1000F/G - Writers' Studio
Students are introduced to the creative process of writing through in-class exercises, peer workshop, analysis of creative texts, journaling, essay writing, and a review of writing mechanics. Students learn strategies for idea generation in a variety of genres, composing a first draft, approaching revision, and effective editing and proofreading. NOTE:  All sections of 1000F/G will have an in-person exam on campus.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus 
Fall Section 002 Syllabus
Fall Section 003 Syllabus 
Fall Section 650 Syllabus 
Fall Section 651 Syllabus 
Fall Section 652 Syllabus 
Fall Section 653 Syllabus 

Winter Section 001 Syllabus 
Winter Section 002 Syllabus 
Winter Section 003 Syllabus 
Winter Section 650 Syllabus 
Winter Section 651 Syllabus 
Winter Section 652 Syllabus 
Winter Section 653 Syllabus 

1031F/G - Global Positioning: Introduction to Rhetoric and Professional Communication
This course will introduce students to the rhetorical principles and practices of written and oral communication in professional contexts. Particular attention will be paid to understanding audience, context, and purpose; modes of persuasion; and the negotiation of cultural difference. NOTE:  All sections of 1031F/G will have an in-person exam on campus.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus 
Fall Section 650 Syllabus 

Winter Section 001 Syllabus 
Winter Section 650 Syllabus 

Speech 2001 - The Major Forms of Oral Discourse
For effective communication of ideas: Public Address, with basic purposes; Group Discussion; Debate; Voice and Diction; Interpretative Reading.

Full Year Section 001 Syllabus
Full Year Section 002 Syllabus 

2101F/G - Introduction to Expository Writing
An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of good writing. The course will emphasize practical work and the development of writing skills for a variety of subjects and disciplines.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus 
Fall Section 651 Syllabus 
Fall Section 652 Syllabus 

Winter Section 001 Syllabus 
Winter Section 650 Syllabus 
Winter Section 651 Syllabus 
Winter Section 652 Syllabus 

2111F/G - Writing in the World: Introduction to Professional Writing
This course will introduce students to various genres of workplace writing such as letters, memos, and reports. Topics include: employment communications (application letters and resumes); business writing style; positive, negative, and persuasive messages; cross-cultural communication; oral communication.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus 
Fall Section 002 Syllabus 
Fall Section 003 Syllabus 
Fall Section 650 Syllabus 
Fall Section 651 Syllabus 
Fall Section 652 Syllabus 

Winter Section 001 Syllabus 
Winter Section 002 Syllabus 
Winter Section 003 Syllabus 
Winter Section 650 Syllabus 
Winter Section 651 Syllabus 
Winter Section 652 Syllabus 
Winter Section 653 Syllabus 
Winter Section 654 Syllabus 
Winter Section 655 Syllabus 

2130F/G - Building Better (Communication) Bridges: Rhetoric & Professional Communication for Engineers
This course introduces students to rhetorical principles and the practices of written, oral, and visual communication in professional engineering contexts. Students will learn strategies for drafting and designing technical and academic documents and for approaching the editing and revision of those documents.

"Writing 2130F/G is one of the most important courses in Western’s curriculum that any aspiring engineer will take. In all types of engineering, the successful outcome of a project is directly related to how effectively every team member communicates with each other and with the project stakeholders. As a professional in your chosen field, you will be solicited for advice and direction by clients, colleagues, superiors, and the public.  Key skills developed in the course include knowing your audience and guiding the reader through the document.  Speaking from experience, I have found that taking the time to incorporate key communication concepts is crucial to having your work approved by superiors and authorities in a more timely manner." -- Markus Eichenbaum, Development Engineering Technologist, City of Mississauga, MESc (2020), Civil & Environmental Engineering

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

2131G - No Bones About It: Writing for the Sciences
Writing in the Sciences introduces students to the basic principles and genres of writing required for science students in their undergraduate careers: lab reports, summaries of scientific research, and scientific review essays. The course will focus on drafting and revising various reports written on scientific topics.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus 

2202F - Winning Your Argument: Rhetorical Strategy in a Visual Age
An intensive and practical study of exposition in discursive prose, this course reviews the foundations of grammar, introduces students to the rhetoric of presentation and persuasion, and considers diverse types of prose across multiple disciplines, focusing an analysis of visual rhetoric and argumentation, including websites, advertisements, and other visual media.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus 

2203F/G - From Headline to Deadline: Writing for Publication
The course will improve writing intended for various forms of publication, including media releases and public letters, reviews and reports, newspaper and magazine articles. Students will develop skills in the preparation, writing, copy-editing, and formatting of materials for publication, focusing on effective organization at every level of writing.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus 

Winter Section 650 Syllabus 

2204F - Short Flicks: An Introduction to Screenwriting
In this course students will analyze short and feature film scripts, workshop their own scripts and respond to the scripts of other students, and draft and revise a 15 minute short film script. Topics will include image, three-act structure, dialogue, character development, theme, scene construction, and point of view.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus 

2209G - Visual Information Packaging: Document Design
This course introduces students to principles of document design and methods of integrating visual and verbal information in print documents such as brochures, manuals, and flyers. Students will apply these principles to a variety of design projects using the computer lab facilities.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus 

2210G - GrammarPhobia Demystified: Contemporary Grammar for Writers
A study of how the English language works in practice, the course will include consideration of writing processes and the practical application of various theories of rhetoric and syntax. Students will analyse and imitate a variety of types of writing samples, and will develop a sophisticated understanding of writing in English.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus 

2214F- Memoir, Memories, and Disclosure: Creative Non-Fiction
This course is designed for students who wish to write what's true in the form of personal essay, memoir and literary journalism. We will explore how writers use narrative techniques and structure to create essays both to the traditional forms and challenge them in unexpected, important and engaging ways.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

2215F - Encoding Persuasion: Rhetorical Theory
This course introduces students to basic precepts of rhetorical theory, and their application to communication analysis and the practice of writing. Topics will include rhetorical argumentation, 'publics' theory, and conceptions of rhetoric as both a social practice and a method.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus 

2218G - To Make a Long Story Short: Introduction to Writing Short Fiction
In this course students will develop not only fiction writing ability, but also critical reading skills. The short story will be the focus of the course. Students will produce their own short fictions based on professional models, instructor guidance, and class discussion. 

Winter Section 001 Syllabus 

2219F - Word Travels: Introduction to Travel Writing
Great travel writing is a balance of colourful description, practical advice and history. Students will learn a variety of article styles including personal essay, guidebook writing and destination pieces for a variety of publications. Relevant issues will also be discussed including the evolution of the genre and ethical issues.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus 

2220F - Introduction to Writing Poetry
As students develop their own poetic voice, they will explore a range of contemporary styles and techniques. In addition to class workshops, craft discussions, and writing exercises, this experiential course will immerse students in current small press publishing trends, including hands-on editorial opportunities and direct engagement with London’s poetry community.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus 

2223G - Fashion Writing: Elements of Style
Using high fashion magazines as well as select books, film/video, and internet resources, this course covers the basic areas of fashion writing (review, trend reports, profiles, etc.) and explores how fashion can be used as a lens to discuss other areas of cultural and social significance.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus 

2224G - Writing for the Big Screen: Introduction to Feature Film Writing
Explore the art of writing a feature-length screenplay in a workshop setting. Course work focuses on the fundamental elements of screenplay theory while the workshop guides students through the stages of the screenwriting process. Students will complete the first act of a feature-length film and collaborate on a film trailer.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus 

2225G - The Inside Track: Sport Writing
Good sports writing fuels the fans' love of the game and combines elements of emotion, event coverage, and opinion. This course offers students a chance to cover the world of sports through interviews, attending events, and going behind the scenes to create stories about these popular pastimes.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus 

2226G - Out of the Book: Contemporary Experimental Writing Practices
In this experimental creative writing course students use a variety of media, online platforms, and source material to create innovative projects that challenge traditional modes of literary expression. They will be introduced to experimental writers/artists. Assignments will incorporate appropriation, collage, and sampling.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus 

2520A - Write Now! Writers on Writing
Through a series of guest lectures by contemporary writers, this course explores the art, craft, and process of creative writing in a variety of genres. Course topics include inspiration, overcoming creative blocks, revision, social media, publishing, literary citizenship, and the writing life. More details >>>

Fall Section 001 Syllabus 

2530B - TV or Not TV: Writing for the Television Industry
This course teaches students how to write and pitch creative projects reflecting today’s dominant television broadcast models. By exploring a variety of formats and genres, this course will also help prepare students for professional careers in writing and production in the television industry in both Canada and the United States.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus 

2550A - The English Language for Creative and Professional Writers
This course will teach you how to write more effectively in English. You’ll learn about rules and when to ignore them, about sound, about systems, about word order, about meaning, and about the importance of context and situation. This is not a remedial or introductory grammar course.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus 

3221F - Crime Scene to Courtroom: Forensic Writing
From true crime exposés to writing search warrants and wiretaps, this course introduces students to the process of investigating and documenting incidents likely to result in criminal prosecution, litigation, or inquiry. Students will also learn the art of drafting rhetorically complex documents capable of withstanding public, political, and media scrutiny.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus 

3225F/G - Writing and AI in the Digital Age
This course equips students with writng tools for the digital age. Topics include copyright and remix culture, neuroscience and the impact of online reading, collaborative writing with humans and artificial intelligence, and how to craft compelling content for a variety of online mediumds and platforms, including social media and websites.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus 

Winter Section 650 Syllabus 

3228G - Concept to Product: Publishing
This is a workshop course in which students work in teams to develop an issue of a journal, a season of chapbooks, or a print anthology. It is of particular interest to students considering a career in print/digital publishing. The roles of managing editor, copy editor, web designer, book designer, and writer are part of the classroom experience.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus 

3300F/G - Internship in Writing
Students registered in a Certificate or Minor degree module in Writing and who have a cumulative average of 80% in Writing courses may elect to do an internship with an approved institution as a course at the 3300 level. Course requirements will be set individually prior to registration.

