English 112: Research Writing
Section 1: One Credit
M and W, 12 noon
Minnè 350
Instructor: Linda Kukowski
Office Hours: Mon.: 9-10; 11-12 noon; 1:30-3pm
Office: Minnè 306
Tues. and Thurs.: 10:30 am -12:30 pm
E-mail: lkukowski@winona.edu
Wed.: 11-12noon; 1:30-3pm
Phone: 457-5442
Fri.: by appointment
Winona State University
Texts:
Behrens, Laurence, Leonard Rosen, and Bonnie Beedles. A Sequence for Academic
Writing, 2nd ed.. New York: Person-Longman, 2004.
Supplies: binder, two sturdy pocket folders, stapler or paper clips
This course satisfies one s.h. of the University Studies Basic Skills: College Reading
and Writing Requirement.
Course Description:
Designed for transfer students in need of additional composition credit, English 112
focuses on writing and research skills. Special attention is given to writing an intelligent
argument and synthesizing carefully evaluated sources.
Course Outcomes:
This class includes requirements and learning activities that promote students’
abilities to…
1. read challenging texts that reflect important cultural themes and demand critical
thinking;
2. analyze the rhetoric and structure of their own and others’ arguments;
3. summarize and critique examples of mature expository and argumentative prose;
4. revise through multiple drafts and critical readings to create and complete
successful essays;
5. formulate intelligent claims and make purposeful, appropriately documented use
of authoritative sources as supporting evidence;
6. make use of basic tools of research, such as general indexes, periodicals, and online databases;
7. construct coherent essays based on reading, interpreting, analyzing, critiquing, and
synthesizing texts;
8. adapt the structure, content, and tone of their writing to the knowledge and
attitudes of their audience;
9. use vivid, concrete language; concise, varied sentences; unified, cohesive
paragraphs; gender-inclusive English; and a college-level vocabulary; and
10. proofread, edit, and correct their final copy for common errors of spelling,
punctuation, capitalization, and usage.
Campus Resources:
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The Writing Center (Minnè 340; 457-5505; www.winona.edu/writingcenter)
provides free help to all students on any writing project. You may sign up for an
appointment at your convenience. A schedule, usually posted two weeks in advance,
is on their door. Repeatedly, many of the most successful students make use of this
excellent service.
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Disability Resource Center (Howell Hall 136; 457-2391): If you have a documented
disability, please discuss it with me right away. Many resources are available on
campus.
Class Policies:
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Attendance Policy: Given the intensity and pace of this course, it is essential that
you attend class each day and come well prepared. Missing more than three hours
of class time (or three days) will lower your final grade by 10% or one letter
grade. If you must miss a class, it is your responsibility to get the assignment from
another student. Return to the next class prepared to participate. Note, however, there
is no substitute for being in class.
Late Work and Missing Workshop: Missing workshop will lowers your project
grade by one letter grade. Likewise, each day a major project is late will lower the
project grade by one letter. Daily in-class work and quizzes can only be made up with
special approval beforehand.
Conference: One conference will be required to discuss your writing, but feel free to
stop in anytime with your concerns. Missing your conference will count as an
absence.
Plagiarism: The unacknowledged use of someone else’s words or ideas is illegal.
Not only is it grounds for failure on that paper but the entire course. Adhering to the
conventions of MLA documentation, as well as our practice summarizing and
paraphrasing, will help you avoid unintentional plagiarism. Remember all exact
words from sources should be in quotes and cited; likewise, summaries and
paraphrases need both introductions and end citations.
Required Work
1. Working Bibliography (10 sources)
Due Date
Points
(100 total)
9/21
10
2. Research Notes, Tentative Thesis, Rough Outline @conference
15
3. Rough Draft (3 to 4 pages)
10
10/7
4. Final Argumentative Synthesis (5 pages, 8 sources) 10/19
50
In-class exercises, short assignments, and quizzes
15
Not Participating in Workshop or Conference (deduct 10 points)
Grading Scale: A=91-100, B= 81-90, C= 71-80, D=65-70
English 112 (Tentative Schedule) Fall 05
Additional Assignments TBA
Week One
8/29 Introductions/ Interest Inventory
8/31 Read 279-304; Come with tentative topic.
