WU ENGLISH 121 COURSE SYLLABUS
FACULTY MEMBER: Carol Kline
TERM: Fall 2015/Spring 2016
COURSE TITLE: English Composition I
COURSE NUMBER: ENG.121..SEF02.FA2015
FACULTY CONTACT INFORMATION:
Email: carol.kline@delmar.k12.de.us
Phone: 302-846-9544
Contact Hours: Email is the preferred method. Expect a response within 24 hours.
Planning periods: 7 & 8
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to help students become more proficient and
effective writers, while also developing reading comprehension and analysis skills. Students will study
the basic tenants of effective writing before incorporating those elements into four essays and a visual
presentation. Students will be introduced to effective reading strategies and will apply these to reading
and writing assignments. Students will learn to write in stages, including pre-writing, drafting, and
revising. Students will learn about academic integrity and submit each essay draft through SafeAssign.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
IDEA- 8 Develop skill in expressing oneself orally or in writing.
IDEA- 3 Learning to apply course material (to improve thinking, problem solving, and
decisions)
IDEA-11 Learn to analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view.
COURSE GOALS:
GOAL A:
Develop and apply active reading strategies .
Learning Objectives: The student will:
A-1
Analyze and evaluate various readings
A-2
Complete assignments related to these readings
GOAL B:
Compose and present essays with clear and well-supported arguments
Learning Objectives: The student will:
B-1
Employ effective thesis statements
B-2
Infer purpose and audience for specific assignments
B-3
Write a first and revised draft of a descriptive essay, a compare and
contrast essay, a causal analysis essay, and a narrative essay
B-4
Understand the basic concepts of visual rhetoric and present one essay
Visually.
GOAL C:
Develop and apply editing and revision skills.
Learning Objectives: The student will:
C-1
Apply proper grammar and writing mechanics
C-2
Exhibit organization, unity, coherence, conciseness, and clarity in writing,
including proper paper formatting
C-3
Evaluate and incorporate feedback from the revision process.
C-4
Distinguish what constitutes plagiarism and employ the use of SafeAssign
C-5
Evaluate one’s own writing as well as the writing of peers.
ASSIGNMENTS/EXAMS:
Required Assignments
Essays
All drafts and final versions must be submitted electronically through
Blackboard SafeAssignments
Descriptive (2-3 pages, no sources)
Draft
Final
Causal Analysis (2-3 pages, no sources
Draft
Final
Narrative (2-3 pages, no sources)
Draft
Final
Comparison (2-3 pages, at least 3 sources from pre-selected sources)
Draft
Final
Visual Rhetoric Assignment
Draft
Final
Reading Assignments (10 total)
Other assignments may include: quizzes, grammar work, peer revision, discussion
board, mid-term and final exams
COURSE SCHEDULE:
UNIT 1 – Introductions, Understanding Argument
GOALS
READINGS
1. Understand how to navigate and use
Blackboard and SafeAssign
2. Understand plagiarism and
Wilmington University’s Academic
Integrity Policy.
3. Define argument.
4. Understand the differences between
generative and persuasive argument.
5. Understand the 5 elements of the
rhetorical situation.
6. Understand and create thesis
statements.
7. Understand genre.
8. Understand strategies for crafting
generative and persuasive arguments.
9. Understand and practice grammar
concepts relating to articles, nouns,
pronouns, subjects and verbs.
Chapters 1, 2,
and 3 of
Argument
Today
Chapters 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, and 7 of
Signs
REQUIRED
ASSIGNMENTS
Diagnostic Writing
Assignment and
Informal
Presentation
Grammar Work
UNIT 2 – Reading Critically
GOALS
READINGS
1. Understand looking at and looking
through an argument
2. Understand and apply strategies for
reading critically
3. Understand how to write a rhetorical
analysis and apply those ideas in
assignments.
4. Understand and practice grammar
concepts relating to adjectives, adverbs,
and prepositions.
Chapter 4 of
Argument
Today
Chapters of 8, 9,
and 10 of Signs
REQUIRED
ASSIGNMENTS
Reading
Assignment 1
Reading
Assignment 2
Grammar Work
UNIT 3 – Descriptive Writing
GOALS
READINGS
1. Understand what descriptive writing is
Chapter 5 of
REQUIRED
ASSIGNMENTS
Reading
and when it is used.
2. Understand how to plan a descriptive
piece of writing and practice these
strategies
3. Understand strategies for writing a
descriptive essay.
4. Understand and apply basic paper
formatting
5. Write a first draft of a descriptive
essay.
6. Understand how to self evaluate and
peer review a descriptive piece of
writing and apply those strategies to
one’s own writing and the writing of
other students.
7. Understand how to apply feedback to
an essay draft.
8. Write a final draft of a descriptive
essay.
