The goal of this course is for you to become independent writers capable of successfully producing a variety of finished written products, ranging from essays to journals to in-class assignments.  Of course, to arrive at a successful finished product, it is important that you become aware of your own writing process, the steps and strategies you personally find helpful in shaping an idea into a polished piece of writing.  I will help you in this personal search by showing you different writing strategies and taking you through a process approach to writing.   By the end of the quarter, you should know what works for you and what doesn't.

Much of your development as a writer will depend on your ability to interact with your audience: your peers, your classmates.  Contrary to popular myth and stereotypes, successful writers do not work in isolation.  In fact, successful writers learn to take advice from others and give advice to others in a productive writing community.  I will ask you to become an active, responsible member of a writing community, this class, where you will interact with your group and with other groups in the class.