3402G - Hitting the Right Notes: Song Lyric Writing
Do you want to write lyrics in your favourite musical genre—blues, rock, folk, pop, hip hop, and others? Learn essential lyric writing tools including imagery, repetition, metre, persona, and storytelling structure while studying master songwriters and workshopping your own lyrics. No previous music theory experience required.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus 

3610F - Creating Youth:  Writing for Young Adults
This course considers the craft of writing for young adult readers. We will read several YA texts to examine craft and write literature for adolescents. We will complete several pieces geared specifically to young adult readers. Assignments may include a novel pitch, short fiction piece, novel chunk, and poetry collection.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus 

3620G - Writing Horror Fiction
This course teaches students how to effectively author and successfully market creative projects that traverse the various subgenres of horror fiction. From the earliest Gothic works to current trends in techno-horror, this course will focus on writing short stories and novels as well as adjacent platforms for horror, including film, streaming, and video games.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus 

3640F - Crime Writing: Black Dahlias, Red Herrings, and Tequila Sunrises
This course introduces students to the process of writing crime fiction for a variety of media. Drawing on classic works, students will also learn about the criminal mind and investigative procedure as they create realistic portrayals of the genre's archetypal crimes, including murder, ransom kidnapping, and the theft of antiquities.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus 

4880F - Seminar in Creative Writing (cross-listed with English 4871F - Seminar in Creative Writing)
Theory meets creative writing. We will read passages from over 2000 years of theoretical work, ranging from such thinkers as Aristotle and Longinus to Gerard Genette, from classical considerations of rhetoric to discussions of what constitutes the fantastic (no prior theoretical knowledge is required). The readings will be grouped into four modules: defamiliarization or estrangement, language as material, and détournement; Todorov’s definition of the fantastic, his notion of hesitation, and the uncanny; the sublime; and narratology, specifically focalisation and different kinds of discourse. Using the readings as constraints, we will write four creative pieces in different genres. The objective is to become better writers by having more tools at our disposal.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus 

4998F/G - Re-visioning Self: Creating Your Professional Portfolio
In this half-course students will write new documents and revise documents written in previous Writing classes to include in a portfolio of their work. The portfolio will be both online and printed. Class time will be devoted to a combination of lecture and writing workshop.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus 

Winter Section 650 Syllabus 

4999E - Creative Writing Thesis
Individual instruction in selection of a topic, preparation of materials, and writing of a creative writing thesis. To take this course, students must apply to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Writing Studies. Restricted to students in fourth year of an English Honours Specialization module.

Please fill out the Agreement/Consent Supervisor Form and return.

Full Year - September-April

Writing 1000F - Writers' Studio
Students are introduced to the creative process of writing through in-class exercises, peer workshop, analysis of creative texts, journaling, essay writing, and a review of writing mechanics. Students learn strategies for idea generation in a variety of genres, composing a first draft, approaching revision, and effective editing and proofreading.

Spring/Summer Section 650 Syllabus 

Writing 2101F - Introduction to Expository Writing
An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of good writing. The course will emphasize practical work and the development of writing skills for a variety of subjects and disciplines.

Spring/Summer Section 650 Syllabus 

Writing 2130F- Building Better (Communication) Bridges: Rhetoric & Professional Communication for Engineers
This course introduces students to rhetorical principles and the practices of written, oral, and visual communication in professional engineering contexts. Students will learn strategies for drafting and designing technical and academic documents and for approaching the editing and revision of those documents.

"Writing 2130F/G is one of the most important courses in Western’s curriculum that any aspiring engineer will take. In all types of engineering, the successful outcome of a project is directly related to how effectively every team member communicates with each other and with the project stakeholders. As a professional in your chosen field, you will be solicited for advice and direction by clients, colleagues, superiors, and the public. Key skills developed in the course include knowing your audience and guiding the reader through the document. Speaking from experience, I have found that taking the time to incorporate key communication concepts is crucial to having your work approved by superiors and authorities in a more timely manner." -- Markus Eichenbaum, Development Engineering Technologist, City of Mississauga, MESc (2020), Civil & Environmental Engineering

Spring/Summer Section 650 Syllabus

Writing 2111F - Writing in the World: Introduction to Professional Writing
This course will introduce students to various genres of workplace writing such as letters, memos, and reports. Topics include: employment communications (application letters and resumes); business writing style; positive, negative, and persuasive messages; cross-cultural communication; oral communication.

Spring/Summer Section 650 Syllabus 

Writing 2202F - Winning Your Argument: Rhetorical Strategy in a Visual Age
An intensive and practical study of exposition in discursive prose, this course reviews the foundations of grammar, introduces students to the rhetoric of presentation and persuasion, and considers diverse types of prose across multiple disciplines, focusing an analysis of visual rhetoric and argumentation, including websites, advertisements, and other visual media.

Spring/Summer Section 650 Syllabus 

Course Title

Writers' Studio
Students are introduced to the creative process of writing through in-class exercises, peer workshop, analysis of creative texts, journaling, essay writing, and a review of writing mechanics. Students learn strategies for idea generation in a variety of genres, composing a first draft, approaching revision, and effective editing and proofreading.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 002 Syllabus
Fall Section 003 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus
Fall Section 651 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 002 Syllabus
Winter Section 003 Syllabus
Winter Section 650 Syllabus
Winter Section 651 Syllabus
Winter Section 652 Syllabus

Global Positioning: Introduction to Rhetoric and Professional Communication
This course will introduce students to the rhetorical principles and practices of written and oral communication in professional contexts. Particular attention will be paid to understanding audience, context, and purpose; modes of persuasion; and the negotiation of cultural difference.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 650 Syllabus

The Major Forms of Oral Discourse
For effective communication of ideas: Public Address, with basic purposes; Group Discussion; Debate; Voice and Diction; Interpretative Reading.

Full Year Section 001 Syllabus
Full Year Section 002 Syllabus

Introduction to Expository Writing
An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of good writing. The course will emphasize practical work and the development of writing skills for a variety of subjects and disciplines. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2121F/G.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus
Fall Section 651 Syllabus
Fall Section 652 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 650 Syllabus
Winter Section 651 Syllabus
Winter Section 652 Syllabus

Writing in the World: Introduction to Professional Writing
This course will introduce students to various genres of workplace writing such as letters, memos, and reports. Topics include: employment communications (application letters and resumes); business writing style; positive, negative, and persuasive messages; cross-cultural communication; oral communication. Antirequisite(s): Writing 1031F/G.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 002 Syllabus
Fall Section 003 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus
Fall Section 651 Syllabus
Fall Section 652 Syllabus
Fall Section 653 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 002 Syllabus
Winter Section 003 Syllabus
Winter Section 650 Syllabus
Winter Section 651 Syllabus
Winter Section 652 Syllabus
Winter Section 653 Syllabus
Winter Section 654 Syllabus
Winter Section 655 Syllabus
Winter Section 656 Syllabus

Building Better (Communication) Bridges: Rhetoric & Professional Communication for Engineers
This course introduces students to rhetorical principles and the practices of written, oral, and visual communication in professional engineering contexts. Students will learn strategies for drafting and designing technical and academic documents and for approaching the editing and revision of those documents.

"Writing 2130F/G is one of the most important courses in Western’s curriculum that any aspiring engineer will take. In all types of engineering, the successful outcome of a project is directly related to how effectively every team member communicates with each other and with the project stakeholders. As a professional in your chosen field, you will be solicited for advice and direction by clients, colleagues, superiors, and the public.  Key skills developed in the course include knowing your audience and guiding the reader through the document.  Speaking from experience, I have found that taking the time to incorporate key communication concepts is crucial to having your work approved by superiors and authorities in a more timely manner." -- Markus Eichenbaum, Development Engineering Technologist, City of Mississauga, MESc (2020), Civil & Environmental Engineering

Fall Section 650 Syllabus
Fall Section 651 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus
Winter Section 651 Syllabus

No Bones About It: Writing for the Sciences
Writing in the Sciences introduces students to the basic principles and genres of writing required for science students in their undergraduate careers: lab reports, summaries of scientific research, and scientific review essays. The course will focus on drafting and revising various reports written on scientific topics.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Winning Your Argument: Rhetorical Strategy in a Visual Age
An intensive and practical study of exposition in discursive prose, this course reviews the foundations of grammar, introduces students to the rhetoric of presentation and persuasion, and considers diverse types of prose across multiple disciplines, focusing an analysis of visual rhetoric and argumentation, including websites, advertisements, and other visual media.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

From Headline to Deadline: Writing for Publication
The course will improve writing intended for various forms of publication, including media releases and public letters, reviews and reports, newspaper and magazine articles. Students will develop skills in the preparation, writing, copy-editing, and formatting of materials for publication, focusing on effective organization at every level of writing. Antirequisite(s): MIT 3829F/G; MIT 3870G if taken in 2009-10, 2010-11, or 2011-2012.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Short Flicks: An Introduction to Screenwriting
In this course students will analyze short and feature film scripts, workshop their own scripts and respond to the scripts of other students, and draft and revise a 15 minute short film script. Topics will include image, three-act structure, dialogue, character development, theme, scene construction, and point of view.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Visual Information Packaging: Document Design
This course introduces students to principles of document design and methods of integrating visual and verbal information in print documents such as brochures, manuals, and flyers. Students will apply these principles to a variety of design projects using the computer lab facilities.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

GrammarPhobia Demystified: Contemporary Grammar for Writers
A study of how the English language works in practice, the course will include consideration of writing processes and the practical application of various theories of rhetoric and syntax. Students will analyse and imitate a variety of types of writing samples, and will develop a sophisticated understanding of writing in English.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

The Naked Writer: Fundamentals of Creative Writing
Students will explore fundamentals of creative writing and challenge their creativity through the writing of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. In craft talks and in small workshop settings, students will examine their work and the work of others for the use of basic elements such as character, voice, and setting.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Memoir, Memories, and Disclosure: Creative Non-Fiction
This course is designed for students who wish to write what's true in the form of personal essay, memoir and literary journalism. We will explore how writers use narrative techniques and structure to create essays both to the traditional forms and challenge them in unexpected, important and engaging ways.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Encoding Persuasion: Rhetorical Theory
This course introduces students to basic precepts of rhetorical theory, and their application to communication analysis and the practice of writing. Topics will include rhetorical argumentation, 'publics' theory, and conceptions of rhetoric as both a social practice and a method. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2292F (2008-2009).

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

To Make a Long Story Short: Introduction to Writing Short Fiction
In this course students will develop not only fiction writing ability, but also critical reading skills. The short story will be the focus of the course. Students will produce their own short fictions based on professional models, instructor guidance, and class discussion. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2295F/G (2009-2010; 2008-2009).

