Discovering Arguments: An Introduction to Critical Thinking and Writing with Readings, 2nd Edition. Dean Memering and William Palmer.
Course Description: My theory of composition is based on the idea that I can’t teach you how to write well; all I can do is help you learn. What this means is that writing isn’t something you learn by listening to lectures and taking notes, nor is it something you learn by observing and imitating, by studying, by cramming—none of these will help you. You learn to write well, rather, by writing—it takes practice. I am here to guide that practice and keep you writing. The main objective is that you leave this course knowing the writing process, and, as a result, how to communicate your thoughts and ideas well through the written word. It’s important to think of this course, though, not as one where you’ll learn how to write, since you already know how, but rather one that will improve your writing skills, helping you become a better writer. So no matter what stage you are in as a writer, this course is intended to further your abilities and fine-tune your writing while helping you become more aware of your writing process. And you will do this mostly by writing. You will sharpen sentence and paragraphing-writing skills, refine your use of acceptable written grammar, and learn how to notice details and ideas, how to raise questions for analysis and evaluation, and how to use language to express what is important to you. And again, remember that I am here to help. The only way for me to know you are having trouble is if you let me know.
Course Goals:
A notebook, any size, just for this course (meaning don’t have notes in it from other classes). Make sure to have looseleaf paper or a spiral notebook in which the pages are perforated. I will not accept papers turned in with fringe on the edges.
Some sort of folder or binder to keep your work for the semester, including all your drafts, homework assignments, and in-class writings. At the end of the semester you will be creating a portfolio and writing an evaluation of your writing over the semester; keeping all your work is the only way to make this possible.
Ancillary Writing: (10%) During each unit you will do a lot of writing. You will have journal entries, homework assignments, drafts, etc. which will be worth a total of 100 points for the semester. For each of these assignments you will receive credit in the form of a check plus, check, or check-minus according to your effort and demonstration of critical thought. At the end of each unit, these will be calculated into a letter grade and point value. It is important to remember that writing is a process, that it isn’t something you simply spit out, but something that takes time. Doing the work that leads up to your final paper is crucial to successful writing. None of this can be made up, handed in late, or sent to me by email if you miss class without prior arrangement.
Minor Papers and Presentations: (25%) You will be writing several minor papers and giving several presentations during the semester. Each of these will receive a grade on a 4.0 scale. Averaged together they will be worth 25% (250 points) of your grade. I will accept minor papers late, but you will lose 5% per day as with the major papers. If you miss a presentation without prior notice, you will receive a zero. If you know you will miss a presentation, be sure to make prior arrangements with me for credit.
Major Papers: (50%) You will be writing 4 major papers during the semester. Together they are worth 50% of your grade (500 points—that’s HALF!) The research paper will be weighted much more heavily—twice the value—of the other major papers; it is much more work. Each major paper will go through several stages of revision. Drafts must be turned in with the final revision. A paper without its draft is considered late!
In-Class Essays: (10%) There will be two of these during the semester. One is your mid-term and one is your final, and it is very important to come to class on these days. If, for good reason, you are unable to attend on the day of an in-class writing, let me know ahead of time and we can schedule a time for you to come in to my office and write it. (Coming to class is, obviously, the better option.) Without prior notice, however, you may NOT make up in-class writings.
Portfolio: (5%) At the end of the course you will hand in a portfolio. You will select at least three of your best papers—carefully edited and polished—to include in it, along with the graded copy with my comments on it. One of these papers must be your research paper. You also have the option of rewriting—and possibly improving your grade on—one of your papers. In order to do so, however, you must conference with me after you get your final draft back so that we can work on revision of your paper. For your portfolio, you will write a cover letter addressed to me, reflecting on and evaluating your growth as a writer this term (more details later).
Assignment Format: All papers will be word processed, 12 point font, Times New Roman, double spaced, with one inch margins. This is MLA format and should always be used (more about this later). For all papers, in the top left-hand corner, put your name, my last name, course number, the date, and the assignment number.
Blackboard: I use Blackboard (Bb) for as many things as I can think of. I will go over Bb usage in class the first week, but be aware of the following:
Every major paper should be submitted electronically in Bb’s digital dropbox. Please only use the digital dropbox for the final draft of major papers. Please email me other documents directly.
All handouts, assignments, and readings will be posted on Bb, so if you lose your handout or are absent, please don’t ask me for another; just download and print it from Bb. This is YOUR responsibility.
If you miss class and want to know what, if any, homework is due, please check Bb; don’t email me (unless, of course, I forget to post the homework!)
