Fall 2018  |  WRIT 3101W Section 001: Writing Arguments (20965)

Instructor(s)
Class Component:
Discussion
Credits:
3 Credits
Grading Basis:
A-F or Audit
Instructor Consent:
No Special Consent Required
Instruction Mode:
In Person Term Based
Class Attributes:
UMNTC Liberal Education Requirement
Times and Locations:
Regular Academic Session
 
09/04/2018 - 12/12/2018
Mon, Wed 01:00PM - 02:15PM
UMTC, East Bank
Lind Hall 320
Enrollment Status:
Open (19 of 24 seats filled)
Also Offered:
Course Catalog Description:
Students learn about argument, drawn from a number of theories of argument. This goal is pragmatic: those theories provide a vocabulary for talking about argument and for developing and refining students' own written arguments. Students get regular practice, coaching, and feedback on their writing skills, primarily as these concern argumentative writing. Students also learn how to analyze argumentative texts, drawn from popular culture, academic fields, and the public realm.
Class Description:
Classical appeals of ethos, logos, and pathos. Arguments of different styles and complexity. Logical fallacies, credibility issues. Using primary/secondary research. Readings may include essays on social policies/problems. Writing Arguments is an advanced composition course for upper-division students in any major. An argument is where you take a stand or make a claim about a topic and then back it up with facts, research, opinions, and reasons. The course will help you better understand the ways your arguments are put together and how yours can be made more interesting and effective. You will use what you already know and what you read and learn about your topics so that you know enough to write with confidence. We will first define the major features of arguments: appeal to your audience. how you present yourself, and the structure and organization of your papers. Through close analysis of example and practice you will appreciate how you can control those variables. After some background work, the course will focus on three progressively longer and more difficult papers. 1) Informed opinion: You will argue for your position on an interesting topic with backing from your knowledge and experience complemented with what you acquire through interviews and direct observation. 2) Public opinion:Narrow a topic on a current national or state issue so the result will fit in two op-ed articles of about 4 pages each. Then you will read widely to find out what facts and opinions experts and amateurs bring to the topic. 3) Academic: Identify an important and interesting question that scientists, scholars, or critics in your major discipline have written about. Read and analyze some the key articles or book chapters for their audience, the writers` presentation, and structure. Then use those sources to write an academic paper in which you take a position on the question and back it up with your research. Contact Professor Donald Ross at rossj001@umn.edu for more information about this course.
Textbooks:
https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/20965/1189
Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
6 April 2015

ClassInfo Links - Fall 2018 Writing Studies Classes

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