Week Two
Labor Day
9/7 Turn in completed reference section worksheet.
Bring notes from 7.3 on 290 (Use library database).
Meet in Library (Rm. 102) for Orientation
Week Three
9/12 Quiz on orientation; Do 2.5 on 300.
Turn in Proposal and Tentative Research Question
9/14 Read Ch. 1: Writing Summaries and Paraphrases.
Bring summary (typed, 1/2 page) of Critser argument on 65.
Week Four
9/19 Bring Best Source Thus Far: Explain why in a 1/2 page paragraph.
Read about Evaluating Sources 62-4 and 307-8, and Assumptions and
Logical Fallacies on 68-75.
9/21 Working Annotated Bib Due; Note taking Strategies Introduced in Class
Week Five
9/26 Argumentative Strategies Read 179-86, and Review Logical Fallacies
9/28 Read 213-32; 309-14. Thesis Work in Class; In-text Citations Practice
Week Six
10/3 No Classes this Week: Conferences
Research Notebook, Tentative Thesis, and Rough Outline Due at Individual Conference
E-mail or turn in a copy of your rough draft to me by noon on Friday, the 7th.
Week Seven
10/10 Work Cited Workshop (Bring working bibliography). Read 314-322.
10/12 Workshop (Bring Two Copies of Your "Almost Done" Research Paper )
Week Eight
10/17 Editing and Finalizing MLA Citations Workshop
(Bring Two Copies of Your "Almost Polished" Paper)
10/19 Argumentative Research Due
Argumentative Synthesis
Format and Specifications:
MLA Documentation
At Least Five Pages of Text
Separate Works Cited Page
Eight or More Sources (at least one interview)
Final Draft Due: 12/7 Bind in folder with all research notes, rough draft, revised draft, final
draft, photocopies of all sources.
The Task: After choosing a topic, collect as many solid sources as possible to write a
well-supported and sound argument. Make sure you carefully consider all sides of the
issue before arriving at your position.
Though five pages may seem short, to write a well-researched and sound argument is
very difficult because one is orchestrating many skills at once; hence, we will be working
together as a writing community to improve our skills.
The attached checklist outlines the criteria I consider when evaluating your final draft.
Return to it often as you generate and revise the class project.
Evaluation Checklist: Argument Synthesis
Clarity and Focus
o Thesis is clear, focused, and qualified.
o
Appropriate topic is narrowed to suit five pages.
o
Engaging introduction and conclusion clearly frame the overall issue.
o
Each paragraph has a single focus.
o
Transitions show clear connections between ideas.
Collecting and Organization
o
Ample background and context is given: key terms are defined.
o
Clear and logical reasons build a case.
o
Anticipates and responds to the opposition.
o
Makes concessions and/or finds common ground as appropriate.
o
Arrangement of material is logical and sensitive to audience.
Development of Reasons with Evidence
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Use of relevant, reliable, and respected sources.
o
Statistics, expert testimony, data, or examples given.
o
Accurate summaries, paraphrases, and direct quotes with signal phrases.
o
Relationship between sources and your reasoning is clear through “sandwiching.”
o
All sources correctly cited in text.
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Most evidence is based on logical and rational appeals.
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No logical fallacies.
Diction and Tone
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Precise and appropriate word choices.
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Credit tags smoothly incorporated when appropriate.
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A fair and reasonable tone is maintained.
Standard Writing Conventions
o
Sentences correct, clear, and varied in structure.
o Punctuation and mechanics observed.
o MLA format followed in text.
o Works Cited page formatted correctly and accurately.