Goals for English 15:

The primary goal of this course is to prepare you for participation in the public and professional discourses of the “real” world.

Rhetoric is usually understood as a way of transforming the ideas and opinions of others, but you can also use rhetoric as an investigative tool. For example, by studying the language and images used by a field of study, you will learn a great deal about what that field of study takes for granted. In this course you will write for persuasion - you will attempt to move someone to do something, such as change their mind. And you will write for inquiry - by putting ideas into different contexts and forms, you will explore problems and find unexpected solutions.

Multimedia will help you learn techniques of information and attention management. The class will stress the importance of becoming an adept of information. By blogging multiple times a week, you will write much more than usual and develop new capacities as writers. Most importantly, you will learn to build a rhythm and process for writing. By taking this process with you after the class is over, you will be ready for a lifetime of composition.

When you finish a draft, and as you write, ask yourself the following:

1. Is there an agent and action in every sentence? (Use active and passive voice properly.)

2. Does each sentence move from old information to new?

3. Do I argue for a consistent thesis?

4. Does my argument consider, develop and respond to counter-arguments?

5. Have I worked with an editor to revise spelling, grammar, medium and format?