Department of English
English 104: Rhetoric and Composition II
Spring 2011
Section:
Instructor:
Office address and phone:
Office hours:
E-mail:
Meeting time and place:
Course URL: http://webcourses.niu.edu
Course Description: ENGL 104 Rhetoric and Composition II involves writing and revising argumentative and
analytical essays accompanied by the critical reading of various forms of writing. Documented writing required in
all sections (see Undergraduate Catalog).
Course Objectives:
 Practice college-level research and argumentation in several writing tasks
 Engage in active critical reading and questioning
 Enhance library and electronic research skills
 Create an electronic portfolio
 Develop as a reflective writer
Required Texts:
 Barnet, S. & Bedau, H. (Eds.). (2011). From Critical Thinking to Argument. (3rd ed.). Boston, MA:
Bedford/St. Martin’s.
 Foland, C. (Ed.). (2010). Y1 Writes: A Collection of Student Essays. New York, NY: Pearson/Longman.
 Troyka, L.Q., & Hesse, D. (Eds.). (2010). Quick Access Compact: Custom Edition for Northern Illinois
University. New York, NY: Pearson/Longman.
Course Requirements:
There are a total of 1000 points which will be distributed as follows. Please note the attendance policy below,
as poor attendance will incur penalties.
 In-class work: informal brainstorming, response to discussions, BlackBoard exercises, peer review,
reading quizzes, final written exercise, etc.—50 pts
 Objective Summary: A 225 word summary, based on an essay in our e-text (polished draft)—50 pts
 Evaluative Summary: A 2½—3-page evaluation, based on an essay in our e-text (polished draft)—
50pts
 Critical Analysis: A 3-4 page analysis of an essay from our e-text integrated into a small group
project—100 pts (90 individual; 10 group)
 Synthesis: A 4-5 page paper that analyzes and evaluates differing positions on an issue, using appropriate
documentation and including a Works Cited page—150 pts (100 individual; 50 group)
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Research Project: The research project is a documented, persuasive essay with 2 major components: a
group component and an individual component.
 Group Component. Your research project will begin in a group environment and will lead up to a
research showcase presentation that your group will present to our class and possibly the
University campus. The group component includes the following steps:
 Proposal – 50 pts
 Webography – 50 pts
 Presentation – 125 pts
 Journal – 25 pts
 Individual Component. After your group research showcase presentation, you will be taking your
collective research and forming your own paper and argument about your topic. The resulting
paper will be from 10-12 pages in length and use full APA style formatting and documentation –
250 pts.
Electronic Portfolio: a web-based project that includes reflective writing, a revised copy of your
collaborative research paper, and a revised copy of one shorter piece (at least 4 pages)—100 pts
Folder: Keep ALL of the informal writing, quizzes, exercises, drafts, graded papers—everything except
the in-class writing you post on BlackBoard—in a folder. You are required to turn this folder in at the
end of the semester, when you submit your e-portfolio.
Participation:
In addition to the course requirements above, your grade will reflect your attitude, preparation for class, attention,
and contributions to oral and electronic class discussions and activities. You must make a fair and equal
contribution to the collaborative research project. Respect toward your instructor and your classmates is expected
at all times.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance and punctuality are required. If you are ill or have a personal emergency, you are responsible for
making up work. If possible, notify me BEFORE an absence occurs. Medical documentation may be required in
the case of extended illness. Habitual tardiness may negatively affect your grade as well.
Each unexcused absence will incur a penalty according to the following schedule:
These penalties are total, not cumulative;
1 – 10 pts
thus, at 3 unexcused absences you incur a
2 – 20 pts
total penalty of 40 points.
3 – 40 pts
4 – 80 pts
Note that at 6 unexcused absences, you lose
5 – 160 pts
320 points, which will result in a “D” final
6 – 320 pts
grade at best, which is not sufficient to pass
7 – 640 pts
104.
Group Work:
As detailed above, most of the projects this semester involve working in a group. Your participation in your group
is vital, and this will include meeting with your group outside regular class times. If you cannot meet with your
group during a scheduled meeting it is YOUR responsibility to let them know and to make up that work to the
satisfaction of your other group members. Failure to fully participate will be reflected in your grade for the
project. In addition, if you are absent on the day your group is scheduled to present, it will count as TWO
unexcused absences unless you contact your group and your teacher or in the case of catastrophic emergency.
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Paper Specifications:
Unless otherwise specified, writing assignments must be word-processed in Times New Roman 12 pt. font,
double-spaced. Provide 1" or 1.25" margins. Headings and documentation should conform to the appropriate style
(APA) discussed in class. Electronic submissions should be saved in Word (.doc) or Rich Text Format (.rtf)
formats. Late papers may be penalized. All work must be word-processed and submitted in both printed and
electronic formats unless otherwise noted.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
If you have a disability or any other special circumstance that may affect your work and for which you may
require accommodation, please tell me as soon as possible. The NIU Center for Access-Ability Resources
(CAAR), located on the 4th floor of the University Health Service (753-1303), is the designated office on campus
that provides services and accommodations for students with diagnosed disabilities. You need to provide
documentation of your disability to that office.
