This is a course in English rhetoric. It is the same writing course that university students take in the US and the UK. In the first semester, we concentrate on pre-writing strategies (for finding topics and contents, determining writer’s stance, outlining, drafting, paragraphing, etc.). Then, we go on to study and apply several basic strategies for writing essays. These strategies are comprehensive and apply in all sorts of writing -- academic, professional, personal, etc. They will enhance your thinking and sharpen your writer’s voice.
This course emphasizes that writing is for communication, so at the beginning of each class each student will present a summary and discussion on his or her composition. The point is to communicate your ideas to your classmates clearly and vividly, as you would in daily life conversation. Realizing that writing is communication will encourage you to focus on your main points and make your writing more effective.
Always turn in your compositions on time. Points will be deducted for lateness. Your class attendance and active participation are important, and will be considered in final grading. Points are deducted for unexcused absences and lateness.


Tentative Syllabus

September 16. Introduction to the class, & teacher and student introductions. Two writing assignments: (1) “My Summer Vacation” (due Sept 23), and (2) “Who am I: a Thematic Self-Introduction” (due Oct 7). 1) About your summer vacation, identify some key experiences, activities, events, thoughts, or feelings that best characterize and express the main theme of your summer, such as it was boring, exciting, full of new experiences, full of memories, full of anticipation, danger, safety, new love, lost love, whatever. 2) Regarding your “Who am I?” essay, identify your key personality traits, interests, aspirations—what makes you the person that you are? Are you different from the person your friends and family think you are? What kind of person would you like to be through your studies and ca