English 111-Effective Writing – Winter 2010
Section A: Saturday 8:00a.m. -12:00 p.m. Room Foss 21A
This Syllabus is subject to change.
Instructor: Dr. Carla-Elaine Johnson
Email: [email protected] (Best way to reach me.)
Office hours: Before class or after class and by appointment. Foss 19A
Phone: 651-756-0322 (cell) Monday-Friday, non-holidays 9am-7pm; Saturday 7am-2pm. Calls
returned in a timely fashion.
Note: Speak slowly and repeat your name and telephone number when you leave a message.
Please let me know when you leave a message a) the best time to call and b) how late (or early) I
can call.
Required Course Materials:
Crowley, Sharon and Hawhee, Debra: Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students 4th ed.
Hacker, Diana: Rules for Writers 6th ed. (2009)
Thoreau, Henry D. Walden/Civil Disobedience and Other Writings 3rd ed.(2008)
Dictionary
Folders for Written Work
Notebook
Flash Drive
Sense of Humor
Course Description and Philosophy
Effective Writing is a course of intensive study in academic writing. Writing is more than just
the paper you submit for a grade. We will discuss what makes writing important, from start to
finish, and techniques to produce effective papers. By the end of this course, my goal is to
increase your confidence as an academic writer and give you the tools to navigate your courses at
Augsburg. Effective Reading is the first step to effective writing. The texts we read in this class
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provide diversity in points of view and voices. Through close reading and writing, you will learn
the skills needed to engage in successful communication in a diverse population.
Because we meet only seven times during the semester, I would like to add that this will be a
very intense and focused class. Laughter is a good remedy. Moodle will be used extensively in
this class for discussion lists, comments, paper preview, feedback and grades.
Major Dates: Subject to change on short notice as needed
January 29: Paper #1 due (5 pages)
February 12: Paper #2 due (5 pages)
February 26: Paper #3 due In-Class Essay) (5 pages)
March 26: Presentations/Proposals/Full Rough Draft of Research Paper (Paper #4) due (810pages) MLA style
April 2: Submit final work in box outside Foss 19A by 12noon.
Attendance/Late Work
Regular attendance is required. This is an accelerated course, so attendance is crucial. Final
grades are reduced one whole letter grade for every absence. More than one absence and you fail
the course. I take attendance and collect papers at the start of class.
I do not accept late work.
Please note: If you are more than 10 minutes late you are considered “Late”. Two late marks =
one absence. Show up prepared for class. Coming to class unprepared will count, at my
discretion, as either a half or full absence.
Course Grades, Generally
I respond to written work with comments and revision suggestions. You have at least 1 student
conference during the semester. I will discuss grades at anytime. Come and speak with me if
you have concerns. If you are below or just at a 2.0, I will give you a written warning so you can
improve your performance.
Special note: grades in English 111 courses: Because the skills taught in Effective Writing are so
important for your success at Augsburg, a special set of grading rules applies to this course. You
must achieve a minimum grade of 2.0 (a "C") to complete the Effective Writing requirement.
First-time students who earn a lower grade receive an "N" on the transcript, and are required to
take the course again. This "N" is not punitive, in the sense that it does not figure in the gradepoint average. Students repeating 111 must earn a 2.0 or better, however, or receive a highly
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punitive 0.0 on the transcript. Those who elect to take the course P/N must still achieve the
minimum 2.0 (important: not 1.0) to earn a P and complete the requirement.
Course Grades, Specifically
To earn a “C” or a 2.0 in this class, you must have a 2.0 grade on all major assignments. If you
have met the “C” or 2.0 level in the above areas, then I will weigh your grade as follows:
Grades
Paper 1 (Argument): 10%
Paper 2(Literary Compare Contrast): 15%
Paper 3 (Literary In-Class Essay): 25%
Paper 4 (Research Paper): 25%
Final presentation: 10%
In-class work/classroom participation: 15%
Classroom Participation
Active and consistent participation in class is vital to your success in this course, both in terms of
the specific component of your final grade and in your development as a writer and a reader. I
understand good class participation to mean frequent contributions to class discussions and
contact with me during office hours.
Every individual has valid contributions to make in discussion; we need to hear from all of you.
Please take responsibility for yourself and respect your classmates.
Respect in this classroom means arriving on-time, staying for the entire class period, remaining
focused during class. Sleeping, using electronic devices, studying for other classes, or other
disruptive behaviors wastes everyone’s time.
Please turn off or set to vibrate all cell phones during class.
Classroom Environment
Even though we come from widely diverse backgrounds, all of us will benefit from a learning
environment characterized by an instructor and students who carefully listen, thoughtfully
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discuss, and respectfully disagree. To this end, expressions of racism, sexism, homophobia,
classism, ageism, and other forms of bigotry are inappropriate in this class.
