FRESHMAN COMPOSITION, RHETORIC, GRAMMAR II

&

INTRO. TO LITERARY RESEARCH & WRITING

INSTRUCTOR: James Maxfield

The readings selected for this class have several purposes. Your paying attention to these purposes while you are reading and making notations will assist you in this class.

Some of the handout essays on the subject of rhetoric and style should be read for content in order for you to become familiar with rhetorical constructs and devices that you can use to improve your writing. The best way to study this kind of material is to make a notebook section on rhetorical devices and figures of speech. As you learn a new device or technique make an appropriate entry in your book on the rule or technique with an example. As you discover new examples of rhetorical figures and devices during your readings, copy some of these examples into your notebook. This is an age-old practice going back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. It was known as making a "Commonplace" notebook, where students could record specific examples of various rhetorical tricks, tropes, and devices to add impact to their arguments and writing.

But also note in your reading the author’s use of rhetorical modes and structures—how the writer presents his ideas. In fact, all of the readings should be read from that perspective: make notes for yourself how the writers are expressing their ideas and organizing or structuring their essays. This same advice will also apply to the short story selections. But some attention will need to be paid to the stories themselves, especially the stories that you wish to use for writing your term paper. If you have some idea on what subject you wish to use for your term paper (there is a list in your syllabus under the section on the term paper), it will help you to make notations or take specific notes regarding that subject while you are reading. It is also suggested that you especially note particular passages for possible quotations that you can use in your writing. This will assist you in focusing your topic, and it will make your paper easier to write.

I selected stories (for the most part) that are relatively short and can be read in 30 minutes or less. I did not follow one of the suggested themes for my choices, but rather wanted you to have a broad experience of writers from different periods as well as from different countries.

If you are interested in writing about word choices and certain style elements, then it might be wise for you to select only stories by native English writers and not one of the stories in translation. But do not use this advice as a reason for not reading those assigned stories. And be advised that paper topics on language and style are the hardest to write at the freshman level.

Another primary purpose of the readings is to instigate your thought processes and to generate ideas for possible essay topics. Many of our short exercises will utilize some of our assigned readings. It is permissible and even advisable to develop your short essays or your term paper from our class exercises. You will not be penalized for "double-dipping."

Send mail to james.maxfield@tri-c.edu with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2005 Cuyahoga Community College
Last modified: 04/30/06