Writing 1 Overview

Writing is a skill that can be practiced and improved.

In this course, students will learn about writing by approaching it from theoretical, historical, pedagogical, and practical perspectives. Students will engage with writing processes, literacies, and genres by reading and writing about research and arguments dealing with all aspects of writing. Students will also craft arguments of their own based on their research on the art and craft of writing.

Purposes of Writing 1

Encourage critical thinking skills by having students engage with complex arguments and research early in their college careers

Establish a lexicon of writing and rhetoric terms in order to encourage transferability of skills as students move between course

Provide an immersive course in which writing is the content and the practice

Familiarize students with writing process theory and help them develop improved writing processes

Assist in the transition from high school writing expectations to college writing expectations

Necessary Components

Guidance of students’ writing processes through structured assignments, feedback, and multiple drafts
Close reading of peer-reviewed articles outside of class followed by written responses, in-class discussions, and activities
At least 30 minutes of conferences with each student over the course of the semester—Up to 6 in-class hours may be canceled to accommodate conferences throughout the semester (up to six class sessions for M/W/F sections and up to four class sessions for T/Th sections).
Instruction in research practices and conventions
Instruction in at least one documentation style (not just MLA)
Weekly written responses, blog posts, or journal entries
Participation in a peer writing group for workshops in and/or outside of class
An assignment dealing with the exploration of personal literacy
An assignment explicitly intended to emphasize thinking about and performing reading/writing tasks from a rhetorical perspective
An original writing studies-based argument (ideally written about a topic that is an intersection between a writing-studies-based theme and personal student interest) that is supported by researched evidence
Maximum enrollment of 15 students

Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to

Practice effective writing processes, including planning, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading.

Participate in collaborative groups with emphasis on listening, critical and reflective thinking, and responding to group members’ writing and ideas.

Demonstrate rhetorical awareness of the audience, message, and purpose of various writing and reading situations.

Write an organized, logical argument.

Demonstrate information literacy by finding and evaluating sources for answering questions and solving problems, as well as using sources appropriately to support arguments, and citing sources appropriately.

Develop a clear, grammatically correct writing style.

See what students have to say about Writing 1!

Writing 1 Video.mp4

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