Composition II

Course Description
This course is intended to hone the student’s ability to think critically and originally; it consolidates the student’s ability to make appropriate stylistic choices with regard to specific purpose, register (academic) and genre, and it reviews the basic stages of the writing process. Moreover, the course concentrates on developing the skills required to produce a substantial academic research paper. These skills include critical reading and research, formulating and supporting a thesis, incorporating credible sources and properly employing citation and bibliographic techniques.

Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Engage in the process of writing a research paper, including these aspects: determining purpose defining a topic, formulating a clear thesis supported by sound reasoning and research.
• Distinguish and use primary, secondary and tertiary sources (Wikipedia).
• Find, evaluate, and incorporate sources via paraphrase and summary.
• Produce a well-structured, coherent and cohesive academic essay.
• Produce content which exhibitscritical thinking, originality, and inquisitive and logical analyses.
• Make stylistic and lexical choices appropriate to an academic audience and specific genres.
• Display a firm grasp of English grammar, usage and mechanics.
• Employ citation and bibliographic format accurately (using MLA or APA).
• Recognize and avoid all forms of plagiarism.