ENGLISH 1020: WRITING ABOUT LITERATURE
Fall 2010
Office: Marlboro 3075
Office Hours: TTh: 7:30-8 a.m; 1-2 p.m.
Other hours by appointment
Dr. Kapai
Mailbox in M 3072
Voicemail: 301-322-0592
E-mail:lkapai@pgcc.edu
CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION
Second semester composition using literature as the subject for discussion and writing.
PREREQUISITE: A passing grade (at least a C) in English 1010
EXPECTED COURSE OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to
1.
Write analytical essays about literary texts by
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Formulating restricted, unified, and precise thesis statements
Organizing essay content into introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs
Composing restricted, unified, and precise topic sentences for paragraphs
Writing unified and coherent paragraphs that are well-developed with supporting materials drawn
from the literary text
Applying grammar and usage rules correctly
Choosing appropriate diction
Writing clear, precise sentences
2.
Apply basic literary terms in the analysis of poetry, fiction, and drama (for example, theme, imagery,
rhythm, figurative language, tone, character, plot, etc.)
3.
Write research-based essays using secondary sources to:
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Demonstrate their understanding of plagiarism
Synthesize several different sources into an essay to support its thesis
Quote, summarize, and paraphrase responsibly within that paper
Document sources according to the MLA format
TEXT
Kirszner, Laurie G. and Stephen R. Mandell. Portable Literature: Reading, Reacting,
Writing. Seventh Ed. Wadsworth, 2010.
If you use any other edition, you must check if it has the assigned selections and change pages in the
schedule.
Please obtain your textbook immediately to avoid falling behind.
Recommended Supplemental Sources
Hacker, Diana. Rules for Writers, Sixth Ed. or a recent edition of any other handbook.
A desk dictionary and thesaurus
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OTHER SUPPLIES: A spiral notebook, standard-size loose-leaf paper, a flash drive, and pocket
portfolios for filing handouts and essays
REQUIREMENTS
1.
Reading the assigned selections before coming to class.
2.
Attending classes regularly on time and participating in class activities.
3.
Completing all assignments on time and using the MLA style for documentation.
GRADING
Final grade for the course will be computed as follows
Essays (Five):With the exception of Essay 4, each essay is worth 10%
Mid-term
Quizzes on reading assignments
Class participation, in-class writing, oral presentations, etc.
60%
20%
10%
10%
GRADE SCALE
Total all scores and use the following table for percentage to calculate your grade.
A
=
90+
B=
80-89
C
=
70-79
D=
60-69
F
=
Below
60
CLASS POLICIES
1.
Attendance: You are expected to attend all classes on time. No more than three unexcused absences
are allowed in a semester. More than five absences will lower your grade by 10%. Three late
arrivals (more than ten minutes) count as one absence. Please note that you are responsible for
obtaining all information and assignments for any class missed and for submitting assignments on
time. Missing a class always counts as an absence, even if you have an official excuse. If you miss
more than 7 classes, you will fail the course.
2.
Late work: Late papers will be accepted for a period of two weeks but will be marked down 5% for
each class meeting missed after the due date. If there are any extenuating circumstances, please let
me know in advance; otherwise, after two weeks, no late work will be accepted and a 0 will be
recorded for the assignment. If you miss an in-class graded writing assignment, you must arrange to
complete it during my office hours within the following week. No more than one such make-up is
allowed in the entire semester.
3.
Class participation: It is extremely important that you come prepared for discussion, bring your draft
for editing when expected, and participate in all other activities. No make-up is possible for quizzes or
miscellaneous class assignments.
4.
No eating or drinking (except bottled water) is permitted during the class. Beepers and cellular
phones must be turned off.
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DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES
Students requesting academic accommodations are required to contact the Disability Support Services
Office (B-124) or call (301) 322-0838 (voice) or (301) 322-0122 (TTY) to establish eligibility for services
and accommodations. Students with documented disabilities should discuss the matter privately with their
instructors at the beginning of the semester and provide a copy of their Student/Faculty Accommodation
Form.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Prince George's Community College Code of Conduct defines the rights and responsibilities of students
and establishes a system of procedures for dealing with students charged with violations of the code and
other rules and regulations of the college. A student enrolling in the college assumes an obligation to
conduct himself/herself in a manner compatible with the college's function as an educational institution.
Refer to the 2009-2010 Student Handbook, beginning on page 37, for a complete explanation of the Code of
Conduct, including the Code of Academic Integrity and the procedure for dealing with disruptive student
behavior.
CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The college is an institution of higher learning that holds academic integrity as its highest principle. In the
pursuit of knowledge, the college community expects that all students, faculty, and staff will share
responsibility for adhering to the values of honesty and unquestionable integrity. To support a community
committed to academic achievement and scholarship, the Code of Academic Integrity advances the principle
of honest representation in the work that is produced by students seeking to engage fully in the learning
process. The complete text of the Code of Academic Integrity is in the 2009-2010 Student Handbook (pages
39-41) and posted on the college's website.
A Statement on Civility at Prince George’s Community College
To promote a community of scholarship and civility, everyone at Prince George’s Community
College is expected to be respectful, tolerant and courteous towards others at all times, adhere to
college policies and procedures, and respect college property. Creating a culture of civility both
inside and outside the classroom is everyone’s responsibility.
DELAYED COLLEGE OPENINGS: When the college announces a delayed opening, all classes with at
least 45 minutes of class time remaining at the time of the opening will be held. For example, in the event
of a 10 a.m. opening, a 9:30-10:45 a.m. class will be held. This procedure applies to all credit classes.
DATES TO REMEMBER
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Mid-term
October 21
Last day to withdraw from classes
November 19
Final exam
Thursday, December 16
(8-10 a.m. for 8 a.m. class)
(11 a.m. – 1 p.m. for 11 a.m. class)
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FORMAT FOR WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
1.
All assignments completed at home should be typed. Use Normal (not italics) 12 point font. Always
double-space the text of your paper. Written work completed in class must be neat and legible.
2.
Center the title of your paper on the first page and skip a line between the title and the first line of
your text. Do not underline the title, nor enclose it in quotations.
3.
Use white ruled, standard size, loose-leaf paper for handwritten work and plain unruled paper for
typewritten work. Write on one side only for formal assignments.
4.
Use dark blue or black ink for all assignments (no purple, red, or green etc.).
5.
Number each page except the first one (do count it as page 1).
6.
Each paper must provide the following information (on the first page, top left hand side of a typed
draft):
Your full name
Course-Ref. Number
Instructor
Assignment No. (Clarify if it is a draft or a revision)
Date
7.
Submit the original draft with all revisions; always place the revised draft on top.
8.
Clip or staple all pages of your paper before submitting it. Do not expect me or your classmates to
provide the stapler or paper clips.
Trivial as these format requirements may seem to you, you must follow them. After one reminder, 5
points will be deducted for each assignment that does not follow these directions.
PREPARING FOR CLASS DISCUSSION
Class discussion is an integral part of the course. Expect quizzes and short in-class writing work frequently.
There is no make-up for quizzes, given at the start of the class period. Chronic late comers may want to
consider another section for their class.
WORKING IN GROUPS
Participating in group discussion is not optional but required. Please come prepared to contribute
meaningfully to your group.
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
Essay 1
Essay 2
4
.
The grade on the first draft of your first critical essay will make you aware of the
standards expected in this course. You will have an opportunity to revise your draft, and
the score on the revised draft will be counted towards your final grade. Please follow the
directions and submit the revision by the deadline.
10%
This essay will use your skills in close reading of the text. Instructions will be provided in
class.
10%
5
Essay 3
You will write an argumentative essay on a selected literary work supporting your thesis.
Instructions for the essay will be provided in a handout.
10%
Essay 4
The focus for this essay will be on a theme/topic selected by you. You will be expected to
conduct research and use both primary (literary) and secondary sources (critical essays) in
a carefully documented essay.
Again a handout will be provided for guidance.
Draft 1
10%
Draft 2
10%
Essay 5
An in-class essay on the final examination day. You will be asked to write
an essay on a literary selection (not discussed in class).
10%
On Writing and Revising
Refer to these reminders as you work on your writing assignments.
5
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
It is a myth that you can write effectively without any pre-writing planning. If you believe that
your no-planning, spontaneous writing has always worked for you, you will be disillusioned soon:
this approach won’t work in college-level writing courses—not just in this course but, in fact, in
any formal assignment in any discipline.
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Outlining is an essential part of the writing process. While there are several acceptable ways of
outlining, all of them share a common goal: that is, arranging ideas in some pattern and making
sure that all ideas have adequate supporting details in the right place. So outline in any acceptable
common form (check any recent handbook to get the most updated information for format), but
don’t skip this step.
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When a draft you submitted has a problem in organization or editing, don’t rationalize that it was
only a draft. You are right that your initial drafts will have many problems that will need fixing.
However, these drafts are not for public eye. Any time you are required to bring/submit a draft
for your class mates or me, it should be the best you can produce at the time. After you
receive suggestions for working on the draft, you produce another draft which may or may not be
your final version.
