Writing for the College-Bound

Course Overview

Writing expository prose, especially in response to a set topic assignment, requires method and focus. This course helps students develop a disciplined approach and gain facility in writing essays, whether as homework or under timed examination conditions. Students will learn how to

• read a question carefully for keywords that indicate the type of answer needed
• craft a response targeted to a specific purpose and audience
• write the most difficult of all essays: the definition essay
• write other types of essays, including explanations, persuasion, and compare-and-contrast essays
• provide detailed support clearly and concisely
• recognize and avoid common logical fallacies
• anticipate and forestall counter-arguments
• avoid over-generalizations that are easily countered
• organize complex and creative ideas using outlining techniques
• organize and focus paragraphs around central themes
• write engaging introductions and provocative summaries
• proofread for common errors

This course is intended for students who require more structured instruction and fixed deadlines than the self-paced Cursus Scriptorum program. We will cover each unit within a two-week period.

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