Elementary Composition

W131

Fall, 2005

MWF, 11AM

Room: KT G46

Instructor:  Deborah Ellsworth

Office:  CM 143

Office Hours:  12-1:30 M/W/F (appointments welcomed, other times and days also available)

Phone:  (260) 432-4886 (voice mail available)

E-mail:  ellsword@ipfw.edu                     

 

Required Texts:

 

Hult, Christine A., and Thomas H. Huckin, The Brief New Century Handbook, 2nd or 3rd ed., New York; Pearson/Longman, 2003. Spiral-bound with CD-ROM in back.

 

Trimbur, John, The Call to Write, Brief  3rd ed. New York; Longman, 2005.

           PAPERBACK.

 

Recommended Supplies:

 

Dictionary (Note:  it is very important to have the latest edition, since language is

                   in a constant state of change).

Thesaurus

Notebook, looseleaf, with lined paper, for in-class writing assignments

Folders with pockets (for individual assignments)

Pens (only blue or black ink is acceptable)

Disks

 

Course Goals:

 

Upon completion of W131, students should be able to:

 

1.  Read critically and write clearly and persuasively in various rhetorical contexts.

 

  • Read and write a variety of texts for distinct purposes and for a variety of personal, public and academic audiences.

 

  • Develop and support a significant and insightful main point, or thesis, in all papers.

 

  • Compose texts that are focused and well developed through the use of details, examples, comparisons, statistics, citations of authorities, etc.

 

  • Demonstrate knowledge of usage, spelling, punctuation, diction, syntax and sentence structure conventions of standard English.

 

  • Demonstrate knowledge of audience definition.

 

  • Practice different ways of organizing and arranging ideas and content that are appropriate for various rhetorical contexts; experiment with different document designs by manipulating spacing, fonts, graphics, etc.

 

2.Apply methods of inquiry appropriate to various rhetorical contexts.

 

  • Generate information using a variety of heuristics (e.g. freewriting, brainstorming, etc.)

 

  • Learn to use, for specific (generally research) purposes, computer databases and indexes, printed indexes, document delivery systems, and the Internet.

 

  • Use primary research methods, such as observing and interviewing, and incorporate results into papers.

 

  • Synthesize materials drawn from various primary and secondary sources with the student’s own ideas and experiences.

 

  • Move beyond mere reporting of information to make an original argument and contribution to knowledge.

 

  • Document research writing using formats appropriate for the specific audience and forum (most often APA).

 

3. Demonstrate critical thinking through the interrelated activities of reading and

    writing.

 

  • Annotate, analyze, evaluate, and discuss a variety of student and professional texts, focusing primarily of rhetorical principles under study.

 

  • Analyze problems or issues from a variety of perspectives, moving beyond “either/or” reasoning, “compare and contrast” methods, or “I think.”

 

  • Analyze and discuss in writing the student’s own work through reflective memos and/or journals.

 

This course should equip each student with the various reading, thinking, and writing skills that will enable you to communicate your ideas and thoughts in a comprehensive and intelligent manner, as well as develop significant research skills.  These will prove to be valuable tools as you continue your education, as well as provide you with a sound foundation for whatever career you decide to pursue.

 

Course Requirements:

 

  1. Attend class with the work done, a willingness to learn and participate in the  

learning process.

 

I will take attendance at the beginning of every class.  Participation in class discussions, peer critiques, and other class work is part of your grade.  A significant number of absences will, by their very nature, lower your overall grade.  Coming in late (unless inclement weather occurs), sleeping in class, or not listening respectfully to others will also lower your participation score.  Listening respectfully includes, but is not limited to, lack of interruption when others are speaking, having side conversations, passing notes, and most importantly, avoiding any form of “put down” or comment that is of a racial, sexist, religious, ethnic, country-of-origin, physical characteristics or those of friends, relatives or associates.  See Student Handbook for full details on this issue.

 

Your involvement in class discussions is vital and energizing not only to your own learning but also to that of other students, as well as my own learning (yes, instructors continue to learn too)!  It should be noted that quality, not quantity, is a key element here.

 

Class participation also includes peer critique sessions.  You need to “be there” for each other; your insights are valuable, as others’ insights will be valuable to you and your work.  This class will often take the form of a workshop, and if you do not attend and contribute, you will have a great deal of difficulty passing the course.  You will also write in class, receive assignment instructions, take quizzes and tests, receive scheduling updates, and have time to ask questions and clarify assignments.  These are things that cannot be made up once they are missed.

 

It should be noted from the above paragraph that this class represents a public forum for your writing, with a few exceptions, and that you will both receive and give feedback on papers. 

 

Note:  cell phones and pagers should be turned off unless there are circumstances which prevent this (you are part of an EMT unit, for example, or you are on call     24/7 for your employer).  If you have a family issue that requires a phone or pager on a particular day, just let me know in advance.

 

2.Complete assignments and turn them in on time.

 

          I will accept late papers but at a reduced grade; keeping up with assignments will   

          not only help with your learning and your future work but can also help you

          manage your semester better.  You can handle all the work on this syllabus,

          but you cannot handle all of it in one or two weeks.  You need to stay on top of

          the work and turn it in when it is due.

