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ENGL 353: Intermediate Composition (Rev. C6) Report a Broken Link

This course takes a practical approach to essay writing by having students apply the major principles of composition in five essay assignments. Students learn these principles in the abstract by studying online handbooks on composition and in practice by studying samples of good writing and applying the principles in their own work. The course emphasizes some common essay types—exposition, comparison and contrast, persuasion, and research—as well as having the students write a critical review.

Unit 1—The Writing Process: A Review

Unit 1 Video
The Writing Process: A Review [video]

Required Readings
Driscoll, Dana Lynn, and Allen Brizee. "Appropriate Language: Overview." Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University.
Wells, Jaclyn M., Morgan Sousa, Mia Martini, Allen Brizee, and Ashley Velázquez. "Steps for Revising Your Paper." Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University, 2013.
Betts, Kristen. "Lost in Translation: Importance of Effective Communication in Online Education." Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration 12.2. (2009).
"Revising, Editing and Proofreading." Center for Writing Excellence, Montclair State University.

After accessing this page, scroll down the page to the heading "Revising, Editing and Proofreading," and check out the links.
Doctorow, Cory. “Writing in the Age of Distraction.” Locus Magazine 7 Jan. 2009.
Extra Resources
Write Site. Athabasca University.
Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University.
"General Writing Resources." Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University.
Russell, Tony, Allen Brizee, Elizabeth Angeli, Russell Keck, Joshua M. Paiz, Michelle Campbell, Rodrigo Rodríguez-Fuentes, and Daniel P. Kenzie. "MLA Formatting and Style Guide." Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University, 2014.

Unit 2—The Expository Essay

Unit 2 Video
The Expository Essay [video]

Required Readings
Essay Writing // Purdue Writing Lab (Please click on each of the essay types at the bottom of the page for full information)
"Expository Essay." Tutoring and Testing Center, Nova Southeastern University.
"Writing an Expository Essay." Cambridge University Press
Orwell, George. "Politics and the English Language." Horizon Apr. 1946.
Extra Resources
Baker, Jack, Allen Brizee, and Elizabeth Angeli. "Essay Writing." Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University, 2013.
Writing Process. Write Site. Athabasca University
The Writing Process Checklist: Revising, Editing, and Proofreading (PDF). Write Site. Athabasca University.

Unit 3—The Critical Review

Unit 3 Video
The Critical Review [video]

Required Readings
Knott, Deborah. "Critical Reading Towards Critical Writing." New College Writing Centre, University of Toronto. n.d.
"How to Write a Critical Review of a Journal Article." University of Toronto Mississauga Library. Rpt. in Queen's University Library, 3 Nov. 2009.
"Writing a Paper: Outlining." Writing Center. Walden University.
"The Paragraph: A Video Tutorial." Write Site. Athabasca University, 2014.
"Reverse Outlines: A Writer's Technique for Examining Organization." Writing Center. University of Wisconsin-MAdison.
Rules of an Effective Thesis Statement. NAIT, Dept of Student Learning and Development
Fernsten, Linda A. and Mary Reda. "Helping Students Meet the Challenges of Academic Writing." Teaching in Higher Education 16.2 (2011): 171–82.
Critical Reviews - Introduction to Research: Humanities and Social Sciences - Research Guides at Queen's University Library (queensu.ca)
“Writing a Summary, Response, or Critique.” The Writing Center, Saint Mary’s University School of Graduate & Special Programs, 2004.

Note: After accessing this page, click on the option that says "Summary and Critique," and check out the relevant links.
"Sample Extracts." University of New South Wales. 2014.
"Critical Review Writing." Monash University Library. 2007.
Instructions on how to write a critical review with sample excerpts
Extra Resources
"Types of Outlines and Samples." Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University.
Brizee, Allen. “Reverse Outlining: An Exercise for Taking Notes and Revising Your Work.” Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University, 2010.
Assignment 2: Critical Review Essay Choices
Fernsten, Linda A. and Mary Reda. “Helping Students Meet the Challenges of Academic Writing.” Teaching in Higher Education 16.2 (2011): 171–82.
Creme, Phyllis. “A Space for Academic Play: Student Learning Journals as Transitional Writing.” Arts and Humanities in Higher Education 7.1 (2008) 49–64.
Betts, Kristen. “Lost in Translation: Importance of Effective Communication in Online Education.” Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration 12.2 (2009).
Maracle, Lee. "Scent of Burning Cedar." Walrus Magazine, June 2018.
Essay Outline Template. Write Site. Athabasca University.

