Vernon Dickson, Ph.D.

12 August 2014

Invigorating the NewFIU Writing Sequence

Beginning with a stronger, sustained focus on rhetoric

1) Thinking Rhetorically about Good Writing

2) Thinking Rhetorically About Your Subject Matter

3) Thinking Rhetorically about How Messages Persuade

4) Thinking Rhetorically about Style and Document Design

A Rhetoric for Writers

Focusing on rhetoric, critical reading, argument, and writing processes, with limited research

5) Reading Rhetorically: The Writer as Strong Reader

6) Analyzing Images 7) Writing an Autobiographical Narrative8) Making an Evaluation9) Analyzing and Synthesizing Ideas (proposed

capstone)[23) Essay Examinations]

Writing Projects, 1101

Focusing on extended arguments and research

10) Drafting a Research Proposal 11) Writing an Exploratory Essay or

Annotated Bibliography12) Analyzing Field Research Data13) Writing an Informative (and Surprising)

Essay or Report 14) Writing a Classical Argument (opt.

capstone)15) Proposing a Solution (proposed capstone)

Writing Projects, 1102

16) Writing as a Problem-Solving Process

17) Composing and Revising Closed-Form Prose

18) Composing and Revising Open-Form Prose

Guide to Composing/Revising

19) Asking Questions, Finding Sources

20) Evaluating Sources

21) Incorporating Sources into Your Own Writing

22) Citing and Documenting Sources

Rhetorical Guide to Research

23) Essay Examinations (& Timed Writing)

24) Portfolios and Reflective Essays

Writing for Assessment

1. Reading Rhetorically: The Writer as Strong Reader Strong response or rhetorical analysis. Spend more time with low-stakes writing projects

during the introductory chapters to ensure students grasp important rhetorical concepts.

2. Choose a second writing project Analyzing Images Writing an Autobiographical Narrative (rhet.

focus) Making an Evaluation3. Analyzing and Synthesizing Ideas (capstone paper)4. Essay Exams/Writing Under Pressure 

ENC 1101 Sequence

1. Drafting a Research Proposal2. Writing an Exploratory Essay or Annotated

Bibliography3. Choose the next writing projectAnalyzing Field Research DataWriting an Informative (and Surprising) Essay 4. Final Writing ProjectWriting a Classical Argument (optional capstone)Proposing a Solution (capstone)Students might also be given the option of writing a proposal or classical argument based on their subject.

ENC 1102 Sequence

What successes have you had as you’ve moved to the new curriculum?

How has the new curriculum helped students to develop as rhetorically-minded writers?

What assignments, activities, or projects have most helped students to improve as thoughtful writers?

Applying the Curriculum - Successes

What challenges have you faced as you implement the new curriculum?

What concepts or activities are students finding difficult to understand and/or apply?

What activities have you struggled to use effectively?

What are you in the process of revising as you approach this new semester?

Have you found initial solutions to some of your challenges?

Applying the Curriculum - Challenges

Dual Enrollment Faculty Presentation: Teaching the Synthesis Essay

Mr. Shaun Denight, Miami Senior High School

Applying the Curriculum - Example

Challenges you face related to administrative issues and the high school environment.

Aspects of the course and curriculum that you are still working on improving or that are proving difficult to implement.

Support you would like to receive from FIU and from your faculty mentors.

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Questions?