What is a WRP3 Class?

Persuasive writing intends to influence how someone thinks, feels, and acts.  The writer is making a case and using language in a deliberative manner.  Persuasive writing leads to decisions, clarification of issues or positions, and consensus.  It is an essential skill and consistent practice in political activism, community action, and participation in organizations and in families as well as in academic discourse.

In classes that usually do not exceed 16 students, WRP teachers from across the curriculum explicitly teach and help students develop their persuasive writing skills appropriate to their discipline.

Classes typically address

• How to recognize an author’s persuasive strategies;
• How to arrive at an informed position;
• How to consider and adjust to an audience’s needs or perspectives;
• How to shape and develop an argument or a line of reasoning;
• How to gather and organize appropriate and adequate support for their positions;
• How to use transitions and metadiscourse to develop a cohesive flow to their writing;
• How to adhere to discipline-specific and general writing conventions.

Papers in WRP classes generally range from two to ten pages.  In order to prepare students for Phase Four of the writing program (portfolio evaluation), teachers incorporate the proficiency criteria into their evaluation of the students’ work.

WRP3 COURSE for FALL 2012

What is Persuasive Writing?