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Word Travels: Introduction to Travel Writing
Great travel writing is a balance of colourful description, practical advice and history. Students will learn a variety of article styles including personal essay, guidebook writing and destination pieces for a variety of publications. Relevant issues will also be discussed including the evolution of the genre and ethical issues. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2296F/G (2008-2009, 2009 - 2010.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Food Writing
In the novel "Like Water for Chocolate", Mexican author Laura Esquivel reveals the powerful force of food to educate, and to influence emotions, culture and life. In this course students will practice food writing (through memoir, history, reportage, biography and narrative) while developing specific research methods to understand food systems. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2295G (2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011).

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Fashion Writing: Elements of Style
Using high fashion magazines as well as select books, film/video, and internet resources, this course covers the basic areas of fashion writing (review, trend reports, profiles, etc.) and explores how fashion can be used as a lens to discuss other areas of cultural and social significance. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2293G 2010-2012; Writing 2293F 2012-2013.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Writing for the Big Screen: Introduction to Feature Film Writing
Explore the art of writing a feature-length screenplay in a workshop setting. Course work focuses on the fundamental elements of screenplay theory while the workshop guides students through the stages of the screenwriting process. Students will complete the first act of a feature-length film and collaborate on a film trailer.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

The Inside Track: Sport Writing
Good sports writing fuels the fans' love of the game and combines elements of emotion, event coverage, and opinion. This course offers students a chance to cover the world of sports through interviews, attending events, and going behind the scenes to create stories about these popular pastimes.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Out of the Book: Contemporary Experimental Writing Practices

In this experimental creative writing course students use a variety of media, online platforms, and source material to create innovative projects that challenge traditional modes of literary expression. They will be introduced to experimental writers/artists. Assignments will incorporate appropriation, collage, and sampling.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Crime Writing: Black Dahlias, Red Herrings and Tequila Sunrises
This course introduces students to the process of writing crime fiction for a variety of media. Drawing on classic works, students will also learn about the criminal mind and investigative procedure as they create realistic portrayals of the genre's archetypal crimes, including murder, ransom kidnapping, and the theft of antiquities. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2291F if taken in 2013-2014.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Al to the Future:  Exploring New Horizons in Wriitng with ChatGPT

In this course, students will explore the many ways in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance their writing skills. Students will explore the ethical use of AI tools for writing and discover the benefits and limitations of AI through the entire writing process via hands-on activities using ChatGPT.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Crime Scene to Courtroom: Forensic Writing
From true crime exposés to writing search warrants and wiretaps, this course introduces students to the process of investigating and documenting incidents likely to result in criminal prosecution, litigation, or inquiry. Students will also learn the art of drafting rhetorically complex documents capable of withstanding public, political, and media scrutiny.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Minding your Ps & Qs: Technical Editing

This course introduces students to the basic principles of editing with a specific emphasis on technical documents. Topics include editing for: organization and structure; audience; usability; style; and grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and spelling.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

My Name is url: Writing for the Web
This course will explore the theory and practice of digital writing technologies. Topics covered include: the production, management, and reception of digital texts; web writing style; hypertext and linking; authorship; copyright. Students will evaluate the design and content of web texts and create their own web sites. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2207F/G.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Concept to Product: Publishing
This is a workshop course in which students work in teams to develop a consumer magazine. It is of particular interest to students considering a career in print/digital publishing as the roles of managing editor, copy editor, creative/art director, photo design editor, and freelance writer are part of the classroom experience.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Re-visioning Self: Creating Your Professional Portfolio
In this half-course students will write new documents and revise documents written in previous Writing classes to include in a portfolio of their work. The portfolio will be both online and printed. Class time will be devoted to a combination of lecture and writing workshop. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2299F/G.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Creative Writing Thesis
Individual instruction in selection of a topic, preparation of materials, and writing of a creative writing thesis. To take this course, students must apply to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Writing Studies. Restricted to students in fourth year of an English Honors Specialization module. Antirequisite(s): English 4999E if taken prior to the 2014-15 academic year.

Please fill out the Agreement/Consent Supervisor Form and return.
Full Year - September-April

Course Title

Writers' Studio
Students are introduced to the creative process of writing through in-class exercises, peer workshop, analysis of creative texts, journaling, essay writing, and a review of writing mechanics. Students learn strategies for idea generation in a variety of genres, composing a first draft, approaching revision, and effective editing and proofreading.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 002 Syllabus
Fall Section 003 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 002 Syllabus
Winter Section 003 Syllabus
Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Writing For Professional Success in Nursing
This course serves as an introduction to the basic principles and techniques of good writing, an integral tool for learning and a vital source of communication in the Nursing profession. The course will emphasize practical work and the development of writing skills for a variety of styles and genres appropriate to the profession.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 002 Syllabus
Fall Section 003 Syllabus
Fall Section 004 Syllabus
Fall Section 005 Syllabus

Global Positioning: Introduction to Rhetoric and Professional Communication
This course will introduce students to the rhetorical principles and practices of written and oral communication in professional contexts. Particular attention will be paid to understanding audience, context, and purpose; modes of persuasion; and the negotiation of cultural difference.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

The Major Forms of Oral Discourse
For effective communication of ideas: Public Address, with basic purposes; Group Discussion; Debate; Voice and Diction; Interpretative Reading.

Full Year Section 001 Syllabus
Full Year Section 002 Syllabus

Introduction to Expository Writing
An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of good writing. The course will emphasize practical work and the development of writing skills for a variety of subjects and disciplines. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2121F/G.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus
Fall Section 651 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 650 Syllabus
Winter Section 651 Syllabus
Winter Section 652 Syllabus

Writing in the World: Introduction to Professional Writing
This course will introduce students to various genres of workplace writing such as letters, memos, and reports. Topics include: employment communications (application letters and resumes); business writing style; positive, negative, and persuasive messages; cross-cultural communication; oral communication. Antirequisite(s): Writing 1031F/G.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 002 Syllabus
Fall Section 003 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus
Fall Section 651 Syllabus
Fall Section 652 Syllabus
Fall Section 653 Syllabus

Winter Section 002 Syllabus
Winter Section 003 Syllabus
Winter Section 650 Syllabus
Winter Section 651 Syllabus
Winter Section 652 Syllabus
Winter Section 653 Syllabus
Winter Section 654 Syllabus
Winter Section 655 Syllabus
Winter Section 656 Syllabus

Building Better (Communication) Bridges: Rhetoric & Professional Communication for Engineers
This course introduces students to rhetorical principles and the practices of written, oral, and visual communication in professional engineering contexts. Students will learn strategies for drafting and designing technical and academic documents and for approaching the editing and revision of those documents.

"Writing 2130F/G is one of the most important courses in Western’s curriculum that any aspiring engineer will take. In all types of engineering, the successful outcome of a project is directly related to how effectively every team member communicates with each other and with the project stakeholders. As a professional in your chosen field, you will be solicited for advice and direction by clients, colleagues, superiors, and the public.  Key skills developed in the course include knowing your audience and guiding the reader through the document.  Speaking from experience, I have found that taking the time to incorporate key communication concepts is crucial to having your work approved by superiors and authorities in a more timely manner." -- Markus Eichenbaum, Development Engineering Technologist, City of Mississauga, MESc (2020), Civil & Environmental Engineering

Fall Section 650 Syllabus
Fall Section 651 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus
Winter Section 651 Syllabus

No Bones About It: Writing for the Sciences
Writing in the Sciences introduces students to the basic principles and genres of writing required for science students in their undergraduate careers: lab reports, summaries of scientific research, and scientific review essays. The course will focus on drafting and revising various reports written on scientific topics.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Winning Your Argument: Rhetorical Strategy in a Visual Age
An intensive and practical study of exposition in discursive prose, this course reviews the foundations of grammar, introduces students to the rhetoric of presentation and persuasion, and considers diverse types of prose across multiple disciplines, focusing an analysis of visual rhetoric and argumentation, including websites, advertisements, and other visual media.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

From Headline to Deadline: Writing for Publication
The course will improve writing intended for various forms of publication, including media releases and public letters, reviews and reports, newspaper and magazine articles. Students will develop skills in the preparation, writing, copy-editing, and formatting of materials for publication, focusing on effective organization at every level of writing. Antirequisite(s): MIT 3829F/G; MIT 3870G if taken in 2009-10, 2010-11, or 2011-2012.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Short Flicks: An Introduction to Screenwriting
In this course students will analyze short and feature film scripts, workshop their own scripts and respond to the scripts of other students, and draft and revise a 15 minute short film script. Topics will include image, three-act structure, dialogue, character development, theme, scene construction, and point of view.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Visual Information Packaging: Document Design
This course introduces students to principles of document design and methods of integrating visual and verbal information in print documents such as brochures, manuals, and flyers. Students will apply these principles to a variety of design projects using the computer lab facilities.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

GrammarPhobia Demystified: Contemporary Grammar for Writers
A study of how the English language works in practice, the course will include consideration of writing processes and the practical application of various theories of rhetoric and syntax. Students will analyse and imitate a variety of types of writing samples, and will develop a sophisticated understanding of writing in English.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

The Naked Writer: Fundamentals of Creative Writing
Students will explore fundamentals of creative writing and challenge their creativity through the writing of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. In craft talks and in small workshop settings, students will examine their work and the work of others for the use of basic elements such as character, voice, and setting.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Memoir, Memories, and Disclosure: Creative Non-Fiction
This course is designed for students who wish to write what's true in the form of personal essay, memoir and literary journalism. We will explore how writers use narrative techniques and structure to create essays both to the traditional forms and challenge them in unexpected, important and engaging ways.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Encoding Persuasion: Rhetorical Theory
This course introduces students to basic precepts of rhetorical theory, and their application to communication analysis and the practice of writing. Topics will include rhetorical argumentation, 'publics' theory, and conceptions of rhetoric as both a social practice and a method. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2292F (2008-2009).

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

To Make a Long Story Short: Introduction to Writing Short Fiction
In this course students will develop not only fiction writing ability, but also critical reading skills. The short story will be the focus of the course. Students will produce their own short fictions based on professional models, instructor guidance, and class discussion. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2295F/G (2009-2010; 2008-2009).