Unit 4—The Comparison/Contrast Essay

Unit 4 Video
The Comparison/Contrast Essay [video]

Required Readings
"Transitions." Writing Center. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
"Comparison and Contrast Essays." The Writing Centre, Saint Mary's University.
Cogdill, Sharon. “Comparison/Contrast Essays.” LEO: Literacy Education Online. The Write Place, St. Cloud State University, 1997.
Harris, Marvin. "Pig Lovers and Pig Haters," Cows, Pigs, Wars & Witches. New York: Random House. 1974.
Cavendish, Margaret. "On Social Class and Happiness [Letter LV]." Sociable Letters. Early English Books Online.
Dorchies, Greg. “Cohesion.” Clarkson University Writing Center.
Extra Resources
Weber, Ryan, and Karl Stolley. "Writing Transitions." Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University, 2013.
Wells, Jaclyn M., Morgan Sousa, Mia Martini, Allen Brizee, and Ashley Velázquez. “Revising for Cohesion.” Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University, 2013.

Unit 5—The Persuasive Essay

Unit 5 Video
The Persuasive Essay [video]

Required Readings
McKeever, Rosemary. "Fallacies and Propaganda." Center for Academic Success, Butte College, 2005.
Drake's List of the Most Common Logical Fallacies.
"Word Choice." Writing Center. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
"Developing a Thesis." Writing Center. Harvard College.
"Thesis Statements." Writing Center. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Swift, Jonathan. "A Modest Proposal." The Art Bin.
Klein, Naomi. "The Swoosh: The Fight for Good Jobs." Archive.org.

To find the excerpt, open the web page, type control F, and search for "The Swoosh: The Fight for Good Jobs." The excerpt is finished at the next section, "The Shell: The Fight for Open Space."
Wolf, Susan. “Moral Saints.” The Journal of Philosophy 79.8 (1982): 419–439.
Dryden, Ken. excerpt from The Game.

Text begins on page 192 of the PDF (not page 192 of the book) at the paragraph that begins "Once I used to wait in line like everyone else" and ends at the bottom of page 199 of the PDF.
"Writing Concisely." Writing Center. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Extra Resources
Weber, Ryan, and Allen Brizee. "Logical Fallacies." Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University, 2013.
Wells, Jaclyn M. “Word Choice.” Ed. Allen Brizee. Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University, 2009.
"Effective Persuasion Presentation." Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University.
Weida, Stacy, and Karl Stolley. "Developing Strong Thesis Statements." Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University, 2013.
Weida, Stacy, and Karl Stolley. "Using Rhetorical Strategies for Persuasion." Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University, 2013.
Weber, Ryan, and Nick Hurm. “Conciseness.” Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University, 2013.

Unit 6—The Research Essay

Unit 6 Video
The Research Essay [video]

Required Readings
"Steps in Writing a Research Paper." ESC Online Writing Center. Suny Empire State College.
“Tips for Writing Analytic Research Papers.” Communications Program, Harvard Kennedy School, 2009.
“Analyze/Analysis.” Online Writing Lab. Roane State Community College.
"Evaluating Sources." University of Maryland.
"Evaluating Source Quality." Massey University.
"Conducting Research." Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University.
Vaillant, John. “The Golden Bough.” The New Yorker. 4 Nov. 2002.
Showalter, Elaine. “Representing Ophelia: Women, Madness, and the Responsibilities of Feminist Criticism.” eNotes.com. 2010.
Pick, Alison. “Paddling Back in Time.” The Walrus. 2007.
Miller, Nan. “Postmodern Moonshine in English 101.” Academic Questions 19.3 (2006): 6–36.
Organization | Write Site | Athabasca University
Bellanca, Pat. “Ending the Essay: Conclusions.” Harvard College Writing Center. 1998.
Kuefler, Matt. “Elegance in Writing Style.” San Diego State University.

Extra Resources
Driscoll, Dana Lynn, and Allen Brizee. “Evaluating Sources: Overview.” Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University, 2013.
Driscoll, Dana Lynn, and Allen Brizee. “Evaluating Bibliographic Citations.” Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University, 2013.
Driscoll, Dana Lynn, and Allen Brizee. “Evaluation During Reading.” Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University, 2013.
Driscoll, Dana Lynn, and Allen Brizee. “Evaluating Print vs. Internet Sources.” Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University, 2013.