Crystal VanKooten, Instructor

WR 121 Sec. 25, Winter 2003

Office: Moreland 202

Office hours: Tues/Thurs 2:00 – 3:30, 5:00 – 5:30

Email:

Required Texts:

Lisa Ede, Work in Progress, 5th ed.

Andrea Lunsford and John Ruszkiewicz, The Presence of Others, 3rd ed.

Diana Hacker, Rules for Writers, 5th ed.

Purpose of Writing 121:

In today’s world, and especially at the university level, writing is a powerful tool. It is a way to communicate with others, to develop ideas, and report research. Writing keeps you in touch with the world through technologies like email and the Web. It offers you ways to explore academic interests and to share those interests with others. Because of these reasons, to be able to write well is an invaluable skill in any department or profession. This course will help you to develop and strengthen your academic writing skills and to prepare for the other writing you will be doing in the university.

Style of the Course:

In this course, we will view writing as a process, as work that is always in progress. This process will include prewriting, drafting, revision, and group work. Many of these steps in the process of writing will be completed IN CLASS. Therefore, attendance is very important. If you miss class, you will miss an opportunity to work on and improve your own writing, as well as miss the chance to help your fellow students with their work.

Attendance:

If you miss more than two classes, you will receive one grade lower for the term. For each additional two classes missed, you will receive one additional grade lower for the term. If you miss a conference, writing group, or library session, you will receive one grade lower on your portfolio.

Late Papers:

You must hand in conference drafts and writing group drafts on they day that they are due, IN CLASS. I prefer portfolios to be turned in during class; however, if needed, they may be turned in before 5 PM to my office. Portfolios turned in to my office must be clearly marked with my name. I will not accept papers via email. LATE PAPERS OR LATE PORTFOLIOS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

The Writing Center:

The Writing Center is located in the basement of Waldo Hall, Room 123. They are open Monday-Friday 9-4. It is a great resource if you need help with any step in the writing process. The tutors at the Writing Center are not editors, but they will help you with the content of your paper, the development of ideas, organization, citing sources, ideas for revision, and much more. You will be required to visit the writing center once during the term. To make an appointment, you can stop by Waldo 123 or call 737-5640. You can also sign up for evening appointments at the Valley Library Writing Desk, or submit papers online at http://cwl.oregonstate.edu/owl.html.

Honesty and Civility:

A plagiarized paper will receive an F, and a report will be filed with the Student Conduct and Mediation Program. Two reports at OSU can lead to suspension or expulsion.

Behaviors that are disruptive to learning will not be tolerated and will be referred to the Student Conduct and Mediation Program for disciplinary action. These behaviors include, for example, talking in class. Behaviors that create a hostile, offensive, or intimidating environment based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation will be referred to the Affirmative Action Office.

Grading:

Portfolio 1 200 points or 20% of final grade

Ø  Final draft of Paper 1 (3-5 pages)

Ø  Writing Group draft of Paper 1 (3-5 pages)

Ø  Informal writings and exercises

Ø  Library assignments and research assignments

Portfolio 2 400 points or 40% of final grade

Ø  Final draft of Paper 2 (4-5 pages)

Ø  Writing Group draft of Paper 2 (4-5 pages)

Ø  Conference draft of Paper 2 (4-5 pages)

Ø  Informal writing and exercises

Ø  Library assignments and research assignments

Ø  Conference/Writing Group reports

Portfolio 3 400 points or 40% of final grade

Ø  Final draft of Paper 3 (4-5 pages)

Ø  Writing Group draft of Paper 3 (4-5 pages)

Ø  Conference draft of Paper 3 (4-5 pages)

Ø  Informal writings and exercises

Ø  Library assignments and research assignments

Ø  Conference/Writing Group reports

Additional Contacts:

Professor Chris Anderson Composition Coordinator

Moreland 324, 737-1653

Patrick Peters

Assistant Coordinator

Moreland 360, 737-1666

Schedule

This schedule is tentative and subject to change at any point.

UNIT ONE—ANALYZING AN EVENT

Tues Jan 6 Introductions, Syllabus

Thurs Jan 8 -WIP Chapter 1, “On Writing” 3-15

-Presence Chapter 1, “On Reading and Thinking Critically” 1-11

Tues Jan 13 -Presence Walker, “The Place Where I Was Born” 596-600

-Presence Smith, “Home” 601-605

Thurs Jan 15 -WIP Chapter 5, “Analyzing Rhetorical Situations” 145-157

-WIP Chapter 8, “Strategies for Invention” 223-239

Tues Jan 20 Writing Group draft of Paper One due in class

-Presence Didion “On Morality” 179-184

-Presence Clayton “A Whole Lot of Cheatin’ Going On” 185-190

UNIT TWO—ARGUING A POSITION

Thurs Jan 22 Portfolio One due

-WIP Chapter 14, “Understanding Academic Analysis and Argument” 355-376

Tues Jan 27 -Presence Hurston “How It Feels to Be Colored Me” 384-388

-Presence Hughes “Theme for English B” 459-460

Thurs Jan 29 Conference Draft of Paper Three due in class

Tues Feb 3 MEET IN LIBRARY

Thurs Feb 5 NO CLASS—CONFERENCES

Tues Feb 10 MEET IN LIBRARY

Thurs Feb 12 Writing Group Draft of Paper Two due in class

UNIT THREE—EXPLAINING AN IMAGE

Tues Feb 17 Portfolio Two due

Thurs Feb 19 -Presence Stephens “By Means of the Visible: A Picture’s Worth” 473-486

-Presence Postman “The Great Symbol Drain” 513-530

Tues Feb 24 Conference Draft of Paper Three due in class

Thurs Feb 26 NO CLASS—CONFERENCES

Tues March 2 -Presence Truth “Ain’t I a Woman?” 348-349

-Presence Barry “Guys vs. Men” 372-383

Thurs March 4 PRESENTATIONS

Tues March 9 PRESENTATIONS

Thurs March 11 Portfolio Three Due

PORTFOLIO 3 DUE THURSDAY, MARCH 11

IN CLASS.