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Word Travels: Introduction to Travel Writing
Great travel writing is a balance of colourful description, practical advice and history. Students will learn a variety of article styles including personal essay, guidebook writing and destination pieces for a variety of publications. Relevant issues will also be discussed including the evolution of the genre and ethical issues. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2296F/G (2008-2009, 2009 - 2010.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Food Writing
In the novel "Like Water for Chocolate", Mexican author Laura Esquivel reveals the powerful force of food to educate, and to influence emotions, culture and life. In this course students will practice food writing (through memoir, history, reportage, biography and narrative) while developing specific research methods to understand food systems. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2295G (2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011).

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Fashion Writing: Elements of Style
Using high fashion magazines as well as select books, film/video, and internet resources, this course covers the basic areas of fashion writing (review, trend reports, profiles, etc.) and explores how fashion can be used as a lens to discuss other areas of cultural and social significance. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2293G 2010-2012; Writing 2293F 2012-2013.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Writing for the Big Screen: Introduction to Feature Film Writing
Explore the art of writing a feature-length screenplay in a workshop setting. Course work focuses on the fundamental elements of screenplay theory while the workshop guides students through the stages of the screenwriting process. Students will complete the first act of a feature-length film and collaborate on a film trailer.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

The Inside Track: Sport Writing
Good sports writing fuels the fans' love of the game and combines elements of emotion, event coverage, and opinion. This course offers students a chance to cover the world of sports through interviews, attending events, and going behind the scenes to create stories about these popular pastimes.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Out of the Book: Contemporary Experimental Writing Practices

In this experimental creative writing course students use a variety of media, online platforms, and source material to create innovative projects that challenge traditional modes of literary expression. They will be introduced to experimental writers/artists. Assignments will incorporate appropriation, collage, and sampling.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Crime Writing: Black Dahlias, Red Herrings and Tequila Sunrises
This course introduces students to the process of writing crime fiction for a variety of media. Drawing on classic works, students will also learn about the criminal mind and investigative procedure as they create realistic portrayals of the genre's archetypal crimes, including murder, ransom kidnapping, and the theft of antiquities. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2291F if taken in 2013-2014.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Crime Scene to Courtroom: Forensic Writing
From true crime exposés to writing search warrants and wiretaps, this course introduces students to the process of investigating and documenting incidents likely to result in criminal prosecution, litigation, or inquiry. Students will also learn the art of drafting rhetorically complex documents capable of withstanding public, political, and media scrutiny.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Hot Type: Technical Writing
Students will examine how the technical writer interprets and appropriately presents specialized information. Assignments will increase in complexity from letters and memos to document design, technical definition and description, instructions, proposals, the research report. Students will combine analysis, organization, and visual design to craft oral and written communications.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

My Name is url: Writing for the Web
This course will explore the theory and practice of digital writing technologies. Topics covered include: the production, management, and reception of digital texts; web writing style; hypertext and linking; authorship; copyright. Students will evaluate the design and content of web texts and create their own web sites. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2207F/G.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Concept to Product: Publishing
This is a workshop course in which students work in teams to develop a consumer magazine. It is of particular interest to students considering a career in print/digital publishing as the roles of managing editor, copy editor, creative/art director, photo design editor, and freelance writer are part of the classroom experience.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Re-visioning Self: Creating Your Professional Portfolio
In this half-course students will write new documents and revise documents written in previous Writing classes to include in a portfolio of their work. The portfolio will be both online and printed. Class time will be devoted to a combination of lecture and writing workshop. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2299F/G.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Creative Writing Thesis
Individual instruction in selection of a topic, preparation of materials, and writing of a creative writing thesis. To take this course, students must apply to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Writing Studies. Restricted to students in fourth year of an English Honors Specialization module. Antirequisite(s): English 4999E if taken prior to the 2014-15 academic year.

Please fill out the Agreement/Consent Supervisor Form and return.
Full Year - September-April

Creating Youth: Writing for Young Adults
In this course, we will consider the art and craft of writing for young adult readers. We will begin by reading and discussing a range of YA texts. The purpose of the reading will be to discover and examine principles of craft, paying particular attention to narration, character development, and style. As we read, we’ll consider the differences and similarities between great YA literature and great adult literature. We will then write literature for young adults, completing a variety of assignments and in-class workshops, commenting on one another’s work. Our goal is to complete several pieces geared specifically to young adult readers. Assignments may include: novel pitch, short fiction piece, a novel chunk, and poetry collection.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Getting Well-Versed in the Craft: Introduction to Poetry
Calling all poets! Explore a range of poetic forms, styles, and techniques as you develop and expand your own voice in verse. Students will study exceptional contemporary Canadian poets while workshopping their own poems and learning about ways of engaging with Canada’s larger literary community.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

True Crime: Writing Podcast and Purplish Prose
This course interrogates the multimedia evolution of “true” crime over the last two centuries and what exactly such a designation means. With a focus on writing for podcasting productions, it additionally explores the impact of the genre on the administration of justice, particularly narratives focused on cold cases and the wrongfully convicted.

Macabre Manuscripts: Writing Horror Fiction

This course teaches students how to effectively author and successfully market creative projects that
traverse the various subgenres of horror fiction as broadly defined. From the earliest Gothic works to
the anodyne novels of R.L. Stine; from zombie apocalypse narratives and vampire erotica to the iconic
multimedia works of Stephen King, David Lynch, and Anne Rice, this course will also critically examine
the evolution of horror fiction as a domain of serious literary scholarship. Students will additionally
learn how to navigate the different distribution models for horror today, from conventional book
publishing and screenwriting to collected short stories and anthologies, graphic novels, video games,
and even podcasting as the latest trend in a longstanding tradition of radio theatre performances of
horror stories.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Course Title

Writers' Studio
Students are introduced to the creative process of writing through in-class exercises, peer workshop, analysis of creative texts, journaling, essay writing, and a review of writing mechanics. Students learn strategies for idea generation in a variety of genres, composing a first draft, approaching revision, and effective editing and proofreading.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 002 Syllabus
Fall Section 003 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 002 Syllabus
Winter Section 003 Syllabus
Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Writing For Professional Success in Nursing
This course serves as an introduction to the basic principles and techniques of good writing, an integral tool for learning and a vital source of communication in the Nursing profession. The course will emphasize practical work and the development of writing skills for a variety of styles and genres appropriate to the profession.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus
Fall Section 651 Syllabus
Fall Section 652 Syllabus
Fall Section 653 Syllabus
Fall Section 654 Syllabus

Global Positioning: Introduction to Rhetoric and Professional Communication
This course will introduce students to the rhetorical principles and practices of written and oral communication in professional contexts. Particular attention will be paid to understanding audience, context, and purpose; modes of persuasion; and the negotiation of cultural difference.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

The Major Forms of Oral Discourse
For effective communication of ideas: Public Address, with basic purposes; Group Discussion; Debate; Voice and Diction; Interpretative Reading.

Full Year Section 001 Syllabus
Full Year Section 002 Syllabus

Introduction to Expository Writing
An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of good writing. The course will emphasize practical work and the development of writing skills for a variety of subjects and disciplines. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2121F/G.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Writing in the World: Introduction to Professional Writing
This course will introduce students to various genres of workplace writing such as letters, memos, and reports. Topics include: employment communications (application letters and resumes); business writing style; positive, negative, and persuasive messages; cross-cultural communication; oral communication. Antirequisite(s): Writing 1031F/G.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 002 Syllabus
Fall Section 003 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus
Fall Section 651 Syllabus
Fall Section 652 Syllabus
Fall Section 653 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus 
Winter Section 002 Syllabus
Winter Section 003 Syllabus
Winter Section 650 Syllabus
Winter Section 651 Syllabus
Winter Section 652 Syllabus
Winter Section 653 Syllabus
Winter Section 654 Syllabus
Winter Section 655 Syllabus

Building Better (Communication) Bridges: Rhetoric & Professional Communication for Engineers
This course introduces students to rhetorical principles and the practices of written, oral, and visual communication in professional engineering contexts. Students will learn strategies for drafting and designing technical and academic documents and for approaching the editing and revision of those documents.

"Writing 2130F/G is one of the most important courses in Western’s curriculum that any aspiring engineer will take. In all types of engineering, the successful outcome of a project is directly related to how effectively every team member communicates with each other and with the project stakeholders. As a professional in your chosen field, you will be solicited for advice and direction by clients, colleagues, superiors, and the public.  Key skills developed in the course include knowing your audience and guiding the reader through the document.  Speaking from experience, I have found that taking the time to incorporate key communication concepts is crucial to having your work approved by superiors and authorities in a more timely manner." -- Markus Eichenbaum, Development Engineering Technologist, City of Mississauga, MESc (2020), Civil & Environmental Engineering

Fall Section 650 Syllabus
Fall Section 651 Syllabus
Fall Section 652 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus
Winter Section 651 Syllabus
Winter Section 652 Syllabus

No Bones About It: Writing for the Sciences
Writing in the Sciences introduces students to the basic principles and genres of writing required for science students in their undergraduate careers: lab reports, summaries of scientific research, and scientific review essays. The course will focus on drafting and revising various reports written on scientific topics.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Winning Your Argument: Rhetorical Strategy in a Visual Age
An intensive and practical study of exposition in discursive prose, this course reviews the foundations of grammar, introduces students to the rhetoric of presentation and persuasion, and considers diverse types of prose across multiple disciplines, focusing an analysis of visual rhetoric and argumentation, including websites, advertisements, and other visual media.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

From Headline to Deadline: Writing for Publication
The course will improve writing intended for various forms of publication, including media releases and public letters, reviews and reports, newspaper and magazine articles. Students will develop skills in the preparation, writing, copy-editing, and formatting of materials for publication, focusing on effective organization at every level of writing. Antirequisite(s): MIT 3829F/G; MIT 3870G if taken in 2009-10, 2010-11, or 2011-2012.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Short Flicks: An Introduction to Screenwriting
In this course students will analyze short and feature film scripts, workshop their own scripts and respond to the scripts of other students, and draft and revise a 15 minute short film script. Topics will include image, three-act structure, dialogue, character development, theme, scene construction, and point of view.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Visual Information Packaging: Document Design
This course introduces students to principles of document design and methods of integrating visual and verbal information in print documents such as brochures, manuals, and flyers. Students will apply these principles to a variety of design projects using the computer lab facilities.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

GrammarPhobia Demystified: Contemporary Grammar for Writers
A study of how the English language works in practice, the course will include consideration of writing processes and the practical application of various theories of rhetoric and syntax. Students will analyse and imitate a variety of types of writing samples, and will develop a sophisticated understanding of writing in English.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

The Naked Writer: Fundamentals of Creative Writing
Students will explore fundamentals of creative writing and challenge their creativity through the writing of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. In craft talks and in small workshop settings, students will examine their work and the work of others for the use of basic elements such as character, voice, and setting.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Memoir, Memories, and Disclosure: Creative Non-Fiction
This course is designed for students who wish to write what's true in the form of personal essay, memoir and literary journalism. We will explore how writers use narrative techniques and structure to create essays both to the traditional forms and challenge them in unexpected, important and engaging ways.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Encoding Persuasion: Rhetorical Theory
This course introduces students to basic precepts of rhetorical theory, and their application to communication analysis and the practice of writing. Topics will include rhetorical argumentation, 'publics' theory, and conceptions of rhetoric as both a social practice and a method. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2292F (2008-2009).

