employ strategies of pre-writing, drafting, and revising, taking into consideration rhetorical purpose, the knowledge and needs of varied writing contexts, and the feedback of instructors and peers;
develop a 5 paragraph essay with a coherent thesis statement and paragraph length of 6-10 sentences in basic rhetorical modes (e.g. description, narration, comparison/contrast, cause-effect, argumentation, or process);
demonstrate the knowledge of genre conventions and structure (e.g., introductions, paragraphing, transitions) in ways that serve the development and communication of information and ideas;
edit such that choices in style, grammar, spelling, and punctuation contribute to the clear communication of information and ideas;
use language to explore and analyze contemporary issues, both local and global;
acquire skills in summarizing, paraphrasing, synthesizing, and explaining information from various sources;