Analysis and critique: how to engage and write about anything

All writing

whether it's an essay, a personal letter, or a detailed business report

is at its most memorable when it's built on the fundamental and critical skills that transform your words from good to great. The first lectures provide the first key to more engaging and effective writing: understanding literary genres and the ways their unique styles can shape and inform your own voice. The focus then shifts to the art of rhetoric and the ways it can help you adapt your writing to a variety of situations. The final part is a step-by-step guide through the writing process in its four major stages: researching, first draft, editing and rewriting.

Lecture 1. How to write about anything

Lecture 2. How to be an effective reader

Lecture 3. How literature can help

Lecture 4. Shaping your voice

Lecture 5. Knowing your reader

Lecture 6. The art of the essay

how to start

Lecture 7. How to organize an argument

Lecture 8. Supporting your argument

Lecture 9. Finishing strong

Lecture 10. The uses of poetry

Lecture 11. Poetic diction and syntax

Lecture 12. Drama

writing out loud.

Lecture 13. What you can learn from autobiography

Lecture 14. Writing and leadership

Lecture 15. The rules of rhetoric

Lecture 16. Invention and arrangement

Lecture 17. Ethos and pathos

Lecture 18. Finding what you need

Lecture 19. Using what you find

Lecture 20. Getting started

writing first drafts

Lecture 21. Editing

finding what's wrong

Lecture 22. Rewriting

fixing what's wrong

Lecture 23. Avoiding common errors in grammar and usage

Lecture 24. The power of words.

volume 1. disc 1. Lecture 1. How to write about anything ; Lecture 2. How to be an effective reader ; disc 2. Lecture 3. How literature can help ; Lecture 4. Shaping your voice ; disc 3. Lecture 5. Knowing your reader ; Lecture 6. The art of the essay

how to start ; disc 4. Lecture 7. How to organize an argument ; Lecture 8. Supporting your argument ; disc 5. Lecture 9. Finishing strong ; Lecture 10. The uses of poetry ; disc 6. Lecture 11. Poetic diction and syntax ; Lecture 12. Drama

writing out loud.

volume 2. disc 7. Lecture 13. What you can learn from autobiography ; Lecture 14. Writing and leadership ; disc 8. Lecture 15. The rules of rhetoric ; Lecture 16. Invention and arrangement ; disc 9. Lecture 17. Ethos and pathos ; Lecture 18. Finding what you need ; disc 10. Lecture 19. Using what you find ; Lecture 20. Getting started

writing first drafts ; disc 11. Lecture 21. Editing

finding what's wrong ; Lecture 22. Rewriting

fixing what's wrong ; disc 12. Lecture 23. Avoiding common errors in grammar and usage ; Lecture 24. The power of words.