Topic outline

  • Welcome!

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    Welcome to CENL 1023--English Composition II!


    Course Introduction

    This course is designed to prepare you for writing throughout the rest of your academic career and in your everyday and professional lives with an emphasis on rhetorical strategies including argumentative and research practices. It provides in-depth and sustained writing practices that include summary, analysis, argument and persuasion, reflection, and evaluation as well as a review of grammar, usage, and mechanics, an understanding of the significance of the writing process, an emphasis on critical reading, and a comprehension of the research process.  Skills in written and oral communication are developed through a cycle of reading, discussion and writing. 

    The goals of this course are to promote:

    • critical thinking, reading, and writing
    • clear, coherent, and effective academic writing
    • a deeper understanding of your own writing processes
    • information literacy as a critical part of learning.

    Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

    1. ​​Read and respond critically to a variety of texts, including multimodal and visual texts.

    2. Analyze and evaluate audience and purpose, claims, cultural context, and implicit messages of texts.

    3. Analyze and evaluate texts using rhetorical strategies such as pathos, logos, and ethos.

    4. Argue a position on an issue, using specific evidence to support claims. 

    5. Revise drafts in order to develop greater fluency in composition. 

    6. Identify appropriate sources and incorporate them effectively in an argument using correct documentation.

    7. Employ stylistic choices and revise for style and consistency at the essay, paragraph, and sentence levels.

    Navigating the Course
    Adopting institution should provide learners information on how to navigate the course. Consider adding an introductory navigation video. Text description could include, for example:
    This course is set up in Modules covering various topics which may be accessed from the course navigation menu on the left or by scrolling below. Modules may be collapsed in the menu and it the body of the course to minimize scrolling. Each module includes the relevant chapters followed by various activities, which may include discussion forums, listening activities and quizzes, practice quizzes, module tests, and other relevant activities as appropriate for each module. Many items are required and may be marked as completed automatically when the activity has been submitted (the broken check box), but others will marked as done by the student (the solid check box). 

    Please move through the items below and continue through the Learner Support and Getting Started modules before moving on to Module 1. Be sure to check for announcements and due dates to stay on track.


    Creative Commons attribution license This course and its contents are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License by LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network, except where otherwise noted. 

  • Learner Support

  • Getting Started and Expectations of the Class

    This module contains all the items you should review and complete before you begin Module 1.
    Before moving on, be sure to:
    1. Check the News and Announcements Forum 
    2. Read the Course Syllabus
    3. Introduce yourself to the class
    4. Read the instructions for the Q & A Forum

    Additionally, here are some pointers for how to succeed in the class. 

    Throughout the semester, I will guide you through the process of accomplishing the student learning objectives outlined in the Welcome section. I will work with you closely on writing the required assignments, providing feedback at various stages of the writing process. Analyzing your audience, discovering your purpose for writing an essay, and experimenting with different kinds of argumentative essay writing and different media are techniques you will learn throughout the semester. I will also help you learn how to organize and develop your ideas in a clear, unified manner and to revise and edit your own work and to help others improve their writing. Since this is a reading and writing class, we will be reading about contemporary issues related to immigration, digital culture, and visual rhetoric.

     This class will involve lectures/presentations, reading quizzes, class or online discussions, reading and writing assignments, and cooperation among students. The latter means that students might share their compositions with each other and sometimes with the whole class. Making suggestions and providing constructive feedback to your peers are  important aspects of this class. Not only do these activities give you the chance to share your writing with an audience but reading others’ papers will help you hone your own writing and revising skills. 

    Being a critical reader is an important aspect of becoming a good writer. It is important that you READ the assigned readings (or view if videos), do the weekly writing assignments, and participate in class discussions. The readings you do will help generate ideas for your own essays and develop critical thinking skills.  

    Finally, I cannot stress this enough: If you want to improve as a writer and pass this class, you must become a full participant which means A) doing the work assigned weekly, B) being prepared to work, and C) putting in the necessary work to improve your writing. This is not a passive, listen to me lecture class! If you don’t participate, your grade will suffer!

    Suggestions for how to get a good grade in the class:

    • Do the readings each week and be ready to participate in class discussion. Be an active member of the class during discussion but also a good listener.
    • Turn in all assignments on time in Moodle and use MLA formatting for documents when appropriate. (We will go over this early in the class).
    • Be an active and conscientious group member.   

