Ann O Watters

Bio

Dr. Ann Watters has taught English for 30 years, the last 25 at Stanford University in the English department and the first year writing program, now the Program in Writing and Rhetoric. In the writing program from 1988 to 1995 she served as director and associate director, co-teaching the graduate pedagogy workshops and supervising graduate teaching fellows; she also developed the computers and writing program and the community service writing project.

She has authored or co-edited eleven books in the discipline of writing and rhetoric and also authored a number of software programs including a multi-media program, "The Art of Persuasion." In recent years her courses have included "The Science of Writing and the Writing of Science," "Psychology and Persuasion," and "Global Exchange: Reading and Writing in a World Context." Current courses focus on cross-cultural issues and the psychology of influence and persuasion.

She is also a licensed psychologist in private practice.

She is currently lecturer emerita and continues to teach as needed; in Winter 2024 she taught PWR2: Psychology and Persuasion. In Spring Quarter 2026 she is teaching two sophomore-level courses in writing and rhetoric. She can be reached via email, watters@stanford.edu.

Academic Appointments

• Lecturer, Writing and Rhetoric Studies

Administrative Appointments

• Teaching Administrator/Associate Director, Undergraduate Writing Program (1988 - 1991)
• Interim Director, Undergraduate Writing Program, Stanford University (1991 - 1992)

Current Research and Scholarly Interests

SPECIALIZATION: Clinical Psychology; Cross-cultural Communication; Visual Arts.

2025-26 Courses

• Writing & Rhetoric 2: The Rhetoric of Good Taste
  PWR 2RE (Spr)
• Prior Year Courses

  2023-24 Courses

  • Writing & Rhetoric 2: Psychology and Persuasion
    PWR 2AW (Win)

  2022-23 Courses

  • Writing & Rhetoric 2: Psychology and Persuasion
    PWR 2AW (Spr)