ENGL 205 - Debunking Myths about Good Writing (3)

This course explores myths about “good writing.” Despite the emphasis schools place on the importance of writing, many students still describe themselves as “bad writers,” and employers often lament the quality of writing that their employees produce. As a result, many people have argued that literacy is in crisis - that students can’t write. This course will examine myths that have contributed to this perceived crisis about writing. These myths include “some people are just born good writers,” “rhetoric is merely empty words,” and “good writing only involves mastering the rules of grammar and punctuation.” Students will read scholarship from the field of writing and rhetoric to counter these myths and examine how writing is used across contexts for various purposes and audiences, including private life, public spaces, and the workplace. Students will gain skills using multiple kinds of writing technologies, from print to AI, and produce texts that explore what it means to be a “good writer.” (Fall/Spring)

Grading: Graded
Course ID: 103140
Consent: No Special Consent Required
Components: Lecture
Attributes: Arts and Humanities (GEP)
Prerequisite: ENGL 100 with a grade of ‘C’ or better.