Dr. Hand's Fall 2010 ENC 1101 & 2300: August 2010

Monday, August 30, 2010

ENC 1101-086 Course Policies and Syllabus

Dr. Hand

Dr.hand.famu.english@gmail.com

ENC 1101-086: Freshman Communicative Skills I

Fall 2010

Monday/Wednesday 5:15-6:30

SBI 217

Freshman Communicative Skills I will enable students to write clearly and concisely, improve critical thinking and expression, develop research strategies, and learn rhetorical modes including methods of persuasion and exposition. Students should refer to the syllabus included in the textbook for a further description of course objectives and expectations.

Required materials:

Clouse, Barbara Fine. Patterns for a Purpose, Fifth edition. NY: McGraw-Hill, 2009.

Aaron, Jane E. The Little, Brown Compact Handbook, Second Edition. NY: Pearson, 2010.

Lined paper for in-class writing, white paper, access to a computer and printer.

Requirements/percentage weighed:

1) Informal in-class writing and informal homework writing in which the student reflects on a topic or question or completes homework assignments described below: ~500 words/week, due in portfolio form at the end of the semester with regular checks throughout the semester. 10%

2) Thoughtful and courteous participation in class discussion, workshops, and group exercises. 10%

3) Five essays (modes described below, further details provided at the approach of each assignment), ~600-700 words each, due on the dates indicated below (see late penalty policies below). 60% total.

· Initial diagnostic essay—used to determine placement in Writing Center

· Essay 1: 10%

· Essay 2: 15%

· Essay 3: 20%

· Essay 4: 15%

4) Grammar/punctuation quizzes, announced ahead of time, on topics discussed and practiced in class. 10%

5) Final diagnostic essay written in class in response to a writing prompt. 10%

Students who fail to complete all of these requirements will not receive a passing grade.

Attendance policy: Attendance is mandatory. Students are permitted 4 excused absences. Each additional absence will incur a penalty of grade reduction by a partial letter (e.g., a student with 6 absences whose final grade came out to a B+ would instead receive a B-). Do NOT arrive to class late. Do NOT e-mail me after class asking me to tell you what we did that day. Do NOT give me lame excuses. If you have a genuine family emergency, serious illness, or other legitimate reason for missing class, provide documentation (in writing).

Lateness: Do NOT come in late. Every three tardies will equal one absence. Students who arrive more than 10 minutes after class has begun will be marked absent. Students who leave more than 10 minutes before class ends will be marked absent. You will not be excused to leave for social functions, including sorority or fraternity functions.

Communication: Our class syllabus, notifications, updates, assignment descriptions, and all other related materials will be posted on a blog. The address is:

http://drhandfall2010english.blogspot.com

The title of the blog is: Dr. Hand’s Fall 2010 ENC 1101 & 2300. Please save this url in your bookmarks or favorites so you can easily find it anytime you want to view our syllabus, assignment descriptions, etc. Check this blog before class each week. I will post notifications, for example, of class cancelation, there. You are responsible for staying informed and adhering to the schedule posted online.

If you need to contact me, please e-mail me at Dr.Hand.Famu.English@gmail.com (not case sensitive). I check my e-mail regularly and will respond as quickly as possible.

Participation: The participation portion of your grade is based on your participation in class discussion, your level of involvement in small group activities (workshops, exercises, and discussions), and your display of respect and enthusiasm in class. Just showing up for class each day will not earn you a high participation grade.

Refer to “Classroom Etiquette” below for activities and behaviors that will have a negative impact on your participation grade.

Classroom Etiquette: The classroom is a professional environment. Please conduct yourself as you would in a workplace. Treat me and your peers with respect. Be courteous and thoughtful when speaking in class.

Derogatory statements or inappropriate language, written or spoken, will not be tolerated.

Please note that the following activities will result in you receiving deductions in participation points, being asked to leave, and/or receiving an absence for the day:

Texting. Cell phones should be put away during class.

Using laptops. You may not use your laptop in this class unless you have ADA documentation stating that you are allowed use of a laptop as an accommodation.