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When you submit a revision, do a re-vision, not just prepare a clean copy. If you simply correct
the grammar and usage errors pointed out and change nothing else, don’t expect an
improved grade. If you repeat the errors on the earlier draft, you may even see a lower grade.
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If this process looks complicated and time consuming, it is. Writing well requires concentration
and effort, but once you train yourself, you may find the exercise quite rewarding.
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I will be glad to assist you in your planning and drafting stage; however, I can help you only if you
bring the relevant raw material with you. In other words, have your thoughts collected and
organized in some manner and then seek my (or someone else’s) help. Otherwise, you are not
seeking help but looking for someone to do your work.
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Getting a good grade requires hard work, but it is within your reach. Just read the assignments
carefully, follow directions, and keep pushing yourself to think hard and edit carefully; you might
surprise yourself by discovering your hidden abilities.
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EGL 1020—Writing about Literature
Class Schedule Fall 2010
This is a tentative schedule, subject to change due to class pace, unexpected class cancellations and other factors.
Please note that the assigned works will be discussed in order listed below, so keep track of progress in class. Do read the
head notes for each selection.
Weeks
Class Dates
Topics
1
Aug. 31, Sept. 2
Sept. 7, 9
2
3
Sept. 14, 16
4
Overview of the course; criteria of evaluation
Planning an analytical essay.
Literary arguments; elements of fiction; discussion
of “A Rose for Emily”
In-class Essay 1 on Sept 9 (If you miss it, arrange
for the makeup by Sept. 16 or you will miss the
opportunity to submit its revision)
Essay 1 returned
Revision of Essay 1 assigned: due Sept.23
Discussion of assigned stories: plot, characters,
setting, point of view, and theme in each work
Assignments
Pages refer to the
Seventh ed. of
Portable Literature
Read pp. 2-21; “A
Rose For Emily,” 115
Read “Writing Literary
Arguments,” 36-43
“The Story of an
Hour,” 106; “Everyday
Use,” 312
Browse student essays,
22-36
“Big Black Good
Man,” 208; “The Cask
Of Amontillado,” 219
Sept. 21, 23
Discussion of assigned stories
Essay 1 revision due Sept. 23
“A Worn Path,” 360;
“The Rocking Horse
Winner,” 380
Sept. 28, 30
Essay 2 assigned: due October 14
Poems about War:
663, 664, 667, 670 and
others announced in class
Continue discussion of assigned stories
5
Analyzing poems; discussion of assigned readings
6
Oct. 5, 7
Possible theses for Essay 2
6
.
“Trifles,”787
Finalize the outline for
Essay 2
7
Oct. 12,
Oct. 14
7
Library Instruction on Oct. 12
Analyzing plays: discussion of “Trifles”
Essay 2 due: October 14
Begin “Fences,” 1124
Complete quick first
reading of the play. Then
focus on each act.
Essay 3 assigned: Due Nov. 11
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Oct. 19, 21
Documentation MLA style (Chapter 3); class discussion of
“Trifles” concluded.
Prepare a preliminary
outline for Essay 3
9.
Oct. 26
College Enrichment Day—No classes
Complete “Fences”
Oct. 28
Mid-term Test on March 25 (covers all discussed
Selections)
Nov. 2, 4
Discussion of “Fences”
Write the draft of
Essay 3
Peer review of Essay 3 draft.
Continue the discussion of “Fences”
Essay 3 due November 11
Essay 4 assigned: first draft due Dec. 2
Final draft due Dec. 13
Both drafts are graded as separate assignments)
Sign up for conferences next week
Prepare the final draft
of Essay 3
10
11
Nov. 9, 11
Start planning Essay 4
12
Nov. 16, 18
Individual conferences as scheduled
In class room during regular hours; others in
my office M 3075
13
Nov. 23
Conferences as scheduled
Nov. 25-28
Thanksgiving Break
14
Nov. 3
Dec. 2
Strategies for revising
Essay 4, Draft 1 due Dec. 2
15
Dec. 7, 9
Individual presentations
7
.
Work on Essay 4; find
relevant secondary
sources
Prepare for individual
presentations. Follow the
instructions provided in
the handout
8
Dec. 7, 9
Attendance required both days for
credit
Dec. 13
Final draft of Essay 4 must be submitted by 5 p.m.
Dec. 16
In-class Essay 5
Additional/alternate readings may be announced in class. Keep yourself informed and submit your
assignments by due date.
Have a rewarding and enjoyable semester of reading, thinking, and writing!
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