OnRamps

Introduction

This college writing course prepares you to become more effective in analyzing and producing arguments. It does so through the articulation and practice of well-established principles of rhetoric and argumentation. Rhetoric is a lens that can be used to analyze any topic, and in this course, you will use rhetoric to study the many and varied ways that we position ourselves as individuals within American culture. In particular, we research and examine arguments about American identity and identity formation – both personal and cultural. To begin the course, you will analyze arguments about identity along three main course threads: gender, race, and ethnicity. Then, you will research a course thread of your choice more deeply with the goal of building, then narrowing your finds into a focused annotated bibliography essay. To cap the course you will use your research to consider how aspects of the rhetorical construction of self-relate to individual identity by composing an original essay arguing an aspect of American identity to an audience of your choice. The goal is to foster your abilities to analyze arguments presented by others, to research important contemporary issues, and to write sound and effective arguments of your own to a target audience – abilities that will enhance your academic, professional, civic, and social lives.

Class Information

For this class, you will need:

• One composition notebook to leave in the classroom
• Headphones or earbuds you can bring to school when asked

As a member of this class, you must:

• Complete and turn in the assigned NEWSELA assignment. Each NEWSELA article is assigned Monday and is due Friday, but should be completed the day it is assigned. You are also required to complete a certain number of NEWSELA independent readings each six weeks.
• Follow the DVISD Responsible Use of Technology Agreement
• Try your best everyday! There is no need to fail as long as you have "a desire to do well and a never-give-up-attitude." -Ron Clark