Sleeping. People who sleep will be counted absent.

Not bringing your book to class. If you don’t have your book you will not be able to participate in class readings, and you won’t be able to follow along in discussions of specific passages. That means you will receive a ZERO for participation for every day you don’t have your book.

Talking. Don’t talk while someone else has the floor.

Reading/studying for another class.

Not paying attention. Come to class and be attentive.

Class Schedule

A completed version of the schedule will be available on our class blog and is subject to change during the semester. I will notify you of any changes via our class blog and in-class announcements.

Week 1, August 23/25: N/A

Week 2, August 30/September 1: Introduction to Class

Week 3:

Sept. 6/8: NO CLASS.

Read Chapters 1-3 in Patterns for a Purpose
Read the selection "Watcher at the Gates" on pp. 64-66 and respond to the Assignment questions at the top of 64.
Begin the first draft of Essay 1, "On Writing"--narrative essay about your experiences writing. View detailed assignment description for specific ideas and requirements (available after 9/1).

Week 4: Essay 1, workshop, drafting, grammar

Sept. 13:

Discuss approaches to draft workshops
Workshop drafts. Bring 2 copies to workshop.
Commas, semi-colons, colons, sentence fragments, dependent clauses

Sept. 15:

Submit first draft (revised and expanded based on peer feedback)
Grammar/mechanics quiz 1 (study Little, Brown Handbook pp. 300-323, 280-293)

o HOMEWORK: Review Patterns chapter 3 and read chapters 4 and 5

Week 5: Essay 1 continued, revision process (Patterns ch. 3), description and narration (chs. 4 and 5)

Sept. 20:

Receive Essay 1 draft with my feedback
Discuss editing and revision process (Patterns ch. 3)
In-class writing exercises

HOMEWORK: Revise Essay 1 based on my feedback, focus on revision process and improving description and narration based on discussion and class exercises

Sept. 22:

Submit Essay 1 Final draft. Include all previous work, including drafts with peer and professor comments. Include a process memo describing what has changed from the beginning draft to the final draft and examining your writing process.

HOMEWORK: Read Patterns chapters 4 and 5. Choose one selection from the end of chapter 4 or 5 (pp. 179-209) and respond to the questions at the end (“Reading Closely and Thinking Critically,” “Examining Structure and Strategy,” “Considering Language and Style”)

Week 6: Essay 2, responding to literary and visual texts, grammar/mechanics

Sept. 27:

Submit reading selection responses.
Go over Essay 2 guidelines.
Exercises: responding to literary texts in class.

HOMEWORK: From the choices indicated in the assignment guidelines, select the text you would like to respond to for Essay 2.
Begin drafting Essay 2.

Sept. 29:

Small group discussion. Share Essay 2 ideas, get peer feedback.
In-class drafting, Essay 2.
Grammar/mechanics: pronouns, apostrophes, quotation marks, dashes

HOMEWORK: Write full first draft of Essay 2 to turn in Monday.
Read LB Handbook pp. 325-343, 246-257

Week 7: Essay 2, grammar/mechanics, exemplification

October 4:

Workshop essay 2 (bring 2 copies to class) Hand in workshopped drafts for professor feedback.
Grammar/mechanics quiz.
Exercises: responding to visual texts in class.

HOMEWORK: Read Patterns ch. 6.
Read assigned selection at the end of chapter six, respond to questions at the end (“Reading Closely and Thinking Critically,” “Examining Structure and Strategy,” “Considering Language and Style”) and be prepared to discuss and hand in responses in class.

Oct. 6:

Discuss and hand-in homework assignment.
Receive workshopped drafts of essay 2.
Grammar/mechanics: verbs, voice, clarity and style

HOMEWORK: Read LB Handbook Part 3 (“Clarity and Style”) and pp. 213-244.
Revise Essay 2 based on feedback. Focus on revising for clarity and style.

Week 8: Finish Essay 2, begin Essay 3 (persuasion and research), grammar/mechanics

Oct. 11:

Workshop second draft essay 2 (bring 2 hard copies to workshop).
Writing exercises: revising, editing for clarity and concision

HOMEWORK: Revise essay 2 based on peer feedback. Prepare final draft for next class.

