Instructor: Laura Alexander
Office: 137 E McIver; 334-5867
Email: llalexa2@uncg.edu
Office Hours: 9-10, 11-12 M; 9-10 W; by appt.
The purpose of this course is to help you develop ways of thinking about reading and writing and to engage texts with a critical and creative eye. Over the semester, we will read a variety of different kinds of writing, and you will write extensively in and out of class. As well, we will undertake the writing process, and all writing is a process that we involves brainstorming, revision, peer reviews, writing workshops in class, conferencing with me, and most of all, your imagination and energy. I have every confidence that you will all become successful, confident writers, and I am here to help you in all the stages of your writing process over the semester.
You will write for yourself and others, offer suggestions to your peers on their writing, discuss the texts in your groups and with the class, and develop ideas you may use in your reading journal, in-class writing time, free writes, or one of the three formal essays you will write for the class. Much of your success in this course will depend on your participation in group work and in class discussion, which I believe helps you to articulate ideas more clearly. Rarely do I have a successful essay that I cannot first describe to another person orally (you will do this with me and with each other). Having the ability to think critically by developing your writing, reading, and speaking skills, will help you to build confidence as a writer, a researcher, and a presenter. Remember that writing is a process, and I am here to help you in that process, which will develop not only throughout this semester in this course but throughout your life, even after college.
Learning Goals:
Clarity: How clear are my ideas? Do they make sense logically?
Cohesion: Do the parts of my essay cohere? Do I need a transition between elements
of
my essay?
Critical Thinking: Are my ideas original? Is my prose interesting and active?
Grammatical Issues: Yes, it’s a tedious business but a very necessary
one to the writing
process.
**These are questions to ask yourself before you turn in a written assignment
or essay—every time, always. I ask myself these questions all the time.
Texts and Requirements:
UNCG Composition Department, Writing Matters
Mary Pipher, The Middle of Everywhere
The Writer’s Resource
Wendy Bishop, On Writing: A Process Reader
Class Handouts
3 Essays
Reading Journal
In-Class writing assignments
Group work and activities
2 conferences with me
Portfolio (of at least 20 revised, edited pages)
Attendance:
Come to class, and come to class prepared. We work on our writing in class
everyday, and every missed class is a missed opportunity for valuable input
from your group members and from me. Frequent absences also show a lack of
commitment that I will reflect in your final grade. I understand you may
be ill, and I will allow 3 absences, period. How you use these is up to you,
but be advised that any more than these will be excused solely at my discretion
and will probably involve extensive documentation on your part. If you have
a medical condition, commute from a long distance regularly, or have any
other issue that may make you late or absent from my class regularly, see
me now. Don’t wait until the end of the semester to explain why you
missed every Friday. Also, if you did not prepare for class, which means
not reading and/or not having your written assignment to turn in, please
do not come to class (and remember you have 3 absences). Sleeping, eating,
reading the newspaper, etc. during class is also disrespectful to me, to
your group, and to our class as a whole. I do not tolerate disrespectful
behavior and comments. You are adults; act accordingly. Do not turn in late
assignments or essays. If you see a problem with a deadline, see me ahead
of time.
Grading Policies:
Everything you write (except for free writes) will be revised in workshops,
in class, and with me. Keep EVERYTHING you write. Your final portfolio reflects
your writing process and includes reading journals, in class writing, and
at least the last formal written essay, which is longer than your first two
formal written essays. In your portfolio, you may include revised editions
of both of your first essays if you wish, and I would advise this course
of action if you are not happy with the papers you turned in. The portfolio
also includes revised journal entries, revised in class writing assignments
based on texts we have read and on topics I have given to you. It may also
include free writes if you would like me to read them. But as I evaluate
the portfolio on revised writing, I cannot grade free writes and will not
include them in your 20 page minimum requirement. You are, however, welcome
to submit them in addition to the revised writing. Instead or in addition,
you may present your favorite free writes to the class on December 3, but
you are not required to present. Free writing is just that, free. Everything
else you turn in to me should be typed, double-spaced, in 12 pt. Font, Times
New Roman, and stapled if it is over one page. Reading journals are approximately
150 words, and in class writing assignments you turn in to me will be one
double-spaced page, same font as always, Times New Roman. The first two essays
will be approximately 3 pages; the last essay is 4-5 pages.
