WRTG 291: Research Writing

WRTG 291 is a 3-credit course at the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) that continues practice in critical reading, thinking and writing. UMGC lists WRTG 112 as the prerequisite and says it fulfills the general education requirement in communications.

The objective is to analyze, evaluate and synthesize diverse sources and viewpoints into persuasive academic writing. Synthesis is the usual sticking point: many students summarize sources one after another instead of combining them.

What WRTG 291 Covers

UMGC's description names four kinds of assignment, which give the course its structure.

Key Concepts Explained

Annotated Bibliography

Each entry has a citation followed by a short annotation. Annotations usually summarize the source, evaluate its credibility and explain its usefulness for your project. Follow the format and length your instructor specifies.

Synthesis

Synthesis organizes ideas by theme, not by source. Instead of "Source A says... Source B says...", group the sources around a point: where they agree, where they disagree and what that suggests.

Reflection

A reflective paper looks back on your process. Describe a decision, explain why you made it, and say what you learned or would do differently.

Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them

UMGC names the four assignment types above; exact prompts and lengths are set in each section.

Building a Synthesis Matrix

Fill each cell with a few words. Then write each body section from a column, comparing what sources say about the same theme.

Writing the Reflective Paper

Choose two or three decisions in your process, such as changing your thesis or dropping a source. For each, describe the situation, explain your reasoning and say what you learned. Specifics make reflection credible.

What a Strong WRTG 291 Submission Looks Like

A strong annotated bibliography evaluates each source consistently. A strong synthesis essay is organized by theme, makes a debatable claim, and uses sources to support and complicate it. A strong reflection refers to real decisions.

Across all four assignment types, the writing is clear, the citations are accurate, and each piece connects to the project that runs through the course.

Questions to Ask Your Instructor

Ask how long each annotation should be, how many sources the synthesis essay needs, and which citation style to follow. Ask also whether the reflective paper has a set structure. These details differ between sections.

Where Students Get Stuck

• Source-by-source summary. Reorganize around themes.
• Weak annotations. Evaluate, do not only summarize.
• Thesis that simply states a topic. Make a claim you can argue.
• Generic reflection. Refer to specific moments and decisions.

Study Tips for WRTG 291

• Create a matrix with sources down the side and themes across the top, then mark where each source speaks to each theme.
• Write annotations as you read, not at the end.
• Keep a draft thesis visible and revise it when sources change your mind.
• Save your prewriting; it often contains the best thesis ideas.

How We Help with WRTG 291

Send the prompt, rubric, sources and any draft. A writing tutor can explain synthesis, prepare a model for a comparable topic, or review your annotated bibliography or essay for structure and source use. See our research paper help guide for wider support.

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