EVANGEL UNIVERSITY                              Humanities Department                                                   Rev. 8/2008

 

ENGLISH 111     3 credit hours     Composition     Fall 2008

Meeting times: MWF (Sec. 1 - 11:00-11:50 a.m. Trask 206)   (Sec. 2 - 1:00-1:50 p.m.  Trask 206)

Instructor: SC Vekasy      Voice Mail: 8647      Office Hours: Posted (Trask 312A)

EU e-mail: vekasys@evangel.edu     Personal Website: www.wordtinker.com

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Introduction to the thesis-support essay form, including informative, persuasive, documented, and literary analysis, with an emphasis on avoiding plagiarism. Includes strategies for organizing, writing, editing, revising, quoting, summarizing, paraphrasing, and documenting. Requires passing of general course work, documented essay, and proficiency essay. Prerequisite: ENGL 102 or ACT 20-28/SAT 496-629 or Essay 6-8.

 

COURSE PURPOSE: To help students communicate clearly and correctly in writing

 

REQUIRED SUPPLIES:

§  Hacker, Diana. A Writer’s Reference. Sixth Edition. Boston/New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007.

§  English 111 Write Book Composition Notebook from EU Bookstore

§  Disk or flash/zip drive for backing up files; 9” x 12” envelope; 3” x 5” cards

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES: 

At the end of the course, a student should be able to

1.      write with greater ease, fluency, and confidence by understanding the writing process for any writing

                situation, whether in course work or in life experiences

2.      organize, develop ideas, and write competently at the college level by using a variety of invention, support

                gathering, organizing, drafting, and revising strategies

      3.     write an effective thesis essay by knowing how to a) develop a thesis statement, b) create strong support

                      paragraphs using specific examples and logical thinking, c) use effective transitions, d) construct                                   sentences effectively, and e) eliminate errors by proofing, editing, and revising one’s writing

      4.    develop a greater sensitivity by writing with specific purposes for specific audiences

      5.    understand and apply various levels of usage

      6.    effectively discover a writing "voice" and appreciate the "voices" of others in a culturally diverse society  

      7.    develop a critical eye by offering and accepting peer criticism of written work

      8.    differentiate between the composing and editing processes

      9.    synthesize and integrate information from media sources into one’s writing

    10.    understand and avoid plagiarism by learning to accurately summarize, paraphrase, and quote others

    11.    learn to use MLA documentation forms correctly

    12.    compose at the computer in a timed situation

 

METHODS AND PROCEDURES:

     1.    Lecture and discussion of good writing using the text and supplemental materials

     2.    In-class notes covering both text and lecture content

     3.    Individual conferences in and out of class when necessary

4.      Work with tutors at the Write Place (college writing lab on Trask second floor)

5.      Writing assignments, including informative, persuasive, and documented papers, as well as class notes,

             exercises, online help, outlines, rough drafts, peer reviews, revisions, and final drafts

     6.    Revision of out-of-class papers to improve both writing skills and final grades

     7.    Research on a complex topic in order to present convincing arguments in a formal style

 

UNITS:

               1. Plagiarism/Collusion Issues

               2. Planning and Drafting Papers

               3. Paragraph Development

               4. Keyhole Essay Format

               5. Illustration

               6. Persuasion

               7. Documentation

               8. Literary Analysis

 

 

HELPFUL ONLINE REFERENCE SITES   

 

Go to www.wordtinker.com “Helpful Sites” for a list of grammar and writing helps.

 

 

 

 

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES:

 

1.      EU computer password and a personal e-mail account that you check every day must be operating. E-mail is the primary communication between instructor and students. You MUST keep your box cleaned out (Use Edit, Select All, Delete). If the instructor sends you a message, and you do not receive it because your box is full, the instructor is not responsible for the consequences.

2.      Basics: 1) You should be able to type at least 30 wpm to function well in class. 2) Any personal use of the computer during the class period (net surfing, e-mailing, games, etc.) results in your being marked absent for that day along with a forfeiture of any daily points. 3) No electronic devices can be used during class. Keep them turned off and out of sight! 4) Always bring your textbook and Write Book to class or lose daily points.

3.      Daily Assignments, including class notes, will be kept in a “Class Notes” file to be turned in late in the semester; written exercises, group activities, etc. also earn daily class points.

4.      Completion of formal papers following appropriate writing procedures (rough notes, thesis, outline, rough draft, peer review, revision, final draft, etc.); Red Flag paper counts the same number of points, Proficiency Essay is double points.

