Course Catalog Description: ENGL 212 Topics in Critical Writing (3)
Emphasizes processes of critical reading and writing, as applied to several modes of communication. Frequent writing assignments for different audiences, with attention to disciplinary conventions and rhetorical strategies for argument in academic discourse. Workshop approaches. Includes work in developing research questions and using library and electronic resources. Refines abilities to analyze both student and professional texts. Specific content for reading may be organized by theme. Sample topics: Introduction of Rhetoric, Reading Media, Writing About the Holocaust, Writing in Cyberspace. (Cross-listed with ENGL 285.) Prerequisite: All reading and writing Basic Skills requirements must be completed before enrolling in this course.

• Syllabus

• Essay 1: Researching and Profiling a Person
  For the complete essay assignment sheet and a sample essay, see pp. 147-153 of BW. You can access additional samples at www.ablongman.com/beyondwords09.
  • Essay 1 is a "Research Lite" essay. Because it is important for us to start writing before I'm able to teach all the principles of research, argumentation, citation, etc., we will start out with a less-intensive version of the research paper. You should still try to practice responsible research skills and think about your process of researching and constructing your essay; however, you need not get the research components perfect on your first shot. Remember that revision is built into the course.
• Essay 2: Film Critique
• Essay 3:Reporting on Research in Your Field
  Research_Paper_Heuristic.doc
  Reporting on Research in Your Field (with Source Synthesis)
• This assignment requires you to bridge the distance between the ways in which information is conveyed in specialized disciplines and the ways in which the general public learns about issues in the field you are considering pursuing as a career. You will conduct research using sources written for a specific field as well as sources aimed at nonexperts. Instead of doing this as a photo essay, you should plan to compose a traditional MLA research essay, but you should plan to use images to help guide readers to better understand your argument.
• You can use the assignment from pages 412-415 in BW to guide your thinking. However, make sure that you focus on YOUR future field instead of the sciences. Also, do not compose this as a photo essay--instead, make sure it is a traditional 5-7 page MLA essay with a thesis, topic sentences, documented sources, etc... As always, cite your sources and your image within the paper and on the Works Cited list. YOU ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO HAVE THREE INSTANCES OF SOURCE SYNTHESIS IN YOUR PAPER. We'll discuss synthesis in more detail later (you've already done it this semester, though, so never fear).
• Source stipulation: You may use the web to start your research and shape your understanding/thinking about your topic; however, it is your job primarily to work with traditional, library sources for this assignment. You may use up to 4 popular sources (magazines, newspapers, websites), but you should have a total of 8-10 sources that you use in your paper. Next week in class, we will "test" the sources you have chosen.
• Bring a topic, a completed research heuristic sheet (below), and a list of possible sources to the next class meeting on March 19. We will have a rough draft workshop on March 26. Final drafts will be due to the dropbox by Friday, March 30.
• Assignment #4: Composing a Visual Argument
• Portfolio Expectations

• Ruszkiewicz, John, Daniel Anderson, & Christy Friend.  Beyond Words: Reading and Writing in a Visual Age.  New York: Pearson, 2006.
• McLuhan, Marshall & Quentin Fiore. The Medium is the Massage: An Inventory of Effects.  Corte Madera, CA: Ginko Press, 1967.