Appreciation of Multiple Arguments and Positions
Arguments are complex. They deal with audiences, situations, and texts that are constantly changing. In order to account for this complexity, writers and readers of arguments should come to a rhetorical situation with a number of different arguments in mind. A balanced approach to argument considers multiple positions and weighs these positions in a thoughtful, considerate way. In addition, this approach allows us to step out of our own shoes and into those of another. By putting ourselves in different roles, we can better appreciate positions with which we disagree.
Critical reading skills
Who is the audience for a text? Who is the author? What is the argument they're making? Why would they make such an argument? What language do they use, and why? These are some of the questions a critical reader asks. Critical reading is about not only understanding what an argument says or whether we agree or disagree. Critical readers consider (among other things) how an argument works, how it attempts to persuade, who it attempts to persuade, and whether the argument acknowledges multiple viewpoints.
Thoughtful revision
Commas, periods, capitalization are just one very small part of revision. When revising a piece of writing, we should consider: moving portions of the argument around, eliminating weak points, expanding stronger arguments, and pulling things together to form a cohesive argument. When we say "thoughtful revision" in this class, we mean this type of carefully considered rewriting of a paper.
Collaboration
Writing is not a solitary activity. We always interact with other people and other texts as we create and interpret arguments. In addition to working with a group on a project, we also help one another understand arguments through class discussions and reading responses. When considering your collaborative work in this class, think about all the ways you've been able to draw on the work of others, and think about how you've contribued to the learning processes of others.
