Focuses on the writer's audience, on how a writer adjusts his voice to be more effective with various readers and on how one creates the reader within the text. A study of the argumentative essay as an evolving form of political, social, and personal discussion. Emphasis on the writer's choice pf topic, stategy, structure, evidence, and style during different historical periods. Writers range from Aristotle to George Will, and topics from civil disobedience to genetic engineering. Lectures and seminar discussions alternate.
Students write a variety of pieces, short and long, on a contemporary issue of their choice.
Students practice writing features and news features in a workshop environment. Emphasis on developing feature writing techniques that add dimensions of emotion, human interest, and personal style to the basics learned in news writing. A continuation of Journalism 1. Students practice writing the more complex story types and learn how to report on society's primary institutions. Public affairs emphasis includes government, elections, budgets, criminal justice system, environment, labor and major issues facing the urban and suburban communities.