WRD 104: Composition & Rhetoric II Rotating Header Image

Course Calendar

Please note that this calendar is designed to be flexible: we may make changes along the way, depending on your interests and the needs of the class. Should you miss a class, you are responsible for finding out what you missed from a classmate and for knowing about—and adjusting for—any calendar changes. Professional protocols and collegiality ask you to alert us if you’ll be missing on a day when we’re having a workshop or when you are scheduled to present materials.

 Week 1
“We Are What We Find, Not What We Search For”
Monday
4/1

In class: Introductions, key terms, course goals:

  • Key terms: claim, fact, assumption, premise, opinion, ideology, argument, advocacy
  • Key concepts:
    • Interpretive communities
    • Reader-based writing that matters and that accomplishes something
  • St. Martin’s Handbook
    • Reading Critically 7a
    • Summarizing 7c
  • WRD103 portfolio review and plans for integrating your WRD104 work: Digication: log in, create “Summaries” section, and compose summary page

Due: Course survey
   
Wednesday
4/3

Reading: NYT continued
In class: Summaries
Due: NYT summary — your choice:

Weekend advice: We’re reading the New York Times at an interesting time in its early-in-the-21st-century redevelopment in both print and digital platforms. You should spend some time browsing its most recent digital manifestations on Facebook, on its proprietary applications, via podcasts, and on its web site.
   
 Week 2
Relationships Between Research, Audience, & Purpose
Mon. 4/8

Reading: NYT article
In class: Rhetorical précis method of summary
Due: 

Background: review in St. Martin’s Handbook 

  • 8d on rhetorical appeals
  • 8e, on elements of argument — especially claims, assumptions, and premises
   
Wed. 4/10

Reading: NYT, continued 
In class: Rhetorical précis method of summary
Due: Rhetorical précis
   
 Week 3
From Text to Context
Individual Conferences, TBA
Mon. 4/15

Reading: NYT article TBA Sunday and a 60-90 second overview of an article of your choice, telling us why it is significant to you and why it should be significant to us
Due: Rhetorical précis from the 4/14 Sunday Op-Ed page or from a reading in another class + annotation
In class: Planning NYT Print/Digital Literacy Projects

Background: review in St. Martin’s Handbook
   
Wed. 4/17

Reading: NYT, continued
In class: NYT Print/Digital Literacy Projects
Due: Print/Digital Literacy Project Draft (1 of 3)
* Sun. 4/21  Due: Online library workshop
 Week 4
Arguments & Advocacy
Mon. 4/22

Reading: NYT article TBA Sunday
In class: Project Workshop & Writing Center Visit
Due: NYT Print/Digital Literacy Project Draft (2 of 3)

Preview: Contextual Analysis
   
Wed. 4/24

Reading: NYT continued
In class: Proofreading Workshop & Submissions
Due: NYT Print/Digital Literacy Project Final Draft (3 of 3)

Preview: Contextual Analysis Inquiry Questions
   
 Week 5
Choosing and Narrowing a Topic: Argument, Persuasion, and Advocacy
Mon. 4/29

Meet in the Richardson Library Room #109

In class: Library Database Workshop
Due: Research Inquiry Question (see examples) and Print/Digital Literacy Project Self-Assessment
   
Wed. 5/1

Reading: NYT continued
In class: 
Due: Contextual Analysis Project Proposal (see template)

St. Martin’s Handbook: 

  • 10b: analyzing the assignment
  • 10c: narrowing a topic
  • 11a: differentiating kinds of sources
 

 
 Week 6
Writing with a Method, with a Perspective, and with Authority
Mon. 5/6

Reading: NYT continued
In class: Revision Workshop & Reading Quiz
Due: Contextual Analysis Draft #1
   
Wed. 5/8 Reading: NYT continued
In class: Contextual Analysis Workshop & Reading Quiz
Due: Editorial Peer Review — St. Martin’s Guide 1. 4b
   

 Week 7
Method, Perspective, and Authority, Continued

Note this week: two dialogic responses
Mon. 5/13

Reading: NYT continued
In class: Editorial Peer Reviews — St. Martin’s Guide 1. 4b
Due: Draft #2
   
Wed. 5/15 TBA
   
 Week 8
Proofreading, Letters to the Editor, and one-on-one conferences
Mon. 5/20

Reading: Without Water, Revolution
In class: Proofreading Workshop
Due: Final Proofreading Draft

St. Martin’s Guide,

  • Proofreading: Part 1, sections 4.g-l
  • Commonly used transitions: Part 1.5e
  • Top Twenty

Preview:
   
Wed. 5/22 Reading: NYT continued
In class: Letters to the Editor workshop
Due: Letters to the Editor drafts (A-L)
   
 Week 9
Mon. 5/27 No class: Memorial Day
   
Wed. 5/29

Reading: NYT continued
In class: Letters to the Editor workshop
Due: Letters to the Editor (M-Z)

Preview: Portfolios
 
 Week 10
Mon. 6/3

Reading: NYT article TBA Sunday
In class: Portfolio workshop
   
Wed. 6/5

Reading: NYT, continued
In class: Portfolio workshop
 
 Finals Week 
 

 
 

Due: WRD104 Course Portfolio

Section #306: Monday, June 10th, 8:45-11:00 a.m.
Section #312: Wednesday, June 12th, 11:45-2:00 p.m.

We will meet during our assigned Final Exam time for the final, official delivery of your WRD104 Portfolios.