ENGL 1101NN: College Composition I Fall 2013 M 230-345pm UH 234 W 230-345pm UH 239 Professor: Dr. Cheryl R. Hopson Office: AH E238 (Allgood E238) Office Hours: M/W 10am-noon, and other times by appointment. Office Telephone: (706) 667-4431 Email: chopson1@gru.edu Required Texts: The GRU English 1101 Reader Rules for Writers, 7 th Edition Additional suggested readings available via Desire2Learn You are also required to have one manila folder in which to collect your drafts and essays. Course Description: ENGL 1101/13, College Composition I, focuses on college-level reading, writing and research, and provides instruction on the skills required for effective writing in a variety of contexts, with an emphasis on exposition, analysis, and argumentation. This course also includes introductory use of a variety of research skills. Please see the English 1101 Overview handout for detailed course descriptions, learning outcomes, course policies, and requirements. During this course, students will: 1) Review and master editorial elements of effective writing; sentence and paragraph development, grammar, diction, punctuation, and other mechanical elements; 2) Write a total of approximately 4800 (18 pages double-spaced), comprised of short and long essays 3) Write one narrative essay totaling 6 full pages, 3 position papers (approximately two full pages in length), and 1 source-based essay (developed from a revised position paper) that is 6 full pages in length. 4) Practice the writing process by evaluating, editing, and revising their own work and critiquing the work of their peers; 5) Develop a college-level reading vocabulary and critical reading skills; 6) Practice research skills using a variety of media, both traditional and electronic, including source evaluation, note-taking, and documentation; 7) Develop competency in the use of appropriate rhetorical strategies. You will be expected to 1. attend all class meetings, prepared (see attendance policy on the English 1101 Overview ). You will be quizzed on the assigned readings. Quizzes are unannounced and exacting.
2. participate in class discussions. 3. participate in in-class writing exercises 4. participate in draft workshops and group work (you must prepare a complete draft that is ready to share on the day it is due); 5. Keep in your manila folder, any rough draft(s), revisions of your proposals/thesis statements, peer review comments from draft workshops, and other materials and notes that represent the various stages of your work, including notes, photocopies, or printouts from any sources your have used 6. submit all work in person and on time (at the beginning of class on the day it is due; late papers will be docked one letter grade per day, including the day it is due, if turned in after the beginning of class, unless you get my approval for an extension before the due date) 7. submit, at the end of term, a portfolio that contains the graded drafts of all writing projects, any revisions submitted after receiving feedback, and all other writing for the course e.g. final drafts of papers and copies of the writing assignments. Please note: Passing the course requires timely completion of all of the assignments, long and short, in-class and out-of-class. There are no make up quizzes allowed. Evaluation Quizzes = 20 points Narrative Essay = 25 points Position Paper I = 10 points Position Paper II = 10 points Position Paper III = 10 points Source-Based Essay = 25 points A detailed assignment sheet for each assignment will be provided. Please print them out and read them carefully. Each assignment will be discussed in class, and you are encouraged to ask questions, both in class and during private meetings with me, about any aspect of any assignment. I will use the following equivalents for computation of final grades: A = 90-100 B = 80-89 C = 70-79 D = 60-69 F = 0-59 GRADING STANDARDS FOR PAPERS: Grading standards for major writing assignments are listed below. A: An excellent paper, clear and well-organized, free of grammar and mechanical errors; includes a clear and strong thesis in the introduction and maintains the argument through topic sentences; takes a unique approach to the topic, shows insight, and uses solid and persuasive textual evidence in arguing a thesis; shows great effort in writing, revising, and proofreading; cites sources clearly and responsibly.