Peer Groups/Peer Review:
Peer Review counts as a part of your grade. Each paper will require 2 typed copies of your peer
feedback: one to your peer and one to me. Peer review will usually involve 2 or 3 papers to be
reviewed. The peer comments are submitted as a part of your final submission for each paper.
Since this is an accelerated course, peer reviews will be done via email. Dates for submission and
return are noted in the course schedule section of this syllabus. It is your responsibility to email
your paper to your peers at the appropriate time. Peer review counts for one-third of each paper’s
final grade. Thus a paper that is counted as 25% of your grade would have a deduction of 8 1/3%
for missing peer reviews.
I strongly encourage each of you to exchange email, phone numbers and the best times to contact
each other so that you get the most out of this class.
Please save all drafts, as you will turn them in with your final draft when each paper is due. More
information on each paper will be given as we are closer to the time.
How to Submit Papers
Preliminary Drafts are emailed and posted on Moodle for review. Final drafts are both emailed
to me and submitted in a folder used for this class.
Comments and grades are given via email, using the emailed versions of the final draft. Folders
are collected and returned the following class period after the due date.
The final papers will be available for pick up on April 8.
Type papers in Times New Roman 12-point font.
Include your full name, my name, English 111- section #, and the date on the top left hand corner
of the first page. Put your last name and a page number on subsequent pages. Staple multiple
pages together!
A Note on Plagiarism
Read the Academic Honesty Policy in the Student Handbook in addition to what is stated below.
Academic dishonesty can range from plagiarizing a paper or project to cheating on a quiz/
assignment (intentionally or unintentionally). Plagiarism is a serious offense. Simply stated, do
not turn in work that you didn’t do yourself. This includes: turning in a friend’s paper as your
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own, copying/buying a paper off the Internet, taking pieces of writing from the Internet or other
source without giving proper credit, and paper recycling (using a paper that you did for another
class and turning it in for this class).
Consequences: these matters may be brought to the dean. Depending on the severity of the
situation, the consequences can range from receiving a 0/F on the assignment to getting an
overall grade of Fin the course. Basically, cheating or intentionally plagiarizing will not be
tolerated.
Bottom Line: In English 111, plagiarism of any one assignment means that you fail the
assignment and likely the course. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask at any time.
Cite and list the source of all information you use for any written work in this class.
The Writing Lab – Tutors are there for you. The service is free and no, you are not cheating
when you use it. Take advantage of it.
CLASS Students - If you receive CLASS services, please let me know and how I can best be of
assistance to you in this class.
Office Hours: They are your time with me. If the posted ones don’t work, let me know and we’ll
find a time that does. Come with questions, drafts, issues, or just to chat.
Department of English Formal Objectives for Effective Writing:
1. By the end of the term students will demonstrate in writing done both in class and out of class,
the ability
a. to use a variety of methods to generate ideas;
b. to discover and develop a thesis statement;
c. to organize material using the methods appropriate to purpose, content and audience;
d. to use basic methods of coherence and transition;
e. to write papers relatively free of errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
2. Students will complete successfully a research assignment.
3. Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to evaluate their own writing.
4. Students will read, analyze, and write about one substantial literary work.
Conferences:
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There is one required student conference per semester. Times are posted in advance. Conferences
will be scheduled during regular class times. This is your time to review your progress in class,
to discuss any concerns you have about the class and to discuss how your writing is developing.
Please feel free to contact me during office hours or to make an appointment anytime you want
feedback or have questions about assignments.
Questions about your grade: If you have concerns about your final grade for an assignment
or the course, please wait at least 24 hours and then send an email that is specific in detail
regarding your concerns.
Preliminary Schedule (Subject to Change)
Note: All readings are to be discussed on the date due. Check Moodle frequently for updates.
For purposes of this syllabus, please note the following:
Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students (ARCS)
Rules for Writers (H);
Walden/Civil Disobedience and Other Writings. (W)
January:
TO READ FOR JANUARY 8 (CLASS #1):
1. Walden (text) and Map of Walden
2. Preface to ARCS pp. xi-xvii and Chapter 1: Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary
Students
3. Highlight or underline and bring questions to class regarding anything that is not clear in
Chapter 1. Please note that the important terms are in bold and you should use the
Glossary pp. 428-437 and Appendix pp. 438-441 to look up those terms.
8–
DO: Introduction, Syllabus, Expectations, In-class writing Ancient Rhetorics (Ch. 1 ARCS)
Grammar Check:
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BRING: All books
HOMEWORK for 1.22.11:
Read (W) - Civil Disobedience, Slavery in Massachusetts
(ARCS) - Kairos (Ch. 2 excerpts); Stasis Theory (Ch. 3 excerpts)
WRITE: First paper: Argument. [SEND OUT PAPER TO CLASS VIA MOODLE BY
1/14]; [RETURN COMMENTS TO CLASSMATES BY 1/18]
14 - Last day to add a class with faculty signature
Last day to drop without notation
22 –
DO: (W) - Civil Disobedience
(ARCS) - Kairos (Ch. 2 excerpts); Stasis Theory (Ch. 3 excerpts)
In-class writing: ARCS/Walden
SUBMIT: First Paper
HOMEWORK for 1.29.11
Read (W) “Walking”; “The Limits of an Afternoon Walk”;
(ARCS) - Commonplace (Ch. 4 excerpts); Logical Proof (Ch. 5 excerpts)
START: Thinking of research paper topic if you have not already for your paper.
