WR 121 Spring 2004 Page XXX
WR 121: English Composition Spring 2004
Section 22: T-TH 14:00-15:20 Strand Ag 211
Instructor: Sara Jameson OSU Composition Coordinator: Professor Chris Anderson
Office Hours: T-TH 15:30-16:30 & by appointment , 737-1653, Moreland 324
Office: Moreland 300 Assistant Coordinator: Patrick Peters, Moreland 360
Email:
Course Description:
English composition is designed to help students practice college level expository and argument writing. In particular, the class aims to practice the conventions of academic discourse and develop critical thinking skills. In order to help students learn to research more effectively, WR 121 has a library study component to aid the research for the argument paper. The library component includes two sessions at the library and five required library assignments listed here. To stimulate thinking and study good writing and organization, students will read a selection of essays. Students are encouraged to take their writing to OSU's Writing Center in Waldo Hall for input; two of the essays must have Writing Center input.
Overall, the goal of WR 121 is to encourage students to think critically, develop ideas in depth, and present them through clear and skillful writing. Correct grammar usage is essential. (See Hacker)
Structure:
The course will include three formal (out-of-class) assignments with revisions, conferences and peer reviews. Students may also write some informal (in-class) essays, along with in-class free-writings, exercises and quizzes.
We focus on process as well as final product. Revision is key.
Required Texts:
Work in Progress, 5th Edition, Lisa Ede
The Presence of Others, 3rd Edition, Andrea Lunsford & John Ruszkiewicz
Rules for Writers, 5th Edition, Diana Hacker
Materials Needed for Course:
All work MUST BE STAPLED. Class work must written in INK on WHITE paper with NO SPIRAL RAGGED EDGES. All outside work must be typed/printed in black ink on white paper, 12-pt Times Roman font. Only hard copies may be turned in – no floppy disks or CDs. Use a large brown manila envelope (not folder) for your portfolio. You will need to have computer access for BlackBoard & ONID email, which must be checked frequently.
Course Policies:
OSU deems WR 121 essential to college success and makes attendance part of the grade factor. With advance instructor notification, two absences may be allowed for illness or other serious extenuating circumstances, although students are responsible for catching up on missed work. More than two missed classes result in lower term grade. Late arrivals and early departures disrupt learning for the rest of the class and shorten a student’s participation. Therefore, these accrue toward absences. Missed conferences, writing groups, or library sessions lower grades.
Honesty and Civility:
A plagiarized paper (accidental or intentional) 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. Students who fail may be barred from re-taking WR 121 at OSU.
Behaviors that are disruptive to learning will not be tolerated and will be referred to the Student Conduct and Mediation Program for disciplinary action. In keeping with federal law, 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. (See “OSU Student Conduct Regulations.)
Writing Center:
Located in Waldo Hall, room 123, the writing center provides free consultation with student peer tutors on all aspects of writing including generating ideas, writing thesis statements, and organizing paragraphs. The writing center can also help with grammar, sentence fluency, vocabulary, as well as proper MLA format. Make an appointment for a 30 or 60-minute session by phoning 737-5640 Mon-Fri 9-4. You can also sign up for evening appointments at Valley Library Writing Desk. Discussing a paper in person is best, but if these times absolutely won’t work for you, ask me about submitting your paper to the writing center on line. Note that the response can take 48 hours.
Assignment Scoring (1000 points possible for term)
Portfolio 1 – Due in class 400
#1 Explaining an Idea
Portfolio 2 - Due in class 200
#2 Rhetorical Analysis of a text
Portfolio 3 – Due June 4 400
#3 Arguing a Position
Essays are graded holistically according to the OSU English Department rubric. Portfolio scores are based on the essay grade plus the quality and completeness of the packet: drafts /meetings (conference, peer, and writing center) / process reports. All these affect final score. In addition, portfolio scores factor in class work and attendance, which includes class participation, informal in-class writing, quizzes, informal homework assignments, etc. Library assignments and library attendance are factored into the various portfolios.
Consistently strong and conscientious work earns up to 50 additional points. Extra Credit options.
5 Library assignments are required. Missing, lose 20 points each. Other late or incomplete work loses points.
Missing a library session, conference, or peer review day lose 20 points each.
Missing more than a week of class, lose at least a whole grade.
Grading:
The final grade will be based on the following scale:
94-100% = A90-93% = A- / 87-89%=B+
84-86%=B
80-83% =B- / 77-79%=C+
74-76%=C
70-73%=C- / 60-69%=D
-59% =F
NO FINALS FOR WR 121
Portfolio 3 (with final draft of paper 3) due in my office - Moreland 300 by 3 PM ~ Fri June 4
SAVE ALL work throughout the term. A list of required contents will be discussed in class.
Include SASE with ENOUGH postage if you want to have portfolio mailed, or a business letter size SASE for only the grade sheet ~~ Otherwise, portfolios will be available from the English Office during Summer Term.
This term we have 3 essays – Exploring an idea or phenomenon / analyzing a text / arguing a position – work on all three will overlap throughout the term. Don't expect to wait until you have finished one to start on the next. You won't have enough time.
Portfolio #1 – Exploring an Idea or phenomenon --See handout for directions and deadlines
In this assignment you will select an idea or quality to explore and give your reader some sense of why you think it is important to reflect on this idea. You will problematize the idea, blending your thoughts with thoughts by others. Suggested topics are provided on the handout.