B: A very good paper, clear and well-organized, free of most grammar and mechanical errors; clearly states a thesis and uses evidence to support argument; shows a good deal of effort in writing, revising, and proofreading; cites sources clearly and responsibly. C: An average paper, with a central thesis; basic control of grammar and mechanics, but marred by patterns of errors, excessive use of the passive voice and helping verbs; shows an ability to use evidence to support argument, but has organizational problems which weaken the thesis; shows moderate effort in writing, revising, and proofreading; citation of sources may be incomplete or incorrect. D: A below-average paper, with vague organization and purpose; repeated errors in grammar and mechanics; shows little skill in the use of evidence and little effort in writing, revising, and proofreading; often fails to cite sources properly. F: A failing paper, with no clear organization or stated thesis; serious errors in grammar and mechanics; shows poor use of evidence and minimal effort in writing, revising, and proofreading; fails to cite sources properly. Final drafts of all work must be typed and double-spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides. Always include page numbers in your final drafts and make sure to fulfill requirements regarding page length. PLAGIARISM: All work that you submit for this course must be yours and yours alone. Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class. If I catch you willfully submitting another s work as your own, you will fail. When papers are submitted, I perform random web searches for plagiarized material as a matter of course; course assignments are designed to prevent plagiarism. Academic dishonesty will not profit you here. CLASSROOM CONDUCT: When you are in class, listen carefully and refrain from speaking when others are talking. Turn off all pagers and cell-phones before you enter class. If you are not prepared to behave in a professional and respectful manner while you are here, you should not attend. Note that if your cell phone rings or vibrates during an exam you must turn in your work immediately, and regardless of whether or not you have completed the exam. ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS: If you want to pass this course, you must be here, except in cases of emergency and serious illness. According to the attendance policy listed in the university catalog, you can be automatically withdrawn from the course if you miss more than 10% of class meetings. If you miss four class meetings, I will withdraw you, and I will not warn you in advance. You are responsible for keeping track of your absences. If you are absent from class, you are responsible for finding out what you missed from one of your fellow students. I will happily answer your questions regarding class notes, but I will not reply to any e-mail that asks, Can you tell me what we did in the class I missed? or How many absences do I have? I expect you to arrive in class on time. CONFERENCES: Plan to have at least one conference with me this semester to discuss your written work (at any stage of the process) and your progress in the course. Try to have the conference early in the course; don t delay.
COURSE SCHEDULE: Like any piece of writing, this schedule is subject to judicious revision. In the event of changes to readings, written assignments, or due dates, ample notice will be provided in class. It is your responsibility to keep up with announced changes. SCHEDULE ASSIGNMENT AUGUST 19 Monday Introduction to Course; In-Class Writing Assignment 21 Wednesday Introduction to Narrative Essay (read assignment guidelines): read David Sedaris s Me Talk Pretty One Day 26 Monday Literacy Narrative: read Anne Lamott s Shitty First Drafts (In-class Writing Exercise) 28 Wednesday read Orwell s Shooting an Elephant (Pathos); in-class writing assignment SEPTEMBER 2 Monday CAMPUS CLOSED Labor Day 4 Wednesday Read Swift s A Modest Proposal ; In-class Writing Exercise (Satire) 9 Monday Position Paper I Due; read Bordo s Never Just Pictures ; In-class Writing Exercise 11 Wednesday read Lopez s My Horse ; in-class writing 16 Monday read Gladwell s The Uses of Adversity ; in-class writing; discuss Narrative Essay 18 Wednesday Draft workshop: Narrative essay: (Bring a minimum of 3 double-spaced, typed pages) YOU MUST BRING A DRAFT TO CLASS OR YOU WILL BE COUNTED ABSENT 23 Monday Voluntary Conferences with professor class does not meet 25 Wednesday Draft workshop: Narrative essay: (Bring a minimum of 3 revised, double-spaced, typed pages) YOU MUST BRING A DRAFT TO CLASS OR YOU WILL BE COUNTED ABSENT 30 Monday Narrative Essays DUE; Grammar Workshop OCTOBER 2 Wednesday read Ehrenreich s Serving in Florida ; In-class Writing Exercise
7 Monday Position Paper II Due: read Hughes s Salvation 9 Wednesday read Alexie s What Sacagawea Means to Me Discuss Argumentative Essay Assignment 14 Monday Research Day (Meet in UH 234) 16 Wednesday Workshop: Developing a Thesis, supporting claims, and incorporating research (bring Handbook) 21 Monday read Fortini s Special Treatment ; In-class Writing Exercise 23 Wednesday Research Day (Meet in UH 239) 28 Monday Position Paper III Due; discuss Argumentative Essay 30 Wednesday read Elbow s Freewriting NOVEMBER 4 Monday read Sullivan s Here Comes the Groom ; In-class writing exercise 6 Wednesday Mandatory Conferences w/ Dr. Hopson (see signup sheet) Bring a revised thesis statement and introductory paragraph. Class does not meet. 11 Monday Mandatory Conferences w/ Dr. Hopson (see signup sheet) Bring a revised thesis statement and introductory paragraph. Class does not meet. 13 Wednesday read Zinsser s Clutter ; in-class exercise 18 Monday Peer Review: Bring 3 typed pages for review. If you do not have a draft of an essay (a minimum of four pages), you will be counted absent. 20 Wednesday Peer Review: Bring 4 revised, typed pages for review. If you do not have a draft you will be counted absent. 25 Monday Voluntary conferences w/ Dr. Hopson (class does not meet) November 27-29 Thanksgiving holiday (No Classes) DECEMBER 2 Monday Evaluations; discuss portfolios 4 Wednesday LAST DAY OF CLASSES (PORTFOLIOS DUE) NOTE: THERE IS NOT A FINAL EXAM FOR THIS COURSE