This course is designed to help you improve your skills as a researcher, reader and writer. It is, in one sense, a continuation of College English I in its emphasis on improving reading and writing skills, but is different in the sense that it is a course in argumentation and focuses primarily on research writing: writing which seeks to answer a question by utilizing information and ideas drawn from outside sources (including an optional interview), and then integrating these sources into a thoughtful and coherent exploration of the question. Your ultimate goal is to write a paper (and finally orally present your paper) persuading your reader/audience to accept the validity of your argument. Note: Research writing is done both in school, on the job, and in some cases for personal use. It is done whenever we need to draw upon the work of others in order to answer a question or solve a problem. In this sense, it is a life skill. In this course, you will be learning the process and the protocols involved in: - evaluating the writing of others - conducting research (which may include an interview conducted by you) - reporting the results of that research to others in written and oral format

• Professor: Pam Bloss