Studies expository writing with special attention to the modes, arrangement and
style ... The McGraw-Hill Guide: Writing for College, Writing for Life 3rd ed; Roen,
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ENG 101.1021 FALL 2013 F 9:00-11:45 AM Room TBA
Lauren DeGraffenreid
[email protected] email for appointment Room TBA Composition I
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Units (Credits): 3; Prerequisites: ENG 098 with a grade of C- or better, or appropriate score on WNC placement examination or equivalent examination Studies expository writing with special attention to the modes, arrangement and style. Students learn to write essays which are unified, thorough, clear and convincing. Students read essays to augment critical reading skills. They learn the research, reasoning and organizational skills necessary for effective academic and research writing. Transfer Information: Courses with numbers 100 to 299: This course is designed to apply toward a WNC degree and/or transfer to other schools within the Nevada System of Higher Education, depending on the degree chosen and other courses completed. It may transfer to colleges and universities outside Nevada. For information about how this course can transfer and apply to your program of study, please contact a counselor. • II: Course Objectives Upon completion of this course the students should be able to: ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
Approach writing as a process Recognize and demonstrate the qualities of effective writing: purpose, point, unity, coherence, specificity, conciseness, and correctness Write to an audience Recognize and demonstrate persuasive argument Document research using MLA format
III: Course Linkage Linkage of course to educational program mission and at least one educational program outcome. This course addresses the following Student Learning Objectives of the General Education Mission by ensuring that successful students: ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
Are able to demonstrate college level reading, writing, and oral communication skills. Possess adequate problem solving, creative reasoning, and critical thinking skills. Can engage in meaningful self assessments and work effectively with others. Utilize effective and efficient learning skills, including locating and evaluating sources of information.
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Have knowledge of the subject matter to a level that is appropriate to the emphasis of their degree. Develop and improve their creative abilities. Appreciate the need for continuing education and lifelong learning. Will succeed at transfer institutions.
REQUIRED TEXTS The McGraw-Hill Guide: Writing for College, Writing for Life 3rd ed; Roen, Glau, Maid. Note: You should bring the book, as well as any assigned/emailed readings, with you to each class. OTHER REQUIRED MATERIALS Blue Book (available in bookstore) A valid email account linked to myWNC Daily access to a dictionary (online dictionaries are fine, provided they are reputable) Regular access to a word processor (ex. Microsoft Word or iWork) Regular access to a printer and copier Writing utensils (preferably pens) COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING POLICY Attendance 10% In-class activities are central to our course objectives; therefore, your presence at every class is essential to your success. On the other hand--guano happens--you will be allowed a maximum of one absence without penalty. Beginning with the second absence, your attendance grade will fall 10% for each day you miss. Attendance will be taken with a signup sheet issued promptly at the start of every class. These count as legal documents; do not forget to sign in or you WILL be counted absent. If you are a student athlete or have an outstanding medical condition or disability, or experience any extenuating circumstances over the course of the semester, please contact me ASAP. Otherwise, I cannot cut you any slack. Participation 10% Everyone will be required to speak during group discussions (this IS your participation grade). However, if you consistently add new facets and novel approaches to class understanding of the course material and/or ask intellectually stimulating questions, I may boost your overall grade if you are situated on a fault line (A-/B+ divide). Presentations 20% You will be required to present on your writing topics a few times throughout the semester. These will be digital, and should involve PowerPoint, Keynote, or Prezi
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Essay Assignments 50% Seeing as this is an English class, we’ll need to do some writing. You will be responsible for several written assignments over the course of the semester. Peer Reviews 10% The ability to analyze writing constitutes a large portion of our course objectives; so, we will engage in peer evaluation for each of our written assignments. Percentage Breakdown: 93-100: A 87-89: B+ 90-92: A83-86: B 80-82: B-
77-79: C+ 73-76: C 70-72: C-
67-69: D+ 63-66: D 60-62: D-
59 or lower: F
ACADEMIC HONESTY Plagiarism (copying all or part of someone else’s work and passing it off as your own) is a serious form of academic misconduct and will not be tolerated in this class. The following definition is taken from the Western Nevada College Policies manual, located at wnc.edu/ policymanual/3-4-5.php: B. Plagiarism Plagiarism is presenting someone else's words, ideas or data as one's own. When a student submits work that includes the words, ideas or data of others, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate and specific references, and if verbatim statements are included, through quotation marks as well. 1. In academically honest writing or speaking, the student will acknowledge the source whenever: a. Another person's actual words are quoted. b. Another person's idea, opinion or theory is used, even if it is completely paraphrased in the student's own words. c. Facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials are borrowed, unless the information is common knowledge. 2. Some pitfalls that lead to plagiarism: a. Procrastination b. Failure to follow instructions for the assignment c. Inadequate writing skills to accomplish the assignment 3. How you can avoid these problems: a. Have someone you trust review your work and/or sources. b. Talk with your faculty members, Academic Director, or counselor about your writing skills. c. Complete drafts before due dates. d. Use the Academic Skills Center. Ignorance of policy is not an excuse for plagiarism. We will cover MLA citation format in class. If you are not sure whether you need to provide a source for a piece of information or how to cite a source, please ask me.
