Course Description: English 101 focuses on writing as a process. You will explore the differences between revising and editing/proofreading. Ultimately, the goal of this class is to help you become competent, confident writers. In order to achieve this end, it is important that you become self-reflective writers. By the end of the course, you will better understand your tendencies and habits as a writer and recognize how, in the future, to continue to develop your skills
Goals and Objectives:
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To understand and practice the steps of the writing process.
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Communicating effectively and clearly
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Evaluating different viewpoints
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Writing and evaluating arguments
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Evaluating and using relevant information
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Understand the aims and methods of intellectual discourse
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To understand elemental aspects of form, style, documentation, and grammar.
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To respond thoughtfully to student and professional essays.
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To explore a variety of structures and voices for writing effective essays.
Attendance Policy:
Three un-excused absences allowed. Each additional miss will have negative
consequences on your grade. Six or more absences may result in dismissal
from the class. If you miss a scheduled conference, it counts as an absence.
Class format:
This class will focus around student writing. Because students will write four
papers and then revise two papers for a final portfolio, class work will
focus on choosing topics, revising papers, and gaining response to writing.
We will write a paper approximately every three weeks. A typical paper cycle
may look like the following:
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On day one of a paper cycle we will define the assignment and choose topics
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On day two we will focus on getting ideas on paper;
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On day three we will examine rough drafts.
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On subsequent days we may utilize the following: outside sources and get responses
from rough drafts from readers. Some days the instructor will lecture. Other
days students will work in writing groups. Sometimes students will conference
with the instructor. Throughout the course the instructor will intervene with
mini-lessons tailored to the needs of the moment.
Nearly every activity in this course will focus on refining the writing process:
Pre-writing-all the things to get started
Drafting-getting words on paper
Proofreading/editing
Revising
Publishing
A sample criteria for evaluation:
Focus – Does your essay have a clear main point? Does the entire essay
relate clearly to
that point?
Development – Is your essay developed through examples, details, specific
information?
Organization – Does your essay follow some clear logic and order?
Clarity – Is your essay written in clear and appropriate language?
Correctness – Is your essay written in Standard Written English?
Voice – Do you develop your own writing voice/style? Is it appropriate
to the
Assignment?
In-class writing:
Students will write regularly in class. Some writings may be evaluated and
will then calculate into the final grade under the class participation section.
In-class writing cannot be made up.
The Papers:
(four-five total papers)
1. Paper one: Review
2. Paper two: Ethnography
3. Paper three: Personal research paper
4. Paper four: Persuasive.
Each Paper should be typed and double-spaced.
Missing drafts will factor into the grade for the final paper.
Writer’s Notebook
You will be required to keep a Writer’s Notebook throughout the semester.
You will write in this notebook on a regular basis.
The Portfolio:
The portfolio will reflect the writing each student has completed during the
semester. Ample time will be built into the curriculum to revise papers.
At the end of the semester, the best version of two papers will be due in
the final portfolio along with the drafts turned in during the semester.
In addition, each paper should have a brief introduction detailing how this
paper has evolved through the semester. A portfolio letter will also be required
at the beginning of the portfolio. In your portfolio you may also include
drafts and free writing to show your hard work. Further information will
be provided as the semester progresses. Save all of your writing!
Policy and Grading:
Late papers: Each day a paper is turned in late the grade will be lowered by
one letter grade. After a week, papers will not be accepted.
Plagiarism:
All work must be completed by the student. Any cases of plagiarism will be
handled in accordance with the Student Integrity Code. http://studentconduct.uncg.edu/policy/academicintegrity/
Calculation of final grades:
Papers (each paper is 10%) 40%
In-class participation 10%
Portfolio 30%
Writer’s Notebook 20%
Help Outside the Classroom:
Your instructor
Your fellow classmates
The writing center 334-3125