Instructor: Tamara Wiandt
Email: tlwiandt@uncg.edu
Departmental office: 334-5311
Office: 137E McIver: 334-5857
Office hours: 11:00-1:00 TR, other times by appointment

It is my belief that the writing classroom is a place where ideas matter more than technique. Technique is an important tool, but it is not the only tool, nor the only means to the end which is good writing. English 101 is a course about learning to read and write critically about texts, ideas, and experience from an individual point of view.

I also believe some basic premises about teaching writing and about each of you in your role as college level writers.
1) Every writer has a process, or procedure, in composing.
2) Making that process conscious is a way to intervene in it and/or support it.
3) Every writer has the potential to produce powerful prose because every writer is a language user.
4) Writers learn from each other.
5) Writing tasks need to have meaning for the writer to be successful.
6) Writing a lot leads to writing better.
7) Writing classes are context dependent.

Writing well involves more than following rules or a formula. It means
understanding and using the relationship between who writers are and who their readers might be. In our class we will learn to understand this relationship by practicing it. Therefore, we will be writing a lot. You will write four three to five page essays, in-class writing exercises, and numerous reading responses. This writing will be assembled at the end of the semester in a writing portfolio that contains at least twenty pages of your best work. In short, this portfolio will be a representation of you. I will give you more details concerning the portfolio later in the semester.

Please keep everything you write for this class. Date it and label it and put it in a folder. This includes all drafts, all group work, all peer work- EVERYTHING! You never know when a journal entry or in-class writing will trigger an idea for a paper topic. When you are asked to turn in a final revision on a paper, I expect to receive all notes, outlines, and drafts along with that paper. Place everything in a folder and hand it in when it is due.

Course Materials
BOOKS:
Writing Matters. 2004-5 ed.
Clarke, M.B. and A.G. Clarke. Retellings. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2004.
Langan, John, and Janet M. Goldstein. English Brushup. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2003.

MATERIALS:
A sturdy folder to hold all (and I do mean ALL) of your writing for this class.
Loose leaf paper.
E-mail account.
Access to a computer, word processor, or typewriter.

Learning Goals
Writing and evaluating arguments
Communicating clearly and effectively
Evaluating and using relevant information
Understanding aims and methods of intellectual discourse
Evaluating different viewpoints

Attendance Policy
Because our class is heavily based on in-class discussions, group work, and writing, your attendance is required. Missing more than two classes WILL lower your grade. Absences are excused solely at my discretion. Do not assume that because you have a doctor’s/lawyer’s/parent’s/employer’s note that I will count the absence as excused. In other words, plan your appointments, work schedule, etc. around your classes, not the other way around.

Classroom Behavior
Our classroom is a community of peers. In order to make our community safe, we must respect one another. There is no place in our class for disrespectful or distracting behaviors such as talking while others are talking, insulting comments, etc. Everyone has a right to voice his or her opinions, but no one will be permitted to act in a way that is considered threatening, coercing, or simply flat out mean.
Also, turn off your cell phones and pagers.

Grading Policy and Late Work
Grading in this class will be, no doubt, much different from what you may have experienced in the past. You will be given a tentative grade at midterm and a final grade at the end of the semester. Instead of receiving letter grades on individual papers, you will be given comments that will guide you in the revision process.
As for late papers, I do not accept them without prior notification. You must make arrangements with me for missed work.

Conferences
The classroom is not always the best place to receive individual attention on your concerns about your writing. While you are welcome to visit me during office hours, you will be required to meet with me at least twice during the semester. Failing to show up, prepared, for an assigned conference date will negatively affect your grade.

Formatting Your Writing
All essays will be typed with the following guidelines:
Double-spaced
1” margins on top, bottom, and sides
12 point font (Times New Roman)

Students with Disabilities
If you have any sort of disability that could affect your performance in the class or for which you need special accommodations, please contact me and/or the office of Disability Services at 334-5440 immediately.

The Writing Center
The Writing Center is a valuable resource for all writers on the UNCG campus. It is located in 101 McIver. The hours are:
Monday – Thursday: 9am - 8pm
Friday: 9am - 3pm
Sunday: 6pm – 9pm
You can drop in or call 334-3125 to schedule an appointment.

Grade Composition:

Response Papers 25%
Class Participation 25%
Portfolio 50%

When you start writing – and I think it’s true
for a lot of beginning writers –
you’re scared to death that if you don’t
get that sentence right that minute it’s never
going to show up again.
And it isn’t. But it doesn’t matter –
another one will, and it will probably be better.
Toni Morrison, The Sight of Memory