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

To Make a Long Story Short: Introduction to Writing Short Fiction
In this course students will develop not only fiction writing ability, but also critical reading skills. The short story will be the focus of the course. Students will produce their own short fictions based on professional models, instructor guidance, and class discussion. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2295F/G (2009-2010; 2008-2009).

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Word Travels: Introduction to Travel Writing
Great travel writing is a balance of colourful description, practical advice and history. Students will learn a variety of article styles including personal essay, guidebook writing and destination pieces for a variety of publications. Relevant issues will also be discussed including the evolution of the genre and ethical issues. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2296F/G (2008-2009, 2009 - 2010.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Food Writing
In the novel "Like Water for Chocolate", Mexican author Laura Esquivel reveals the powerful force of food to educate, and to influence emotions, culture and life. In this course students will practice food writing (through memoir, history, reportage, biography and narrative) while developing specific research methods to understand food systems. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2295G (2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011).

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Fashion Writing: Elements of Style
Using high fashion magazines as well as select books, film/video, and internet resources, this course covers the basic areas of fashion writing (review, trend reports, profiles, etc.) and explores how fashion can be used as a lens to discuss other areas of cultural and social significance. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2293G 2010-2012; Writing 2293F 2012-2013.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

The Inside Track: Sport Writing
Good sports writing fuels the fans' love of the game and combines elements of emotion, event coverage, and opinion. This course offers students a chance to cover the world of sports through interviews, attending events, and going behind the scenes to create stories about these popular pastimes.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Crime Writing: Black Dahlias, Red Herrings and Tequila Sunrises
This course introduces students to the process of writing crime fiction for a variety of media. Drawing on classic works, students will also learn about the criminal mind and investigative procedure as they create realistic portrayals of the genre's archetypal crimes, including murder, ransom kidnapping, and the theft of antiquities. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2291F if taken in 2013-2014.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Crime Scene to Courtroom: Forensic Writing
From true crime exposés to writing search warrants and wiretaps, this course introduces students to the process of investigating and documenting incidents likely to result in criminal prosecution, litigation, or inquiry. Students will also learn the art of drafting rhetorically complex documents capable of withstanding public, political, and media scrutiny.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Minding Your PS & QS: Technical Editing
This course introduces students to the basic principles of editing with a specific emphasis on technical documents. Topics include editing for: organization and structure; audience; usability; style; and grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and spelling.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

My Name is url: Writing for the Web
This course will explore the theory and practice of digital writing technologies. Topics covered include: the production, management, and reception of digital texts; web writing style; hypertext and linking; authorship; copyright. Students will evaluate the design and content of web texts and create their own web sites. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2207F/G.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Seminar in Creative Writing - Creative Writing through Literary Theory
This isn’t a theory course. Some background in literary theory might help, but this course is neither a replacement for a theory course nor a course that requires any prior knowledge of theory. Think of it as a series of creative writing assignments with different kind of constraints, much like constraints of form in composing a villanelle or a sonnet. We will read passages from over 2000 years of theoretical work, ranging from such thinkers as Aristotle and Longinus to T.S. Eliot and Gerard Genette, from classical considerations of rhetoric to discussions of the uncanny. The graded work of the course will be creative exercises in a number of different genres based on our critical readings.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Re-visioning Self: Creating Your Professional Portfolio
In this half-course students will write new documents and revise documents written in previous Writing classes to include in a portfolio of their work. The portfolio will be both online and printed. Class time will be devoted to a combination of lecture and writing workshop. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2299F/G.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Creative Writing Thesis
Individual instruction in selection of a topic, preparation of materials, and writing of a creative writing thesis. To take this course, students must apply to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Writing Studies. Restricted to students in fourth year of an English Honors Specialization module. Antirequisite(s): English 4999E if taken prior to the 2014-15 academic year.

Please fill out the Agreement/Consent Supervisor Form and return.
Full Year - September-April

Creating Youth: Writing for Young Adults
In this course, we will consider the art and craft of writing for young adult readers. We will begin by reading and discussing a range of YA texts. The purpose of the reading will be to discover and examine principles of craft, paying particular attention to narration, character development, and style. As we read, we’ll consider the differences and similarities between great YA literature and great adult literature. We will then write literature for young adults, completing a variety of assignments and in-class workshops, commenting on one another’s work. Our goal is to complete several pieces geared specifically to young adult readers. Assignments may include: novel pitch, short fiction piece, a novel chunk, and poetry collection.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Getting Well-Versed in the Craft: Introduction to Poetry
Calling all poets! Explore a range of poetic forms, styles, and techniques as you develop and expand your own voice in verse. Students will study exceptional contemporary Canadian poets while workshopping their own poems and learning about ways of engaging with Canada’s larger literary community.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

True Crime: Writing Podcasts & Purplish Prose
This course interrogates the multimedia evolution of “true” crime over the last two centuries and what exactly such a designation means. With a focus on writing for podcasting productions, it additionally explores the impact of the genre on the administration of justice, particularly narratives focused on cold cases and the wrongfully convicted.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Writing Fantasy
Students in this course will work on various aspects of a full-length fantasy novel, focusing on aspects of world-building, the use and transformation of common fantasy motifs, various ways to structure the narrative and tell the story, and how to devise the most affective and climactic scenes. We will read some secondary material (including Tolkien and others on the genre) and one full-length novel together; students will also be required to read and report on a contemporary fantasy novel of their choice as we assess what makes fantasy successful. At the conclusion of the course, students will submit a portfolio of work that includes a myth or story that underpins their created world, character sketches, an outline of their novel, and an excerpt from it.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Course Title

Building Better (Communication) Bridges: Rhetoric & Professional Communication for Engineers
This course introduces students to rhetorical principles and the practices of written, oral, and visual communication in professional engineering contexts. Students will learn strategies for drafting and designing technical and academic documents and for approaching the editing and revision of those documents.

Re-Visioning Self: Creating Your Professional Portfolio
In this half-course students will write new documents and revise documents written in previous Writing classes to include in a portfolio of their work. The portfolio will be both online and printed. Class time will be devoted to a combination of lecture and writing workshop.

Course Title

Writers' Studio
Students are introduced to the creative process of writing through in-class exercises, peer workshop, analysis of creative texts, journaling, essay writing, and a review of writing mechanics. Students learn strategies for idea generation in a variety of genres, composing a first draft, approaching revision, and effective editing and proofreading.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus
Fall Section 651 Syllabus
Fall Section 652 Syllabus
Fall Section 653 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus
Winter Section 651 Syllabus
Winter Section 652 Syllabus
Winter Section 653 Syllabus

Writing For Professional Success In Nursing
This course serves as an introduction to the basic principles and techniques of good writing, an integral tool for learning and a vital source of communication in the Nursing profession. The course will emphasize practical work and the development of writing skills for a variety of styles and genres appropriate to the profession.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 002 Syllabus
Winter Section 003 Syllabus
Winter Section 004 Syllabus
Winter Section 005 Syllabus

Global Positioning: Introduction to Rhetoric and Professional Communication
This course will introduce students to the rhetorical principles and practices of written and oral communication in professional contexts. Particular attention will be paid to understanding audience, context, and purpose; modes of persuasion; and the negotiation of cultural difference.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

The Major Forms of Oral Discourse
For effective communication of ideas: Public Address, with basic purposes; Group Discussion; Debate; Voice and Diction; Interpretative Reading.

Full Year Section 001 Syllabus
Full Year Section 002 Syllabus

Writing 2101F/G

Introduction to Expository Writing
An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of good writing. The course will emphasize practical work and the development of writing skills for a variety of subjects and disciplines. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2121F/G. 

Fall Section 650 Syllabus
Fall Section 651 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus
Winter Section 651 Syllabus

 Writing in the World: Introduction to Professional Writing
This course will introduce students to various genres of workplace writing such as letters, memos, and reports. Topics include: employment communications (application letters and resumes); business writing style; positive, negative, and persuasive messages; cross-cultural communication; oral communication. Antirequisite(s): Writing 1031F/G.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus
Fall Section 651 Syllabus
Fall Section 652 Syllabus
Fall Section 653 Syllabus
Fall Section 654 Syllabus
Fall Section 655 Syllabus
Fall Section 656 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus 
Winter Section 651 Syllabus
Winter Section 652 Syllabus
Winter Section 653 Syllabus
Winter Section 654 Syllabus
Winter Section 655 Syllabus
Winter Section 656 Syllabus
Winter Section 657 Syllabus

 Building Better (Communcation) Bridges: Rhetoric & Professional Communication for Engineers
This course introduces students to rhetorical principles and the practices of written, oral, and visual communication in professional engineering contexts. Students will learn strategies for drafting and designing technical and academic documents and for approaching the editing and revision of those documents. Antirequisite(s): The former Engineering Science 2211F/G.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 002 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 002 Syllabus
Winter Section 003 Syllabus

No Bones About It: Writing For the Sciences
Writing in the Sciences introduces students to the basic principles and genres of writing required for science students in their undergraduate careers: lab reports, summaries of scientific research, and scientific review essays. The course will focus on drafting and revising various reports written on scientific topics.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Winning Your Argument: Rhetorical Strategy in a Visual Age
An intensive and practical study of exposition in discursive prose, this course reviews the foundations of grammar, introduces students to the rhetoric of presentation and persuasion, and considers diverse types of prose across multiple disciplines, focusing an analysis of visual rhetoric and argumentation, including websites, advertisements, and other visual media. 

