This introductory composition course will help you develop and express ideas effectively for a variety of personal and professional purposes, audiences, and occasions. During the course, you will complete five major written projects, maintain a writer’s journal, learn and apply a variety of concepts in the field of rhetoric and composition, and create an ePortfolio where you will showcase your work and your evolving identity as a writer.

Self-paced courses allow students to complete course assignments at their own pace, as long as the course is completed within a year. Self-paced courses are great for:

• Students who want to start right away
• Students who are self-directed and can set and stick to a plan for completing the course
• Students who may want to either go faster or slower than the instructor-paced version

Instructor-led courses have a structure with weekly assignment due dates, as well as an instructor guiding a student through the curriculum and content. Instructor-led courses are great for:

• Students who prefer a structured timeline with established due dates for assignments
• Students who enjoy interaction with other students, who will be completing assignments at the same time
• Students who are taking their first course online, and may benefit from greater guidance

What you’ll learn

• Rhetorical Knowledge: how to craft your writing to meet the needs of specific audiences for specific purposes.
• Critical Thinking: how to make decisions about what to include and not include in your writing.
• Writing Processes: how to use invention, research, drafting, revising, and editing in your writing.
• Knowledge of Conventions: how to use various formats and stylistic choices, including genre conventions.
• Digital Technology: how to use diverse technologies to write more effectively and efficiently.
• Habits of Mind: how to benefit from and cultivate curiosity, openness, engagement, creativity, persistence, responsibility, flexibility, and reflection.

What to expect in class

Video lectures, readings, writing activities and projects, ePortfolio, discussions, and quizzes.

Exams and grading

• 10% - Writer's Journals (20)
• 5% - Participation Assignments (9)
• 24% - Writing Projects (5)
• 6% - ePortfolio
• 15% - Content Mastery (7)
• 40% - Quizzes (7)