Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 14:12:48 -0700 (MST) From: jvanasu@imap2.asu.edu To: "12:15"Subject: CLASS OVERVIEW

Hello Everyone,

Some students asked if I could give a short overview of the goals and requirements of this course. Many of the course goals are clearly tied to the four persuasive papers we will write and to the portfolio each student will produce. Other goals include but are not limited to, computer experience,experience with rhetorical strategies, research and study skills. At the top of my syllabus it says, "Writing is a thinking skill." This statement should be at the center of your approach to this class.

This course teaches four essential persuasive skills, that are also cognitive skills:

1) evaluation, 2) causal analysis (argument), 3) taking a position and persuading someone else to adopt that position, and 4) persuading someone else to not only agree with your position but to take action to implement a proposed solution.

You will encounter four different forms of persuasive writing and thinking:

1) Evaluation: X is/or is not a good Y 3-4 pg. essay evaluating a problem or issue you have chosen. At least three (4-5 page) sources. M.L.A. style. Goal: grok evaluation. Analyze and employ elements of evaluation.

2) Causal: X does/or does not cause Y 3-4 pg. essay investigating the causes of the problem you identified in your Evaluation essay. At least three(4-5 page)sources. M.L.A. Style. Goal: grok Causal analysis. Analyze and employ elements of a causal analysis.

3) Position: Can be a combination of several types of arguments. I believe/don't believe X and you should/should not believe it too. 3-4 page essay taking a position on the issue you have chosen and persuading an audience to agree with you. At least three (4-5 page) sources. M.L.A. Style. Goal: Grok taking a position. Analyze and successfully use elements of persuasion

4) Proposal: We should/should not do X (In a proposal agreement we try to persuade someone else to ACT/or not ACT. 7-9 pg. essay proposing a solution to the issue that you have been writing about during the semester. At least nine (4-5 page) sources. M.L.A. Style. Goal: Grok making a proposal. Analyze and successfully employ elements of persuasion.

Final Project: Portfolio: A collection of ALL the work and sources you have collected over the semester with a reflective essay about your progress as a writer and thinker. Goal: Organize and complete an ongoing persuasive document. Objective: evaluation of your progress.

During the semester there will also be short lessons on logic, elements of argument, and argument strategies. We will study how people are persuaded, and how they think. We will look at our own reactions to each other's thoughts and each other's essays. We will investigate some theories and heuristics from other disciplines such as cultural studies, systems theory, field theory, and chaos theory and how these apply to writing.

Goals: 1) learn to grok (look it up) It will be worth extra credit if someone wants to send this definition out on email, or raise their hand and tell the class.

2) learn to analyze and employ persuasive writing, research, and thinking strategies in work, academic, and civic life.

I hope this helps you gain an overview. . . although you may also find this information and more in the syllabus.

For now,

Judith Clayton Van English Department Arizona State University