Late Work: For many reasons, it is important for you to turn your work in on time. If you won’t be able to come to class the day a major or minor paper is due, let me know and we’ll make arrangements for you to turn it in on time in another way. If there are extenuating circumstances, these should be communicated to me well in advance; it isn’t an extenuating circumstance, for example, if you put off the paper until the night before and then don’t get it done. For every day a major or minor paper is late, including major paper drafts, it will lose 5% of its total. And that means every day, not just every day we have class, Saturdays and Sundays included. For instance, if your paper got an 83 (B) but was due on a Friday and you didn’t turn it in until the following Monday, you would lose 5% per day (15%) of that B, or 13 points, making your paper then only worth 70—a C/D. It will make a huge difference.
GRADING SCALE Points Percentage Letter Grade 4.0 Scale940-1000 94-100% A 4.0 |
Grading: Alma College requires that you pass ENG 101 with a C or better in order to move on. A C/D for the semester will mean that you must re-take ENG 101 or be remanded to ENG 100. Be aware of this: it is very possible to get lower than a C in this course—and it happens most often for those who don’t come to class. Those who attend class regularly are much more likely to succeed. Remember, too, that I am always available to help you in any way.
Plagiarism: It is a crime, literally, to say you wrote something when you didn’t. Plagiarism means using someone else’s words and calling them yours. And you would be surprised how easy it is to plagiarize without realizing it. If you get something off the Internet or from a book, or write what someone else said, you must cite the source. It is also plagiarism if you take someone’s words and shuffle them around or change them a little and call them yours. Paraphrasing without citing the source is still plagiarism. We will work on this to avoid it. And you’ll want to avoid it, because plagiarism can result in an F on a paper, failing the course, or expulsion from school. (For details on AC’s academic integrity policy, see page 30 of the Academic Catalog). Plagiarism is a serious issue. Don’t do it.
The Writing Center: Although I will be conferencing with you for each major paper, additional help is available—and advisable—at the Writing Center. The Writing Center is located in the lower level of the library; the entrance is on the west side nearest the chapel. You may call Mrs. Cubberly (7097) or e-mail her (cubberlyc@alma.edu) at any time to schedule an appointment. You will greatly benefit from this resource, so be sure to take advantage of it.
Attendance: It is very difficult to succeed in this course without regular attendance. So I’ll give you 3 freebees—you don’t need to tell me anything at all. However, for every absence beyond three, I will lower your grade by one-half letter grade. (E.g. If your course grade is a “B” and you have four unexcused absences, your final grade will be a “B/C”) Please contact me promptly if you are having problems and cannot attend class. If you know you will be absent on a particular day, please see me at least one week in advance to make arrangements.
TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR - Please be aware that this calendar is only a basic outline for the semester. With each unit’s handout will be more specific details of assignments, readings, and due dates. This calendar is also tentative and subject to change at my discretion.
Week 1 M Jan 9 Introductions, Syllabus
W Jan 11 Style lesson, Unit #1
F Jan 13 Unit #1
Week 2 M Jan 16 Unit #1
W Jan 18 Style lesson; Unit #1
F Jan 20 Unit #1
Week 3 M Jan 23 Unit #1
W Jan 25 Style lesson; Major #1 Rough Draft due; group conferences
F Jan 27 group conferences
Week 4 M Jan 30 Unit #2
W Feb 1 Style lesson; Major #1 Final Draft due; Unit #2
F Feb 3 Unit #2
Week 5 M Feb 6 Unit #2
W Feb 8 Style lesson; Unit #2
F Feb 10 Major #2 Rough Draft due; peer work
Week 6 M Feb 13 Conferences – no class
W Feb 15 Style lesson; Editing
F Feb 17 Major #2 Final Draft due; Unit #3
Week 7 M Feb 20 Unit #3
W Feb 22 Style lesson; Unit #3
F Feb 24 Unit #3; Mid-term exam
Winter Break
Week 8 M Mar 6 Unit #3
W Mar 8 Style lesson; Unit #3
F Mar 10 Major #3 rough draft due; group conferences
Week 9 M Mar 13 group conferences
W Mar 15 Editing
F Mar 17 Major #3 final draft due; Library day.
Week 10 M Mar 20 Unit #4
W Mar 22 Unit #4
F Mar 24 Unit #4; No class – I’m in Chicago!!
Week 11 M Mar 27 Unit #4
W Mar 29 Unit #4
F Mar 31 Major #4 Rough Draft due; peer work
Week 12 M Apr 3 Conferences – no class
W Apr 5 Editing
F Apr 7 Major #4 Final Draft due; Unit #5
Week 13 M Apr 10 Presentations
W Apr 12 Presentations
F Apr 14 No Class – Good Friday
Week 14 Final Exam Week
Portfolios Due; Final Exam