English 1005: College Writing

Course Information

• Course Description
• Goals
• Required Material
• Class Policies

When you walk into an English class, are you afraid that:

• writing is a talent that people are born with and you are not one of those people?
• you have nothing to say? you won’t need to write in your career so why bothering learning how?
• your grammar and spelling are too poor to allow you to write well? you were never taught how to write essays in high school? your English teacher may be too subjective?

If you have answered "Yes" to any of these questions, this course is for you!

GOALS:

When you finish this course, you will be able to: find your own subject and generate ideas for writing and respond to the assignment in a manner appropriate to you and your audience. anticipate and answer questions your readers will ask while they read. read writing in progress, whether your own or that of another classmate, identifying what works and what needs work. incorporate information gained from other sources into your writing and document the information using the MLA research style.

REQUIRED MATERIAL:

• Real Writing w/Readings, 4th ed. by Susan Anker. You must purchase this text by the end of the first week of classes. USB drive to save documents
• Three-ring binder
• Loose-leaf paper
• Folder or dividers with pockets to hold the handouts you will receive.

CLASS POLICIES: 

1. Absences - Class attendance is mandatory. Missing class means that you will be missing explanations, in-class assignments, discussions, etc. Therefore, any absence negatively affects your grade. Of course, emergencies and illnesses do occur. For those reasons, I have listed my phone number and email address above. Please contact me but do not take advantage of me.

I endorse the English Department's attendance policy.   For a class that meets 3 times a week, you are allowed three, unexplained absences. (Note that two late arrivals=1 absence.) After 3 absences, your grade will be reduced. After 6 absences, an F will be assigned for the course.

2. Grading - Assignments should be submitted completely and promptly by the given date. Any paper receiving an "R" (for Rewrite) must be rewritten. However, should you desire, designated writing assignments may be rewritten provided that you: meet with me prior to rewriting. submit the rewritten paper when due. improve the paper’s quality/content—not just mechanics (grammar, punctuation, spelling)

Grading Standards for written work are as follows:

A  - The content is both unified and coherent. Sufficient supporting details are provided to develop the main point clearly. There are few grammar or spelling errors. Sentence patterns are varied, with the pacing controlled throughout. Vocabulary is appropriate for the intended audience.

B  - The content is unified and generally coherent. Key ideas are supported with some specific details. Grammar and spelling errors are minimal. Sentence patters are sufficiently varied to keep the reader interested and alert. Vocabulary and phrasing are appropriate for the intended audience.

C  - The content is somewhat unified and coherent. Supporting details to clarify the main point are included but are not adequate. Grammar, spelling and sentence structure errors are apparent but are not prevalent enough to distort the meaning of the sentences. Vocabulary is limited.

D  - The main point is unclear. Several key ideas are left undeveloped. Generalizations are not supported with details. Organization is confusing. Several grammatical or sentence structure errors are prevalent enough to distort meaning. The vocabulary is repetitious and/or inappropriate for the intended audience.

F  - The paragraph/essay is marginally coherent. Supporting ideas may be missing or not sufficiently developed. Grammar, spelling, and sentence structure are weak throughout. This grade is also given for any plagiarized assignment.

3. Final Grade - Your final grade will be calculated as follows:

Written Work-------------------75%
Homework/Quizzes-------------25%

4. Submitted Work - All written work must be computer generated or typed. If you need to email me an assignment, be sure to format it properly and to send it as either a Microsoft Word or as a Rich Text attachment. All work must be original. Simply put, plagiarism is stealing someone else's ideas or words without giving credit to the source. Getting caught at it (and getting caught is easier than you might think) has serious repercussions, including failing the assignment and very possibly the course itself. Please read the CCRI Policy on Academic Honesty.

5. Class Conduct - Respect is key in this course. Respect is key in this course, in all situations--class lecture, group work, and speaking situations. Showing respect means not walking into class late. I can overlook an occasional lateness. However, repeatedly walking into class late indicates that the class meeting time is not for you. Respect also means turning off all electronic devices: pagers, cell phones, iPods. Listening attentively is important, as it, too, shows respect. Fidgeting, playing around with a backpack or purse, talking to others, mumbling to yourself, doing work for other classes, text messaging, etc., shows lack of respect and distracts other students from learning and me from teaching. I will ask disrespectful students to leave the classroom. CCRI's Student Handbook includes specific policies regarding student code of conduct.

6. Class Time - We will spend our class time: discussing writing concepts participating in class activities reading and evaluating model essays writing and rewriting sharing your writing evaluating classmates’ writing 7. Resources for Success Your instructor! Take advantage of office hours and conferences. The CCRI Writing Lab (Rm. 3710; 333-7276; open M-F from 8-4) Your textbook’s Web site Please see additional links on the side bar.

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