Instructor: Heidi Hanrahan

Class Info: MWF 12:00-12:50

Mailbox: 133 McIver

Email: hmhanrah@uncg.edu

Website: http://www.uncg.edu/~hmhanrah/101fall01.htm

The goal of this course is to provide you with reading, writing, and thinking strategies for your college work and beyond. We will concentrate on reading, writing, and analytical skills. Youll write for a range of audiences. Youll study differing ideas and viewpoints, learning how to evaluate them and how to argue your own points. Youll read each others works in progress along with the works of published writers. Youll learn how to read like a writer so that your work will be more alive with voice, purpose, clarity, and meaning.

The theme of this course is observation reading and writing about people, places, images, and art in order to understand them better. Therefore we will also devote our attention to non-traditional texts including everything from paintings to advertisements. Ultimately, we will become better seers, better readers, better speakers, and better writers.

Seeing and Writing, Donald and Christine McQuade

Ship Fever and Other Stories, Andrea Barrett

The Little, Brown Compact Handbook, Jane E. Aaron

Writing Matters: A Guide to Freshman Writing

Other texts available on e-reserve

1. Reading and short writing assignments: This class will be reading intensive as much as writing intensive. You cannot expect to do well in class if you do not read. Expect periodic reading quizzes. There will be many short writing pieces assigned throughout the semester. Failure to complete these will result in a reduction of your grade.
2. Formal Papers: You will write 3 formal papers, each about 4-5 typed pages. You will receive assignment sheets on each of these essays, with specific instructions. Late papers will not be accepted. Failure to turn in a paper will result in a failing grade in the course.
3. Writers Notebook: This is a loose-leaf notebook for your in-class writing, exercises, and responses, as well as any out of class writing you do. Since everything you write in this class is a potential piece for your portfolio, keep all the informal writing you do both in and out of class. Also, youll do several drafts of each essay. Please do not throw them away, as you will need them to show process and progress in your portfolio.
4. Class Participation/Workshop Participation: Make your voice heard in class. Speak up and tell us what you are thinking. This is one way for me to know you reading and doing the work. Just remember to be respectful of your classmates opinions. Before each formal paper is due we will devote an entire class period to reading each others drafts and providing helpful advice. Do not miss these workshop days and do not show up without a draft. A missed draft will result in a failing grade in the class.
5. Group Work/Presentation: Throughout the semester, you will work in groups since this is one of the best ways to learn from each other. I know many students have strong feelings about group work, but it is an important aspect of this class, and we will all work to make group time valuable and enjoyable. For a part of the semester, you will work in a book club group, reading a story together and presenting it to the class. All group members will be held accountable for what goes on in their time together and I will regularly monitor the groups progress.
6. Portfolio: At mid-term and at the end of the semester you will submit a writing portfolio for evaluation. You will not receive individual grades on any writing before these checkpoints. Your portfolio will include some final versions of your final essays, drafts of these essays in progress, and excerpts from informal writings, as well as a reflective introductory letter. More specific information on the portfolio will be given later in the semester.
7. Conferences: You will meet with me at least three times in the semester: in the first weeks of class, after you have handed in your mid-term portfolio, and at the end of the semester. Please feel free, however, to see me anytime during the semester if you feel you need some advice or assistance with course work. A missed conference equals an absence.
8. Attendance: In this type of class, attendance and crucial and missed class time cannot be made up. Therefore, you are allowed THREE absences. Anymore will reduce your grade by one third a letter grade. More than six absences and you will fail the class. Additionally, being late to class is rude and disruptive. Dont do it. If you are more than 10 minutes late to class twice, that counts as one absence. Finally, if you miss class it is your responsibility to contact me or a classmate to find out what you have missed. An absence is not an excuse for being unprepared for the next class.
9. Email/Internet Access: Please activate your UNCG email account as soon as possible and make sure you can get onto the internet. Email is the best way to get into contact with me. We will communicate important class information over email and eventually conduct online discussions through Pipeline. Additionally, some course readings will be downloaded from the internet.

Academic Honor: Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Please see the section on academic honor in the UNCG Student Handbook if you have any questions. If you are unsure about a citation, see me.

The Writing Center: This free resource is available to all UNCG students. At the Center, you may make an appointment or just drop in to have a one-on-one conference with a writing consultant. They can assist you on any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming topics to revising a final paper. Please take advantage of this unique resource. Its located in 101 McIver and is open Mon-Thur. 9-8 and Fri. 9-3. Remember, I just love to get those Writing Center notes!