Plagiarism Statement:
“The attempt of any student to present as his or her own work that which he or she has not produced is regarded
by the faculty and administration as a serious offense. Students are considered to have cheated if they copy the
work of another during an examination or turn in a paper or an assignment written, in whole or in part, by
someone else. Students are guilty of plagiarism, intentional or not, if they copy material from books, magazines,
or other sources or if they paraphrase ideas from such sources without acknowledging them. Students guilty of, or
assisting others in, either cheating or plagiarism on an assignment, quiz, or examination may receive a grade of F
for the course involved and may be suspended or dismissed from the university.” Northern Illinois University
Undergraduate Catalog.
Also, please read the English Department Plagiarism Statement at:
http://www.engl.niu.edu/composition/guidelines/plag.shtml
Computer-Mediated Composition:
The class will meet at least once a week in a computer writing lab. Remember to back up your files and bring a
flash drive to class. You should have activated your computer LOGIN ID (z######), your password, and your email account last semester. If not, please do so immediately. You will need to access BlackBoard to keep in touch
with your group and to access course readings.
We will use Microsoft Word ‘07 in lab. Your saved work should be compatible with Microsoft Word ‘07.
You can access our class BlackBoard through the NIU homepage or go to http://webcourses.niu.edu
Conferences:
We will have two scheduled conferences during the semester as you are revising your papers. However, you
should feel free to drop in any time during office hours or make an appointment to discuss any aspects of the
course and your writing.
Writing Center:
The Writing Center in Stevenson Towers South, Lower Level is a resource for improving your written
work. Contact the tutors and schedule appointments by walking in, by calling 753-6636, or by going to the
website at: http://uwc.niu.edu/. The website has online handbooks and other sources that will help you revise,
edit, and document.
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Schedule of Activities
CTA= From Critical Thinking to Argument
QAC= Quick Access Compact Handbook
Y1 = Y1Writes
This schedule is subject to change. Additional readings will be posted on BlackBoard.
Week………….
Week 1
(Jan. 18 - 21)
Week 2
(Jan. 24-28)
Week 3
(Jan. 31–Feb. 4)
Week 4
(Feb. 7 – 11)
Week 5
(Feb. 14 –18)
Week 6
(Feb. 21 – 25)
Week 7
(Feb. 28–Mar. 4)
Week 8
(Mar. 7 – 11)
Week 9
(Mar. 14 – 18)
Week 10
(Mar. 21 – 25)
Week 11
(Mar. 28 – 1)
Week 12
(Apr. 4-8)
Week 13
(Apr. 11 – 15)
Week 14
(Apr. 18 – 22)
Week 15
(Apr. 25 – 29)
Week 16
(May 2 – 4)
Week 17
(May 9 – 13)
Reading/Activity
CTA: 30-42
QAC: “Writing about readings,” 111-115; “Good
Summaries,” 374-377.
Online Readings TBA
CTA: 3-20
Online Readings TBA
CTA: 127-133
QAC: “Using Quotations Effectively” & “Good
Paraphrases,” 365-373”; “APA Documentation,” 421-423
Online Readings TBA
QAC: “Writing with Others,” 100-104
Online Readings TBA
QAC: “APA Format,” 445-448
Online Readings TBA
QAC: “Writing Arguments,” 84-93
Y1: 86-91, 96-101
Online Readings TBA
CTA: 145-162
Online Readings TBA
Writing
Objective Summary (due Mon., Jan.
24)
Evaluative Summary (due Mon., Jan.
31)
Critical Analysis (due Mon., Feb. 7)
Peer Review Workshop,
Revised Critical Analysis (due Mon.,
Feb. 14)
Synthesis (Position Paper) (due Fri.,
Feb. 25)
Group mini-presentation
Revised Synthesis (due Fri., Mar. 4)
Project Proposal (due Fri., Mar. 11)
Conferences on Research Topics
Spring Break
CTA: 188-211
QAC: “Sources,” 345-358; “Avoiding Plagiarism,” 359-365
*Library visits
QAC: “Writing for the Public,” 477-478; “Document and
Visual Design,” 478-483
*Library visits
Online Readings TBA
In-class Showcase
Webography draft (due Fri., Mar. 25)
CTA: 211-220
QAC: “Research Question,” 337-338; “Thesis,” 339-340.
Conferences on drafts; Research Showcase
Y1: 170-183
Online Readings TBA
E-portfolio workshops
Peer review workshop, Showcase of
Student Writing, 4/13
Showcase drafts (due Fri., Apr. 1)
Preparation for Research Showcase
Research paper draft (due Fri., Apr. 22)
Final Editing and Proofreading; Reflection
Final revision, research paper &
webography (due Fri., Apr. 29)
E-portfolio & folder due
Finals Week
In-class “exam”
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