Introduction to Narrative: ENG 105–09
M/W 2:00-3:15 p.m.; Petty Building, Room 303
Instructor: E. Benton
E-mail: eabento2@uncg.edu
Office: McIver Building, Room 328
Office Hours: Thurs.: 2-4 p.m., Fri.: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this course, we’ll study the art of storytelling through fictional narratives,
personal narratives, and hybrid narrative forms (those that blend both truth and
fiction). Our main focus will be on written texts—i.e., short stories, essays, poems,
and the novel—but audio and visual narratives will also be part of our investigation.
As we deconstruct narratives by their key elements such as time, characterization,
narration, causality and closure, we’ll also access historical resources and use our
own narrative backgrounds to figure out the meanings behind what we study.
Beyond the Who, What, When, Where, and Why’s, we’ll look for the How’s behind
each artist’s creation so that we might become more conscious of our own narrative
constructions and of those presented to us by others on a daily basis.
Introduction to Narrative (3:3) GE Core: GLT/ Critical reading and analysis of
American and British novels, short stories and narrative poems. Attention to
historical, cultural, and literary backgrounds as appropriate.
Student Learning Goals (SLOs):
At the completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate the reading skill required for the student of literary texts.
2. Identify and/or describe some of the varied characteristics of literary texts.
3. Demonstrate orally, in writing, or by some other means, a fundamental ability to
use some of the techniques and/or methods of literary analysis.
4. Identify and/or describe some of the various social, historical, cultural, and/or
theoretical contexts in which literary texts have been written and interpreted.
Required Texts:
The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative, 2nd Edition, by H. Porter Abbott
Cambridge; ISBN: 978-0-521-71515-7
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Mariner Books; ISBN: 978-0156628709
The Greensboro Review, Issue #89, Spring 2011
(Must be purchased from MFA Writing Program office, MHRA 3302)
E-Reserve readings on Blackboard, as assigned (see also: CLASSROOM POLICIES)
Other Requirements:
 Access to Blackboard, UNCG email, word-processing software, and a printer.




Access to an electronic device (computer, iPod, smartphone, etc.) with audio
capabilities.
A folder to keep handouts, drafts, and readings.
A spiral notebook for notes and quizzes.
Bluebooks for both exams. (Two total.)
Blackboard:
 You are required to print Blackboard readings and bring them to class.
We cannot have useful discussions of texts without the texts in front of us. I
will not have extra copies of readings assigned on Blackboard.

You are required to check Blackboard before every class. Any updates to the
syllabus will be posted to Blackboard. If you are absent, it is your
responsibility to check Blackboard and keep up with readings and class
discussions. Bring ALL weekly readings (books & Blackboard print-outs) to
class.

Quizzes may also be administered through Blackboard. We’ll discuss this
more in class, and you’ll be notified via email before a quiz goes active.
GRADING
Evaluation:
Participation & preparation
Quizzes & assignments
Mid-term exam
Paper
Final exam
10%
20%
20%
25%
25%
Grading Scale:
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
0-59 F
I utilize the full range of grades from A to F (including plusses and minuses), in
keeping with university grading policies. Your final course grade will be based on
the following components that make up our work for the semester. UNCG defines an
A as excellent; a B as good; a C as average; a D as lowest passing grade; and an F as
failure. In adherence to this scale, you should understand that a C means you
successfully met the requirements of the course, not that you did poorly, which
would be indicated by either a D or an F. Likewise, an A or B indicate that you met
and exceeded course requirements.
1. Class Preparation & Participation (10%): I expect you to come to every class
prepared to contribute something to the group. You should have the assigned text in
front of you and have read the material well enough to have passages in mind to
discuss. I will call on students to speak at random. Your active and regular
attendance is important to our class discussions and comprehension of materials.
2. Quizzes/Assignments (20%): You will take approximately one short quiz a week.
If you miss a quiz due to absence or any other reason, you will receive a zero.
Quizzes cannot be made up. If you miss a quiz due to an emergency, you will need to
bring me documentation and I will consider allowing you to make up the quiz during
my office hours. Occasionally, I will assign homework to be turned in at the
beginning of class or written assignments completed during class; these
assignments will count toward your quiz grade. I do not accept late work.
3. Paper (25%): You will be required to write one paper (5-6 pages) that analyzes
and compares two-to-three reading assignments and/or another narrative form on
the syllabus. It must be written in MLA style. A detailed paper prompt will be
provided three weeks prior to deadline, and a short thesis paragraph is due one
week prior to deadline.
4. Mid-term Exam (20 %) and Final Exam (25%): Exams will include a combination
of multiple-choice questions, identifications, and short essays.