       

          “Dire emergencies” can change the equation but will require substantiating

          documentation or other acceptable reference.  Should one occur (death in the

          family, for example, or a car accident), let me know as soon as you can.  We will

          work together to set up a make-up schedule.

 

          In addition to work for this class, I expect you to have lives, and lives have bumps

          and roadblocks that are beyond our control.

 

          Heads Up:

          For each paper assigned, you will write a rough draft (or more than one) before

          turning in your final draft.  You must turn in any and all assigned drafts to receive

          credit and a grade on the final draft. 

 

         You will also be expected to turn in peer critiques, notes, and other documents as

          applicable.  Please note that a rough draft should be the same length as a final draft,

          just not as complete or polished.  A paragraph or a page will not suffice to fulfill

          the assignment.

 

          Rough drafts should be typed for your peer group members prior to

          class.  On peer review days, I will check not only your attendance but also your

          completion of the assignment.          

         

3.Grading standards:

 

          Writing, portfolio       :  70%

          Other work:                     5%

             (exams, quizzes)              

          Participation:                 24%

             (peer critiques, FYE, class)

          Final exam:                      1%

 

The portfolio is a portion (18-20 pages) of your work for this class – your bet writing, with revisions as you deem necessary.  It can include not only major papers but also in class writing, journals, and other writing assignments.  The length (18-20 pages) means you may omit a major paper and still achieve the portfolio goal (except the argument paper must be included).  While each paper you write will receive a grade, those grades  are meant to indicate where you stand.  It is the paper in the portfolio – your entire body of best work for the semester – that will determine your writing grade.

 

 

 

 

 

          You will write five papers for this class:

 

  1. Rhetorical analysis – 3 pages
  2. Informative paper – 5 pages, not including cover, contents page if applicable, graphics, and Reference page(s)
  3. Profile – 3 pages
  4. Argumentative research paper – 7 pages, not including cover, contents

page if applicable, graphics, and Reference page(s)

      5.   Film review – 2 pages minimum

 

     In addition, you will write journals.  These will be on specific assigned topics, though there is some latitude. You will also have in-class writing assignments and quizzes.  These cannot be made up if you are absent or late without instructor permission.

 

     Prior to each of the 5 papers, an assignment sheet will be handed out with a summary of criteria, including length, audience, purpose, major grading elements and other specifics. A handout describes elements of an A paper, a B paper, etc.  Read this and understand that C is average – meets expectations, with some elements of error.  To achieve an A or a B, you need to EXCEED expectations. 

 

     There is also a handout on useful resources on campus and online.  The Writing Center, CASA, the OWL Website based at Purdue and others can help you succeed in this courses as well as others you are taking throughout your college career.  And as members of a Learning Community, you are also expected to attend/participate in campus activities.  See our Learning Community Website and the list of co-curricular options at http://users.ipfw.edu/lamaster/lc/FYEcocurricularOptionsFall05.htm

      For a complete listing of Visual and Performing Arts activities, see www.ipfw.edu/vpa.  Other activities are posted on websites (athletics, Omnibus lectures, etc.) or “written on the Subway walls” – ie, posted on various bulletin boards throughout campus.

 

      

 Style and Format Requirements:

 

  • All papers and drafts must use APA style (see New Century Handbook for more information).  The social sciences, business, psychology, nursing and over 7000 scholarly journals require APA format.  We will spend time on this in class.
  • All drafts and papers (except in-class writings) must be typed and double-spaced, with 12 point font.  Use an easy-to-read font, such as Times Roman or Courier.
  • Grammar and spelling are elements of your work.  Use your computer.  Proofread your own work to make sure that it is not only error free but also that it conveys what you want to say.  Word choice, sentence structure, and “voice”, along with an appropriate style for your audience, are also critical.
  • Submit your work in Word NOT using Works or Word Perfect.  Submit a hard copy and be prepared to submit an electronic email attachment on request.

 

 

 

 

 

Plagiarism:

 

Avoid it.  When in doubt, cite your source, or ask me.  You will be asked to submit sources and/or note cards for your papers.

 

If you plagiarize, you will be subject to IPFW disciplinary procedures as outlined and explained in your student handbook. Note that an instructor has the lead in determining discipline. 

 

DO NOT let this be your downfall in this class, or in any class.  You are more than capable of writing and passing this course, or you would not be here.  Have confidence in yourself, do not get behind – and do not copy someone else’s work.  It is, perhaps, needless to mention, but it is also unacceptable for you to submit someone else’s original work as your own, or to recycle papers from previous courses.

 

Schedule & Assignments

(Tentative – I am open to opportunities for improvement, as well as new data from IPFW).

 

Week 1:     Aug. 22:            Introductions; review of syllabus and class. 