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

From Headline to Deadline: Writing for Publication
The course will improve writing intended for various forms of publication, including media releases and public letters, reviews and reports, newspaper and magazine articles. Students will develop skills in the preparation, writing, copy-editing, and formatting of materials for publication, focusing on effective organization at every level of writing. Antirequisite(s): MIT 3829F/G; MIT 3870G if taken in 2009-10, 2010-11, or 2011-2012.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Packaging: Document Design
This course introduces students to principles of document design and methods of integrating visual and verbal information in print documents such as brochures, manuals, and flyers. Students will apply these principles to a variety of design projects using the computer lab facilities.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

GrammarPhobia Demystified: Contemporary Grammar for Writers
A study of how the English language works in practice, the course will include consideration of writing processes and the practical application of various theories of rhetoric and syntax. Students will analyse and imitate a variety of types of writing samples, and will develop a sophisticated understanding of writing in English.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

The Naked Writer: Fundamentals of Creative Writing
Students will explore fundamentals of creative writing and challenge their creativity through the writing of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. In craft talks and in small workshop settings, students will examine their work and the work of others for the use of basic elements such as character, voice, and setting.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus
Fall Section 651 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

LOL: Humour Writing
Writing Humour is designed to help you write for greater impact while introducing you to different aspects of the genre, using a blend of lecture and workshop. You will have the opportunity to write something funny every week, get feedback, and learn about potential markets for your work.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Memoir, Memories, and Disclosure: Creative Non-Fiction
This course is designed for students who wish to write what's true in the form of personal essay, memoir and literary journalism. We will explore how writers use narrative techniques and structure to create essays both to the traditional forms and challenge them in unexpected, important and engaging ways.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Encoding Persuasion: Rhetorical Theory
This course introduces students to basic precepts of rhetorical theory, and their application to communication analysis and the practice of writing. Topics will include rhetorical argumentation, 'publics' theory, and conceptions of rhetoric as both a social practice and a method. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2292F (2008-2009).

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

To Make a Long Story Short: Introduction to Writing Short Fiction
In this course students will develop not only fiction writing ability, but also critical reading skills. The short story will be the focus of the course. Students will produce their own short fictions based on professional models, instructor guidance, and class discussion. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2295F/G (2009-2010; 2008-2009).

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Word Travels: Introduction to Travel Writing
Great travel writing is a balance of colourful description, practical advice and history. Students will learn a variety of article styles including personal essay, guidebook writing and destination pieces for a variety of publications. Relevant issues will also be discussed including the evolution of the genre and ethical issues. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2296F/G (2008-2009, 2009 - 2010.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Food Writing
In the novel "Like Water for Chocolate", Mexican author Laura Esquivel reveals the powerful force of food to educate, and to influence emotions, culture and life. In this course students will practice food writing (through memoir, history, reportage, biography and narrative) while developing specific research methods to understand food systems. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2295G (2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011). 

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Fashion Writing: Elements of Style
Using high fashion magazines as well as select books, film/video, and internet resources, this course covers the basic areas of fashion writing (review, trend reports, profiles, etc.) and explores how fashion can be used as a lens to discuss other areas of cultural and social significance. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2293G 2010-2012; Writing 2293F 2012-2013.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

The Inside Track: Sport Writing
Good sports writing fuels the fans' love of the game and combines elements of emotion, event coverage, and opinion. This course offers students a chance to cover the world of sports through interviews, attending events, and going behind the scenes to create stories about these popular pastimes.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Out of the Book: Contemporary Experimental Writing Practices
In this experimental creative writing course students use a variety of media, online platforms, and source material to create innovative projects that challenge traditional modes of literary expression. They will be introduced to experimental writers/artists - Marcel Duchamp, William Burroughs, Kathy Acker, Laurie Anderson, etc. Assignments will incorporate appropriation, collage, and sampling. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2295G if taken in 2012-2013 or 2013-2014.

Crime Writing: Black Dahlias, Red Herrings and Tequila Sunrises
This course introduces students to the process of writing crime fiction for a variety of media. Drawing on classic works, students will also learn about the criminal mind and investigative procedure as they create realistic portrayals of the genre's archetypal crimes, including murder, ransom kidnapping, and the theft of antiquities. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2291F if taken in 2013-2014.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Outside The Envelope: Advanced Professional Communication
This course will explore the parameters of professional communication, combining theoretical and practical approaches to the topic. Students will learn to apply new approaches to thinking, problem solving, and writing, in areas such as oral presentation and instructional design. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2292G if taken in 2013-14. 

Crime Scene to Courtroom: Forensic Writing
From true crime exposés to writing search warrants and wiretaps, this course introduces students to the process of investigating and documenting incidents likely to result in criminal prosecution, litigation, or inquiry. Students will also learn the art of drafting rhetorically complex documents capable of withstanding public, political, and media scrutiny.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Pathology to Pathography: Advanced Healthcare Communication
This course prepares students for careers traversing a variety of healthcare delivery models by engaging writing and rhetorical strategies for clinical, forensic, and corporate environments. Topics include everything from narrative medicine and medical blogging to executive hospital communication, as well as the influence of the popular media on patient expectations.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Hot Type: Technical Writing
Students will examine how the technical writer interprets and appropriately presents specialized information. Assignments will increase in complexity from letters and memos to document design, technical definition and description, instructions, proposals, the research report. Students will combine analysis, organization, and visual design to craft oral and written communications. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2205F/G.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

My Name is url: Writing for the Web
This course will explore the theory and practice of digital writing technologies. Topics covered include: the production, management, and reception of digital texts; web writing style; hypertext and linking; authorship; copyright. Students will evaluate the design and content of web texts and create their own web sites. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2207F/G.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Seminar in Creative Writing - Creative Writing through Literary Theory
This isn’t a theory course. Some background in literary theory might help, but this course is neither a replacement for a theory course nor a course that requires any prior knowledge of theory. Think of it as a series of creative writing assignments with different kind of constraints, much like constraints of form in composing a villanelle or a sonnet. We will read passages from over 2000 years of theoretical work, ranging from such thinkers as Aristotle and Longinus to T.S. Eliot and Gerard Genette, from classical considerations of rhetoric to discussions of the uncanny. The graded work of the course will be creative exercises in a number of different genres based on our critical readings.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Re-visioning Self: Creating Your Professional Portfolio
In this half-course students will write new documents and revise documents written in previous Writing classes to include in a portfolio of their work. The portfolio will be both online and printed. Class time will be devoted to a combination of lecture and writing workshop. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2299F/G.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Creative Writing Thesis
Individual instruction in selection of a topic, preparation of materials, and writing of a creative writing thesis. To take this course, students must apply to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Writing Studies. Restricted to students in fourth year of an English Honors Specialization module. Antirequisite(s): English 4999E if taken prior to the 2014-15 academic year.

Creating Youth: Writing for Young Adults
In this course, we will consider the art and craft of writing for young adult readers. We will begin by reading and discussing a range of YA texts. The purpose of the reading will be to discover and examine principles of craft, paying particular attention to narration, character development, and style. As we read, we’ll consider the differences and similarities between great YA literature and great adult literature. We will then write literature for young adults, completing a variety of assignments and in-class workshops, commenting on one another’s work. Our goal is to complete several pieces geared specifically to young adult readers. Assignments may include: novel pitch, short fiction piece, a novel chunk, and poetry collection.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Getting Well-Versed in the Craft: Introduction to Poetry
Calling all poets! Explore a range of poetic forms, styles, and techniques as you develop and expand your own voice in verse. Students will study exceptional contemporary Canadian poets while workshopping their own poems and learning about ways of engaging with Canada’s larger literary community.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

True Crime: Writing Podcasts & Purplish Prose
This course interrogates the multimedia evolution of “true” crime over the last two centuries and what exactly such a designation means. With a focus on writing for podcasting productions, it additionally explores the impact of the genre on the administration of justice, particularly narratives focused on cold cases and the wrongfully convicted.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Writing Fantasy
Students in this course will work on various aspects of a full-length fantasy novel, focusing on aspects of world-building, the use and transformation of common fantasy motifs, various ways to structure the narrative and tell the story, and how to devise the most affective and climactic scenes. We will read some secondary material (including Tolkien and others on the genre) and one full-length novel together; students will also be required to read and report on a contemporary fantasy novel of their choice as we assess what makes fantasy successful. At the conclusion of the course, students will submit a portfolio of work that includes a myth or story that underpins their created world, character sketches, an outline of their novel, and an excerpt from it.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Course Title

Writers' Studio

Students are introduced to the creative process of writing through in-class exercises, peer workshop, analysis of creative texts, journaling, essay writing, and a review of writing mechanics. Students learn strategies for idea generation in a variety of genres, composing a first draft, approaching revision, and effective editing and proofreading.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 002 Syllabus
Fall Section 003 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 002 Syllabus
Winter Section 003 Syllabus
Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Writing For Professional Success In Nursing

This course serves as an introduction to the basic principles and techniques of good writing, an integral tool for learning and a vital source of communication in the Nursing profession. The course will emphasize practical work and the development of writing skills for a variety of styles and genres appropriate to the profession.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 002 Syllabus
Winter Section 003 Syllabus
Winter Section 004 Syllabus
Winter Section 005 Syllabus

Global Positioning: Introduction to Rhetoric and Professional Communication

This course will introduce students to the rhetorical principles and practices of written and oral communication in professional contexts. Particular attention will be paid to understanding audience, context, and purpose; modes of persuasion; and the negotiation of cultural difference.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

The Major Forms of Oral Discourse

For effective communication of ideas: Public Address, with basic purposes; Group Discussion; Debate; Voice and Diction; Interpretative Reading.

Full Year Section 001 Syllabus
Full Year Section 002 Syllabus

Writing 2101F/G

Introduction to Expository Writing

An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of good writing. The course will emphasize practical work and the development of writing skills for a variety of subjects and disciplines. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2121F/G. 