Oct. 13:

Submit Essay 2 Final draft. Include all previous work, including drafts with peer and professor comments. Include a process memo describing what has changed from the beginning draft to the final draft and examining your writing process.
Discuss Essay 3 assignment: process analysis/comparison-contrast/cause-and-effect

HOMEWORK: Read Patterns chapters 7, 8, and 9
Begin brainstorming and gathering ideas for Essay 3 topic and approach—view “Additional Essay assignments” on pp. 327, 390-391, 449. Select a couple of different ideas/approaches that sound interesting.

Week 9: Essay 3, process analysis, comparison-contrast, cause-and-effect, grammar/mechanics

Oct. 18:

Small group discussion—essay 3 ideas.
Discuss readings, in-class writing—respond to assigned reading selections

HOMEWORK: first draft of Essay 3

Oct. 20:

Workshop essay 3 first draft (bring 2 hard copies to class).
Discuss research strategies, effectively incorporating research into a paper.

HOMEWORK: Read Patterns chapters 13 and 14.
Begin research—create preliminary bibliography adhering to MLA style (refer to LB Handbook).

Week 10: Essay 3, research strategies, citation conventions

Oct. 25:

Discuss research and MLA style.
Hand in preliminary bibliography
Citation/plagiarism quiz
Small group discussions—paper topics and suggestions for research.

HOMEWORK: compile research notes for Essay 3 using methods discussed in class.
Revise Essay 3 based on peer feedback and incorporating research

Oct. 27:

Submit Essay 3 draft, research notes for professor review
In-class writing and workshopping, exercises

HOMEWORK: Finish research. Compile final bibliography.
Reading assigned selections in Patterns and respond to questions at the end of selection (“Reading Closely and Thinking Critically,” “Examining Structure and Strategy,” “Considering Language and Style”) and be prepared to discuss and hand in responses in class.

Week 11: Finish Essay 3, begin Essay 4, writing for a public audience

November 1:

Receive Essay 3 with professor feedback.
Submit homework.
Final suggestions and exercises for editing and revising Essay 3

HOMEWORK: Revise essay 3 based on professor feedback and class discussion on revision

Nov. 3:

Submit Essay 3 Final draft. Include all previous work, including drafts with peer and professor comments, bibliography drafts, research notes. Include a process memo describing what has changed from the beginning draft to the final draft and examining your writing process.
Discuss Essay 4, writing for a public audience. Review examples of public writing; in-class writing exercises.

HOMEWORK: Locate an effective piece of public writing, such as an editorial or op-ed piece, a persuasive magazine article, or an informative newspaper article. Analyze the piece according to guidelines described in class.
Read Patterns chapter 12 and LB Handbook part 2, section 14.

Week 12: Essay 4, argumentation and persuasion, public writing

Nov. 8:

Discuss and hand in homework assignment.
Discuss differences between argumentation and persuasion.
In-class writing, brainstorming, small group discussions of Essay 4 topics

HOMEWORK: Begin draft Essay 4—persuasive editorial. Begin research on your topic.

Nov. 10: NO CLASS—WORK ON ESSAY 4 DRAFTS AND RESEARCH.

Week 13: Essay 4, public and professional writing

Nov. 15:

Workshop Essay 4 (bring in 2 hard copies to workshop and hand in).
Grammar/mechanics/editing as needed.

HOMEWORK: Respond to TWO of the reading selections at the end of Patterns chapter 12, on freedom of speech on college campuses. Compare and contrast the arguments in the two selections, and explain which one is more persuasive and why. If they are equally persuasive, describe what makes each essay effective.

Nov. 17:

Hand in homework assignments.
Receive essay 4 with professor feedback
In-class writing, exercises, professional writing (view sample resumes and letters of application)

Revise essay 4 based on professor and peer feedback
Locate one job advertisement you wish to respond to

Week 14: Nov. 22 and 24—NO CLASS. Happy Thanksgiving!

