Course Outline
Essay Composition and Critical Reading – English 219 N
Fall 2016
Jan Olesen
Office: 1225
Office Phone: 403-342-3241
E-mail:[email protected]
Office Hours: Tuesday, Friday 12:00 – 2:00
Class Time: MWF 12:00 – 12:50
Class Location: 2304
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisite: ELA 30 – 1, or English 95
Academic Calendar Entry- Essay Composition and Critical Reading.
The focus of this course is on formal preparation for university-level essay writing and the skills
related to critical reading, interpretation, and argument.
Learning OutcomesBy the end of the course, students will be able to:
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Critically analyze short non-fiction prose pieces.
Clarify essay topics.
Plan a coherent essay, using strategies such as brainstorming, outlining, and drafting.
Apply principles of essay style, such as unity, coherence, and fluency, in an essay.
Identify major sentence and grammatical errors in others’ and their own work.
Write a textual analysis essay.
Revise written work so that it is unified, coherent, and relatively free of sentence errors.
Quote and cite textual evidence, using standard MLA style of documentation.
Required Texts and EquipmentGraff, Gerald and Cathy Birkenstein. They Say/I Say: Moves That Matter in Academic Writing (without
Readings). 3rd ed. Norton, 2014.
Davis, Laura K. and Roger Davis. Eds. Essay Writing for Canadian Students. 8th ed. Pearson, 2016.
Learning Activities –
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Group discussions
Group work
In-class reading assignments
Short quizzes
In-class writing
Peer review and editing exercises
Blackboard assignments (web enhanced learning)
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Assessment-
Students are expected to attend all classes with the assigned readings completed before
class. It is the student’s responsibility to make up for missed classes or work. Consult with the
core outline (program of work) or a fellow student for missed material. While there may be
occasions where we do not specifically take up assigned materials in detail, you will be
expected to be familiar with all readings.
All formal writing assignments will be submitted through blackboard. There will be no
exceptions to this. Be sure you have a stable internet connection and submit online in the
appropriate document format. Incorrectly submitted documents will not be marked. There will be
assignments due on non class days. Students are responsible for submitting these assignments
electronically on the appropriate days.
Normally, I return assignments within two weeks of submission.
I give written feedback on your written assignments. For more extensive commentary,
please meet with me during office hours. I am happy to provide more thorough feedback on a
one-on-one basis.
Technology: I like the potential technology offers for learning. However, I strongly dislike
the abuse of technology during class time. Please turn off cellphones and other electronic
devices during class time (this means no texting—I mean it). If you plan to use a laptop during
class, I may request that you post your class notes for the day to Blackboard for everyone’s
benefit (in other words, you should use your laptop for taking notes, not for checking Facebook,
email or other non-course-related activities). We will occasionally do in-class (on-site) exercises
with technology.
There will be periodic quizzes to be completed in class about the readings and other
course materials.
Students will submit a minimum of 2500 words of written work during the course which
will receive formal feedback from the instructor; this work will normally be marked and returned
within two weeks of its submission.
Term Work and the Writing Portfolio:
You will be required to write frequently as part of the term work in this course. Students are
guaranteed a B- for this portion of their work if they:
a) Participate in and complete all in-class and take-home writing exercises and quizzes
b) Participate in group-work, workshops, and other collaborative tasks
c) Submit a complete final writing portfolio, as described below
d) Complete the in-class writing peer review.
The Writing Portfolio will Include:
Ten assigned in-class writing exercises (5 Inksheds and 5 Response Papers. 10 – 15
minutes each). These in class assignments must be completed during the class time. You may
miss one of these assignments without penalty, but anything submitted outside of class time
will not be accepted. There will be no exceptions.
A reflective cover letter explaining your development as a writer in this course
Participation in all three writing workshops
You can earn a minimum grade of B- on 25% of the final grade (term work and writing
portfolio portion of the grade) entirely on the basis of your conscientious effort and participation.
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The grade of B- does not depend on my judgment of the quality of your writing. However,
grades higher than a B- do rest on my judgment of quality. To earn higher grades on this
component of the course, you must produce writing—particularly as represented in your final
portfolio—that I judge to be of high quality. On the other hand, failure to meet all conditions set
out above may lead to a grade lower than B- on this component of the course.
This type of contract grading system, as developed by Peter Elbow and others, is to
create an environment in which students engaged in regular writing exercises can experiment,
try out new skills and approaches, with the knowledge that they will be guaranteed a certain
minimum grade as long as they do the work. Doing the work in this case is designed to help
ensure that you will learn habits, skills, and strategies that will help you improve your writing as
you continue on your chosen educational path.
