Course Goals:

This course will introduce students to the basics of writing.  Students will gain experience with writing mechanics, personal/narrative writing, expository writing, and research writing.  Students will be exposed to writing for the broad public sphere and receive preparation for English 201: College Reading and Writing II, which will require additional research writing.  Specific goals are below.

• Learn to read and rhetorically analyze a text (written/visual/verbal)

• Learn to write for both a broad and specific audience

• Learn how to organize ideas around a solid premise

• Learn basic research skills (library research and Internet research)

• Learn basic technological skills as they pertain to writing

Texts and Materials:

Barnhisel, Greg. Media and Messages: Strategies and Readings in Public Rhetoric.  New York:
Pearson/Longman 2005.
Thumb/flash drive (or some reliable way to maintain your electronic work/assignments)
Optional: Current MLA Handbook (5^th edition)

Assignments:

Literacy Narrative:                                                                                                15%
Informative Essay:                                                                                                 15%
Research Essay:                                                                                                    20%
Reading Quizzes (4):                                                                                             20%
In class work/homework/participation/attendance:                                                  15%
Final Exam:                                                                                                           15%
(All assignments and components must be completed to pass the course)

The Literacy Narrative

This assignment requires that you draft and write a personal essay that describes how you came to learn to read and write.  The Literacy Narrative will be written in first person.  The essay must be at least 3 full pages (no more than 3.5 pages).

Graded items:

·         Any rough drafts assigned

·         Prepared to work in class (must be working on our essay/project when given class time to do so)

·         You must submit in hard copy a peer edited rough draft and a final copy that reflects significant revision.  The essay must be in proper essay format. (follow MLA guidelines for all assignments)

Please remember that not working in class and neglecting to have materials/rough drafts when assigned affect the final grade for this project.  Likewise, not participating fully in peer editing and drafting will also affect your final grade. Use your book and be prepared for class.  Remember too that format and typo mistakes will significantly lower your final grade.

Informative Essay

This essay requires that you “inform” an audience of a specific subject/topic.  You are required to select a subject that you already know something about and explain it in detail.  Your job is to inform the audience of the subject in a clear organized logical way. The essay must be at least 3 full pages (no more than 3.5 pages).

Graded items:

·         Any rough drafts assigned (as well as peer edited)

·         Work/ing in class

·         You must submit in hard copy a peer edited rough draft and a final copy that reflects significant revision.  The essay must be in proper essay format. (follow MLA guidelines for all assignments)

Research Essay

You will carry a topic through an entire research process: brainstorming to final essay.  You will select a current-event topic, do research (library and Internet) on the topic, and submit the final research essay.

Graded items:

·         Research Plan (submit)

·         Bibliography (submit)

·         Full Rough Draft (that includes the works cited and peer edited) (submit)

·         Copies of all cited material (submit)

·         Final Essay (submit)

·         Work in class

·         Peer editing

Reading Quizzes:

Each Thursday you will take a “reading quiz.”  The quiz is designed to simply ensure that you read our assigned material.  Some quizzes are harder than others, but these are not pop quizzes.  Anything we read or discuss that week is subject to be on the quiz.  Each quiz is ten questions and may take any format from short answer to True/False to multiple choice.  You will have 4 quizzes this term.  I will use the average of all 4 quizzes to figure your final grade for this portion of the course.  Each question is 10 points.  For example, if you score the following for the four quizzes:  80, 90, 100, 70, the average would be:  85.  This is a solid B and would be recorded as such for this portion of your final grade.

Graded items:

You will open the quiz in Microsoft word, complete the quiz, and email it directly to me under a specific timeline, and under my direction.  Never begin the quiz until asked to do so.

Final Exam:

You will be required to write a final exam.  You will come to our classroom at the time designated, be assigned a “prompt” (writing topic) and be required to write on that topic, illustrating what you have learned about writing.  I will administer and evaluate the exam.  Since this occurs at the very end of the course, you will need to email me if you would like to stop by and pick up your exam.  This exam is required of all students who attend English 101 courses at UNCW.

In class work/homework/participation/attendance

You will receive significant class time to work on projects/essays, and to do peer editing.  I do this to be available to help you with technological tasks, writing, and general guidance during the course of each project.  This is not a time to waste or ignore.  Those of you not working may be asked to leave and/or you will receive a low grade for this part of the course and be counted as absent.  This also means I expect you to contribute to class discussions, attend class everyday, and complete any other tasks I assign during class or for homework.  When you miss class or are late, you will receive a late day or an absence and also miss participating in class.  Attendance and participation are necessary parts of the course and is treated as such.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is very serious.  While many students still take it upon themselves to cut and paste pieces of text/images from web pages and conveniently insert them into their projects, it is a violation to do so without attributing proper credit to the creator of the original text/image.  Remember: ideas as well as words/images are covered under the realm of plagiarism.  Nothing is wrong with using another’s work-JUST CITE THEM.  If you are found to be plagiarizing, I will first wish to speak with you.  If the matter is not resolved between you and I, we will then meet with the department chair for further action.  I will prosecute to the highest extent the university will allow if you are found to be plagiarizing materials.  At the minimum, you will receive an F for the specific assignment in question.

Students with Disabilities

It is the policy of UNCW to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal law, state law, and the university’s commitment to equal educational opportunities.  Any student with a disability who needs accommodation, for example, in seating placement or in arrangements for examinations, should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course.  Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact Disability Services, at 910-962-7555 or TDD 910-962-3853 or Dr. Peggy Turner via email at [turnerm@uncw.edu].

Attendance and Late Policy (summer only)

You may miss one day without penalty or excuse.  On day 2 your final grade is lowered by one letter.  On day 3 your final grade is lowered by two letters.  On day 4 you fail the course.  Missing 4 days is missing one full week of class.  This is unacceptable.  I do not accept excuses.  Do not bring them to me nor email me about absences.  If you miss class please check the web site and/or check with a friend to find out what you missed.

Lateness/Tardiness

Coming to class late is also unacceptable.  When I am ready to begin class you should be in class and in your seat.  If you are in an 8:00am class then at 8:00am (by my watch) I will close and lock the door.  After this time you will need to knock on the door and I will let you in, but you will be considered late.  For every 2 times you are late it counts as an absence.  In other words, if you are late once, no problem.  If you are late twice then that will be one absence.  If you are late 3 times, you have an absence and 1late day.  If you are late the 4^th day then you simply have two absences.

In summary, you may be late once without penalty.  You may be absent once without penalty.  Every day you miss and/or are late beyond one carries some penalty.

Sign –in Procedure

When you come in the door there will be a sign-in sheet close by.  You should sign the sheet immediately upon walking in the door.  DO NOT FORGET TO SIGN THE ATTENDANCE SHEET!  I will not sign a sheet for you nor go back and let you sign it.  Sign the sheet every day!  

Other notes

You may not leave until the teacher officially dismisses you.  Do not schedule doctor’s appointments, etc. during our course time.  You are absent.  Keep up with the readings, attend class faithfully, and always work on our projects when given time, and good things will happen.

Contact

The best way to contact me is email: atkinsa@uncw.edu
Emailing me after 6pm may not get a response until the next business day.