HOMEWORK: Finish essay 4. Prepare resume and letter of application for the advertised job you have selected.

Week 15: Essay 4, submitting public and professional writing

Nov. 29:

Submit Essay 4 Final draft. Include all previous work, including drafts with peer and professor comments and research notes. Include a process memo describing what has changed from the beginning draft to the final draft and examining your writing process.
Workshop resumes and application letters (bring 2 hard copies of each, along with a copy of the job ad you are responding to).
Discuss effective strategies for submitting applications and editorials (getting published, getting a job interview).

December 1: FINAL IN-CLASS DIAGNOSTIC ESSAY

Hand in final resume and job application letter.

Have a wonderful holiday break!

ENC 2300-08 Course Policies and Syllabus

NOTE: Class will not be held on Thursday, 9/2, Tuesday, 9/7, or Thursday, 9/9. We will return to class on Tuesday, 9/14. View the schedule below for assignments you will need to complete during that time. E-mail me if you have questions or concerns.

Dr. Hand

dr.hand.famu.english@gmail.com

ENC 2300-08: Improving Writing Skills

Fall 2010

Tuesday/Thursday 5:15-6:30

SBI 011

Improving Writing Skills is a class for non-majors who want or need to improve their communication through writing. This class focuses on writing for different audiences and in different forms to give students a wide range of practical writing experience. Students will improve critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze texts as well as to write appropriately to specific audiences. Each class meeting, students will write in class to grow accustomed to writing regularly. Students will share their writing with their professor and peers regularly in workshops, and portions of class will be dedicated regularly to augmenting knowledge of grammar and mechanics. Students’ progress will be assessed through in-class written work, at home essay assignments, grammar quizzes, class participation, and a final end-of-course assessment in which students will write on a topic in class.

Required materials:

Anson, Chris M., Robert A. Schwegler, and Marcia F. Muth. The Longman Writer’s Companion, Fourth edition. New York: Pearson/Longman, 2008.

Lined paper for in-class writing, white paper, access to computer and printer

Requirements/percentage weighed:

2) Thoughtful and courteous participation in class discussion, workshops, and group exercises. 10%

3) Five essays (modes described below, further details provided at the approach of each assignment), ~500-700 words each, due on the dates indicated below (see late penalty policies below). 65% total.

· Essay 1: 10%

· Essay 2: 15%

· Essay 3: 20%

· Essay 4: 10%

· Essay 5: 10%

4) Grammar/punctuation quizzes, announced ahead of time, on topics discussed and practiced in class. 10%

Students must submit a FINAL PORTFOLIO of all written work at the end of the semester, including all 5 essays, accompanying drafts, research, process memos, bibliographies, etc. Students may revise essays to be eligible for a higher grade. Revised essays must be accompanied by an explanation of the revisions and changes made. Due Tuesday, December 7, by 5 pm.

Students who fail to complete all of these requirements will not receive a passing grade.

Communication: Our class syllabus, notifications, updates, assignment descriptions, and all other related materials will be posted on a blog. The address is:

http://drhandfall2010english.blogspot.com

The title of the blog is: Dr. Hand’s Fall 2010 ENC 1101 & 2300. Please save this url in your bookmarks or favorites so you can easily find it anytime you want to view our syllabus, assignment descriptions, etc. Check this blog before class each week. I will post notifications, for example, of class cancelation, there. You are responsible for staying up to date and adhering to the schedule posted online.

If you need to contact me, please e-mail me at Dr.Hand.Famu.English@gmail.com (not case sensitive). I check my e-mail regularly and will respond as soon as possible.

Participation: The participation portion of your grade is based on your participation in class discussion, your level of involvement in small group activities (workshops, exercises, and discussions), and your display of respect for me and your classmates. Just showing up for class each day will not earn you a high participation grade.

Refer to “Classroom Etiquette” below for activities and behaviors that will have a negative impact on your participation grade.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is grounds for suspension from the university as well as for failure in this course. It will not be tolerated. Any instance of plagiarism will be reported to the proper authorities. Plagiarism is included among the violations defined in the Academic Honor Code, section b), paragraph 2, as follows: "Regarding academic assignments, violations of the Academic Honor Code shall include representing another’s work or any part thereof, be it published or unpublished, as one’s own."