The letter grading system set out below will be used for the summary, essay, and
portfolio, as well as for the term-end grade. Prior to submission as part of the term-end
portfolios, informal term work will not be graded using a percentage or letter grade system;
instead, you will receive an incomplete (IN) for unfinished work or a checkmark for complete
work. You will also learn to comment upon and assess your own and your peers’ work.
Late assignments will be penalized one-half grade increment per day up to a maximum
of seven days. Assignments submitted later than one week after the due date will not be
accepted. Late days apply to days of the week, not simply days we have class. Missed in class
assignments cannot be submitted outside of class time. The library assignments, for instance,
will be delivered in the library during class time. Similarly, the peer review form must be
completed during class time. Note that there is no final exam for this course.
Assignments & ExaminationsReading and Grammar Quizzes 5 quizzes, all term (Various Dates)
Short Summary
Due Sept 29
(500 words)
Short Essay
Due Oct 29
(750 Words
Formal Essay
Due Nov 25
(1200 words)
Three Library Assignments (TBA)
5% each
(300-600 words)
Due Oct 7, Nov 9, Dec 2
Term work as described below (including a Writing Portfolio)
(The portfolio is due on the last day of classes, December 7)
Total:
10%
10%
15%
25%
15%
25%
100%
Grading ScaleLetter Grades in this course are determined according to the following equivalents:
Grade Point Description
A+
4.0
A
4.0
A-
3.7
B+
3.3
B
3.0
B-
2.7
C+
2.3
C
2.0
Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
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C-
1.7
D+
1.3
Pass*
D
1.0
Pass*
F
0.0
Fail
*N.B. Although D+ and D are passing grades at Red Deer College, they might not be passing
grades for students transferring to other universities.
Final Exam: There is no final exam in this course.
Changes to Course Outline: All changes to the course outline will be made in consultation with
the class, in which majority agreement will act as consensus.
It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the information contained in the Course
Outline and to clarify any areas of concern with the instructor.
Grade Percentile conversion
86-89
A
4.0
82-85
A-
3.7
78-81
B+
3.3
74-77
B
3.0
70-73
B-
2.7
66-69
C+
2.3
62-65
C
2.0
58-61
C-
1.7
54-57
D+
1.3
50-53
D
1.0
Attendance RequirementsWhile there is no formal attendance policy for this course, students are expected to attend all
classes with the assigned readings completed. Clearly, consistent attendance in the class will
lead to stronger work, and missed in-class assignments cannot be completed outside of class
time.
The RDC Final Examination Policy will be followed at all times with respect to Final
Examinations. Please review this document to ensure that you understand the contents and
implications of the policy. Click here to see the Final Examination Policy.
Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct in all its forms is a serious offence. Please read the definitions that follow,
and refer to the links below for the complete policies.
Definitions
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Academic misconduct: Academic misconduct is the giving, taking, or presenting of information
or material that unethically or dishonestly aids oneself or another on any work which, under
normal circumstances, is to be considered in the determination of a grade or the compilation of
academic requirements or the enhancement of that student’s record or academic career. The
two key areas of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism.
Plagiarism: The use or close imitation of language, paintings, films, prototypes and ideas of
another author and representation of them as one's own original work. The most common forms
of plagiarism are: copying or paraphrasing another author’s work without proper
acknowledgement, using the ideas or lines of reasoning of another author’s work without proper
acknowledgement, submitting work to which someone else has made substantial improvements
to the content, and submitting the same work for multiple courses without approval.
Plagiarism can be judged to have occurred if the instructor has both the submitted material and
original source that was copied, or if the student is unable to explain the terminology or ideas of
a submission.
Cheating: Any attempt to give or obtain unsanctioned assistance in a formal academic exercise
(e.g., examination).
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Student Misconduct: Academic and Non-Academic Policy
Appeal: Formal Policy
Appeals: Informal Resolution Policy
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IMPORTANT RED DEER COLLEGE DATES
******** Fall 2016
September 7
September 16
September 16
October 1
October 4
October 10
October 28
November 10
November 10
November 11
November 14
December 7
December 7
December 12-17
December 20
December 22
December 23
December 23
Dec 24-Jan 3
January 14, 2017
2016-2017 Courses
First day of classes for Fall term 2016 and Full-Year 2016-2017 courses.
Last day to register late or add/drop Fall term 2016 and Full-year 2016-2017
courses.
Last day to have tuition refunded for Fall term 2016 and Full-Year 2016-2017 courses.
First day to apply for Fall term 2017 programs.
Emergency Response Day.
Thanksgiving Day; College closed.
Midterm feedback date for Fall term courses.
