Rhetoric

Rhetoric, where we will explore the uses of rhetoric in constructing place, activity, persona, and audience, in addition to arguing to inquire, convince, persuade, and negotiate/mediate. This strand also encompasses style, grammar, punctuation, and format conventions.

Information and Technology

Information and technology, where we will explore recently developed technologies for research, composing, and communication.

Research

Research, where we will use a wide variety of conventional and online search strategies to gather information about a topic.

Collaboration

Collaboration, where we will gain experience working with others to achieve a common goal.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the analysis of any attempt at persuasion, based on an evaluation of the form and content of that attempt. Thinking critically is a strategy for determining how to persuade others, and whether to be persuaded ourselves. To these ends, we will pay particular attention to cultural and individual assumptions, to evidence and other types of support, to arguments and fallacies, and to rhetoric and language.