Writing Proseminar

In Writing Proseminar, students study the conventions of research writing, focusing mainly on literature and literary scholarship. These conventions include: close reading of primary sources, textual analysis, formulating a research question and thesis, supporting a thesis with textual evidence, locating and incorporating secondary sources, style and rhetoric, and citation (MLA style). Throughout the semester, students will be writing at least two drafts of an essay, leading up to a 10-12-page research essay. The course is meant to provide students with the foundations for producing academic-level essays. Students will be required to complete regular reading, research, and writing assignments. In addition, there are in-class activities, collaborative tasks, and individual conferences. Please note that regular attendance is not only mandatory, but critically important for success in this course.