Hi, <br><br>I know we're already in Week 5, and those of you who are teaching English 1A are about to assign the "Explaining Opposing Positions" chapter of the S<i>t. Martin's Guide to Writing 8e</i>. I am writing to ask if any of you would be willing instead to teach the new -- and I think, much improved -- version of the chapter that I wrote after consultation with some of you. The new chapter is called "Finding Common Ground," and I think it has a clearer purpose and focus than the Opposing Positions chapter has. I also think the example essays -- all written by students -- work better than those in the 8th edition. I've attached the pdf of the new chapter from the 9th edition of the Guide that will be published this winter. <br>
<br>The reason I am asking you to teach the new chapter is that I am hoping to find several good student essays I can publish in the new editions of <i>Reading Critically, Writing Well </i>and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">Sticks and Stones, </span>a collection of student essays. <div>
<br></div><div>There are two caveats:</div><div><br></div><div>1. I cannot supply color printouts of the new "Finding Common Ground" chapter, only the pdf which we can post online for students to use. </div><div>
<br></div><div>2. I need student essays on a broad array of debate topics -- not just the ones printed in the book. I'll be happy to help you find and post debates for your students to select as topics for their essays. <br>
<div><br></div><div>If you are interested in teaching the new "Finding Common Ground" chapter, please let me know asap. </div><div><br></div><div>Sincerely,</div><div>Rise<br><br>Rise B. Axelrod<br>McSweeney Professor of Rhetoric and Teaching Excellence<br>
Director of Composition<br>Department of English<br>University of California<br>Riverside, CA 92521<br><a href="mailto:rise.axelrod@ucr.edu">rise.axelrod@ucr.edu</a><br><br></div></div>