I will not give you a grade on journals or in-class writing individually but in the portfolio. I do, however, grade all your formal essays and take these grades and the progress I have seen and read in your writing throughout the semester into account when I grade your portfolio and class participation. For those of you who like percentages, here they are:
Class Participation: 40%
Portfolio: 60%
The Writing Center: Another great resource for you. I recommend that you go
there to get individual feedback on your writing. It is located at 101 McIver
Building.
Web address: www.uncg.edu/eng/writingcenter
Hours: M-Th, 9am-8pm; Friday, 9am-3pm; Sunday, 5pm-8pm
Telephone: 334-3125
Week One: Why does writing matter?
Introduction to the course.
First in class writing assignment. Establish groups.
Read: handout on Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle; Bishop, 55-60 (Brown),
137-145 (Graff).
Week Two: Ways of Writing, Ways of Reading.
Read: Chapter One, Bishop; “Reading Actively” Savu (10-12), Writing
Matters.
2nd In class writing, groups, and class discussion.
1st Written Essay: Compare/Contrast yourself with a character you most admire
from a movie.
Week Three: The Three Rhetorical Musketeers, Logos, Pathos, Ethos: All for
One, and One For All?
Revisting Aristotle’s Triangle: Making it work for your writing.
Read “Rhetoric! Huh. What Is It Good For?” Spellman (28-31), Writing
Matters; Bishop, 102-105, 124-134.
Bring in journal articles on Spellman’s article for in-class discussion
and your first rough draft on Wednesday for peer review.
To be turned in: 1st rough draft due on Friday; all reading journals and revised
in class writing assignments due on Friday.
Week Four: Revision…the Never-Ending Journey.
Return Rough Drafts and Journals.
Writing Workshop in groups, class discussion on Poe.
Sign up for a time to conference with me briefly in class on the progress of
your essays.
Read: Handout: Short Story One: Edgar Allan Poe’s The Cask of Amatillado;
Bishop, 120-123; Sample Journal: “[Untitled]” Braddy (60), Writing
Matters.
*You do not need to write a reading journal for the Braddy sample journal.
Week Five: Writing: Is it all one animal, or do we have a zoo?
First Paper Due Monday (3-4 pages).
In class writing 1, group discussion, brief presentations on what you chose
to write about in essay one and why. Reflections on writing so far.
Read (for Wednesday): “Creative Writing in the Composition Class” Wagner
(38-39), Writing Matters; Bishop, 146-152 (Dove); 170-176 (Fulwiler). Short
Story Two: Handout, Hawthorne, TBA.
Week Six: Critical Creativity…Say what?
Discussion of Hawthorne.
In class Writing, Group discussion of Journals.
2nd Written Essay: Literary Analysis. Pick a topic from either short story
we’ve discussed in class to write about.
Read: “Literature in the Writing Class” Templeton (34-35), Writing
Matters. If you have not started the Pipher, this is the week to do it (you
should have read about half by now, but we are discussing it in two weeks,
and this is your heads up).
Revised In Class Assignments and Journals Due Friday (two journal submissions
should be on Pipher).
Week Seven: Revision as Reseeing.
Rough Draft of 2nd Written Essay Due in class on Monday.
Return Rough Drafts on Wednesday; Set up time to conference with me.
Writing Workshop: Peer review.
Read: Bishop, Chapter Six: 312-318, 319-322 (Lamott), 349-358 (Straub), 378-379
(Pastan).
No class on Oct. 1, Brown University Graduate Student Conference. Take this
day to work on your papers.
Week Eight: First Impressions…
2nd Written Essay Due on Monday.
In class writing; Start Discussion of All Campus Read. Sign up for a conference
time with me on Monday (on the sign-up sheet).
Wednesday and Friday I will return papers and give mid-term evaluation letters
when we have our first formal conferences on your progress in my office, 137
E McIver.
*Be sure to finish the Pipher book over Fall Break if you have not already.
