Expository Writing (105-0-20)

Topic

Writing, Language, and Learning in College

Instructors

Lisa Del Torto
847/491-4967
555 Clark St., Room 204

Meeting Info

University Library 3722: Tues, Thurs 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

This section of Expository Writing is designed for early-enrolled student athletes. The course introduces you to college-level academic writing and supports your transition to life and learning in a university setting. You'll develop your writing, reading, and discussion practices through a process-focused approach that builds on your existing skills and experiences.

We'll use a Critical Language Awareness framework to examine how conventions of U.S. academic writing reflect and shape sociocultural values and power structures. Together, we'll practice those conventions as we also question and contextualize them, considering how they vary across disciplines, audiences, communities, and time.

Class meetings function as interactive discussions and writing workshops, and you'll also meet regularly with the instructor individually or in small groups. Over the quarter, you'll work on several pieces of expository writing of varying lengths, developing each through a careful process of planning, drafting, community feedback, revision, and reflection.

Class Materials (Required)

Most of our course materials will be available via free download on Canvas. There is one book that students will purchase, rent, or access via course reserves: Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein (2024). 6th Edition. They Say/I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. ISBN: 978-1324070030. Used and new books are equally fine as are print and e-books. This book ranges in price from about $15-$35, and can be found at the Norris Bookstore as well as from various online booksellers.

Class Attributes

Permission of Instructor