ADA: Students with disabilities needing academic accommodations should in the FIRST WEEK OF CLASS 1) register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) and 2) bring a letter to the instructor from SDRC indicating the need for academic accommodations. This and all other class materials are available in alternative format upon request.

Derogatory statements or inappropriate language, written or spoken, will not be tolerated.

Please note that the following activities will result in you receiving deductions in participation points, being asked to leave, and/or receiving an absence for the day:

Texting. Cell phones should be put away during class.
Using laptops. You may not use your laptop in this class unless you have ADA documentation stating that you are allowed use of a laptop as an accommodation.
Sleeping. People who sleep will be counted absent.
Not bringing your book to class. If you don’t have your book you will not be able to participate in class readings, and you won’t be able to follow along in discussions of specific passages. That means you will receive a ZERO for participation for every day you don’t have your book.
Talking. Don’t talk while someone else has the floor.
Reading/studying for another class.
Not paying attention. Come to class and be attentive.

Class Schedule

This schedule is subject to change. I will notify you of any changes via our class blog and in-class announcements.

Week 1, August 24/26: N/A

Week 2, August 31/September 2: Introduction to Class

Week 3: Begin Essay 1, Writing narrative

Sept. 7/9: NO CLASS.

· Read Longman Part 1, “Writing for Readers.”

· Begin Essay 1: “On Writing” Narrative

During Week 3, I will be away at a conference. This week, your assignment is to write a 500-600 word essay “On Writing.” View the essay description on our blog.

Week 4: Workshop Essay 1, Grammar/punctuation

Sept. 14:

· Workshop Essay 1 in class. Bring 2 copies to workshop.

· Discuss giving and receiving feedback, discuss essay content—our different experiences with writing.

o HOMEWORK: Read Longman Part 2, “Critical Reading, Thinking, and Argument.”

o Revise Essay 1 based on peer feedback.

Sept. 16:

· Submit revised Essay 1.

· Grammar lesson 1.

o HOMEWORK: Read Longman pp. 371-379, 423-434 (sentence fragments, commas, semicolons).

Week 5: Finish Essay 1, Grammar/punctuation

Sept. 21:

· Grammar quiz (on Longman reading).

· Receive Essay 1with my comments.

· Writing exercises, revision strategies.

o HOMEWORK: Revise Essay 1 based on professor feedback.

Sept. 23:

· Submit final Essay 1 with all previous drafts, including drafts with peer and professor feedback

· Grammar lesson 2.

o HOMEWORK: Longman pp. 379-405 (pronouns, modifiers, shifts, sentences, parallelism, coordination).

Week 6: Begin Essay 2, Writing about a text, Grammar/punctuation

Sept. 28:

· Grammar quiz (on Longman reading).

· Discuss essay 2 (~500-600 words) topic. What is a text? Examples of texts to write about. Examples of writing about texts. See blog description and links.

· In-class brainstorm, drafting.

o HOMEWORK: Longman Part 4, “Writing for Specific Communities,” pp. 93-112.

o Select several texts you may want to write about. Bring a list to next class.

Sept. 30:

· Group discussion of text options.

· Exercise: writing about texts (examples, practice) in class.

o HOMEWORK: Read Longman pp. 435-460 (punctuation).

o Select text to write about for Essay 2.

Week 7: Essay 2, Grammar/punctuation

October 5:

· Grammar/punctuation quiz (on Longman reading).

· Begin first draft of Essay 2 in class.

· Exercises: being concise, identifying wordy and rambling sentences

o HOMEWORK: Work on first draft of Essay 2.

o Read Longman, “Word and Style,” pp. 407-421.

o Find 1 example of a text (in a magazine, newspaper, online) that is overly wordy, lacks clarity, rambles, etc. Bring it in for editing.

Oct. 7:

· Exercise and quiz on being concise. Practice editing for clarity and concision.

