This asynchronous, online, student-centered writing course focuses on the art of writing three types of personal essays: narrative, expository/explanatory, and argument. Each week students read several essay examples and respond to one of several writing prompt options to draft their own five to six page personal essay. Using constructively critical feedback from the professor, students then revise all three essays for a final portfolio. Required book: 50 Essays, Sixth Edition, edited by Samuel Cohen.

Students read model essays and respond to prompts/essay-draft assignments; draft three complete essays of five to six pages each; receive critical feedback; rewrite and revise for clarity, coherence, craft, correctness, and precision; put together a complete final portfolio of three finished essays and an introduction that explains your writing process and revision work.

Grade is based on the finished writing in the final portfolio. Early drafts receive written feedback to help with revising but no grade.