Submissions Guidelines for Written Work:
These apply to your paper and any written homework assignments.
 Must be typed in 12-point Times New Roman font or 12-point Cambria font
ONLY. Choose one and stick with it.
 Formatted for 8 ½” x 11” paper with one-inch margins.
 All papers should be double-spaced.
 Include your name, ENG 105-9, and date in your paper’s heading. Also
include page numbers in your paper’s footer.
 All work must follow MLA style guidelines. (see MLA STYLE).
 No late work is accepted.
Plagiarism & Academic Integrity:
“Academic integrity is founded upon and encompasses the following five values:
honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Violations include, for example,
cheating, plagiarism, misuse of academic resources, falsification, and facilitating
academic dishonesty. If knowledge is to be gained and properly evaluated, it must
be pursued under conditions free from dishonesty. Deceit and misrepresentations
are incompatible with the fundamental activity of this academic institution and shall
not be tolerated” (from UNCG’s Academic Integrity Policy).
To ensure that you understand the university’s policy on academic integrity, review
the guidelines and list of violations at http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu. I expect
you to abide by the Academic Integrity Policy.
Sanctions for Violating the Academic Integrity Policy: Suspected violations of the
academic integrity policy will be reported to University administration and will be
thoroughly investigated, resulting in any (or all) of the following: 1) failure of the
assignment, 2) failure of the course, 3) suspension/expulsion from the University,
upon recommendation from administration. In my experience, most students who
violate the Academic Integrity Policy do it because they’re stressed and very busy,
and see this as an “easy out” to being overworked. It’s not worth ending your college
career over, so please don’t try it.
CLASSROOM POLICIES
Attendance:
Daily attendance is a requirement for this course.
Students are allowed a maximum of three absences without a grade penalty. For
every absence beyond those allowed, students will be penalized one-half letter
grade. Students who have six absences will fail the course.
Excused absences will be considered only with proper documentation (i.e., doctor’s
note, police report, etc.) If you plan to miss class because of a conflict that cannot be
rearranged (i.e. sports event, jury duty, etc.), you must notify me 48 hours in
advance of your absence via email: eabento2@uncg.edu.
Be on time to class. Your participation grade will suffer if you are perpetually late.
Three late arrivals (defined as coming in after attendance has been taken) will count
as an absence toward your total.
In addition, it is your responsibility to email a classmate or me about activities,
notes, and quizzes you have missed. It is also your responsibility to come prepared
to the class that follows your absence.
Religious Holidays: You are, by state law, allowed two excused absences due to
religious holidays, which do not count toward your total. If you plan to miss class
because of religious holidays, you must notify me 48 hours in advance of your
absence via email: eabento2@uncg.edu
Restroom Breaks:
Our class is only one hour and 15 minutes. If you are regularly leaving the room, it is
a disruption. I request that you use the restroom prior to class, and keep your
breaks during class to a minimum of one per class. Frequent classroom exits may
affect your final participation grade. See also SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS.
Cell Phones:
Turn your phones OFF during class. Even phones on vibrate are disruptive. Your
participation grade will suffer if you are receiving calls, texting, or using your
phone’s browser during class. If, on any given day, you need access to your phone
for an emergency, you must approach me about it prior to the beginning of class. If
problems persist after initial warnings, your final grade will be affected.
Laptops:
Laptops may be used only by students with a special need for purposes of notetaking or other classroom activities. Students with such a need should make specific
arrangements with me prior to the second week of class. No student may use a
laptop in class without a prior arrangement with the instructor. See SPECIAL
ACCOMODATIONS.
Respect:
Mutual respect is required for this class and for all related interactions with the
instructor and other students. This includes but is not limited to: texting (see CELL
PHONES policy), speaking while the instructor or another student is talking, and/or
using language that is sexist, racist, or homophobic. If I deem any student
disrespectful in my class, I reserve the right to ask you to leave the classroom, in
which case you will receive an absence.
Email Response Policy:
I will make every effort to respond to your email message within 48 hours. If I have
not replied to your message after 48 hours, please re-send the message. Please also
mention your course section in your email.
LEARNING SUPPORT
Special Accommodations/Disability Services: Students with documentation of
special needs should speak to me about accommodations as soon as possible. You
must first register with the Office of Disability Services on campus before such
accommodations can be made. The office is located on the second floor of the Elliott
University Center (EUC) in Suite 215, and the office is open 8am to 5pm, Monday Friday. Telephone: 334-5440; e-mail: ods@uncg.edu.
