Teaching CO300 Writing Arguments

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All experienced teachers of COCC150 know that focusing and narrowing topics is typically the most difficult task for college writers. COCC300 students aren't an exception. Especially because students will choose to argue about general issues unless we direct them otherwise, be prepared to work closely with students to narrow the scope of their arguments.

The first handout details the process of focusing for students. The other handouts are exercises to help students focus topics for papers.

• Focusing your topic (Gogela)
• Narrowing from topic to thesis
• Developing a tentative thesis
• Collecting ideas for the convincing essay draft (Kiefer)
• Narrowing your pro/con topic to a thesis (McMahon)