super chill! lectures are very interesting but not required. a couple writing assignments that focus on the rhetorical strategies taught in class. i really enjoyed it!

I took this class with Professor Manville and he focused on teaching us how to write clearly and concisely as well as understand both sides of an argument to be more persuasive in our academic and professional pursuits. The lectures were very informative and straightforward, there wasn't really any need to take notes, just pay attention. There are several writing assignments throughout the quarter that build on each other, but discussion sections focus on helping you develop your ideas and prepare to write. You have to pick an issue and write one short essay arguing the affirmative, another essay on the negative, and a final essay where you compare and contrast both to make your final argument.

Professor Manville is one of the most engaging lecturers I have had at UCLA, and makes concepts he is explaining come alive for students, while also giving extremely practical advice on writing that anyone can use. Quizzes are easy to do if you skim the readings, the op-eds and final paper were relatively short and he guides you through them well, and were enjoyable, open-ended assignments where you argued both sides of a topic that interested you. Overall, I learned what I expected to learn and more, and I highly recommend other students take this class with Professor Manville.