College Writing & Rhetoric

Complete syllabus

Every chapter and lesson

1. 01

   Chapter 1 · 3 lessons

   The Rhetorical Situation

   1. 1.1

      Audience, purpose & context

      8 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can identify and analyze the audience, purpose, and context of a text.

      • Define audience and its importance in writing.
      • Explain the purpose of a text and how it influences content.
      • Describe context and its role in shaping meaning.
   2. 1.2

      Ethos, pathos & logos

      9 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can evaluate arguments using ethos, pathos, and logos.

      • Define ethos, pathos, and logos as rhetorical appeals.
      • Identify examples of each appeal in various texts.
      • Analyze how these appeals affect the persuasiveness of an argument.
   3. 1.3

      Reading rhetorically

      8 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can apply rhetorical reading strategies to analyze texts.

      • Define rhetorical reading and its significance.
      • Identify key elements of a text that contribute to its rhetorical situation.
      • Practice analyzing a text using rhetorical reading strategies.
2. 02

   Chapter 2 · 3 lessons

   The Writing Process

   1. 2.1

      Invention & getting started

      8 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can identify strategies for generating ideas and starting your writing process.

      • Define invention in the context of writing.
      • Explore various brainstorming techniques such as freewriting and mind mapping.
      • Discuss the importance of audience and purpose in the invention stage.
   2. 2.2

      Thesis & organization

      9 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can formulate a clear thesis statement and organize your ideas effectively.

      • Define a thesis statement and its role in academic writing.
      • Identify different organizational structures for essays, such as chronological and thematic.
      • Discuss how to align supporting points with the thesis for coherence.
   3. 2.3

      Drafting & paragraphing

      8 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can draft paragraphs that effectively convey your ideas and maintain logical flow.

      • Define drafting and its significance in the writing process.
      • Explore the structure of a well-formed paragraph, including topic sentences and supporting details.
      • Discuss the importance of revising drafts for clarity and coherence.
3. 03

   Chapter 3 · 3 lessons

   Building an Argument

   1. 3.1

      Claims, reasons & evidence

      9 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can identify and articulate claims, reasons, and evidence in an argument.

      • Define claims, reasons, and evidence in the context of argumentation.
      • Explain the relationship between claims, reasons, and evidence.
      • Identify examples of claims supported by reasons and evidence in various texts.
   2. 3.2

      Counterargument & rebuttal

      8 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can construct a counterargument and formulate a rebuttal.

      • Define counterargument and rebuttal in argumentative writing.
      • Explain the importance of addressing counterarguments in strengthening an argument.
      • Identify effective strategies for crafting a rebuttal to a counterargument.
   3. 3.3

      Logical fallacies

      8 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can recognize and analyze logical fallacies in arguments.

      • Define logical fallacies and their impact on argumentation.
      • Identify common types of logical fallacies, such as ad hominem and straw man.
      • Analyze examples of arguments to spot logical fallacies.
4. 04

   Chapter 4 · 3 lessons

   Research & Sources

   1. 4.1

      Finding & evaluating sources

      9 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can identify and evaluate credible sources for your research.

      • Understand the definition of credible sources and their importance in academic writing.
      • Learn how to differentiate between primary and secondary sources.
      • Explore various databases and tools for finding academic sources.
      • Evaluate sources based on criteria such as authority, accuracy, and relevance.
   2. 4.2

      Quoting, paraphrasing & synthesis

      9 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can effectively quote, paraphrase, and synthesize information from sources.

      • Define quoting, paraphrasing, and synthesis in the context of academic writing.
      • Learn the rules for quoting and paraphrasing to avoid plagiarism.
      • Practice synthesizing information from multiple sources into a cohesive argument.
      • Understand the importance of maintaining your voice while integrating sources.
   3. 4.3

      Citation & academic integrity

      8 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can properly cite sources and understand the principles of academic integrity.

      • Define citation and academic integrity and their significance in scholarly work.
      • Learn different citation styles (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) and when to use them.
      • Explore common citation tools and resources for managing references.
      • Understand the consequences of academic dishonesty and how to avoid it.
5. 05

   Chapter 5 · 3 lessons

   Revision & Style

   1. 5.1

      Revising for clarity & flow

      9 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can identify and implement strategies to enhance clarity and flow in your writing.

      • Define clarity in writing and its importance.
      • Explain flow and how it contributes to readability.
      • Identify common issues that disrupt clarity and flow.
      • Discuss techniques for revising sentences and paragraphs for better clarity and flow.
   2. 5.2

      Sentence style & concision

      8 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can apply principles of sentence style and concision to improve your writing.

      • Define sentence style and concision.
      • Identify elements of style that contribute to effective writing.
      • Discuss the importance of conciseness in communication.
      • Explore techniques for revising sentences to enhance style and reduce wordiness.
   3. 5.3

      Editing & proofreading

      8 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can effectively edit and proofread your writing to eliminate errors and improve overall quality.

      • Define editing and proofreading and their roles in the writing process.
      • Identify common grammatical and typographical errors.
      • Discuss strategies for effective editing and proofreading.
      • Practice editing and proofreading techniques on sample texts.