In this course students write coherent essays in varied academic formats, both in and out of class, responding to culturally diverse materials and using appropriate technology. Students focus on critical and analytical skills through reading and listening and study aspects of argumentation including formulating theses; researching and identifying sources; evaluating and documenting sources; and communicating persuasively across contexts, purposes, and media. Students will reinforce and extend their abilities to write correct, well-organized essays using various rhetorical strategies and stylistic techniques, while focusing on the four specific modes of writing: Descriptive, Narrative Mode, Persuasive Mode and Expository.