The following list shows the chapter-level topics and assignments for the course. To see all of the course pages, visit the Table of Contents.

Chapter 1: An Overview of the Writing Process

• Writing Process
• What is an Essay?
• Videos: Prewriting Techniques
• Thesis Statements
• Matters of Grammar, Mechanics, and Style

Chapter 2: Using Sources

• Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Avoiding Plagiarism
• MLA Format
• APA Citation Style, 6th edition: General Style Guidelines

Chapter 3: Definition Essay

• Critical Thinking
• Video: Thesis Explained
• Student Sample: Definition Essay

Chapter 4: Narrative Essay

• Narrative Essays
• “Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell
• “Sixty-nine Cents” by Gary Shteyngart
• Video: The Danger of a Single Story

Chapter 5: Illustration/Example Essay

• Illustration/Example Essay
• “She’s Your Basic L.O.L. in N.A.D” by Perri Klass
• “April & Paris” by David Sedaris
• Writing for Success: Illustration/Example

Chapter 6: Compare/Contrast Essay

• Compare/Contrast Essay
• “Disability” by Nancy Mairs
• “Friending, Ancient or Otherwise” by Alex Wright
• “A South African Storm” by Allison Howard

Chapter 7: Cause-and-Effect Essay

• Cause-and-Effect Essay
• “Cultural Baggage” by Barbara Ehrenreich
• “Women in Science” by K.C. Cole

Chapter 8: Argument Essay

• Argument Essay
• Rogerian Argument
• “The Case Against Torture,” by Alisa Soloman
• “The Case for Torture” by Michael Levin

Chapter 9: Grammar/Mechanics Mini-lessons

• Grammar/Mechanics Mini-lessons
• Mini-lesson: Subjects and Verbs, Irregular Verbs, Subject Verb Agreement
• Mini-lesson: Sentence Types
• Mini-lesson: Fragments I
• Mini-lesson: Run-ons and Comma Splices I
• Mini-lesson: Comma Usage
• Mini-lesson: Parallelism
• Mini-lesson: The Apostrophe
• Mini-lesson: Capital Letters