Writing

You have, no doubt, already been introduced to a number of strategies for generating ideas, planning what to say and how to say it, and getting the first draft down on paper.   Likewise, you have probably had experience in research in libraries and on the web.  We will build on these foundations to raise your writing to a more sophisticated level.  By the end of the term you should have gained greater control over the structure of your sentences, paragraphs and essays; you should be able to make subtle distinctions, draw careful conclusions, and make the many personal choices that lead to lively prose.
 

Reading Responses

Reading responses are a way to reflect on what you have read, as well as a means of dialogue outside of class with your fellow students.  They can take a variety of tones, including humorous, but should always include specific reactions and ideas supported by passages from the texts.  It is good to raise questions for discussion, and to respond to what others have written.  See examples.
 

Essays

Five essays plus exercises in class will allow you to work on your writing, to think, plan, write and revise in order to make each piece of work the best you can do.   Each essay offers a different challenge; each will benefit from comments from your fellow students as well as from me, and from thorough and independent revision.

 

Essay 3

 
Research Essay