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Patrick Clauss

Francis O'Malley Director of the Program
Professor of the Practice, University Writing Program

Education

B.S., Indiana University
M.A., Indiana State University
Ph.D., Ball State University

Profile

Patrick Clauss studies the relationships among argumentation theory, composition theory and pedagogy, and rhetoric. He teaches Writing and Rhetoric, Multimedia Writing and Rhetoric, Writing in the Age of AI, and undergraduate and graduate courses in public speaking and debate. In the spring of 2014, he was named a recipient of the Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C. Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. He has served as a member of the College Board’s Curriculum Committee for the AP Language and Composition course and examination. In 2022, he was the recipient of the Thomas P. Madden Award, honoring a member of the faculty who contributed the most to the teaching of first-year students. 

Scholarly Work

Recent Scholarly Activity and Presentations

  • "Beyond Winning: Ethical Persuasion in the Digital Age." Teachers as Scholars. University of Notre Dame. Notre Dame, Indiana. 15 & 29 October 2025. 
  • "Teaching Ethical Argument." Teaching Academic Writing: A Notre Dame Perspective. Virtual Panel Presentation, Ukrainian Catholic University. Lviv, Ukraine. 18 October 2024.
  • "Amplifying Every Voice: Inclusive Discussion Strategies." Conference on Inspired College Teaching. Mears, Michigan. 24 May 2024.
  • "Crafting Assignments for Meaningful Learning." Conference on Inspired College Teaching. Mears, Michigan. 24 May 2024.
  • "Teaching and Learning with AI." Notre Dame AI Forum. Notre Dame, Indiana. 16 November 2023. 
  • “The Rhetorical Situation of Assignment Design.” Wakonse Conference on College Teaching. Mears, Michigan. 27 May 2023.
  • "An Equitable Discussion Method: Using Serial Testimony in the Classroom." Wakonse Conference on College Teaching. Mears, Michigan. 26 May 2023.
  • “Developing a Teaching Philosophy Statement.” Wakonse Conference on College Teaching. Mears, Michigan. 27 May 2019.
  • “Transparent Assignment Design.” Wakonse Conference on College Teaching. Mears, Michigan. 25 May 2019.
  • "A Framework for Building Better Research and Writing Assignments." Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning Workshop. University of Notre Dame. 7 November 2018. 
  • "Promoting a Culture of Rhetorical Listening: Classroom Practices in First-Year Writing." Regional Conference on College Composition and Communication. Denver, CO. 21 July 2018.
  • "Transparent Assignment Design." Wakonse Conference on College Teaching. Shelby, Michigan. 25 May 2018.
  • "University Writing Program: University of Notre Dame." Writing Program Architecture: Thirty Cases for Reference and Research. Edited by Bryna Siegel Finer and Jamie White-Farnham. Utah State University Press. 2017.  
  • "Live, Remixed, and Flexible Rhetorics for Social Change." Conference on Community Writing. Boulder, CO. 21 October 2017.
  • "Alternate and Flipped Finals." Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning Workshop. University of Notre Dame. 28 September 2017.
  • "Enhancing Student Motivation with Authenticity and Caring Actions." Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning Workshop. University of Notre Dame. 15 September 2017.
  • "Tell Your Story: An Affective Approach to Undergraduate Education." Keynote Speaker. Kaneb Center Outstanding Graduate Student Awards. University of Notre Dame. 12 April 2017. 
  • "Challenges of Large-scale Writing Assessment: Portfolios, Through-course Assessments, and Other Emerging Innovations." Panel Member. Conference on College Composition and Communication, Houston, TX. 8 April 2016. 
  • "Strategic Moves in a Contact Zone." Keynote Speaker. Practical Criticism Midwest. Muncie, IN. 6 February 2015. 
  • "Ampliative Inferences and The Teaching of Argument." Conference on College Composition and Communication. Indianapolis, IN. 20 March 2014. 
  • "Synecdochic Representation and Exemplars in Argumentation." Conference on Rhetoric as  Equipment for Living. Ghent, Belgium. 23 May 2013.
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Email: pclauss@nd.edu
Phone: (574) 631-1678
Office: 217A Coleman-Morse Center