Consider why someone might write such an essay, and, in particular, what might be the aim in exploring a concept. Your essay will be stronger if you imagine an intended audience and purpose, rather than seeing it as a simple class exercise in form. Samples will be put on reserve at the library.
Portfolio #2 - Analyzing a Text – See handout for specific directions and deadlines
This is a three-part analysis of one of the readings in Presence of Others. The goal is for you to learn to identify what a text says, what it does, and how it does it. This will help you evaluate the texts you read for your argument paper. This analytical technique will also help you evaluate your own argument essays and those of your classmates. You are not summarizing the message of the text, nor are you arguing for or against the message. You are looking at how it is built.
Only Part 3 will read like an essay as you argue a point for your evaluation. Parts 1 and 2 will be more like a chart or lab report. You will analyze rhetorically and evaluate critically, according to the suggestions in Presence (20-21) and those in WIP "Guidelines for Analyzing the Argument of a Text" (71) and Hacker (70-74) as well as our in-class discussion. Samples will be put on reserve at the library.
Note: No conferences, written peer response, or writing center visits are required for this paper, however, you are free to add those components on your own. Writing Center visit will earn extra credit.
#3 – Arguing a Position - See handout for directions and deadlines.
The goal is to practice academically oriented arguments and work with complex ideas by analyzing your rhetorical situation. You will have to include opposition to your position and deal with it respectfully. Consider why you might write such an argument? Whom do you wish to persuade and to do what? If you argue in favor of school uniforms, are you trying to convince fellow students to accept uniforms? To convince a school board to institute uniforms? To convince parents that uniforms are a good investment? The more clearly you can see your argument as having a real life purpose and a specific audience, the stronger will be your case.
This assignment correlates with the Library assignments. Thus, Library #2 and #3, which ask for research, connect with the topic for this paper. Start research log Lib #4 and the annotated bibliography Lib #5 long before the paper is due. (See dates on the handout). You will work on this paper throughout the whole term.
Note: This syllabus is subject to change. Assignments may be added, changed, moved, or deleted.
Changes will be posted on the BlackBoard, usually on Sunday.
Students are responsible for checking BlackBoard every week.
Formats Used in Course
All formal essays use MLA format (see Hacker 69) typed in 12-point Times Roman font double-spaced with one inch margins, each page with header of your last name and page number, printed one side of the page only, stapled. Deviations lose points.
Works Cited
This is the last page of your essay, which continues the “header system” of last name and page number. For format, see Hacker 454-455. Note – A Works Cited page is not the same as an Annotated Bibliography assignment, which you will also do as Library #5. The differences are two: Works Cited contains ONLY works actually mentioned in your essay and Works Cited does not include the description of the text.
Conference Report Format – after conferencing on the Idea and the Argument papers
Typed, one page, double-spaced, paragraphs. Be very specific and detailed. Write in complete sentences, proofreading for grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Label the report at the top with the following information: Your Name / Date / Essay Number 1-2 or 3 / Essay Title
1) First paragraph: List in specific detail key concepts discussed in the conference, which comments were most helpful and why, and how these comments helped you.
2) Second paragraph: List in specific detail the changes you made or will make and how that will help your essay
3) Third paragraph: State what you expected at the conference (whether you ever had such conferences before). Conference report on Essay #3 may have other questions. Also say how this conference differed (if it did) from the first one, and what difference that made.
Writing Group/Peer Review Letter – for the class work on the Idea and the Argument papers
Typed, one page, double-spaced, paragraphs. Be very specific and detailed. Write in complete sentences, proofreading for grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Goal is for you to practice analyzing another person's text.
Write a letter to your peer, praising specific successful strategies and offering helpful suggestions. A list of questions may be provided to guide your analysis.
Writing Group/Peer Review Report Format – for reporting on how the peer process worked for you
Typed, one page, double-spaced, paragraphs. Be very specific and detailed. Write in complete sentences, proofreading for grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Label the report at the top with the following information: Your Name / Essay Number & Title / Names of 2 students whose work you reviewed.
1) First paragraph: The in-class discussion: List in specific detail key ideas you discussed and how the process of discussion helped you analyze the paper.
2) Second paragraph: The peer letter: Describe your process for writing this analysis.
3) Third paragraph: What you expected from peer review (whether you done this before) and what you learned about how to analyze (and receive critique). For Peer Review report on Essay #3 add a short paragraph to say how this session differed (if it did) from the first one, and what sort of difference that made.
4) Fourth paragraph: What changes, if any, you made to your essay as a result of peer review.
Portfolio Contents – brown manila envelope containing:
#1 Portfolio – Essay Exploring an Idea
First draft/conference draft + Conference Report
Second draft/Peer Review draft + With Peer review letter & Peer Review Report
Final draft + Process Memo + Writing Center blue slip or email report
#2 Portfolio – Rhetorical Analysis of a text
First and second drafts – Final draft stapled on top of first draft
#3 Portfolio - Essay #3 - Arguing a Position
First draft/conference draft + Conference Report
Second draft / Writing group-Peer Review Draft + Peer Review letter + Peer Review Report
Final draft + Process Memo + Writing Center blue slip or email report + Library assignments #4 and #5
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Writing 121: Syllabus Insert for Library Sessions on Information Literacy
Your class will meet with a librarian from The Valley Library during two class sessions. These sessions take from 50-70 minutes; most sessions will be held in the Autzen Classroom/The Valley Library.