    Your success in this class is important to me. If there are aspects of this course that prevent you from learning or exclude you, please let me know as soon as possible. I have tried to make my teaching materials as accessible as possible. Together we’ll develop strategies to meet both your needs and the requirements of the course. If you need official accommodations, you have a right to have these met and need to contact the Office of Disability Services (information in the Course Syllabus). There are also a range of resources on campus, including the Writing Center, Tutoring/Writing Center, and Academic Advising Center that are available to you as resources.


    • Forum icon
      News and Announcements Forum
      This forum contains general news and announcements. You can find all announcements listed in the "Latest News" block in Course Tools within this course or on your My Courses page.
    • URL icon
      Course Syllabus and Schedule URL
      Students must
      Mark as done
    • Page icon
      Student Netiquette Page
      Students must
      Mark as done
    • Forum icon
      Introduce Yourself! Forum
      Students must
      Mark as done

      Use this forum to tell us a little about yourself and your interests. Some topic ideas:

        1. What is your field of study/research interest or concentration?
        2. What are you most interested in learning in this class and why?
        3. Provide any other information you would like to share with your classmates, such as special interests or activities.
        4. Provide your pronouns.

      Post a picture!  We look forward to meeting you.

    • Forum icon
      Q & A Forum for Students
      Students must
      Mark as done

      Use this forum to ask your instructor any questions you have about the course. You may post at any time, and your instructor will respond here. Be as specific as possible.

      Please keep in mind that others can see your posts, so do not post any personal information. If you have questions about your grade, please email your instructor directly. You can expect a response to posts and emails within 24 hours M-F. 

  • FOR INSTRUCTORS: Using This Template and Additional Resources

    Use the information in this module to customize the template to your needs. This module is currently hidden from students, and available for you to refer to throughout the semester.

  • Module 1: Introduction to Critical Thinking, Rhetoric and the Writing Process (Recommended time: 1.5 weeks)

    Browse to find your image above. Then update alt text here. Set the first size number below to between 300-400.This Module, Introduction to Critical Thinking, Rhetoric, and the Writing Process seeks to acquaint the student with the writing process, principles of rhetoric and how they might be applied to the analysis of, as well as the writing of, argumentative texts.  
    Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
    1. Define the term "rhetoric" and describe the use of pathos, ethos, and logos in short texts (Course Outcome #3)
    2.  Identify aspects of the writing process as a recursive process focused on brainstorming ideas, writing drafts, and revising (Course Outcome #1).
    3. Recognize and practice basic conventions for writing academic essays (Course Outcome #4)
    4. Write a short essay demonstrating preliminary writing skills (Course Outcome #4).


    To achieve these objectives: 

    1. Read the Module 1 Introduction
    2. Read Chapters 1 and 3 in Rhetoric Matters: A Guide to Success in the First Year Writing Class.
    3. Complete the Diagnostic Writing Assessment (meets module objectives 3 and 4).


  • Module 2: Plagiarism

    Browse to find your image above. Then update alt text here. Set the first size number below to between 300-400.In this module the student will be introduced to the principles of academic integrity, plagiarism, and citation practices.  

    Upon completion of this module, you will be able to: 
    1. Recognize plagiarism in writing. (Course Outcome #6)
    2. Develop citations that provide credit to the author/creator in order to avoid plagiarism. (Course Outcome #6) 
    3. Identify incorrect citation practices. (Course Outcome #6)
    4. Differentiate between summarizing, paraphrasing, and plagiarizing. (Course Outcome #6)


    To achieve these objectives:

    1. Read the Module 2 Introduction
    2. Read Chapter 11 in Rhetoric Matters text.
    3. Complete the Plagiarism Quiz (meets module objectives 1-4).

    Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities

    You will find the following resources and activities in this module at the Pressbooks website. Click on the links below to access or complete each item. Links will open in a new window. 

  • Module 3: Summarizing

    Browse to find your image above. Then update alt text here. Set the first size number below to between 300-400.
    The Module introduces students to summarizing and critical reading practices. 

    Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
    1. Identify main ideas in key texts. (Course Outcome #1)
    2. Identify the criteria for writing a summary. (Course Outcome #2)
    3. Summarize main and supporting ideas of key texts in writing. (Course Outcome #2)
    4. Write using clear, coherent prose. (Course Outcome #7)

    To achieve these objectives: 
    1. Read the Module 3 Introduction
    2. Read Chapter 2.1-2.3 and Chapter 4 in Pressbooks text. 
    3. Read ADDITIONAL ASSIGNED ARTICLE. 
    4. Complete the Summary Essay (meets module objectives 1-4).


    Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities

    You will find the following resources and activities in this module at the Pressbooks website. Click on the links below to access or complete each item.

  • Module 4: Rhetorical Analysis

    Browse to find your image above. Then update alt text here. Set the first size number below to between 300-400.

    This module introduces students to identifying and analyzing techniques of persuasion in texts such as audience and purpose and the use of rhetorical appeals (pathos, logos, ethos).

    Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
    1. Identify claims, contexts, and messages used in key texts. (Course Outcome #2)
    2. Identify rhetorical strategies used in key texts. (Course Outcome #3)
    3. Write ideas using clear, coherent prose. (Course Outcome #7)


    To achieve these objectives: 

    • Read the Module 4 Introduction 
    • Read Chapter 2.4-2.5 and Chapter 6 in Pressbooks text. Revisit Chapter 3.6-3.9 as needed. 
    • Read ADDITIONAL ASSIGNED ARTICLE.
    • Complete the Rhetorical Analysis essay(meets module objectives 1-3).


    Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities

    You will find the following resources and activities in this module at the Pressbooks website. Click on the links below to access or complete each item.

  • Module 5: Visual Rhetoric

    Browse to find your image above. Then update alt text here. Set the first size number below to between 300-400.

    This module introduces students to the principles and applications of Visual Rhetoric.

    Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

    1. Identify claims, contexts, and messages used in visual texts. (Course Outcome #2)
    2. Identify rhetorical strategies used in visual texts. (Course Outcome #3)
    3. Write ideas using clear, coherent prose that include conventions of academic essay writing. (Course Outcome #7)


    To achieve these objectives: 

    • Read the Module 5 Introduction 
    • Read Chapter 8 in Pressbooks text.
    • Complete the Visual Rhetorical Analysis Essay (meets module objectives 1-3). 

    Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities

    You will find the following resources and activities in this module at the Pressbooks website. Click on the links below to access or complete each item. Links will open in a new window.

  • Module 6: Argumentative Essay

    Browse to find your image above. Then update alt text here. Set the first size number below to between 300-400.

    This Module introduces students to the writing of the Argumentative Essay

    Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
    1. Write a clear, complex thesis and supporting claims that express a unique position. (Course Outcome #4)
    2. Develop reasoning and evidence to support the thesis and claims. (Course Outcome #4)
    3. Write an organized essay using clear, coherent prose. (Course Outcome #7)


    To achieve these objectives: 

    1. Read the Module 6 Introduction 
    2. Read Chapters 5 and 7 in the Pressbooks text.  
    3. Read ADDITIONAL ASSIGNED ARTICLE.
    4. Complete the Argumentative Essay assignment (meets module objectives 1-3).


    Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities

    You will find the following resources and activities in this module at the Pressbooks website. Click on the links below to access or complete each item. Links will open in a new window.

  • Module 7: The Research Paper

    Browse to find your image above. Then update alt text here. Set the first size number below to between 300-400.This final Module focuses on writing the Argumentative Research Paper.  In addition, students will implement appropriate research strategies and techniques and incorporated into their writing proper citation practices.

    Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

    1. Revise ideas and prose developed in the argumentative essay (Course Outcome #5)
    2. Identify credible, relevant sources using research strategies that support ideas developed in the previous essay. (Course Outcome #6)
    3. Synthesize source materials into writing using appropriate citation practices. (Course Outcome #6)
    4. Write an organized essay using clear, coherent prose. (Course Outcome #7)

    To achieve these objectives: 

    1. Read the Module 7 Introduction 
    2. Read Chapters 9, 10, and 12 in Pressbooks text.
    3. Read ADDITIONAL ASSIGNED ARTICLE.
    4. Complete the Research Paper assignment (meets module objectives 1-4).

    Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities

    You will find the following resources and activities in this module at the Pressbooks website. Click on the links below to access or complete each item.