This two-part resource is designed to support instructors and students as they navigate the presence of generative AI tools, specifically Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, in the rhetoric and composition classroom. Part I of this resource offers an instructor-focused introduction to what LLMs are and how they operate, as well as an in-depth exploration of the privacy concerns and ethical considerations related to using a tool like ChatGPT. Additionally, Part I provides insights on the practical application of LLMs within the realm of reading and writing in the rhetoric and composition classroom, while promoting a modified stasis theory as a strategy for evaluating any generated output.

Part II of this resource offers student-focused tutorials that demonstrate how ChatGPT can augment the writing process for assignments commonly given in a rhetoric and composition course. These tutorials cover the evaluation essay, rhetorical analysis, Rogerian argument, annotated bibliography, and research essay—all while promoting the responsible and ethical use of AI in writing and research. With this comprehensive resource, instructors and students can not only build confidence in their understanding of generative AI within academia, but also build digital literacy that will serve them in the world beyond.

This resource contains activity handouts and considerations for facilitators. This resource is part of the Teaching Excellence Toolkit to help accomplish the College Readiness Goal: I want students to feel like they belong in the course.Activity Description:Send a brief survey to students near the beginning of the term that asks them to share a little bit about past and current experiences, as well as their future aspirations. 

By utilizing this handout, instructors can guide students in mastering the art of writing compelling thesis statements and recognizing their essential components

Author: Brandi Morley, Claire Carly-Miles
Editor: Mary Landry, C. Anneke Snyder
Supervisor: Terri Pantuso

This lesson aims to acquaint students with academic writing and the importance of grammar rules in this formal type of writing. They will familiarize themselves with subject-verb agreements; past, present, and future tense; passive and active voices; and modal auxiliaries.

Grammar Bowl is a game designed to review important grammar rules with students in a group setting. The game can be played individually; however, small groups of 2-3 students collaborating often creates a competitive, albeit friendly, atmosphere that encourages students to think and work quickly.

This graphic organizer serves as a resource instructors can customize to guide students through specific annotations, such as analyzing the rhetorical situation or analyzing the author’s intention with specific word choices.

Author: Frances Santos
Editor: Mary Landry, C. Anneke Snyder
Supervisor: Terri Pantuso

The following resource provides a blank worksheet instructors can customize to guide students through specific annotations, such as analyzing the rhetorical situation or analyzing the author’s intention with specific word choices. This resource illustrates how the worksheet might be used with two suggested readings. The first example features a nonfiction essay discussing the complex opinions around choosing disability through preimplantation genetic diagnosis. With this text, students will encounter questions about vocabulary, tone, argumentative reasoning, types of evidence, and more. The second example features an excerpt from the book The Devil’s Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea, which vividly recounts a desolate desert. In this example, students will analyze the purpose of devices such as allusions, diction, and imagery. An instructor has the option of using either example or customizing the blank worksheet to their own purposes.

Author: Frances Santos
Editor: Mary Landry, C. Anneke Snyder
Supervisor: Terri Pantuso

Through this worksheet, students learn how to engage in close reading while evaluating the writer’s rhetorical choices regarding allusions, diction, and imagery.

Author: Frances Santos
Editor: Mary Landry, C. Anneke Snyder
Supervisor: Terri Pantuso

Through this worksheet, students learn how to engage in close reading while analyzing the writer’s vocabulary, tone, and reasoning.

Author: Frances Santos
Editor: Mary Landry, C. Anneke Snyder
Supervisor: Terri Pantuso

By posing provocative inquiries about local and state government, this worksheet is intended to ready students for abstract learning while guarding against conformity and encouraging critical thought. Specifically, students will be able to express their opinions on key concepts related to representative democracy, including elected officials, term limits, and the interconnectedness of state and federal politics

Author: Sharon Haigler
Editor: Mary Landry, C. Anneke Snyder
Supervisor: Terri Pantuso

Propaganda is used in several ways as a persuasive technique. Designers and authors desire to sway the reader’s thinking in specific ways to perhaps make certain purchases, as is the case in retail advertising. Other authors would like to communicate certain ideas and persuade the readers to adopt their beliefs. Naïve or unaware readers may find themselves subject to being pressured into challenging their own deeply held beliefs by experts or authorities or by something heard on the news or read in a book.