· Share, review examples of effective description.

o HOMEWORK: Finish full first draft of essay 2 for next class.

o Find 1 example of an effective description (in a literary text, newspaper, magazine, online, etc.). Bring example in to share.

Week 8: Essay 2, Description, Analysis

Oct. 12:

· Share examples of description. Description exercise.

· Workshop Essay 2—full-class workshop. Bring one copy with portion(s) you would like to share with the entire class.

o HOMEWORK: revise draft based on feedback

Oct. 14:

· Submit revised Essay 2 with process memo describing revision process.

· Watch film clips, trailers in class, write response to clips

Week 9: Finish Essay 2, Begin Essay 3, Research and writing

Oct. 19:

· Receive Essay 2 drafts with my comments

· Discuss research strategies, introduce topic for Essay 3, “You’re the expert” (~750 words)—expository research essay on a topic on which YOU are already knowledgeable, but about which you also want to learn more.

· Brainstorm, drafting, group discussion of possible topics

o HOMEWORK: Revise Essay 2 based on professor comments

Oct. 21:

· Submit Final Essay 2 with all previous drafts, process memo, copies with peer and professor comments.

· Continue discussing Essay 3 topics, view examples of “expert” writing, compare authoritative to questionable online sources, understand the difference

o HOMEWORK: Read Longman “Writing for Specific Communities,” pp. 114-122, and “Research and Writing,” pp. 137-172

o Come up with topic proposal for Essay 3

Week 10: Essay 3, Research, writing, citation

Oct. 26:

· Share Essay 3 proposal. Group discussions of topic ideas and research strategies.

o HOMEWORK: Read Longman, “Research and Writing,” pp. 180-200

o Identify the style of citation most frequently used in your area of study (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago) and read the appropriate chapter in Longman.

Oct. 28:

· Plagiarism and citation style quiz.

· Research plan and outline drafting in class.

o HOMEWORK: Begin research on your topic. Prepare research notes and preliminary bibliography.

Week 11: Essay 3

November 2:

· VOTE!

· Group discussion of research and bibliography

· Begin first draft.

o HOMEWORK: Prepare initial first draft.

Nov. 4:

· Workshop Essay 3 drafts. Bring in 2 copies to workshop.

o HOMEWORK: Prepare FULL draft of Essay 3 with research, appropriate citations, and bibliography.

Week 12: Essay 3

Nov. 9:

· Workshop full draft of Essay 3. Bring 2 copies to class to workshop.

o HOMEWORK: Revise essay based on peer feedback. Finish any additional research. Finalize bibliography and ensure citations are appropriately incorporated into essay.

o Write process memo on research strategies and experiences.

Nov. 11: Veterans’ Day: NO CLASS

· Thank any veterans you know for their service to the country.

Week 13: Finish Essay 3, begin Essay 4, Professional Writing

Nov. 16:

· Submit final draft Essay 3 with process memo, all research notes, outline, bibliography, drafts with peer feedback.

· Group discussion of professional writing, example of professional writing.

o HOMEWORK: Find several job advertisements that you may want to respond to.

o Read Longman 128-136

Nov. 18:

· Discussion of résumés and job application letters—what to focus on, what to avoid.

· In-class drafting of job application material

o HOMEWORK: prepare a polished and job application letter in response to a job advertisement you’ve selected (together, these items will count as Essay 4).

o Read Longman pp. 123-128

Week 14: Nov. 23 and 25—NO CLASS. Happy Thanksgiving!

Week 15: Finish Essay 4, Write Essay 5, Letter to the Editor

Nov. 30:

· Workshops and submit résumé and job application letter.

· Group discussion, view examples of editorials, letters to the editor.

o HOMEWORK: Find a letter to the editor or editorial that effectively conveys the author’s aims and concerns.

o Write your own letter to an editor.

December 2:

· Workshop your letter to the editor. Discuss placement of your letter. Bring 2 copies to workshop.

o HOMEWORK: Revise your letter based on peer feedback. Include the final version in final portfolio.

Final portfolios of ALL written work must be submitted by Tuesday, December 7, 5 pm.