5.      Oral Presentation of one selected paper near end of course

6.      Work missed during an absence: Daily points receive credit only if made up by the following class period. ALL

missed work is totally the responsibility of the student. Find out what you missed complete the work before you return to class. Call or e-mail a classmate for this information. After an absence, do not ask, “What did we do last time? or “Did I miss anything?” Information about assignments is not fully explained on the   class calendar on TurnItIn.com, and the instructor cannot catch you up individually. 

7.      ONE late paper will be accepted without penalty. However, it must be submitted by the next class period and must have a LATE PAPER sticker attached. A paper without a LATE PAPER sticker will not be accepted for credit. If you do not use your LATE PAPER sticker, you may redeem it at the end of the term for extra points.  

8.     Plagiarism or Collusion on any assignment will result in a failing grade for the course and University disciplinary action. See “Statement on Academic Responsibility” for more details.

9.      Copies of Papers: Always keep several copies of your work on both the hard drive and on floppy disks or flash

drive. If a paper is lost or misplaced and no copy exists, the points are lost. This is your responsibility.

10.    Tip: You can assess your own writing by using the Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level

indicators in the Word program. Go to Tools, Spelling and Grammar, Options, then check “Show Readability Statistics” at the bottom left of the menu. A “ballpark” level for the Reading Ease score should be 60 to 70. Your Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level should be 7.0 to 8.0. Passive sentences should be below 10 percent. This is one way to evaluate your writing in progress. KEEP THIS INFORMATION HANDY FOR YOUR REFERENCE THROUGHOUT THE TERM!  DO NOT ASK THE INSTRUCTOR FOR THESE NORMS.

11.    Class Attendance:  The University does not “allow” a certain number of cuts. Any student who misses 11 classes

for any reason will receive an F in the course regardless of other progress (See #14).

12.    Arriving Late to Class: Lateness reflects a careless attitude toward one’s work and calls negative attention to

oneself. Be ready to work on time. The instructor reserves the right to view a student’s attendance and tardiness as an “attitude” grade if a borderline case exists at the end of the term. 

13.    NOTE: A student who 1) over-cuts the class, 2) fails the assigned course work, 3) fails the documented essay,

             OR 4) fails the proficiency essay will need to repeat the course with a different instructor. 

             Students who fail ONLY the final essay may receive an Incomplete IF they 1) have had good attendance,

 2) have turned in every paper, 3) have visited the Write Place appropriately, and 4) have shown a positive

             attitude during the semester.

 

 

FORMATTING PAPERS:

 

q  ALWAYS title your work.  If you can’t think of a title, the piece probably is not focused.

q  Papers = 600-700 words; Documented Essay = 1000-1200 words. Include word count for each paper.

q  Save each stage of your work under similar, but different file names (Outline, Rough Draft/Peer Review, etc.). 

q  Back up your files on disks or drives often!  Remember, no hard copy, no points.

q  Include your last name and the page number in upper right corner of each sheet (e.g., Johnson 1).

q  ON PAPERS SUBMITTED TO TURNITIN.COM, DO NOT USE YOUR ID NUMBER OR YOUR NAME. 

q  All papers must be submitted with an outline, a rough draft/peer review, and a final copy.

q  Fold sheets like a book (open on the right), endorse near top with Row #,  Name,  Section #,  Date,  and Assignment Title.

 

 

EVALUATION: (Appropriate points are earned for each assignment.)

1.      Daily assignments, exercises, class notes, peer review sessions, etc. (These may be unannounced.)

2.      Out-of-class formal papers

3.      In-class formal papers

4.      Proficiency essay

5.      Oral presentation of one selected paper

6.      Final writing at end of course (optional)

 

       Daily Course Schedule – English 111 – Fall 2008 – Trask 206 – Vekasy

 

 

Aug 27

 

Aug 29

 

W – Introduction – Texts, Procedures

 

F – Course Syllabus, Schedule, Policies, etc.  (You must have your EU computer password

           and a working e-mail address by Wednesday.)