The Writing Center: The purpose of the Writing Center is to enhance the
confidence and competence of student writers by providing free, individual
assistance at any stage of any writing project. Staff consultants are experienced
writers and alert readers, prepared to offer feedback and suggestions on drafts of
papers, help students find answers to their questions about writing, and provide
one-on-one instruction as needed. Appointments are not necessary; consultations are
provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please visit the Writing Center as often as
you like. Take both your work in progress and all documentation relating to the
assignment (prompts, comments of prior drafts, research notes) and plan to stay up
to an hour. Located in the Moore Humanities and Research Building, room 3211.
www.uncg.edu/eng/writingcenter/
MLA Style
You are asked to follow the MLA format for style and citations. The Writing Center
and library have helpful links for information about MLA. The UNCG datebook also
has a brief overview of MLA style in the back as a handy reference.
The Learning Assistance Center: offers free services to the entire UNCG
undergraduate community and is located in McIver Hall, rooms 101-104, and 150.
For help with study skills, contact Erin Farrior, Academic Skills specialist.
Telephone: 334-3878; e-mail: lac@uncg.edu.
Student Affairs: If you have a serious illness, family death, or family emergency that
is affecting your ability to attend class or complete work in a timely manner, then
you should notify your instructors and contact the Student Affairs Office at (336)
334-5514 or at 141 Mossman right away.
CLASS SCHEDULE
(Subject to change at the instructor’s discretion. Changes will be announced in class
and posted to Blackboard.)
M 8/22
Course introduction, review of syllabus, & student surveys.
W 8/24
Abbott Chapter 2 (pp 13-25); Blackboard: “The Art of the Short Story”
(Gioia & Gwynn, approx. 6 pp), “A Small, Good Thing” (Carver, approx.
20 pp).
M 8/29
Abbott Chapter 5 (pp 55-66); Blackboard: “A Good Man is Hard to
Find” (O’Connor); “The Tell-Tale Heart” (Poe)
W 8/31
Abbott Chapter 6 (pp 67-81); The Greensboro Review: “Thank God
We’re Young” (Gilbert); Blackboard: “The Sheep Child” (Dickey)
M 9/5
Labor Day. No Class!
W 9/7
Blackboard: “Araby” (Joyce), “The Pura Principle” (Diaz)
M 9/12
Mrs. Dalloway pages 1-60
W 9/14
Mrs. Dalloway pages 60-110
M 9/19
Mrs. Dalloway pages 110-170
W 9/21
Finish Mrs. Dalloway.
M 9/26
Abbott Chapter 9 (pp 112-139); The Hours (film shown in class)
W 9/28
Abbott Chapter 1 (1-12); Finish The Hours (in class)
M 10/3
Review for mid-term exam.
W 10/5
Mid-term Exam.
M 10/10
Fall Break. No Class!
W 10/12
Abbott Chapter 7 (pp 83-99); The Greensboro Review poems: “Jacques
Brel is Not Alive and Well,” “Ward Works Hard to Keep You Hidden,”
“The Root Whiskers”
M 10/17
Abbott Chapter 11 (pp 145-159); Blackboard: “Columbus, the Indians,
and Human Progress” (Zinn)
W 10/19
Abbott Chapter 4 (pp 40-52); Blackboard: “A Modest Proposal”
(Swift), “Song of Myself” (Whitman)
M 10/24
Abbott Chapter 10; Blackboard: “Bending Spoons with Britney Spears”
(Klosterman)
W 10/26
Blackboard: “Best American Essays: Introduction” (Gopnik), “The Fire
This Time” (Dove), “On Keeping a Notebook” (Didion)
M 10/31
Blackboard: Listen to the “Words” podcast & bring transcript to class:
http://www.radiolab.org/2010/aug/09/, “A Man of Letters” (Sacks)
W 11/2
Blackboard: “The Habits of Self-Consciousness” & “Cool” (Grealy)
M 11/7
Abbott Chapter 13 (pp 175-191); Blackboard: “Truth & Beauty:
Chapter 11“ (Patchett), Grealy NY Times obituary
W 11/9
Blackboard: “Buzzards” (Zacharias), “Living Like Weasels” (Dillard)
M 11/14
The Greensboro Review: “Why My Brother & I Have Not Spoken”;
Blackboard: Poems inside “Confessional” doc
W 11/16
Theses due. Paper preparation class.
M 11/21
Blackboard: Listen to Birbiglia/Maron podcast, “The Learning Curve”
(Sedaris); short stand-up videos in class.
W 11/23
Thanksgiving Break. No Class!
M 11/28
Papers due at beginning of class. Exit Through the Gift Shop
(documentary shown in class)
W 11/30
Finish Exit Through the Gift Shop (in class)
M 12/5
Review for final exam.
M 12/12
Final Exam.
(Exam Schedule: Monday, December 12
3:30–6:30 P.M.)