The purpose of this worksheet is to sensitize readers to the various propaganda techniques used in media of various forms and to challenge the readers to screen incoming information through their belief systems. Specifically, students will practice matching various statements to propaganda techniques like straw man arguments, bandwagon appeals, half-truths, loaded words, and obfuscation.

Author: Sharon Haigler
Editor: Mary Landry, C. Anneke Snyder
Supervisor: Terri Pantuso

In this section, we will examine how generative AI (GenAI) tools may assist with academic reading and research. Examples of content generated by ChatGPT will show how GenAI may be incorporated into a classroom setting. Each section offers suggestions for use and various strategies that could be incorporated for those who wish to allow the use of these tools for assignments. Included throughout are suggestions on how to promote students’ ethical and effective use of these tools and to possibly limit their use if desired. By the end of this section, you should be able to use GenAI to support reading practices.

Author: Jonahs Kneitly
Contributors: Gwendolyn Inocencio, Mary Landry, C. Anneke Snyder
Designers: Irene AI, Sweta Kailani
Supervisors: Terri Pantuso, Sarah LeMire

In this section, illustrative examples from ChatGPT show how to incorporate Large Language Models (LLMs) into the writing process while considering ethical concerns associated with such tools, namely avoiding plagiarism or exploitation of AI-generated content. The advent of public access to LLMs means they are now a critically important aspect of digital information literacy. As such, this technology must be addressed in the composition classroom with guided instruction. We recommend a strategy that models application of a modified version of stasis theory to all LLM-generated content.

After reading this section you should be prepared to teach stasis theory as a strategy for continual interrogation that helps rhetors discern whether generative-AI content exhibits appropriate depth, scope, and quality, along with the appropriate next steps in argumentation, writing, or research.

Author: Gwendolyn Inocencio
Contributors: C. Anneke Snyder, Mary Landry, Jonahs Kneitly
Designers: Irene AI, Shweta Kailani
Supervisors: Terri Pantuso, Sarah LeMire

This resource contains a facilitation guide. Students practice data analysis and review the point-slope form of a line. This activity primarily aligns with MATH 1332 Learning Outcome 5: Interpret and analyze various representations of data.

This document explains what to do after an exam is completed in order to make changes prior to the next test cycle.

What intervention strategies can you align to this lesson?
Active Study Techniques
Levels of Learning (Bloom’s Taxonomy)
6 Strategies for Effective Learning
Exam Preparation

Author: Morgan Jones, PhD

The Academic Success Center at Texas A&M University operates with a mission to provide comprehensive resources that help all Aggies achieve their academic goals and realize their academic potential. This award-winning organization specializes in intervention strategies geared specifically toward academic success for all learners. Their knowledge base derives from attending nationally and regionally recognized conferences, serving on university-level committees, and conducting ongoing professional development, all in the area of diversity and inclusion. Their vision is to be a state and national model of excellence known for inspiring academic success through innovative collaboration, cutting edge research, and efficient and inclusive student-centered programming.

This component is about talking with professors, instructors, and teachers at a professional level of communication. The importance of effective communication with educators is discussed along with examples, case studies, and actionable items for students.

What intervention strategies can you align to this lesson?
Time Management

Author: Tyler Laughlin

The Academic Success Center at Texas A&M University operates with a mission to provide comprehensive resources that help all Aggies achieve their academic goals and realize their academic potential. This award-winning organization specializes in intervention strategies geared specifically toward academic success for all learners. Their knowledge base derives from attending nationally and regionally recognized conferences, serving on university-level committees, and conducting ongoing professional development, all in the area of diversity and inclusion. Their vision is to be a state and national model of excellence known for inspiring academic success through innovative collaboration, cutting edge research, and efficient and inclusive student-centered programming.