        Assignment:   essay       

       

                  Aug. 24:              Writing Center visit

                                             Due:  essay

                                                           

                  Aug. 26:               In class exercise/activity

                                              Assignment:  Chapter 2, Trimbur, Rhetorical Analysis

 

Week 2:    Aug. 29:                Rhetorical analysis discussion/topics

                                              Due:  wrap up of in class exercise from last Friday

 

                 Aug. 31:               Due:  first draft of rhetorical analysis, typed

                                              Peer responses                

                      

                 Sept. 2:                 Due:  final draft, rhetorical analysis, with speech or article

                                              Discussion:  problems, issues, etc.

                                              Assignment:  read H&H, chap. 26 & 27 (used edition)

                                                                                       chap. 29 & 30 (new edition)

 

Week 3:    Sept. 5:                LABOR DAY – NO CLASS

 

 

 

                  Sept. 7:                 Due: H&H Fragments & Run-Ons

                                                Class discussion:  H&H

                                                Assignment:  Quiz 

 

                 Sept. 9:                   Due:  Quiz, fragments & run-on sentences                                                                                   

                                               Assignment:  Journal #1, literacy experience

 

Week 4:     Sept. 12:                Due:  Journal #1

                                                 Peer response

                                                 Assignment:  Trimbur, Reviews                                               

                                                                     

                Sept. 14:                   Discuss reviews/contents

                                                  Film reviews – this class

 

                Sept. 16:                    “Outbreak”, 10-11:50, KT 243

                                                  Assignment:  Journal #2, exponential growth

                                                           

Week 5:   Sept. 19:                   Due:  Journal #2, exponential growth/”Outbreak”                     

                                                 Introduction to research

                                                 Assignment: Trimbur, Research (skip MLA)

                                                                       Brief New Century, Research                                                

               

                 Sept. 21:                   NOTE:  Meet in computer lab                                                 

 

                 Sept. 23:                   Informational paper discussion

                                                  Summarizing/paraphrasing

                                                  Interviewing                 

                                              

Week 6:    Sept. 26:                   Due:  Informational paper topic/thesis, typed

                                                  Class discussion/feedback

                                                  APA discussion

                                                   Assignment:  http://toolkit.lib.ipfw.edu (online tutorial)                                                 

                                                                

                  Sept. 28:                    In class writing

 

                  Sept. 30:                    Due:  bibliography, informational paper, APA style

                                                    Peer group responses/review/sharing                                                              

 

Week 7:     Oct 3:                         Discuss research to date, bibliographies, abstracts

                                                    Note:  Rosh Hashannah begins at sundown

 

                   (Oct. 4):                    Note:  First day of Ramadan

 

            

                   Oct 5:                      Due:  Rough draft, informational paper

                                                   Peer response

                            

                   Oct 7:                      Due:  Journal #3/peer response

                                                   Discussion, informational paper issues

                                                   

Week 8:      Oct 10:                     FALL BREAK – NO CLASS

                                                    Columbus Day (observed)

                                                    Thanksgiving, Canada                    

                                                                                   

                    Oct 12:                      Due:  final informational paper, typed

                                                     Issues/problems discussion

                                                     Assignment:  Trimbur, Profiles chapter

                                                     Note:  Yom Kippur begins at sundown

 

                    Oct. 14:                    Profiles discussion/topics/interview exercise                     

 

Week 9:       Oct. 17:                    10-12N, G46, “Stand and Deliver”

 

                     Oct 19:                    In class writing

                                                     

                     Oct 21:                    Conferences                                                          

                  

Week 10      Oct 24:                    Conferences

 

                    Oct. 26:                    Conferences

 

                    Oct. 28:                     Due:  first draft, Profile

                                                     Peer review

     

 Week 11:   Oct. 31:                    Due:  final draft, profile

                                                    Assignment:  Trimbur, Argument                

 

                   Nov. 2:                     Quiz:  argument

                                                     Topic discussion             

 

                  Nov. 4:                       Due:  argument paper topic, typed (to be submitted)

                                                     Class discussion

 

Week 12:   Nov. 7:                      Computer lab - research

 

                   Nov. 9:                     Due:  abstract & bibliography, argument paper

                                                   Peer review/response, class discussion                    

 

                  Nov. 11:                    9AM-1PM, G46, “The Right Stuff”

                                                 

 Week 13:   Nov. 14:                  Due:  first draft, argument paper

                                                   Peer responses

 

                   Nov. 16                  Continue with IDIS, no W131

 

                   Nov. 18:                 In class writing/research (computer lab)

                                                  

 

 Week 14:   Nov. 21:                Due:  final argument paper

                                                  

 

                   Nov. 22-27:           Thanksgiving break                   

 

                  

Week 15:    Nov. 28:                Film review discussion                               

 

                   Nov. 30:                 Due:  first draft, Review

                                                  Peer review

                                                  Assignment:  Trimbur, Chapter 22, Essay Exams

 

                   Dec. 2:                    Due:  final draft, review

                                                  In class writing

 

Week 16:    Dec. 5:                   Computer lab, portfolio                  

                  

                                                                      

                    Dec. 7:                   Computer lab, portfolio

 

 

                   Dec. 9:                    Computer lab, portfolio

 

Week 17:    Dec. 14:                 Final Portfolio due, 10:30AM