EWRT 1A: Composition and Reading
Fall 2002
Instructor: M. Reber
Office Hrs: T, Th 1-4 p.m.
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Email: reber@DeAnza.edu
Course Texts
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Writing With Style: Conversations on the Art of Writing by John R. Trimble. 2nd Edition.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave by Frederick Douglass
Of Boarders and Dreams: A Mexican-American Experience of Urban Education: by Chris Liska Carger
Supplementary Materials by Marrietta Reber. (Purchase at the bookstore.)
Course Introduction
This course serves as an introduction to academic reading and writing. We will examine closely a variety of
texts (personal, popular, literary, professional, academic) from culturally diverse traditions. We will identify
common rhetorical strategies used in the writing of others and examine how to implement effective strategies in
our own writing. We will identify components of essay writing and learn how to compose clear, well-organized,
and well-developed essays, with varying purposes and differing audiences, from personal to academic.
Course Objectives
In the course of taking this class, you will:
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Compare various kinds of texts and levels of discourse and identify the role of academic writing.
Read diverse narrative and expository texts and analyze them from a variety of perspectives.
Generate ideas and topics for essays.
Formulate and support theses.
Integrate and organize ideas.
Develop personal style/voice appropriate to purpose and audience.
Identify and practice common rhetorical strategies used in academic writing.
Practice writing as a multi-step process, with particular attention to planning and revision.
Compose clear, well-organized, and well-developed essays with varying purposes and differing
audiences, from personal to academic.
Course Evaluation
The point break down for grading in the course is shown in the following table:
Assignment
Points
Journal
100
Quizzes
50
Class participation
50
Short Assignments (5 x 10 pts each)
50
Oral Presentation/Group Assignment
50
Essays (4 x 100 pts each)
400
Midterm
100
Final Exam
200
Total
1000
You will be evaluated by your percentage of the total points earned on a 100% scale (i.e. 94-100% = A, 90-93%
= A-, 87-89% = B+, 83-86% = B, 80-82% = B-, and so on.)
M. Reber
6/27/2016
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Course Assignments
Journal. You will be expected to keep a course journal in which you will freewrite your responses to particular
questions or ideas discussed in class or in specified readings. You should have your journal with you every class
period. Some journal activities will take place in the classroom and others may be given as homework.
Quizzes. You can plan on a pop quiz roughly once a week. These quizzes measure your preparation for class
and your understanding of class lecture and concepts covered. Quizzes will be given at the beginning of the
class period. They are meant to reward you for your preparation and your attendance. I will drop your two
lowest quiz scores.
Class Participation. You are expected to come to this class regularly and on time and to participate in group
discussion. In addition, you will be reviewing the work of your classmates. By reviewing the writing others, you
not only help them, you help yourself. You will learn to identify strengths and weaknesses in the writing of
others and, in turn, how to identify them in your own writing. I will grade you on the quality of your review.
Other students’ drafts with your comments will be submitted to me as part of the grading process.
Short Assignments. You will complete five short writing assignments during the course. I will give you details
for each assignment in advance. Short assignments are due at the beginning of class.
Oral Presentation/Group Assignment. As part of the unit on negotiation, you will work collaboratively with
other students to create a negotiated solution to a problem. You will then present this solution orally to the class
along with your group members.
Essays. You will be required to write four essays during the course. In each of these essays you should pay close
attention to style and mechanics and implement the writing skills we discuss in class. Each essay should be
organized and written clearly. Careful proofreading and correct application of grammar and punctuation are
crucial. Three to five pages long is appropriate for each essay. Use MLA format. Each essay is explained below:
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Narrative Essay. This essay is based on your personal experience and may incorporate aspects of other
narratives we have studied in class.
 Textual Analysis. This analysis utilizes the essay writing and rhetorical skills you have learned to
analyze a text. This essay should be a careful critique of elements within the work, rather than a touchyfeely response. While you may use your feelings in the analysis, these feelings must be well
substantiated through an analysis of the work itself. The analysis must have a clear thesis and solid
support and be organized effectively. You may select one of our assigned readings for the subject of
your analysis or you may receive permission to analyze a work of your choosing. Make sure to approve
unassigned works with me first.
