English 101.13: Writing as an Inward Journey

Instructor: David R. Carithers

Spring 2002, McIver 139A Office: McIver 137

Tuesday/Thursday, 8:00 9:15 Office hours: Tues/Thurs, 9:15-10:45

e-mail: drcarith@uncg.edu

Writing is never finished. It is only abandoned. Paul Valery

To understand is to invent. Jean Piaget

Objectives:

This course is designed to sharpen the kinds of writing, reading, and thinking skills you will need to be successful in college and beyond. By the end of the course you should be able to define key terms in rhetorical analysis, compare and contrast your opinions with the opinions of others via persuasive prose, apply new knowledge about writing to formulate coherent arguments, analyze the components of written arguments, synthesize new knowledge in group presentations, and evaluate the effectiveness of written arguments.

Texts:

Dreams and Inward Journeys: A Rhetoric and Reader for Writers. Ford and Ford

Writing Matters. Jones, McKinney, and Tower

Little, Brown Handbook

Course Requirements:

(1) Honest attempts toward completion and timely submission of all required essays.

(2) Frequent submission of two pages of double-entry journals in response to the readings and other subjects. Youll receive a handout explaining this useful method of journal-keeping.

(3) A midterm and end-of-semester Writing Portfolio. The final portfolio will be 20-25 pages of polished writing and will consist of revised copies of the formal essays we will write throughout the semester, as well as your choice of writings from your double-entry journals and in-class writings. The midterm portfolio should be about ten pages and will be a practice run for the final. More details on portfolio requirements will come later.

(4) Several conferences with me are also required.

Grading:

Class participation: 50%

Final Portfolio: 50%

Class Participation means (1) coming to class prepared with at least one question or comment from the reading assignment, (2) completing homework assignments, (3) providing verbal and written comments to classmates on their shared written work, and (4) expressing your ideas verbally with your classmates during small group activities. Class participation is not credit for attendance.

Attendance Policy: Ill give you two free absences, after that your final grade will be reduced one letter grade for each additional absence, excused or not. Students missing 6 or more classes will be dropped from the course with a WP if before midterm or will receive an F if after midterm. E-mail me if you know in advance when you have to miss class.

Policy on Written Work:

Use the following format for all drafts of essays: Double-space, 1 margins all around, and a 12 pt. readable font such as this one (Times New Roman), Arial, Courier, or Book Antiqua.

Plagiarism is wrong, and it is easy to spot. Dont try it! The minimum punishment is an F in the course; the maximum, expulsion from the university. Read and understand the Universitys Academic Integrity Policy. See page 102 in Writing Matters for more information on plagiarism. I will ask you to write the following statement, followed by your signature, on each essay before you turn it in:

I have abided by the universitys Academic Integrity Policy on this assignment.

Learning Disabilities:

I will accommodate learning disabilities and differences. Please let me know immediately so we can work something out or call the office of Disability Services at 334-5440.

The Writing Center (McIver 101) is a great resource for help with any part of the writing process, from brainstorming to final revision. And they offer something for all writers, from help with grammar issues to refinement of style and tone. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 to 8, and Fridays 9 to 3. Call and make an appointment at 334-3125 or just walk in.

The Calendar (Subject to Change):

All readings are from Dreams and Inward Journeys unless otherwise noted.

Readings: In-Class Activities Things Due:

UNIT ONE: THE READING AND WRITING PROCESS

Week One

1/17 Stevens, 72 double-entry exercise

Wright, 74

Week Two

1/22 M .L. King, 459 rhetorical analysis

Writing Matters, 17-25, 81-83

1/24 Borges, 96 DE Journal

Levertov, 100

Week Three

1/29 Woo, 12 discuss writing processes

Stafford, 17

Chanani, 61

1/31 S. King, 37 DE Journal

UNIT TWO: DESCRIPTIVE WRITING

Week Four

2/5 Writing Matters 44-48 Visit McIver art galleryEssay 1

Hogan, 528

2/7 Okada, 163 DE Journal

Readings: In-Class Activities Things Due:

Week Five

2/12 NO READINGS Draft of Essay 2

2/14 Writing Matters, 41-43 discuss Essay 3 Essay 2

UNIT THREE: WRITING ABOUT PERSONAL EXPERIENCES

Week Six

2/19 Murray, 118 DE Journal

Allende, 120

Cofer, 134

2/21 NO READINGS Rough draft of Essay 3

UNIT FOUR: COMPARING AND CONTRASTING

Week Seven

2/26 Giovanni, 177 Discuss Essay 4 Essay 3 Campbell, 184

2/28 Marquez, 179 DE Journal

Portfolio of Creation Myths, 198

Week Eight

3/5 Bettelheim, 203

4 Versions of Cinderella, 208 DE Journal

3/7 Groban, 221 Midterm Portfolios Due

Spring Break

Week Nine

3/19 NO READINGS Draft of Essay 4

3/21 TBA Essay 4

Weeks Ten-Fifteen: Readings and Final Essay TBA

4/11 Essay 5

4/25 Final Portfolio Due

5/2 Last Day of Class: Final Portfolios Returned, Grades Assigned, Doughnuts Consumed.