writing process, testing the technology for when it can (and cannot) be effective and efficient for supporting the writing process and language learning process. This course is fun, interesting, and cutting edge. There are few like it in the country, and it is taught by a leading researcher in this area.
- ELSO 6515 Preparing to Write Workshop: This course is best taken early in the life of a writing project or early in a degree program. The course, taught by all three ELSO faculty, introduces a wide range of strategies important for the invention phase of the writing process—the stage at which writers are gathering the stuff of writing. This course includes strategies for reading, taking notes, using library-based resources, more effectively, writing with more ease – all more efficiently and effectively. The word “workshop” in the title means that time is reserved for in-class quiet writing.
- ELSO 6535 Research Paper Writing Workshop: This course is best taken when actively engaged in writing a research paper (a paper based on empirical evidence—rather based on developing a theory or following ideas, like an open-ended essay). This course explores the genre of the research paper. Students are asked to find “mentor texts”—sample research papers from their fields—to learn about discipline-specific writing. Like ELSO 6515, students have time in class to write. This course is taught by Michelle Crow and Nathan Lindberg.
- ELSO 6565 Thesis and Dissertation Writing Workshop: This course is best taken when actively working on a master’s thesis (or capstone project) or doctoral dissertation (any part of it—like a chapter). The focus of this course is to make progress on what is a very large writing project during what can be a very isolated time during the graduate experience. This course is largely structured by the students. Mondays are devoted to discussion (based on questions raised by students) and Wednesdays are devoted to quiet writing time. And there are copious office hours for students to get one-to-one attention from the instructor. This course is taught by Michelle Crow.
ELSO 6500 may be taken at any time. The other three courses are generally recommended to be taken as a sequence: ELSO 6515, then 6535, then 6565. However, if your thesis or dissertation is going to be due soon, take ELSO 6565 sooner rather than later.
The only time not to take ELSO 6565 is when you are not yet writing a thesis or dissertation. This course is not the type to take to learn skills for later. Same for ELSO 6535. If you know you will someday write a research paper, take ELSO 6515 instead, and save ELSO 6535 for when you are actually writing the paper.
A final tip is that all of the writing courses with the exception of ELSO 6500 may be repeated for credit. For example, as long as you are writing a thesis or dissertation, you may keep taking the course. Why? The content of the course will keep changing. And Because writers need other writers. And because ELSO is here for you, from the start of your writing projects, to the end.
Still have questions? You are welcome to contact us with a question or a meeting at elso@cornell.edu. You may also look at a sample syllabus at the program Canvas site English Language Support Office Resources (self-enroll here). And you are welcome to come to the first day of class. You can see this semester’s schedule here.
We look forward to being part of your writing journey at Cornell.
Michelle Crow, mtc225@cornell.edu
Nathan Lindberg, nathanlindberg@cornell.edu
Melissa Myers, mm177@cornell.edu
