Materials
Books: Writing Matters, The Mercury Reader and M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A
Two Pocket Folder and Loose Leaf Paper for journal entries
Some kind of portfolio holder (up to you- binder, folder, etc. etc., more
about that later)
An email account
Blackboard Access
About this Course
This is a course about reading and writing (skills that you will need no matter
what you do in your future studies or careers). It is designed to make you
more confident and successful writers and readers, as well as critical thinkers.
You will achieve this goal as you (1) experiment with your own writing- figuring
out what works and what doesn’t work for you and (2) learn to read
others’ work with an eye toward figuring out what they did that worked
for you as a reader, and why it worked.
We will seek to accomplish these ends in several ways- one of which is by asking that you share your work with your peers and with me. Another is by asking that you continually question your writing choices and whether they are the best choices for the goals you are trying to accomplish.
Learning Goals
•
To read texts more critically, with a greater understanding of the writer’s
aims and the techniques used
•
Write coherent, effective essays setting forth arguments and crafting narrative
•
Experiment with different writing processes, forms and techniques to come to
a greater understanding of audience and purpose in making writing choices
•
Gain confidence in abilities as both a writer and critical reader
Grading
This course will include class discussion, group activities, in class writing,
journal writing and essay writing. Your grade will be based upon your efforts
in all of these endeavors.
You will not receive an individual grade on journals, essay drafts or group presentations. This does not mean that they do not play a role in determining your final grade. You will receive comments back on everything I collect as well as feedback from your peers. I will also do a mid-term evaluation at which time I will ask you to do a self-evaluation of your progress and I will do an evaluation giving you your approximate “grade-so-far”. If at any other point during the semester you want to talk about your grade please feel free to come and see me.
Keep everything you write. You never know when it might turn into something valuable or if you’ll want to use it for your portfolio at the end of the semester!!
Conferences
You will all meet individually with me at least once in your group and once
individually during the semester. You are always welcome to come and talk
with me at other times or to ask me to view additional drafts of your work.
The Classroom Community and Related Stuff
This class is meant to be a place where we can have thoughtful discourse. To
that end, I expect everyone to be open to what their classmates are saying
and respectful of others’ efforts in the class.
Regular contribution to class and active listening to what your classmates have to say is an important part of this class, thus your attendance and preparation for class are essential. Missing more than three classes will likely affect your grade. If you are late or absent you are missing out on important stuff, please try to come to every class and be on time! If you must be absent, email me in advance wherever possible and see a classmate to find out what you missed. Please do NOT be absent on workshop days.
Also please try to remember to turn off cell phones, pagers, etc. while in
class.
Plagiarism
I don’t expect this will be an issue for any of you, but be aware,
the official college policy on plagiarism can be found at http://library.uncg.edu/depts/ref/tutorial/integrate/plagdef.html.
If you have a question about this policy, please see me before it becomes
a problem.
As you all know, there is an academic integrity policy at UNCG you are expected
to abide by it.
Disability Services
Disability services are available by going to Suite 208 of the Elliott University
Center, calling 334-5440 or emailing ods@uncg.edu.
The Writing Center
Located at 101 McIver. The Writing Center can provide you with assistance related
to organization, grammar, development of ideas, etc. You can drop in or call
334-3125 for an appointment.
Adverse Weather
University closings will be posted at http://www.uncg.edu/psp/weather/weatheralert.htm
and related information can be obtained by calling 334-4400. Please do not
assume classes are cancelled, if you are unsure check with one of these resources.
If you absolutely cannot make it to class due to weather but classes have
not been cancelled, you must call or email me prior to class.
In the event that a class is cancelled, continue to follow the course schedule and do the readings for the next class, we will compress both classes into one when we meet again.
Weekly Schedule- Changes may be made to this schedule as needed during the semester, but otherwise it will be as follows. Be sure to check the schedule regularly to keep up with readings and assignments, I may not always mention them in class, it is your responsibility to keep apprised of the syllabus and to do the assignments listed. If you have any questions about any of the assignments, feel free to ask or email me.
IN CLASS TO BE DONE PRIOR TO NEXT CLASS
WEEK ONE
Aug. 16 Intro, Syllabus, Active Reading MR p. 1-14
WM p. 1-6, 29-31
18 Journals, Artifact MR p. 14-25, 26-28,
29-33
WEEK TWO
Aug 23 Groups, Narrative Essay, Diagnostic MR p.34-37, 38-43
44-53
25 Audience, Introductions, Group Intro MR p. 54-58, 59-60
61-64
WEEK THREE
Aug 30 Scene & Summary, Truth, Tension Blackboard TBA
MR p.76-93
WM p. 32-34
Sept. 1 2nd Intro, Essay Writing Write Essay
WEEK FOUR
Sept 6 Narrative Essay Drafts Due Read drafts &
do short assign
8 Workshop Groups 1 & 2 (No Journ Due Tues)
WEEK FIVE
Sept 13 Workshop Groups 3 & 4
15 Workshop Group 5 Revise Narrrative
Short Assign Due (No Journ Due Tues)
Start Argument WM p. 15-16
WEEK SIX
Sept 20 Argument, Persuasive Essays Revise Narrative
22 Revised Narrative Essay Due Blackboard TBA
MR p.106-109
WEEK SEVEN
Sept 27 Annotated Bib.’s in Class MR p. 94-101, 102-105,
110-115
Sept 29 Annotated Bib.’s Due MR p. 116-126, 127-128,
Persuasive Essays 129-136
Write Persuasive Essay
WEEK EIGHT
Oct 4 No Class, Conferences MR p. 138-142, 143-152
Write Persuasive Essay
6 Persuasive Essay Drafts Due Read essays
(No Journ Due Tues)
WEEK NINE
Oct 11 No Class, Fall Break
Oct 13 Workshop Persuasive Essays Revise Essays
(No Journ Due Tues)
WEEK TEN
Oct 18 No Class, Attend Van Jordan Rdg.
Oct 19 (Wed) Van Jordan Reading on Campus 3p.m.
Oct 20 Revised Persuasive Essays Due M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A
M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A intro
WEEK ELEVEN
Oct 25 M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A, Poetry terms M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A
27 M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A and Other poems M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A
WEEK TWELVE
Nov 1 M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A and Other poems M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A
3 Finish M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A short
assign.
WEEK THIRTEEN
Nov 8 M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A Short Assign Due Fiction TBA
Fiction Intro
10 Fiction terms etc. Fiction TBA
work on journal
expansion essay
WEEK FOURTEEN
Nov 15 Fiction work on essay
16 Journal Expansion Essays Due work on portfolios
read group essays
WEEK FIFTEEN
Nov 22 Workshop Journ Essays work on portfolios
24 No class Thanksgiving Break
WEEK SIXTEEN
Nov 29 Work on portfolios work on portfolios
Dec 1 Portfolios Due
*Portfolios can be picked up from my office on December 12th between 12-3 p.m.
or by appt.