
PROOF AND PERSUASION:
The Rhetoric of Scientific Integrity
FALL 2022
© 2022 by Cynthia Shearer
CYNTHIA SHEARER
419-H REED HALL
BOX 297700
TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
PHONE EXT: 817.257.6593
ENGLISH 20803 - WRITING AS ARGUMENT
Section 50:MWF @ 1 p.m. in Bailey 102
Cynthia Shearer, Instructor
OFFICE HOURS: 2- 3 p.m. MW in Reed 419_H
COURSE DESCRIPTION - ENGLISH 20803


English 20803 Intermediate Composition Writing as Argument
This is a multimodal writing workshop that builds on its prerequisite ENGL 10803 by focusing on the analysis and production of arguments in a variety of media (i.e., print, visual, oral, digital). This term we will focus on a particular theme: evidence and scientific integrity. Readings will be selected to provide experience with distinguishing between types of evidence, between scientific, political, and commercial rhetoric, and between neutral data, news reporting, public relations, propaganda, disinformation, and "fake news." Students will select and work individually on independent study topics for the duration of the course, and compose various effective arguments in multimodal formats that blend traditional print-based rhetorical strategies with digital media:
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Evidence, Sourcing, Fact-checking
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Classical Argument
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Framing With Warrants
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Conflict Resolution
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Web Advocacy
After choosing a research topic for the semester, students will research and produce:
1 annotated bibliography
1 classical researched argument
1 graphics bank
1 illustrated PowerPoint argument, and
1 public advocacy website
2 mini-essays/ reflections
English 20803 satisfies Written Communication 2 (WCO) requirement in the TCU Core Curriculum. The prerequisite for this course is ENGL 10803 or the equivalent, and sophomore standing (24 hours). This course is prerequisite to all upper-division English and advanced writing courses at TCU.
Unit 1: Evidence & Sourcing
Unit 2: Classical Argument
Unit 3: Framing
Unit 4: Conflict Resolution
Unit 5: Public Advocacy
REQUIRED READINGS
Dissoi Logoi, or Dialexis
UN Declaration on Human Rights
Richard Feynman, "Cargo Cult Science"
Martin Luther King, "Letter from the Birmingham Jail."
1 meta-analysis of 20+ pages on the student's chosen research topic
PURDUE OWL (GRAMMAR RESOURCE)

For guidance on grammar, style, spelling, and just about any other issue that comes up in academic writing, we recommend that you use the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL). The Purdue OWL is world famous, user friendly and even better,
it's SEARCHABLE!
APA STYLE GUIDE

We will be using APA (American Psychological Association) style todocument sources in this course. This method of citing sources is the most widely used at TCU, especially in the sciences, social sciences, kinesiology, environmental sciences, nursing, and business. The good news: a searchable guide is available at the Purdue OWL APA section.