English Language and Composition

In this course, students will develop their skills as persuasive writers and critical readers. Through intensive guided practice and the careful analysis of texts, students will hone their analytical and argumentative writing skills. Major topics considered include the analysis of rhetorical situation to frame a writer’s strategic choices; a writer’s claims and use persuasive evidence in support of those claims; large and small-scale organization into lines of reasoning; and stylistics possibilities, effects and choices. Students will focus on all aspects of the writing process: ideation, organization, composition, reflection and revision.

Completion of this course requires regular access to a laptop or desktop computer with working microphone and webcam, as well as a reliable internet connection.

This Fixed-Paced course incorporates a blend of synchronous and asynchronous elements. Students and teacher meet live via zoom on a regular weekly schedule. In addition, students complete coursework including guided readings, interactive videos, text and video-based discussion threads, problem sets, individual and collaborative projects, and so on. While these activities are time-flexible, teachers sequence them with weekly deadlines to help students keep on track and encourage and support the development of productive time management skills.