Communication (Writing) II is an introductory course in expository writing for beginning freshmen. The objective of the course is to enable students to produce prose that has a clear central point communicated in direct, clear language and with adequate and pertinent support and structure. Students build on their knowledge of three of the basic rhetorical modes (narration, description, exposition) and are introduced to compare and contrast, process analysis, cause and effect, and argumentation. There is intensive practice in grammar and mechanics, the writing of three short, graded essays (between 300 and 500 words), and a short research paper. For content in the short essays, the students draw on their personal experiences or current events. The research paper (1200–1500 words) provides an opportunity for more independent work. The course is often conducted informally (often as a workshop), with students expected to read their papers aloud, participate in peer review, and do in-class revisions.

• Teacher: Christopher Douloff