WRT 120: Effective Writing I
Sections 80 (M 4:15 -7; Main 300)
Dr. Robert Fletcher
Main 541
Office Hours: M 2-3, 7-9, WF 11-12
Phone: x2745
Email: rfletcher@wcupa.edu
Homepage: http://courses.wcupa.edu/fletcher
Course
Description: This general
education writing course is designed to foster your growth as writer, reader,
and thinker. The catalog description says that the course will emphasize
“explanation of the writing process, practice in writing, and
feedback.” Consequently, though I may occasionally take some time
to talk about key concepts and methods of composition, the main instructional
methods in the course will be discussion and workshop, with me coordinating
activities and guiding you, collectively and individually, in your own work.
In class you can expect to read and discuss your own writing, the writing of
other students, and the published writing of professionals. You should
expect to be challenged to write in new ways, to reflect on your writing
experiences, and to learn the rhetorical conventions of a variety of social and
academic contexts. We will focus on writing as a process that involves
planning, drafting, revising, editing, and reflecting. Some of these
activities will be done on your own, some in class workshops, and some in
conference with me or a
Course Objectives: As with other general education courses, this course is designed to meet a specific set of general education goals. In this course, students should
- learn to communicate effectively in writing
- learn to think critically and analytically
- learn to respond thoughtfully to diversity
- prepare to lead productive and contributing lives.
- Trimbur, John. The Call to Write. 3rd edition. Longman, 2005.
- Harris, Muriel. Prentice Hall Reference Guide. 6th edition. 2006.
Plus, through a computer at home or in a lab, you must be able to access the Blackboard course site (http://blackboard.wcupa.edu), which we will use extensively throughout the term. The software we will be using for peer review and paper submission requires the Shockwave 8 player. There will be a prompt at the site for downloading the free player.
Course Requirements and Evaluation: All students are expected to come to class prepared for discussion or workshop and to complete all assignments on time. Formal writing assignments will receive letter grades, which will be assigned grade points at semester’s end. Quizzes will be given a numerical score, and other activities will be graded on a check, check+, check- basis. Here is more specific information about the activities:
Formal writing assignments. There are four formal writing assignments in the course, totaling approximately 4500 words or eighteen pages: a literacy narrative (memoir), a commentary, a review, and a website. Part of your grade for these assignments will be determined by your completion of drafts on time (up to one full grade may be deducted if you fail to submit drafts on time). Your writing for this course will be evaluated against explicit standards for formal writing. (75% of grade)
Informal writing assignments and exercises. Other than the argument exercise (assigned Sept. 26), these will be occasional and at my discretion. They may include reading quizzes. (10% of grade)
Participation.
Portfolio. You are required to submit a portfolio of all your finished work for this course at the semester's end. In addition to your papers and the link to your website, it should include a completed portfolio checklist, which you can download and print out from the Department website (http://www.wcupa.edu/_academics/sch_cas.eng/portlist.htm). Your portfolio must also contain a completed self-assessment survey, which will be distributed to you later in the semester. (5%)
Extra
Credit. You may receive extra credit by conferencing
with a tutor at the
Late Assignments: Papers or other assignments submitted late will have 1/3 of a grade deducted for each day (not class period) that passes after the due date. I will not accept any assignment more than 1 week late.
Academic
Dishonesty or Fraud: "Plagiarism
is using another's words or ideas without appropriate acknowledgement"
(MLA Style Manual 4). In formal essays, "acknowledgement" means using
conventions of citation such as the quotation marks and parenthetical note in
the previous sentence. Even if you paraphrase someone's words, you must provide
a note showing your debt. When in doubt about how to use sources in your
writing, come to me with your questions. NOTE:
I take academic dishonesty seriously—and I’m very good at detecting
it!—and I will pursue disciplinary actions according to university policy
if I suspect it.
Attendance: You are permitted one absence during the semester, excluding those for major medical problems, which will be handled on an individual basis. You may use this absence for any reason (death in the family, sick day, job interview, car breakdown, field trip, whatever). In cases of extreme illness or emergency that will require prolonged absence, you are responsible for contacting Dean of Student Affairs, whose office will contact your professors and make appropriate recommendations. If you miss too much of the semester--even with a legitimate medical excuse--I may have to ask you to withdraw. After the one cut, your participation grade in the course will be lowered two grades for each cut.
Students
with Disabilities: We at
Commitment
to Diversity: West Chester University’s
Mission Statement says, in part, “We appreciate the diversity the members
of our community bring to the campus and give fair and equitable treatment to
all; acts of insensitivity or discrimination against individuals based on their
race, gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, abilities, or religious
beliefs will not be tolerated.” In accordance with
Support
Services: The
|
Schedule of Topics, Unless otherwise noted, readings are to be completed BEFORE CLASS. |
|||
|
DATE |
|
|
|
|
August |
|||
|
29 |
Introduction to course presented; brainstorming and
planning workshop |
||
|
Over the next two weeks |
|
Trimbur pp. 2-36, ch.
5; Harris 2a, b and c (Planning,
pp. 4-12) |
study
group (see assignment sheet for specifics).
Do the homework assignment posted at Bb. |
|
September |
|
|
|
|
12 |
Writing workshop |
Trimbur ch.
16; Harris 2d-2e (pp. 12-18) |
|
|
14 |
|
|
Complete rough draft of paper #1
due to Bb peer readers by |
|
16 |
|
|
Feedback from peer readers due
by |
|
19 |
Conferences |
Harris 61d (497-504) |
Mandatory attendance at
conference this week |
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
26 |
Analyzing the Rhetorical
Situation and Arguments |
Trimbur chs.
2 |
Argument exercise assigned |
|
30 |
|
|
Exercise on analyzing arguments due |
|
October |
|||
|
3 |
Paper #2 assigned: Commentary; writing
workshop |
Trimbur
ch. 9 |
|
|
10 |
Fall Break |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
Complete rough draft of paper
#2 due to Bb peer readers by |
|
15 |
|
|
Feedback from peer readers due
by |
|
17 |
Conferences |
Mandatory attendance at
conference this week |
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
24 |
Paper #3 assigned: Review |
Trimbur chs.
11 and 17 |
|
|
31 |
Revising and editing workshop |
Trimbur ch.
24 and perhaps other readings TBA |
Complete rough draft of paper
#3 due; meet in |
|
November |
|
|
|
|
7 |
Conferences |
Attendance voluntary |
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
14 |
Final Project: Writing for the
WWW WYSIWYG authoring programs |
Trimbur ch.
20; Harris 61a-c (485-97) |
Meet in choose your subject/paper for your
website by end of class. |
|
21 |
Basics of HTML |
A Beginner’s Guide to HTML (PDF document at Bb) browse the Yale Web Style Guide, second edition |
Meet in |
|
28 |
Website workshop |
Submit website plan at
beginning of class. |
|
|
December |
|
||
|
5 |
Website workshop |
|
|
|
12 |
Revision and presentation of
class websites and other activities; Common final exam (if required) TBA |
Trimbur ch.23 (and perhaps ch. 22) |
Final version of website due with portfolio |