Eng1010 Syllabus/Schedule 1
English 1010 – Expository Writing -- Spring 2003
Course Theme: J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter
INSTR:
OFFICE:
OFC HRS:
PHONE:
EMAIL:
Mr. Sean Wilson
AMG 305
TR 10:00-11:30 & by Appt.
904-8262
mtsu1010wilson@yahoo.com
Section 47
TR
1230-0145, PH 315
Section 48
TR
0200-0315, AMG 304
REQUIRED TEXTS
 Axelrod, Rise B., and Charles R. Cooper. The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing, Short 6th edition
 Hodges, John C. Hodges, et al. Hodges’ Harbrace Handbook, 14th edition (2000)
 Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, (1997)
REQUIRED MATERIALS
 Access to Microsoft Word
 Email Account
 Access to the Internet
 Floppy Disk
 College-ruled, loose-leaf notebook
 Letter-sized Manila file folders
paper
 Dictionary
COURSE OBJECTIVES--English 1010 will introduce you to a systematic writing process and give you
much practice in writing. More specifically, you will learn to generate ideas for writing and to explore
and limit subjects; to draw content for your writing from various sources to use these sources, and to
document them; and to revise your writing to create interesting, unified, coherent essays that are
adequately developed.
COURSE ACTIVITIES
Reading--You will read (1) chapters from The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing dealing with strategies for
writing and reading, (2) sections from Hodges’ Harbrace Handbook on matters of rhetoric and style, and
(3) other essays.
Writing & Revising--In addition to in-class writings, you will write at least two drafts of each of the
four out of class essays (650-800 words each). You will learn that effective writing is a matter of
rewriting, and you will have an opportunity to receive feedback on your writing and to rewrite each of
your essays.
Objective tests of reading assignments--You will outline selected chapters in The St. Martin’s Guide to
Writing and take objective tests over that material. In addition, you will have quizzes covering chapters
that you will have read in H.P. and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Reading Journal—You will maintain a journal in which you will record various kinds of notes about,
and reactions to, Ms. Rowling’s story. This type of journal “allows students to make personal
connections with literary characters by encouraging students to react in writing to the characters’ actions
as the work progresses.” (Source: Winifred Montgomery. “Journal Writing: Connecting Reading and
Writing in Mainstream Educational Settings.” Reading & Writing Quarterly 17 (2001): 93-98.).
In class, you will do this journal writing on loose-leaf notebook paper. Out of class, you will type these
notes, and ALL of your journal entries will be organized in a folder that will be collected at various times
during the semester. Your journal grade will be based on the ratio of journal entries you complete to the
Eng1010 Syllabus/Schedule 2
total journal entries assigned. Expect about one or two journal entries per week as assignments. These
entries are for your own benefit to help you gather ideas and practice things we go over in class.
Attendance—I will take roll daily, and if you miss more than three classes or fail to attend any
mandatory teacher/student conferences, you will fail the course. Once you have used up your three free
absences, they are gone, and I cannot overlook or excuse any additional absences. Only absences for
university-sanctioned functions (for instance, trips relating to sports, chorus events, livestock judging,
&c.) are excused. In such cases, you are responsible for notifying me of the absence well in advance and
for getting your work in before you will be absent.
Tardiness-- You should also be aware that class runs by MY watch, not yours! Arriving late
indicates a lack of respect for me and for your classmates. Therefore, TWO late arrivals will equal
an absence. If you arrive more than 15 minutes after I have started class, you are absent.
GRADES
Final Course Grade—To be eligible to earn course credit, you must (1) complete all in-class writings,
(2) complete at least two drafts of all five essays, (3) meet writing assignment deadlines, and (4) meet all
attendance requirements. Then your course grade will be determined as a ratio of Total Points Earned
divided by Total Points Available (see below).
100 pts.
100 pts.
150 pts.
200 pts.
Essay 1 (Diagnostic)
Essay 2 (C & C/Response)
Essay 3 (Profile) *GROUP PROJECT*
Essay 4 (Arguing a Position)
150 pts. Essay 5 (Interpretation)
200 pts. Final Essay
50 pts. Participation &, Writing Journal
50 pts. UWC Tutorials
1000 TOTAL POINTS
Grading Scale:
90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
60-69 = D
below 60 = F (0-0.6)
Please note that to pass English 1010, you course average must be a C (at least 70).
Students who fulfill all course requirements but fail to achieve C or better and who are attempting the
course for the first time will receive a course grade of N (not passing), which gives them another
opportunity to pass the course without lowering their GPAs. Final course grades will be reported as A,
B, C, F or N (no plus or minus grades).
COURSE POLICIES
Late Work—All assigned work is DUE on the day that it is DUE. Nevertheless, Life does happen. For
that reason, you have one and only one opportunity to submit a late essay. You may turn in one essay up
to 24 hours late, except for the Final Essay, without a grade penalty. After that one exemption, any other
late work will NOT be accepted. This does not cover homework or in-class work, which cannot be
turned in late.
Reasonable Accommodation for Students with Disabilities. If you have a disability that may require
assistance or accommodation, please speak with me as soon as possible. Students may also contact the
Office of Disabled Students Services (898-2783) with questions about accommodations.
Plagiarism-- The most flagrant instances of plagiarism are (1) submitting work that is copied from
another student's writing, (2) having someone dictate what should be written, and (3) using printed or
Internet sources without documentation. If you are caught plagiarizing or cheating in my class, you will
Eng1010 Syllabus/Schedule 3
receive an F in my class and your activities will be reported to the Dean of Judicial Affairs for
disciplinary action.
TUTORING SERVICE--The Writing Center is located in Peck Hall 325 (phone 904-8237, e-mail
uwcenter@mtsu.edu). If I find that you have writing problems that can be best addressed in tutoring
sessions, I will require that you take advantage of this free service. Also throughout the semester, I will
require all students to go to the Writing Center and take part in various grammatical and mechanical
tutorial sessions.
**On days when our class does not meet you should make every effort to either work ahead, to
read ahead, or to schedule a session to work with a member of the Writing Center staff on the
development or revision of an essay.
*** This syllabus is subject to modification at the instructor’s discretion.
English 1010 (Expository Writing) -- CLASS SCHEDULE -- Fall 2001
IMPORTANT NOTES: Always bring this syllabus/schedule to class along with your copy of
The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing. Bring other books and materials as instructed.
Homework writings and outlines for tests: This work should be completed in full prior to the
class for which it is due. Late homework will not be accepted
A partial overview of the semester’s work:
Week 01 (01/07-01/09)
T – Course Introduction and Syllabus
R – ESSAY ONE: Diagnostic
Week 02 (01/14-01/16)
T – Discuss: The Writing Process
R – TEST: SMG ch. 13; Return Diagnostic; Discuss: Paragraph Development
Week 03 (01/21-01/23)
T – Discuss: Revising vs. Editing; Writing Center Presentation
R – TEST: SMG chs. 14&15; Discuss: Reading Strategies;
Week 04 (01/28-01/30)
T – Discuss: Critical Reading Strategies; Submit Revised Essay 1
R – Discuss: Journal Assignment
*N.B. – 02/03 is the last day to drop this class without a Grade.
Week 05 (02/03-02/05)
T – TEST: Harry Potter, chs. 1&2; Review Journal Entries