This course will be a workshop for writers. My premise is that there is no better way to improve your writing than to write. Yes, reading helps, grammar helps, talk helps. Assignments and deadlines help. But you must write. I will provide most of the assignments and all of the deadlines. I’ll talk about writing and I’ll assign some reading from current newspapers and magazines. I’ll refer you to good sources for grammar and spelling. But you must write. And you will, at and for and after every meeting. Five weeks later you’ll be better writers.
Outside reading, by way of sources and provocation, will come from current newspapers and magazines. No other texts.

Prerequisites:

While 281 has no formal prerequisite, this is an intermediate writing course, and instructors expect entering students to know how to formulate claims, integrate evidence, demonstrate awareness of audience, and structure coherent sentences, paragraphs and essays. Thus we strongly encourage students to complete an introductory (100 level) writing course before enrolling in English 281.