The final paper of WR 098 asks students to think critically about a theme in at least three different texts, two essays from their Globalization anthology and the novel The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. Their critical enquiry then leads them to formulate a conceptual problem and a well-reasoned response, allowing them to practice the kinds of rhetorical moves that they will employ in WR 100 and WR 150. WR 098 students tend to become attached to one or two themes that reappear in unique ways throughout our many readings, often establishing personal connections between the texts and their own experiences as international students and foreign language learners.
Sofia latched on to the themes of home and identity early on, but it wasn’t until she read Humera Afridi’s essay that the personal connection and the debate became clear. Sofia spoke with both me and her classmates about her definition of home and her views on identity, which became more problematic once she began considering the varied configurations of identity (and, specifically, cultural identity) within the many other course readings. Ultimately, Sofia’s undeniable passion for the topic, her thorough engagement in each stage of the writing process, and her consistent questioning of alternate points of view led to a thought-provoking argument within the nature versus nurture debate.
— LESLEY YODER
WR 098: Academic Writing for ESL Students 2