 Argumentative Essay. In this essay you must take a stand on a particular issue or topic and use
rhetorical devices to persuade your reader to share your viewpoint. An analysis of the opposing side of
your argument is necessary to convincingly present your position.
 Negotiation Proposal. This piece requires that you work together in a group to create a negotiated
solution to a problem. As a group, you will write your solution in the form of a proposal, equaling
representing all parties and focusing on creating win-win outcomes. The proposal your group creates
should address an educational issue presented in Of Borders and Dreams: A Mexican-American
Experience of Urban Education by Chris Liska Carger. This assignment demonstrates your ability to
combine elements of good writing with critical thinking about social issues discussed in class. (Special
permission may be given to deal with an issue presented in other of the assigned readings.) This writing
activity will expand your understanding of conflict and help you to negotiate solutions.
Midterm and Final Exam. Your midterm and final exam will be essay based and will test your ability to
demonstrate critical reading and writing skills you have mastered in class. Details will be given prior to exams.
Course Policies
Plagiarism. Plagiarism is using someone else’s words or ideas in direct quote, paraphrase, or summary form
and submitting them as your own . . . (Insert De Anza College policy.)
Student with Disabilities Policy. (Insert De Anza College policy.)
Sexual Harassment Policy. (Insert De Anza College policy.)
M. Reber
6/27/2016
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EWRT 1A Schedule
Date
Topic
9/24
Course Introduction/
Purposes of Communication
9/26
Kinds of Texts/
Levels of Discourse
10/1
Components of the Essay
Ch 1: Thinking Well-Trimble
10/3
Brain Storming, Free Writing,
Outlines, Clustering
Ch 2: Getting Launched -Trimble
10/8
Your Identity/
Personal Narratives
“A Tapestry of Hope” –Wakatsuki
Houston
10/10
Ethnicity, Race, and Culture
Narrative of the Life of Frederick
Douglass
10/15
Essay Introductions, Thesis
Statement, and Support/
Documenting Outside Sources
Ch 3: Openers - Trimble
Ch 4: Middles - Trimble
10/17
Ethnicity, Race, and Culture
(con’t.)
“Everyday Use”- Walker
“ Good Country People” – O’Connor
Narrative Paper Draft
for Peer Workshop
10/22
Topic Sentences and Paragraph
Structure/Sentence Structure
Ch 8: Superstitions - Trimble
Narrative Paper
10/24
Essay Conclusions/
Critical Analysis
Ch 5: Closers – Trimble
Ch 9: Critical Analysis
10/29
Social Class, Historical Context,
Gender, and Politics
“The Gettysburg Address” - Lincoln
“Vindication on the Rights of
Women” – Wollstencraft
“The Story of an Hour” – Chopin
10/31
Audience, Diction, and
Readability
Ch 6: Diction - Trimble
Ch 7: Readability - Trimble
11/5
Revising, Proofreading, and
Editing
Ch 10: Revising – Trimble
Ch 11: Proofreading - Trimble
Draft 1 Textual
Analysis (1 copy for
me, 1 for peer
reviewer)
11/7
MIDTERM
Bring comments on
peer paper
11/12
HOLIDAY
M. Reber
Reading Due
Assignments Due
Examples of Kinds of
Texts
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Narrative Paper
Brainstorm
Textual Analysis
Paper Outline
3
Date
Topic
11/14
The Argumentative Essay
11/19
Rhetorical Devices/
Ethos, Pathos, and Logos
Assigned Readings
11/21
The Intersection of Ethnicity and
Education
Of Borders and Dreams - Carger
11/26
Negotiation and Social Concerns
11/28
Negotiation Proposal Template/
Assign Negotiation Groups/
Meet with Groups
12/3
Teacher Consultations
Negotiation Proposal
Draft
12/5
Negotiation Group Presentations
Negotiation Proposal
and Presentation
12/10
Review for Final Exam
Journal Due
12/12
M. Reber
Reading Due
Assignments Due
Final Textual Analysis
Argumentative Essay
Thesis Statement
Argumentative Essay
“As Long as the Grass Will Grow” –
Carlos Bulosan
FINAL EXAM
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