An essay's motive or research problem consists of the rhetorical moves illuminating why that essay matters--what puzzling elements of a primary source it resolves, which contradictions in the data it explains, or what gaps in the literature it fills. This article invites college instructors to dedicate some of their classroom time to teaching…

This article describes the interpretive paraphrase class workshop method, which emphasizes dialogue as a centerpiece of the composing process and provides students with opportunities to re-envision their compositions based on the alternative readings of their peers. A major goal of this writing workshop is to create and sustain student-talk about…

At Southerland Institute (a pseudonym), in spite of the teacher's strong statements in favor of encouraging students to think for themselves and to work together, the writing program Southerland's teachers outline is formulaic with its required modes, prescribed five-paragraph-like essay form, and bell-curve grading practices. A new rhetorician…