9. Understand basic word usage and
style guidelines
Argument
Today
Chapters 11, 12,
13, and 14 of
Signs
Assignment 3
Reading
Assignment 4
Draft of
Descriptive Essay
(2-3 pages,
submitted to
SafeAssign)
Final Version of
Descriptive essay
(2-3 pages,
submitted to
SafeAssign)
Grammar Work
GOALS
READINGS
1. Understand what causal analysis
writing is and when it is used.
2. Understand how to plan a causal
analysis piece of writing and practice
these strategies
3. Understand strategies for writing a
causal analysis essay.
4. Understand and apply basic paper
formatting
5. Write a first draft of a causal analysis
essay.
6. Understand how to self evaluate and
peer review a causal analysis piece of
writing and apply those strategies to
one’s own writing and the writing of
other students.
7. Understand how to apply feedback to
an essay draft.
8. Write a final draft of a causal analysis
essay.
Chapter 7 of
Argument
Today
Chapters 15, 16,
and 17 of Signs
REQUIRED
ASSIGNMENTS
Reading
Assignment 5
Reading
Assignment 6
Draft of Causal
Analysis Essay (2-3
pages, submitted
to SafeAssign)
Final Version of
Causal Analysis
Essay (2-3 pages,
submitted to
SafeAssign)
Grammar Work
UNIT 4 – Causal Analysis Writing
9. Understand and practice grammar
concepts relating to commas,
semicolons, and colons.
UNIT 5 – Narrative Argument Writing
GOALS
READINGS
1. Understand what narrative argument
writing is and when it is used.
2. Understand how to plan a narrative
argument piece of writing and practice
these strategies
3. Understand strategies for writing a
narrative argument essay.
4. Understand and apply basic paper
formatting
5. Write a first draft of a narrative
argument essay.
6. Understand how to self evaluate and
peer review a narrative argument piece
of writing and apply those strategies to
one’s own writing and the writing of
other students.
7. Understand how to apply feedback to
an essay draft.
8. Write a final draft of a narrative
argument essay.
9. Understand and practice grammar
concepts relating to end punctuation,
apostrophes, and quotation marks.
Chapter 9 of
Argument
Today
Chapters 18, 19,
and 20 of Signs
REQUIRED
ASSIGNMENTS
Reading
Assignment 6
Reading
Assignment 7
Draft of Narrative
Argument Essay
(2-3 pages,
submitted to
SafeAssign)
Final Version of
Narrative
Argument Essay
(2-3 pages,
submitted to
SafeAssign)
Grammar Work
UNIT 6 – Compare Contrast Writing
GOALS
READINGS
1. Understand what comparison
argument writing is and when it is used.
2. Understand how to plan a comparison
argument piece of writing and practice
these strategies
3. Understand strategies for writing a
comparison argument essay.
4. Understand and apply APA paper
formatting, including cover page and
running heads
Chapter 6 of
Argument
Today.
Chapters 29, 30,
31, and 32 of
Signs.
Selected
sources for
comparison
argument
REQUIRED
ASSIGNMENTS
Reading Assignment 8
Reading Assignment 9
Draft of
ComparisonArgument
Essay (2-3 pages, at
least 3 sources,
submitted to
SafeAssign)
Final Version of
Narrative Argument
5. Understand how to read and take
notes on sources that will be used as
evidence and apply these skills to
selected readings.
6. Understand how to integrate outside
sources into one’s own writing, including
how to create APA citations and
reference page entries.
7. Write a first draft of a comparison
argument essay.
8. Understand how to self evaluate and
peer review a comparison argument
piece of writing and apply those
strategies to one’s own writing and the
writing of other students.
7. Understand how to apply feedback to
an essay draft.
8. Write a final draft of a comparison
argument essay.
9. Understand and practice grammar
concepts relating to sentence structure
assignment.
Essay (2-3 pages, at
least 3 sources,
submitted to
SafeAssign)
Grammar Work
GOALS
READINGS
1. Understand what a visual essay and
visual rhetoric are, and when they are
used.
2. Understand how to plan a visual
argument based on a pre-existing piece
of writing and practice these strategies
3. Understand how arguments change
depending on how and where they are
presented to an audience and apply this
understanding to the visual presentation
of a pre-existing argument
4. Understand how to use a specific
program or technology that is necessary
for presenting a visual argument.
5. Understand and apply the 5 basic
principles of design.
6. Understand how to argue in virtual
spaces and apply these concepts.
7. Create a first draft of a visual
argument based on a previously written
Chapters 8, 21,
and 23 of
Argument
Today
Chapters 18, 19,
and 20 of Signs
REQUIRED
ASSIGNMENTS
Reading
Assignment 10
Draft of Visual
Argument Essay
(using Powerpoint,
Video, Blog Post,
or other visual
means of
presentation and
submitted to
Blackboard)
Final Version of
Visual Argument
(using Powerpoint,
Video, Blog Post,
or other visual
means of
presentation and
submitted to
Blackboard)
UNIT 7 – Visual Arguments
essay.