29 –
RETURNED: First Paper
DO: Meet in Library (am); Bring general idea of a topic for presentation of library resources.
(W) “Walking”; “The Limits of an Afternoon Walk”;
(ARCS) - Commonplace (Ch. 4 excerpts); Logical Proof (Ch. 5 excerpts)
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In-class writing: ARCS/ Compare-Contrast/Logos
HOMEWORK FOR 2.12.11:
WRITE: PAPER 2 (Compare/Contrast): Using Literary Criticism in Thoreau’s Walden,
Civil Disobedience and Other Writings
[SEND OUT PAPER TO CLASS VIA MOODLE BY 2/4]; [RETURN COMMENTS TO
CLASSMATES BY 2/8]
Read: (ARCS) - Ethical Proof (Ch. 6 excerpts); Pathetic Proof (Ch. 7 excerpts)
Read handouts (given on 1.29.11) regarding literary analysis.
KEEP: Thinking of research paper topic if you have not already for your paper. Get a book or
two.
February:
12 –
SUBMIT: Paper 2 (Compare/Contrast): Using Literary Critisism
DO: (ARCS) Ethical Proof (Ch. 6 excerpts); Pathetic Proof (Ch. 7 excerpts)
START: Literary Analysis
In-class writing: ARCS
HOMEWORK FOR 2.26.11:
(W) Read Reviews of Walden Section. Select three that particularly appeal with your
interpretation of Walden.
DRAFT: Your own interpretation of “Walden”, “Civil Disobedience”, “Slavery in
Massachusetts”, or “Walking” as a work of literature. (2 pages)
[SEND OUT PAPER TO CLASS VIA MOODLE BY 2/18]; [RETURN COMMENTS TO
CLASSMATES BY 2/22]
(ARCS) Extrinsic Proof (Ch. 8 excerpts); Arrangement (Ch. 9 excerpts)
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NARROW: Research Paper Topic. Start looking online for sources. You won’t be writing
for a few weeks, but keep it in mind.
PREPARE FOR IN-CLASS LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY (2.26.11) First Half
26 –
RETURNED: PAPER 2
DO: (W) Review student observations regarding “Walden”, “Civil Disobedience”, “Slavery in
Massachusetts”, and “Walking” as works of literature.
IN-CLASS LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY (Paper 3) –SECOND HALF
Hacker: Grammar Review
HOMEWORK FOR 3.12.11:
(ARCS) Extrinsic Proof (Ch. 8 excerpts); Arrangement (Ch. 9 excerpts);
Style (Ch. 10 excerpts)
DRAFT: Research Paper Round 1. Look at your sources. [SEND OUT PAPER TO CLASS
VIA MOODLE BY 3/4]; [RETURN COMMENTS TO CLASSMATES BY 3/8]
READ: Links/Handouts for Annotated Bibliography
WRITE: One (1) sample annotation entry, typed, in the summarize/assess/reflect method.
March:
1 – Last day to change grade option or to withdraw from class
12 –
RETURNED: PAPER 3
SUBMIT: Three copies each: One (1) sample annotation entry. First mini-draft of your
research paper.
DO:
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(ARCS) Extrinsic Proof (Ch. 8 excerpts); Arrangement (Ch. 9 excerpts);
Style (Ch. 10 excerpts)
Research Paper: Making It the Best You Can from Thesis Statements to a Firm Conclusion
In-Class Writing: Thesis statements, draft analysis from mini-draft submitted and the sample
annotation submitted.
HOMEWORK FOR 3.26.11:
(ARCS) Delivery (Ch. 12 excerpts)
WRITE: Annotated Bibliography, Full Rough Draft of Research Paper
[SEND OUT PAPER TO CLASS VIA MOODLE BY 3/18]; [RETURN COMMENTS TO
CLASSMATES BY 3/22]
26 - DO: Oral Presentations; Final portfolio expectations; Revision;
Final Q&A; Wrap-up
SUBMIT: Annotated Bibliography, Full Rough Draft of Research Paper
HOMEWORK: Prepare and submit final portfolio
[SEND OUT PAPER TO CLASS VIA MOODLE BY 3/29 5PM]; [RETURN COMMENTS
TO CLASSMATES BY 3/31]
April:
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By 12 noon: Final portfolio submitted. Foss 19A
5: Grades posted on Moodle
Final Grades Due
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