Alex Caviness

SLO Translation
Rhetorical Knowledge
Rhetorical knowledge means being able to find writing strategies in others writing in many
genres and use them in your own writing. Strategies include the conscious use of genre,
audience, purpose, and context.
By the end of FYW, students should be able to:
Understand how genres affect and are affected by writers use of conventions
Be able to analyze and shift voice, tone, formality, design, medium, and layout
depending on the situation
Critical Reading
Critical reading is the ability to analyze, synthesize, interpret, and evaluate ideas, information,
and text. It allows writers to understand evidence, assertions, sources, assumptions, patterns, and
chains of reasoning.
By the end of FYW, students should be able to:
Use reading for learning
Examining their and others work and understanding the importance of writers
rhetorical strategies
Find and evaluate print and electronic primary and secondary research materials
Understand the relationship between assertion and evidence, the organization of
writing, the relationship between verbal and nonverbal elements, and how the above are
used to fit different audiences
Composing Process
Composing processes are writing strategies to create and improve projects. They can be
sequenced differently than the final product. Successful writers can adapt their composing
processes for different situations.
By the end of FYW, students should be able to:
Use multiple strategies for the whole writing process
Be able to give and receive responses to writing
Use their writing process to understand their and others ideas and to improve their
arguments
Knowledge of Conventions
Conventions are the formal and informal rules of genres that shape readers and writers
expectations of proper writing. Conventions cover mechanics, citation, and spelling in addition
to content, style, and organization.
By the end of FYW, students should be able to:
Understand the differences in conventions between genres and why that is so
Use citation conventions understanding concepts of intellectual property
Understand conventions through practice in writing and revising
Critical Reflection

Critical reflection is the ability of a writer to articulate what s/he is thinking and why.
By the end of FYW, students should be able to:
Write to reflect and reflect on their writing
Demonstrate their knowledge of rhetorical devices, conventions, and their writing
process
Understand the necessity of reflection for learning, thinking and communicating