About the Course:

The generic name for English 103 is "Introduction to Expository Writing." "Exposition" is the art of setting forth what you mean. This can take many forms, but in this section of Eng. 103 we will focus on how the craft of writing is changing under the influence of technology.

Course Goals:

• Write more clearly and more analytically for an academic audience
• Learn and practice how the Internet and other technologies change communication
• Learn how to evaluate textual, visual, and multimedia material
• Experience crafting persuasive arguments and supporting them with evidence
• Practice multiple-draft assignments to improve reading and editing skills, with the help of peers, a Writing Fellow, and me
• Do close work to improve grammatical and stylistic skills
• Increase fluency with print and Web-based resources for academic writing
• Practice and improve skills needed for every major, including the sciences and business.

Even if you are already a strong writer, I will challenge you to challenge yourself; no one stops developing as a writer, and whatever your ability or interest in writing, you can improve with careful work and revision.

Since we will focus on technology, it is appropriate that almost none of our course materials will be on paper. Paper is still a great technology for in-class writing and critiques, so you will use paper, too. In fact, we will explore the ways in which paper influences writing by keeping an old-fashioned journal alongside the high-tech writing you do.

You do not have to be an expert with computers to take the course; if you are proficient with e-mail and the Web, you already have the skills you need to begin.

Required Materials: texts are at the UR Bookstore.

• Tribble & Trubek, Writing Material
• Alexander & Barber. Argument Now.
• Harvey. Writing From Sources: A Guide for Students.
• Free Second Life account & client on your computer
• Common Sense: I do not accept late work without a penalty, so be sure your computer remains virus-free and your files are backed up. Make back-ups of your hard drive, the network, or CDs on a regular basis. Scan all incoming mail attachments and downloads from the Web. If you are not sure if your computer is properly equipped with virus-scan software, check with the Help Desk about available software.

Optional Materials:

Copies of the MLA Handbook, 6th edition, are available at the bookstore. As MLA format errors usually cost writers a +/- grade in my sections, I leave it up to you to decide whether or not to buy a copy. You are welcome to share copies or try to get the ones on reserve at the Boatwright Library's service desk. If you buy a used copy online, be sure to get the 6th edition--it has the correct format for electronic sources.

In-Class Writing Exercises

I will post suggested revisions for these exercises a few days after we complete them.

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