 

 

Sep 1

 

Sep 3

 

Sep 5

 

M—LABOR DAY (no class meeting)

 

W -- Submitting Papers to TurnItIn.com – Plagiarism Resources (Quiz on Sep 26)

  

F – In-class writing of Diagnostic Essay (Make appt. with Write Place to see results by Sep 19)     

 

 

Sep 8

 

Sep 10

 

Sep 12

 

M -- Planning Your Paper (C3-11)   Begin Class Notes file

 

W – Drafting Your Paper (C14-17) – Online helps for Writing

 

F – Writing Paragraphs (C24-36) / PP-Topic Sentences (H)

 

 

Sep 15

 

Sep 17

 

Sep 19

 

M – In-class Paragraph Exam (TurnItIn.com)

 

W – Keyhole Essay / Point of View (H)

 

F – Writing Thesis Statements (C18,19,20) / WRITE PLACE APPT DEADLINE

 

 

Sep 22

 

Sep 24

 

Sep 26

 

M – Writing Outlines (H)

 

W – Writing Introductory Paragraphs (H) / Rubric for Formal Papers

 

F – Quiz on Plagiarism Resources

 

 

Sep 29

 

Oct 1

 

Oct 3

 

M – Using Examples / “Personal Ethics” Topic / Transitions (H) – PP-FANBOYS

 

W – Thesis and Working Outline DUE

 

F – Rough Draft of Illustration Paper DUE / Peer Reviews (H)

 

 

Oct 6

 

Oct 8

 

 

Oct 10

 

M – Illustration Paper DUE  (TurnItIn.com) / Argument/Persuasion (A67-83)  

 

W – Documentation /  Notes, Works Cited Pages / Avoiding Plagiarism and Integrating

             Sources (H) / MLA Section / Argument Paper Topic “Advice to the Next President”

 

F – Homecoming (no class meeting)

 

 

Oct 13

 

Oct 15

 

Oct 17

 

M – Thesis Statement / Outline DUE

 

W-- Rough Draft DUE (Peer Review)

 

F – Persuasive Paper DUE (TurnItIn.com) -  Online Quiz Points    

 

 

Oct 20

 

Oct 22

 

 

Oct 24

 

 

M -- FALL BREAK -- No class meeting

 

W– Documented Essay Topics / Begin Research / Pro-Con Lists Explained/

             Distribute Library Reports and Essay Checklists; Topics Assigned        

 

F -- RED FLAG ESSAY (Written in class)  (TurnItIn.com)

 

 

Oct 27

 

Oct 29

 

Oct 31

 

 

M -- Pro/Con List DUE /  Thesis and Outline DUE      

 

W -- Documenting Sources Review (MLA 3-1, 4-1)  (H) -  WRITE BOOK 42-on

 

F --  LIBRARY PERIOD – No Class Meeting – Continue Research, Make Source Cards and

                 Note Cards for Documented Essay    {LAST  DAY TO WITHDRAW WITH  W}

 

Nov 3

 

Nov 5

 

Nov 7

 

 

M – Rough Draft DUE (Peer Review) / Library Reports DUE

 

W – Bring Source Cards to class – Works Cited Exercise

 

F – Documented Essay DUE  (TurnItIn.com) /

               Short Stories Assigned (By Wednesday, read your story at LEAST TWICE!)

 

 

Nov 10

 

Nov 11

 

Nov 12

 

Nov 14

 

 

M -- KEYHOLE REVIEW    PROFICIENCY ESSAY [SIGN UP FOR A COMPUTER AT WRITE PLACE]

       

 T -- PROFICIENCY ESSAY [SIGN UP FOR A COMPUTER AT WRITE PLACE]

 

W –  Writing About Literature  (H)

 

F --  For class points, bring your copy of the story to class for group discussion

 

 

Nov 17

 

Nov 19

 

 

Nov 21

 

 

M -- Literature Analysis Sample Paper

 

W – CLASS NOTES DUE (We will format them in class before we turn them in.)  

                 ORAL REPORTS EXPLAINED    

 

F -- Thesis Statement and Working Outline DUE (Peer Reviews)

 

 

Nov 24

 

Nov 26

 

Nov 28

 

 

M -- In-Class Exercises for Credit

 

W—THANKSGIVING BREAK (no class meeting)

 

F – THANKSGIVING BREAK (no class meeting)

 

Dec 1

 

Dec 3

 

Dec 5

 

M –  Rough Draft of Literature Analysis DUE (Peer Review)

           

W -- (Literature Analysis DUE (TurnItIn.com) -- ORAL REPORTS (5-7 minutes each)

 

F --  ORAL REPORTS (5-7 minutes each)       {LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WITH  WP/WF}

 

 

Dec 8

 

Dec 10

 

 

 

M –  ORAL REPORTS (5-7 minutes each)  

 

W -- ORAL REPORTS (5-7 minutes each)  (If needed)