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ADA STATEMENT ON DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION If you have a documented disability and will be requiring assistance, please contact Disability Support Services (BRIS 103; 445-3266) as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations. POSSIBLY HELPFUL RESOURCES Academic Skills Center (FREE writing tutors) BRIS 330; call 445-4260 for appt. Exercise Central (Grammar Drills, Tutorials, Etc.) www.bedfordstmartins.com/exercisecentral COURSE SCHEDULE AUGUST Friday, August 30: Syllabus and introductions Writing in College READING: MHG Chapters 1 & 2 SEPTEMBER Friday, September 6: Tuesday, September 3: Writing in College READING: MHG Chapter 3 HANDOUT: Personal Narrative Assignment Writing to Share Experiences READING: MHG Chapter 4 Writing to Explore and Inform READING: MHG Chapters 5 & 6
Friday, September 13: PERSONAL NARRATIVE FIRST DRAFT DUE; PEER REVIEW Friday, September 20: PERSONAL NARRATIVE FINAL DRAFT DUE; REFLECTION Writing to Analyze READING: MHG Chapter 7 Writing to Convince READING: MHG Chapter 8 HANDOUT: Rhetorical Analysis Assignment Friday, September 27: How to Argue READING: MHG Chapter 14
OCTOBER Friday, October 4: RHETORICAL ANALYSIS FIRST DRAFT DUE; PEER REVIEW Friday, October 11: RHETORICAL ANALYSIS FINAL DRAFT DUE; REFLECTION Writing to Explain Causes and Effects READING: MHG Chapters 9 & 10 Friday, October 18: Writing to Solve Problems READING: MHG Chapter 11 HANDOUT: ARGUMENT/PROPOSAL ASSIGNMENT Writing about Creative Works READING: MHG Chapter 12, 16 Friday, October 25: NO CLASS NOVEMBER Friday, November 1: STUDENT PRESENTATIONS Friday, November 8: ARGUMENT/PROPOSAL FIRST DRAFT DUE: PEER REVIEW Friday, November 15: ARGUMENT/PROPOSAL FINAL DRAFT DUE: REFLECTIONS Writing to Evaluate READING: Chapter 10 Writing to Evaluate READING: Chapter 17 HANDOUT: EVALUATION ASSIGNMENT Friday, November 22: EVALUATION FINAL DRAFT DUE; REFLECTION Using Strategies that Guide Readers READING: MHG Chapter 13 Finding and Evaluating Information READING: MHG Chapter 19 HANDOUT: RESEARCH PAPER ASSIGNMENT Friday, November 29: NO CLASS
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DECEMBER Friday, December 6: Synthesizing and Documenting Sources READING: MHG Chapter 20 Communicating with Design and Visuals READING: MHG Chapter 18 Friday, December 13: RESEARCH PAPER FIRST DRAFT DUE: PEER REVIEW Tuesday, December 17: RESEARCH PAPER FINAL DRAFT DUE (DETAILS TBA)
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