Composition I

Course Overview

Good writing is simple but not easy. It involves forming a compelling argument, analyzing it, applying research, and then writing, revising, and rewriting. The goal is
to strengthen the way students craft their words, and the way they think. What are our perceptions about the art of language? How important is standardized English? What do we think about Pidgin English? Is texting a new language? Is Twitter transforming the way we write?

In this course, students will develop strategies for effective college writing with an emphasis on critical reading and thinking. This course includes instruction in the composing process and practice in various kinds of writing, including personal narrative, argumentative and research writing from sources. By the end of the course, student will complete a minimum of 5,000 words of finished prose, roughly equivalent to 20 typewritten pages

Texts

  • Faigley, Lester. The Little Penguin Handbook. New York: Longman, 2009.
  • Lightman, Alan. The Best American Essays 2006. Ed. Robert Atwan. New York: Houghton Mifflin. 2000.