8. Understand how to self evaluate and
peer review visual arguments and apply
those strategies to one’s own writing and
the writing of other students.
9. Understand how to apply feedback to
a visual argument
8. Create a final version of a visual
argument based on a previously written
essay.
Present Visual
Argument
Grammar Work
Exam
***Upon completion of WU English 121 Course Requirements, the remainder of the
year will focus on reading, writing, speaking, and listening based on the 11th-12th
grade band of the ELA Common Core Standards.***
METHODOLOGY:
Teaching Methods: The primary method of instruction will be weekly lectures and
interactive class activities. The textbooks will be supplemented with handouts
and multi-media presentations. Class discussion and peer editing will also be a
regular part of the overall learning experience.
Evaluation Procedure and Grading Policy:
Final grades will be calculated as follows:
Five Essays
 (Descriptive - 10%)
 (Causal Analysis - 10%)
 (Narrative Argument - 10%)
 (Compare/Contrast Argument- 10%)
 (Visual Argument - 10%)
Drafts
Reading and Grammar Assignments/Quizzes
SEA (TBA)
Participation
Final Exam (Grammar & Writing)
50 % HAC=Projects
10% HAC=Preparation
15% HAC=Activities
10% HAC=Homework
5% HAC=Participation
10% HAC= Tests
Instructor Polices/Expectations:
ATTENDANCE--WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY:
1. Regular and prompt class attendance is an essential part of the educational experience.
Wilmington University expects students to exercise good judgment regarding attendance
and absences. Students should accept full responsibility for ensuring that academic work
does not suffer from absences. All students are expected to attend every scheduled meeting
of each class on time. Exceptions may be made for Wilmington University-sponsored or
work-related activities, illnesses, or valid emergencies.
2. Students who are absent without excuse for the first two (2) sessions of a course will be
administratively dropped from the course. This may have negative consequences for
financial awards, international student F-1 visa status, and/or standing with the University.
3. Excessive absences, (defined as three or more per semester course or two or more per block
course) will result in a final grade of FA (Failure due to Absence). This consequence may
negatively affect student financial aid status and/or international student F-1 visa status.
4. Absences are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the course instructor. A student will be
asked for documentation when requesting an excused absence.
5. Attendance in an online class is defined as logging into Blackboard, participating in the
weekly discussions, and submitting weekly assignments.
6. Students are responsible for any assignments due for classes that were missed as well as
assignments or activities completed during class time. To determine missed assignments,
students should review the course syllabus and Blackboard, or check with the instructor or
a classmate.
7. Tardiness policy: Arrival in class more than 30 minutes late without permission from the
instructor will result in being marked absent.
The Delmar School District policy will be STRICTLY followed. Whether the student
is present in class or not, the student is responsible for the work. Assignments
turned in after the due date (without the proper medical or administrative, NOT
PERSONAL, green excusal note) will receive a 10% deduction from the total
score per day. No assignments will be accepted 1 week after the due date.
Any changes in due dates will be announced in class.

All papers are due on the specified due date – no exceptions. Please see
the attendance policy to see late penalties.

Problems with computers are NOT acceptable excuses for late work. Save all
of your work and back it up to avoid problems. Please see the attendance
policy to see late penalties.

Assignments sent via email will NOT be accepted UNLESS you have received
prior approval from the instructor.
WU Mobile Device Policies
All cell phone ringers must be silenced during class time. Laptops, cell phones, and other mobile
devices are to be used only for educational purposes, such as taking notes. Using these devices
for non-educational purposes such as answering calls, sending text messages, searching the web,
updating social media, and other such activities during class is not permitted.
THE DELMAR POLICY: NO PHONES VISIBLE UNLESS GIVEN PERMISSION
FROM THE INSTRUCTOR FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY!
WU Textbook Policy
In courses that require textbooks, every student is required to have his or her own copy of
the current edition required by the course. Failure to comply may negatively affect
student’s course grade.
WU Academic Integrity Policy
Students at Wilmington University are expected to be honest and forthright in all
academic pursuits. Activities such as falsifying the results of research, plagiarizing,
cheating or attempting to cheat on assignments or exams, or assisting another in
committing such acts are treated as serious offenses. When a student places his or her
name on any academic work, the student certifies the originality of all work not otherwise
identified by appropriate acknowledgement. For more information about Wilmington
University’s Academic Integrity Policy, please refer to:
Wilmington University Academic Integrity webpage www.wilmu.edu/studentlife/acadintegrity.aspx
Wilmington University Student Handbook http://www.wilmu.edu/studentlife/handbook/studenthandbook08-09.pdf