Unit One: Reading Material
Given that this class seeks to make you stronger writers, we begin by studying others’ writing processes: from concept through research through drafting and revision, and through to post-publication reception. Considering HOW authors produce texts—both practically and rhetorically—will equip you to begin your own writing projects for the rest of the semester.
To write this paper, refer to the hard copy pages in your course envelopes, the corresponding online digital archives, other readings as assigned, and your own notes.
Unit One: Major Writing Assignment
Sample Papers for Reference
*As you revise your drafts of this essay, you might find it helpful to look at these examples of prior students’ first submissions. Each of these stands out for different reasons—you may notice especially creative thinking, impressive structure, robust and well-integrated examples, and/or elegant prose. The authors took different approaches to the assignment and made these essays their own. I hope that seeing a range of essays will give you a sense of what’s possible with this assignment, to help you see concrete examples without feeling like you have to follow any one narrow model.
Example 1: "Writing for a Writers' Sake"
Example 2: “Abstract to Incandescent: How Oliver Sacks’ Manuscripts Translated to Awakenings”
Example 3: “Categories of Chaos: A review of the strategies of Oliver Sacks”
Example 4: “Generation Within the Writing Process”