This course focuses on the development of skills for the writing of comments, perspectives, and critiques through a variety of grammatical and rhetorical tools needed for effective persuasion. Students will work on several types of writing, and analyze texts from both formal and informal sources: letters, applications, film reviews, blogs, etc. dealing with current issues in politics and culture. At the end of the course, students will have a chance to analyze indirect forms of persuasion in literary materials. (1 unit)