Course ePortfolio

Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking

This collection contains the California Open Educational Resources Council (CA OER) list of peer-reviewed textbooks for Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking (common course-id ENGL 105), a top 50 college course identified for inclusion in the California Open Online Library for Education (COOLforEd).

C-ID Number: ENGL 105 (ENGL 115)

General Course Description: ENGL 105

This course offers instruction in argumentation and critical writing, critical thinking, analytical evaluation of texts, research strategies, information literacy, and proper documentation

Minimum units: 3.0

Date Added to MERLOT:: May 25, 2015
Created by:: California Open Education Resource Council CA OER
License:

Prerequisites

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of college-level composition (C-ID ENGL 100)

Corequisite(s): None

Advisories/Recommendations: None

Pedagogical Approach & Learning Outcomes

Pedagogical Approach

None

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

Critically read, analyze, compare, and evaluate complex texts
Demonstrate understanding of formal and informal fallacies in language and thought
Identify a text's premises and assumptions in various social, historical, cultural, psychological, or aesthetic contexts
Analyze and employ logical and structural methods such as inductive and deductive reasoning, cause and effect, and logos, ethos, and pathos.
Compose thesis-driven arguments to suit a variety of rhetorical situations, including interpretation, evaluation, and analysis, and support them with a variety of appropriate textual evidence and examples
Find, analyze, interpret, and evaluate primary and secondary sources, incorporating them into written essays using appropriate documentation format without plagiarism
Use style, diction, and tone appropriate to the academic community and the purpose of the specific writing task; proofread and edit essays for presentation so they exhibit no disruptive errors in English grammar, usage, or punctuation

Assessment & Other Information

Assessment

Primarily documented, written papers.
Additional writing and other assignments may include a balance of essay exams, class discussion, oral presentations, tests, and quizzes.

Other Information

None

Course Resources

English Composition 1 (Open (Access) Textbook)

Introductory composition with an emphasis on essay writing in common rhetorical styles Composition I focuses on... More
Rhetoric and Composition (Open (Access) Textbook)

This book is written as a practical guide for students struggling to improve their writing to meet the standards... More

This book is written as a practical guide for students struggling to improve their writing to meet the standards expected of them by their professors, instructors, employers and co-workers. We have avoided complicated textbook language and jargon in favor of plain, easily understood language. Instead of complex theories of composition or linguistics, we have simply passed on what has worked well for us in our own experiences as college writers and instructors. This book is largely written by real college writers who know what it takes to earn an A on their writing projects.
Writing Commons (Open (Access) Textbook)

Welcome to Writing Commons, the open-education home for writers. Although this is a website, it can be used as a... More

Welcome to Writing Commons, the open-education home for writers. Although this is a website, it can be used as a textbook. Writing Commons helps students improve their writing, critical thinking, and information literacy. Founded in 2008 by Joseph M. Moxley, Writing Commons is a viable alternative to expensive writing textbooks. Faculty may assign Writing Commons for their composition, business, STEM/Technical Writing, and creative writing courses. Writing Commons houses seven main sections: Information Literacy | Research Methods & Methodologies | Writing Processes | Collaboration | Genres | New Media | Style
Writing for Success (Open (Access) Textbook)

This is a free textbook offered by Saylor Foundation. Scott McLean’s Writing for Success is a text that provides... More

This is a free textbook offered by Saylor Foundation. Scott McLean’s Writing for Success is a text that provides instruction in steps, builds writing, reading, and critical thinking, and combines comprehensive grammar review with an introduction to paragraph writing and composition. Beginning with the sentence and its essential elements, this book addresses each concept with clear, concise and effective examples that are immediately reinforced with exercises and opportunities to demonstrate, and reinforce, learning. Each chapter allows your students to demonstrate mastery of the principles of quality writing. With its incremental approach, it can address a range of writing levels and abilities, helping each student in your course prepare for their next writing or university course. Constant reinforcement is provided through examples and exercises, and the text involves students in the learning process through reading, problem-solving, practicing, listening, and experiencing the writing process. Each chapter also has integrated examples that unify the discussion and form a common, easy-to-understand basis for discussion and exploration. This will put your students at ease, and allow for greater absorption of the material.