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 650 Syllabus

 Writing in the World: Introduction to Professional Writing

This course will introduce students to various genres of workplace writing such as letters, memos, and reports. Topics include: employment communications (application letters and resumes); business writing style; positive, negative, and persuasive messages; cross-cultural communication; oral communication. Antirequisite(s): Writing 1031F/G.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 002 Syllabus
Fall Section 003 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus
Fall Section 651 Syllabus
Fall Section 652 Syllabus
Fall Section 653 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus 
Winter Section 002 Syllabus
Winter Section 003 Syllabus
Winter Section 650 Syllabus
Winter Section 651 Syllabus
Winter Section 652 Syllabus
Winter Section 653 Syllabus
Winter Section 654 Syllabus
Winter Section 655 Syllabus

 Building Better (Communcation) Bridges: Rhetoric & Professional Communication for Engineers

This course introduces students to rhetorical principles and the practices of written, oral, and visual communication in professional engineering contexts. Students will learn strategies for drafting and designing technical and academic documents and for approaching the editing and revision of those documents. Antirequisite(s): The former Engineering Science 2211F/G.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 002 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 002 Syllabus
Winter Section 003 Syllabus

No Bones About It: Writing For the Sciences

Writing in the Sciences introduces students to the basic principles and genres of writing required for science students in their undergraduate careers: lab reports, summaries of scientific research, and scientific review essays. The course will focus on drafting and revising various reports written on scientific topics.

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Winning Your Argument: Rhetorical Strategy in a Visual Age

An intensive and practical study of exposition in discursive prose, this course reviews the foundations of grammar, introduces students to the rhetoric of presentation and persuasion, and considers diverse types of prose across multiple disciplines, focusing an analysis of visual rhetoric and argumentation, including websites, advertisements, and other visual media. 

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

From Headline to Deadline: Writing for Publication

The course will improve writing intended for various forms of publication, including media releases and public letters, reviews and reports, newspaper and magazine articles. Students will develop skills in the preparation, writing, copy-editing, and formatting of materials for publication, focusing on effective organization at every level of writing. Antirequisite(s): MIT 3829F/G; MIT 3870G if taken in 2009-10, 2010-11, or 2011-2012.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Packaging: Document Design

This course introduces students to principles of document design and methods of integrating visual and verbal information in print documents such as brochures, manuals, and flyers. Students will apply these principles to a variety of design projects using the computer lab facilities.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

GrammarPhobia Demystified: Contemporary Grammar for Writers

A study of how the English language works in practice, the course will include consideration of writing processes and the practical application of various theories of rhetoric and syntax. Students will analyse and imitate a variety of types of writing samples, and will develop a sophisticated understanding of writing in English.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

The Naked Writer: Fundamentals of Creative Writing

Students will explore fundamentals of creative writing and challenge their creativity through the writing of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. In craft talks and in small workshop settings, students will examine their work and the work of others for the use of basic elements such as character, voice, and setting.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

LOL: Humour Writing

Writing Humour is designed to help you write for greater impact while introducing you to different aspects of the genre, using a blend of lecture and workshop. You will have the opportunity to write something funny every week, get feedback, and learn about potential markets for your work.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Memoir, Memories, and Disclosure: Creative Non-Fiction

This course is designed for students who wish to write what's true in the form of personal essay, memoir and literary journalism. We will explore how writers use narrative techniques and structure to create essays both to the traditional forms and challenge them in unexpected, important and engaging ways.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Encoding Persuasion: Rhetorical Theory

This course introduces students to basic precepts of rhetorical theory, and their application to communication analysis and the practice of writing. Topics will include rhetorical argumentation, 'publics' theory, and conceptions of rhetoric as both a social practice and a method. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2292F (2008-2009).

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

To Make a Long Story Short: Introduction to Writing Short Fiction

In this course students will develop not only fiction writing ability, but also critical reading skills. The short story will be the focus of the course. Students will produce their own short fictions based on professional models, instructor guidance, and class discussion. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2295F/G (2009-2010; 2008-2009).

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Word Travels: Introduction to Travel Writing

Great travel writing is a balance of colourful description, practical advice and history. Students will learn a variety of article styles including personal essay, guidebook writing and destination pieces for a variety of publications. Relevant issues will also be discussed including the evolution of the genre and ethical issues. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2296F/G (2008-2009, 2009 - 2010.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Renewing Your Poetic License: Introduction to Writing Poetry

This writing workshop examines a variety of techniques for writing contemporary poetry. Students are introduced to modern and contemporary poets from diverse backgrounds. Assignments, readings, in-class writing, and discussions focus on the fundamental elements of poetry such as image, metaphor, point of view, voice, typography, sound, meter, rhythm, and form. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2292F/G (2009 -2010).

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Food Writing

In the novel "Like Water for Chocolate", Mexican author Laura Esquivel reveals the powerful force of food to educate, and to influence emotions, culture and life. In this course students will practice food writing (through memoir, history, reportage, biography and narrative) while developing specific research methods to understand food systems. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2295G (2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011). 

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Fashion Writing: Elements of Style

Using high fashion magazines as well as select books, film/video, and internet resources, this course covers the basic areas of fashion writing (review, trend reports, profiles, etc.) and explores how fashion can be used as a lens to discuss other areas of cultural and social significance. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2293G 2010-2012; Writing 2293F 2012-2013.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Writing for the Big Screen: Introduction to Feature Film Writing

Explore the art of writing a feature-length screenplay in a workshop setting. Course work focuses on the fundamental elements of screenplay theory while the workshop guides students through the stages of the screenwriting process. Students will complete the first act of a feature-length film and collaborate on a film trailer. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2292G 2009-2013. 

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

The Inside Track: Sport Writing

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Out of the Book: Contemporary Experimental Writing Practices

In this experimental creative writing course students use a variety of media, online platforms, and source material to create innovative projects that challenge traditional modes of literary expression. They will be introduced to experimental writers/artists - Marcel Duchamp, William Burroughs, Kathy Acker, Laurie Anderson, etc. Assignments will incorporate appropriation, collage, and sampling. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2295G if taken in 2012-2013 or 2013-2014

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Crime Writing: Black Dahlias, Red Herrings and Tequila Sunrises

This course introduces students to the process of writing crime fiction for a variety of media. Drawing on classic works, students will also learn about the criminal mind and investigative procedure as they create realistic portrayals of the genre's archetypal crimes, including murder, ransom kidnapping, and the theft of antiquities. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2291F if taken in 2013-2014.

Outside The Envelope: Advanced Professional Communication

This course will explore the parameters of professional communication, combining theoretical and practical approaches to the topic. Students will learn to apply new approaches to thinking, problem solving, and writing, in areas such as oral presentation and instructional design. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2292G if taken in 2013-14. 

Hot Type: Technical Writing

Students will examine how the technical writer interprets and appropriately presents specialized information. Assignments will increase in complexity from letters and memos to document design, technical definition and description, instructions, proposals, the research report. Students will combine analysis, organization, and visual design to craft oral and written communications. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2205F/G.

Minding Your Ps and Qs: Technical Editing

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

This course will explore the theory and practice of digital writing technologies. Topics covered include: the production, management, and reception of digital texts; web writing style; hypertext and linking; authorship; copyright. Students will evaluate the design and content of web texts and create their own web sites. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2207F/G.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Seminar in Creative Writing - Writing Fantasy

The premise of this course is that folktale and, by extension, fantasy can teach us a great deal about creative writing. This course will guide you through language creation, the structural principles and motifs of folktale and fantasy, and the writing of the great scene. Works as diverse as medieval epics and sagas, The Hobbit, and Patrick deWitt’s Undermajordomo Minor are all heavily dependent on folktale: folktale types, folktale motifs, and folktale methods for telling stories. We will learn how other writers such as Joe Abercrombie, Robin Hobb, George R.R. Martin, Robert Jordan, Kazuo Ishiguro, Ursula K. Le Guin, Scott Lynch, Mark Lawrence, R. Scott Bakker, Patrick Rothfuss, and Jim Butcher might also use elements of folktale. Students will spend the term working on one major project: an overview of a longer piece of creative fiction (synopsis; motifs; structure) and one significant scene from the piece.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Re-visioning Self: Creating Your Professional Portfolio

In this half-course students will write new documents and revise documents written in previous Writing classes to include in a portfolio of their work. The portfolio will be both online and printed. Class time will be devoted to a combination of lecture and writing workshop. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2299F/G.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Creative Writing Thesis

Nature Writing - You're a Strange Animal: Writing Nature, Writing the Self

Nature is a slippery fish. In this course, we will use poetry, fiction and non-fiction to capture (and release) some of the fundamentals of nature writing. We will write about nature, in nature. Campus will be our classroom. We will spend about half of our time exploring natural (and not so natural) features of Western Campus: hissing geese, tree species, birds of prey, groundhogs, creepy-crawlies, green spaces, parking lots, taxidermized animals in the basement of Natural Science, the river, the food court, the football field. You will need the following: notepad, pen, sturdy footwear, a sense of adventure.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Lyric Writing

Do you want to write lyrics in your favourite musical genre -- perhaps blues, rock, R&B, folk, pop, spoken word, or hip hop? This course introduces students to the essentials of effective song lyric writing using tools such as imagery, repetition, metre, poetic devices, prosody, fictional persona, and narrative storytelling. After analyzing the work of master lyricists, students will workshop their own lyrics while building towards a final, thematically-unified project. No previous experience in music is necessary; all fundamental/relevant musical concepts will be explained in class.

Winter Section 001 Syllablus

Writing 1000F/G: Writers' Studio

Students are introduced to the creative process of writing through in-class exercises, peer workshop, analysis of creative texts, journaling, essay writing, and a review of writing mechanics. Students learn strategies for idea generation in a variety of genres, composing a first draft, approaching revision, and effective editing and proofreading.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 002 Syllabus
Fall Section 003 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 002 Syllabus
Winter Section 003 Syllabus
Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Writing 1030F/G

Writing 1030F/G: Writing For Professional Success In Nursing

This course serves as an introduction to the basic principles and techniques of good writing, an integral tool for learning and a vital source of communication in the Nursing profession. The course will emphasize practical work and the development of writing skills for a variety of styles and genres appropriate to the profession.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 002 Syllabus
Winter Section 003 Syllabus
Winter Section 004 Syllabus
Winter Section 005 Syllabus

Global Positioning: Introduction to Rhetoric and Professional Communication

This course will introduce students to the rhetorical principles and practices of written and oral communication in professional contexts. Particular attention will be paid to understanding audience, context, and purpose; modes of persuasion; and the negotiation of cultural difference.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Speech 2001

Speech 2001 - The Major Forms of Oral Discourse

For effective communication of ideas: Public Address, with basic purposes; Group Discussion; Debate; Voice and Diction; Interpretative Reading.

