Version 1: Major topics covered in the course are: the writing process itself (6 essays), descriptive, process analysis, cause and effect, comparison and contrast, narration and persuasion-argument, research skills used to write research papers (the paper is also submitted for evaluation in World History). Methods of instruction include lecture, peer reviews, teacher-student conferences to evaluate written work and extensive editing and revision of written work. Evaluation criteria include five essays, several narrative pieces, peer review work and one research paper. Version 2: Major topics covered in the course are divided into 2 components: In the writing component, students work on the writing process itself and produce 5 essays: descriptive, process analysis, cause and effect, comparison and contrast, narration and persuasion-argument, and several narrative pieces. In the research component, students work on skills used to write research papers, as well as write a research paper which is submitted for evaluation in World History I. Methods of instruction include: lecture, peer reviews and conferences with instructor. Evaluation criteria include: five essays, one research paper, narrative pieces and peer review work. Version 3: Major topics covered in the course are: the writing process and the creation of 6 essays, including the following: descriptive writing, process analysis, cause and effect, comparison and contrast, narration, and persuasion (argument). Students work on skills used to write research papers, which is also submitted for evaluation in World History. Methods of instruction include: lecture Peer review, teacher-student conferences which are used to evaluate written work, extensive editing and revision of student work. Evaluation criteria include: 5 essays, several narrative pieces, peer review work, and one research paper.