College open. No credit classes.
Final exams schedule posted for Fall term 2016.
Remembrance Day; College closed.
Credit classes resume Fall term 2016.
Last day to withdraw from Fall term courses and receive a WD.
Last day of classes for Fall term 2016.
Final exams written.
Deferred exams for Fall term 2016 written.
Last day for submission of final grades for Fall term courses.
Final grades available for Fall term 2016.
College closed at noon.
No classes for students.
Supplemental exams for Fall term 2016 written.
Prior Learning Assessment
This course may be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition. Students should
refer to the RDC Academic Calendar for a list of excluded courses.
Student Services on Campus
Students should be aware that Personal Counselling, Career, Learning and Disability
Resources are provided by RDC. Students may inquire about locations at the Information Desk.
It is the responsibility students to discuss their specific learning needs with the appropriate
service provider.
Learning Support (Library: 403-342-3264, [email protected] )
• Writing Skills Centre ([email protected])
• Math Learning Centre (math concepts and advanced theoretical math)
• Learning Strategies (note-taking, studying and exam-writing strategies)
• Peer-Assisted Study / Tutoring (one-on-one tutoring by students)
Disability Resources (Library: 403-357-3629, [email protected])
• Coordination of services (tutoring, alternate format text, note-taking and so on.)
• Academic accommodations, including exam accommodations
Counselling and Career Centre (Room 1402: 403-343-4064, [email protected])
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Changes to Course Outline
No changes will be made to this course outline without the consent of the class and the
approval of the Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.
It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the information contained in this course outline
and to clarify any areas of concern with the instructor.
Students should refer to the Appeals: Formal Policy, Appeals: Informal Resolution Policy and
Student Misconduct: Academic and Non-Academic Policy should questions or concerns about
the Course Outline not be resolved directly with the instructor.
Course Topics and reading schedule:
TSIS = They Say I Say
EWCS = Essay Writing for Canadian Students
With both texts, the exercises at the end of each chapter are optional unless otherwise
stated.
September
7
9
12
14
16
19
21
23
26
28
29
30
Orientation and welcome to the class.
“Starting with What Others are Saying” TSIS 19 – 29, David Zinczenko “Don’t Blame the
Eater”. TSIS 241 – 243
Grammar Primer Parts of Speech EWCS 405 - 422
David Suzuki “It Always Costs” EWCS 344 – 347
“The Art of Summarizing” TSIS 30 – 41. “Reading Analytically and Writing Summaries”
EWCS pp.11 – 23
Bruce K. Alexander. “Reframing Canada’s Drug Problem” EWCS 225 – 231
“The Art of Quoting” TSIS 42 – 54
Grammar Problems EWCS 422 – 430
Laura Robinson “Girl Unprotected” EWCS 326
Gerald Graff “Hidden Intellectualism” TSIS 244 – 251
Summary Due. Submit on Blackboard.
“I Say” TSIS 55 – 67
October
3
5
7
10
12
14
17
19
21
24
26
28
29
Naomi Klein “Science Says Revolt” EWCS 260 – 231
Writing Analysis Essays EWCS 26 – 50
Library Assignment #1
Thanksgiving No Class
More Grammar problems: EWCS 430 – 437
EWCS 77 – 91
Aimee Morrison “Facebook and Coaxed Affordances” EWCS 296 – 311
MLA Research project. EWCS 472 – 496
Punctuation EWCS 454 – 465
bell hooks “Feminist Politics: Where We Stand” EWCS 255 – 258
Writing practices review. PowerPoint presentation
Peer Review, In-class assignment
Essay #2 Due
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31
Drew Hayden Taylor “The Summer of our Discontent Revisited” EWCS 361
November
2
4
7
9
11
14
16
18
21
23
25
28
30
Formulating Thesis Statements EWCS 52 - 59
Mark Bittman “What’s Wrong with What We Eat” TED Talk (Blackboard)
Jonathan Swift “A Modest Proposal” EWCS 348 – 355
Library Assignment # 2
Remembrance Day No Class
“Writing Analysis Essays: Revising” EWCS 60 – 75
Robert Bringhurst “The Persistence of Poetry and the Destruction of the World” EWCS
241 – 245
Fred Stenson “In Search of a Modest Proposal” EWCS 340 – 343
Writing workshop
Peer Review
Final Paper Due
Curfew Blackboard Film
TBA
December
2
5
7
Library Assignment #3
Grammar Bingo! Yes, there will be prizes.
Class Wrap-up. Portfolio Due
Tim Heath, PhD
Associate Dean, School of Arts & Science
Approved 2 September 2016
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