Week Nine: The Middle of…Where?
No Class on Monday, Fall Break.
In class writing Assignment.
Group Discussion of the Book. Bring at least 3 discussion questions based out
of your journals (there are at least three, two turned in to me, one you bring
to class).
Journals and Revised In Class writing Assignments due.
Week Ten: Reading, Writing, and Research, Oh My!
Finish Pipher Discussion.
In Class writing assignment, and group discussion.
Read: Bishop, Chapter Seven: 398-419; 457-465 (Steele)
3rd Written Essay: Research Paper on a Religion you are interested in knowing
more about, including its history and practices. You must have at least 4 sources
and cite in MLA (see A Writer’s Resource on the MLA style guide there).
Week Eleven: Using the Library and the Web: Finding Sources that Work.
In Class Writing Assignment, Group work, Class Discussion.
Bring First Draft (at least 2-3 pages) on Wednesday for peer review.
Sign up for initial conference with me.
Have a working bibliography to show me by Wednesday.
Discussion of Library Resources.
Read: “A Rookie’s Guide to Research” Carter (45-46), Writing
Matters; Bishop, Chapter Seven: 465-470 (Harrington)
**Mary Pipher comes to UNCG on October 28. Think of questions you might like
to ask her when you hear her speak.
Week Twelve: My Voice? Their Voice? How to Use Sources Successfully.
Journals/In Class Writing Assignments Due on Monday.
In class writing assignment, group work. Be prepared to describe to the class
what religion you’ve chosen and why on Wednesday.
Bring Drafts on Friday for Writing Workshop.
Read: Bishop, Chapter Seven: 471-474 (Vaccaro); “Academic Integrity” Wagner
(47-48), Writing Matters.
Week Thirteen: You Mean I Have to Keep Revising This Thing??
Rough Draft Due on Monday (4-5 pages) with the Bibliography for a final peer
review.
In Class Writing Assignment, Class Discussion.
3rd Written Essay Due on Friday. No exceptions.
Read: Bishop, Chapter Seven: 475-477 (Torralba); “Revision: Take Two,
Take Three…” Vogel (42-43), Writing Matters.
Week Fourteen: What Did You Find?
Reflections on the Research Process. Be prepared to talk about your Essay (about
a 5 minute, mini-presentation).
In Class Writing Assignment.
Papers Back by Friday.
Final Project: Portfolios.
Read: Writing Matters: “Speaking in the Composition Classroom” Johnson
(24-26); “The Portfolio: Watch It Develop” Atchison (21-22).
*Your Presentation in lieu of a journal on Johnson’s article.
Week Fifteen: Eat Lots of Turkey…
On Monday, bring your outlines for the Portfolio with folders that contain
your original drafts (with my comments). Remember that nothing can be turned
in without an original draft. The outline is tentative and can be changed
later on as you work on the portfolio.
In Class Writing Assignment.
Journals/In Class Writing Assignments Due.
No readings this week.
Week Sixteen and Seventeen: Reflections on Writing
In Class Writing Assignment, and class discussion on Writing.
Bring journal to class on Monday for Group Discussion.
Sign up for conference with me on Monday.
December 3: Presentation of Free Writes (open to anyone, pick your favorite
free write to share).
Bring Portfolios to class on Wednesday for Peer Review and Workshop in groups.
Read Bishop, Chapter Nine: 564-569.
Portfolios Due: Dec. 6, no exceptions.
**Include a revision of your last essay and also include your last journal
on the Bishop. Remember the portfolio is at least 20 pages of revised writing
(that is, written work you’ve done that I’ve seen before revised
and edited). The work should be polished, typed, and organized with your table
of contents. It should be without any written marks except for those on your
original drafts (essays, in class assignments, and journals), which immediately
precede the final, revised drafts in the portfolio.
Final Exam Period: I will give you back your portfolios with a final letter
that will include your Portfolio grade and your grade for the course. We will
meet during our scheduled final exam time even though there is no final exam
for this course (about 50 minutes, our usual time). Anyone who did not present
their free writes on Dec. 3 and would like to may present them now.
Course Evaluations.