Full Year Section 001 Syllabus
Full Year Section 002 Syllabus

Writing 2101F/G

Writing 2101F/G - Introduction to Expository Writing

An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of good writing. The course will emphasize practical work and the development of writing skills for a variety of subjects and disciplines. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2121F/G. 

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Writing 2111F/G

Writing 2111F/G - Writing in the World: Introduction to Professional Writing

This course will introduce students to various genres of workplace writing such as letters, memos, and reports. Topics include: employment communications (application letters and resumes); business writing style; positive, negative, and persuasive messages; cross-cultural communication; oral communication. Antirequisite(s): Writing 1031F/G.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 002 Syllabus
Fall Section 003 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus
Fall Section 651 Syllabus
Fall Section 652 Syllabus
Fall Section 653 Syllabus
Fall Section 654 Syllabus 

Winter Section 001 Syllabus 
Winter Section 002 Syllabus
Winter Section 003 Syllabus
Winter Section 004 Syllabus
Winter Section 650 Syllabus
Winter Section 651 Syllabus
Winter Section 652 Syllabus
Winter Section 653 Syllabus
Winter Section 654 Syllabus

Writing 2130F/G

Writing 2130F/G - Building Better Communcation Bridges: Rhetoric & Professional Communication for Engineers

This course introduces students to rhetorical principles and the practices of written, oral, and visual communication in professional engineering contexts. Students will learn strategies for drafting and designing technical and academic documents and for approaching the editing and revision of those documents. Antirequisite(s): The former Engineering Science 2211F/G.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 002 Syllabus
Fall Section 003 Syllabus

Winter Section 001 Syllabus
Winter Section 002 Syllabus

Writing 2131F/G

Writing 2131F/G - No Bones About It:Writing For the Sciences

Writing in the Sciences introduces students to the basic principles and genres of writing required for science students in their undergraduate careers: lab reports, summaries of scientific research, and scientific review essays. The course will focus on drafting and revising various reports written on scientific topics.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Writing 2202F/G

Writing 2202F/G - Winning Your Argument: Rhetorical Strategy in a Visual Age

An intensive and practical study of exposition in discursive prose, this course reviews the foundations of grammar, introduces students to the rhetoric of presentation and persuasion, and considers diverse types of prose across multiple disciplines, focusing an analysis of visual rhetoric and argumentation, including websites, advertisements, and other visual media. 

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Writing 2203F/G

Writing 2203F/G - From Headline to Deadline:Writing for Publication

The course will improve writing intended for various forms of publication, including media releases and public letters, reviews and reports, newspaper and magazine articles. Students will develop skills in the preparation, writing, copy-editing, and formatting of materials for publication, focusing on effective organization at every level of writing. Antirequisite(s): MIT 3829F/G; MIT 3870G if taken in 2009-10, 2010-11, or 2011-2012.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Writing 2204F/G

Writing 2204F/G - Short Flicks: An Introduction to Screenwriting

In this course students will analyze short and feature film scripts, workshop their own scripts and respond to the scripts of other students, and draft and revise a 15 minute short film script. Topics will include image, three-act structure, dialogue, character development, theme, scene construction, and point of view. 

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Writing 2208F/G

Writing 2208F/G - Teaching Writing

Writing 2209F/G

Writing 2209F/G - Packaging: Document Design 

This course introduces students to principles of document design and methods of integrating visual and verbal information in print documents such as brochures, manuals, and flyers. Students will apply these principles to a variety of design projects using the computer lab facilities.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Writing 2210F/G

Writing 2210F/G - GrammarPhobia Demystified:Contemporary Grammar for Writers

A study of how the English language works in practice, the course will include consideration of writing processes and the practical application of various theories of rhetoric and syntax. Students will analyse and imitate a variety of types of writing samples, and will develop a sophisticated understanding of writing in English.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Writing 2211F/G

Writing 2211F/G - The Naked Writer: Fundamentals of Creative Writing

Students will explore fundamentals of creative writing and challenge their creativity through the writing of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. In craft talks and in small workshop settings, students will examine their work and the work of others for the use of basic elements such as character, voice, and setting.

Fall Sections 001 Syllabus
Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Writing 2213F/G

Writing 2213F/G -LOL: Humour Writing

Writing Humour is designed to help you write for greater impact while introducing you to different aspects of the genre, using a blend of lecture and workshop. You will have the opportunity to write something funny every week, get feedback, and learn about potential markets for your work. 

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Writing 2214F/G

Writing 2214F/G - Memoir, Memories, and Disclosure:
Creative Non-Fiction

This course is designed for students who wish to write what's true in the form of personal essay, memoir and literary journalism. We will explore how writers use narrative techniques and structure to create essays both to the traditional forms and challenge them in unexpected, important and engaging ways.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Writing 2215F/G

Writing 2215F/G - Encoding Persuasion: Rhetorical Theory

This course introduces students to basic precepts of rhetorical theory, and their application to communication analysis and the practice of writing. Topics will include rhetorical argumentation, `publics' theory, and conceptions of rhetoric as both a social practice and a method. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2292F (2008-2009).

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Writing 2218F/G

Writing 2218F/G - To Make a Long Story Short: Introduction to Writing Short Fiction

In this course students will develop not only fiction writing ability, but also critical reading skills. The short story will be the focus of the course. Students will produce their own short fictions based on professional models, instructor guidance, and class discussion. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2295F/G (2009-2010; 2008-2009).

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Writing 2219F/G

Writing 2219F/G -Word Travels: Introduction to Travel Writing

Great travel writing is a balance of colourful description, practical advice and history. Students will learn a variety of article styles including personal essay, guidebook writing and destination pieces for a variety of publications. Relevant issues will also be discussed including the evolution of the genre and ethical issues. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2296F/G (2008-2009, 2009 - 2010.

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Writing 2220F/G

Writing 2220F/G -Renewing Your Poetic License: Introduction to Writing Poetry

This writing workshop examines a variety of techniques for writing contemporary poetry. Students are introduced to modern and contemporary poets from diverse backgrounds. Assignments, readings, in-class writing, and discussions focus on the fundamental elements of poetry such as image, metaphor, point of view, voice, typography, sound, meter, rhythm, and form. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2292F/G (2009 -2010).

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Writing 2221F/G

Writing 2221F/G - Self and The Rhetorical Triangle:
An Introduction to Interpersonal Communication

Writing 2222F/G

Writing 2222F/G - Food Writing:

In the novel "Like Water for Chocolate", Mexican author Laura Esquivel reveals the powerful force of food to educate, and to influence emotions, culture and life. In this course students will practice food writing (through memoir, history, reportage, biography and narrative) while developing specific research methods to understand food systems. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2295G (2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011). 

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Writing 2223F/G

Writing 2223F/G - Fashion Writing: Elements of Style

Using high fashion magazines as well as select books, film/video, and internet resources, this course covers the basic areas of fashion writing (review, trend reports, profiles, etc.) and explores how fashion can be used as a lens to discuss other areas of cultural and social significance. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2293G 2010-2012; Writing 2293F 2012-2013. 

Fall Section 001 Syllabus

Writing 2224F/G

Writing 2224F/G - Writing For the Big Screen:Introduction to Feature Film Writing

Explore the art of writing a feature-length screenplay in a workshop setting. Course work focuses on the fundamental elements of screenplay theory while the workshop guides students through the stages of the screenwriting process. Students will complete the first act of a feature-length film and collaborate on a film trailer. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2292G 2009-2013. 

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Writing 2225F/G

Writing 2225F/G - The Inside Track:Sport Writing

Writing 2226F/G

Writing 2226F/G - Out of the Book: Contemporary Experimental Writing Practices

 In this experimental creative writing course students use a variety of media, online platforms, and source material to create innovative projects that challenge traditional modes of literary expression. They will be introduced to experimental writers/artists - Marcel Duchamp, William Burroughs, Kathy Acker, Laurie Anderson, etc. Assignments will incorporate appropriation, collage, and sampling. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2295G if taken in 2012-2013 or 2013-2014

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Writing 2227F/G

Writing 2227F/G - Crime Writing:Black Dahlias, Red Herrings and Tequila Sunrises

This course introduces students to the process of writing crime fiction for a variety of media. Drawing on classic works, students will also learn about the criminal mind and investigative procedure as they create realistic portrayals of the genre's archetypal crimes, including murder, ransom kidnapping, and the theft of antiquities. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2291F if taken in 2013-2014. 

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Outside The Envelope:  Advanced Professional Communication

This course will explore the parameters of professional communication, combining theoretical and practical approaches to the topic. Students will learn to apply new approaches to thinking, problem solving, and writing, in areas such as oral presentation and instructional design. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2292G if taken in 2013-14. 

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Hot Type: Technical Writing

Students will examine how the technical writer interprets and appropriately presents specialized information. Assignments will increase in complexity from letters and memos to document design, technical definition and description, instructions, proposals, the research report. Students will combine analysis, organization, and visual design to craft oral and written communications. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2205F/G.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

This course will explore the theory and practice of digital writing technologies. Topics covered include: the production, management, and reception of digital texts; web writing style; hypertext and linking; authorship; copyright. Students will evaluate the design and content of web texts and create their own web sites. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2207F/G.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Seminar in Creative Writing - Writing Fantasy

The premise of this course is that folktale and, by extension, fantasy can teach us a great deal about creative writing. This course will guide you through language creation, the structural principles and motifs of folktale and fantasy, and the writing of the great scene. Works as diverse as medieval epics and sagas, The Hobbit, and Patrick deWitt’s Undermajordomo Minor are all heavily dependent on folktale: folktale types, folktale motifs, and folktale methods for telling stories. We will learn how other writers such as Joe Abercrombie, Robin Hobb, George R.R. Martin, Robert Jordan, Kazuo Ishiguro, Ursula K. Le Guin, Scott Lynch, Mark Lawrence, R. Scott Bakker, Patrick Rothfuss, and Jim Butcher might also use elements of folktale. Students will spend the term working on one major project: an overview of a longer piece of creative fiction (synopsis; motifs; structure) and one significant scene from the piece.

Winter Section 001 Syllabus

Re-visioning Self: Creating Your Professional Portfolio

In this half-course students will write new documents and revise documents written in previous Writing classes to include in a portfolio of their work. The portfolio will be both online and printed. Class time will be devoted to a combination of lecture and writing workshop. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2299F/G.

Fall Section 650 Syllabus

Winter Section 650 Syllabus

Creative Writing Thesis