ENG 131-Intro to College Writing
T/Th: 7:30 – 8:50 pm
Instructor: Lisa A. Lark
Email: llark@hfcc.edu
http://iblog.dearbornschools.org/lisalark/
Fall 2013
Room: L-125
Section: 81
Office Hours by appointment only
Catalog Description:
This is the first course of a two-semester sequence in college-level composition and reading. Students will read selected essays
and stories and write several assignments. These reading and writing assignments are more advanced than those found in English
093 and emphasize further development of critical thinking skills.
Required Texts:

Kennedy. The Bedford Reader (11th edition). Bedford.

Lunsford. Easy Writer with Plagiarism Flyer (4th edition).

While not required, I also strongly recommend a collegiate dictionary for use in this class.
Course Description:
This is the first course of a two-semester sequence in college-level composition and reading. Students will read selected essays
and stories and write several assignments. These reading and writing assignments are more advanced than those found in English
093 and emphasize further development of critical thinking skills.
Pre-Requirements:
Successful completion of ENG 093 or placement.
MAJOR CORE COURSE OBJECTIVES (MEASURABLE):
Writing Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to accomplish the following:
1. Write an essay containing a clearly stated thesis.
2. Demonstrate adequate skill in introducing and concluding an essay.
3. Identify appropriate and relevant evidence to be presented using a variety of rhetorical modes, including summary and
argumentation
4. Organize the supporting details in a clear and logical order using transitions to connect sentences and paragraphs.
5. Employ rhetorical strategies appropriate and transferable to assignments in other disciplines or professional contexts.
6. Synthesize and explain divergent viewpoints on an issue.
7. Define a research interest and develop it using multiple sources.
a. Select relevant information from multiple sources and use that information, along with personal experiences and
observations, to support a point.
b. Introduce direct quotations and paraphrases accurately, and use a formal method of documentation.
8. Write an in-class essay that earns a passing grade.
9. Write clear, direct sentences, varied in length and construction, applying basic principles of coordination, subordination, and
parallelism.
10. Minimize errors in grammar and mechanics.
11 . Employ precise and accurate diction as a result of vocabulary acquisition.
12 Revise work after collaboration with other students and/or suggestions from the instructor.
Reading Objectives. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to accomplish the following:
1. Identify main idea and supporting details in college level essays.
2. Analyze the general structural pattern of essays.
3. Distinguish an author's viewpoint from their own by accurate and critical reading.
4. Draw inferences from reading that lead to discussion and communication in writing.
5. Analyze how a writer uses language and literary devices to develop a main idea.
6. Evaluate when an author effectively or ineffectively fulfills his/her purpose.
7. Demonstrate strategies for vocabulary acquisition.
Critical Thinking Objectives. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to accomplish the following:
1. Generate and develop a defensible inference based on available information.
2. Identify, summarize, and synthesize a limited number of sources pertinent to a topic.
1
a. Distinguish clearly between their own views and the views expressed in outside sources.
b. Identify appropriate, credible, and relevant evidence.
Student Responsibilities:
Attendance:
You are allowed to miss two classes throughout the semester. After two classes, you will lose 5 points from your grade for each
additional class missed. If you miss more than 30 minutes of class, that counts as an absence. In other words, if you show up late
and/or leave early and subsequently miss 30+ minutes of class, it will count as an absence.
You must submit assignments on time. I will NOT accept late assignments. If you do not submit an assignment when it is due, you
will receive a failing grade on that assignment and miss both the opportunity to receive feedback from me as well as the opportunity
to revise the assignment for a better grade. If you are unable to be in class when an assignment is due, you MUST make
arrangements to turn in the assignment. The preferred method is to email me the assignment at LLARK@HFCC.EDU. If you will not
be in class, the email must be received BEFORE the start of class. There will be no make-ups on quizzes.
You are responsible for bringing all course materials to each class meetings. This means both texts, your dictionary, something to
write with, and something to write on. You are responsible for keeping your work neat and well-organized in a two-pocket folder
that will be submitted at the end of the term as your Portfolio.
You are responsible for doing your own work. Any dishonesty with homework or assignments will result in a grade of zero for the
assignment and possible failure for the class as well as a letter to the Registrar’s Office. The most egregious act of dishonesty is
plagiarism. Plagiarism is the act of submitting work that is not the result of your own labor and thought, including quoting,
paraphrasing, and summarizing the work of others without citation, or submitting work that has been written by a friend, family
member, or anyone other than you.
English Division Policy on Plagiarism/Academic Integrity
Among other things, academic dishonesty includes plagiarism. Although not the sole form of misconduct of which a student may
be guilty, this is probably the most common academic offense that can occur in an English course. Essentially, plagiarism is the act
of using another author’s words or ideas without properly crediting him/her. Plagiarism can include, but is not limited to, the
following fraudulent acts:
Failing to supply quotation marks for words – sometimes even a single word – copied exactly as seen in the original from
published materials or internet sources, including blogs
Using the structure and/or substance of another’s text without providing credit
Employing passages directly from sources without citation while only rearranging word order, altering grammar or revising a
few words
Omitting the sources or parenthetical documentation for words or ideas or including a Works Cited page without
appropriate parenthetical documentation
Falsifying citations, such as inventing or misrepresenting sources
Submitting a paper written or revised by another
Students who plagiarize may fail the course and be reported to the Registrar’s Office so that the college can take disciplinary
action. Students can view HFCC’s complete and unabridged policy on Academic Integrity by visiting the following web address:
http://www.hfcc.edu/current_students/student_policies.asp - 1.
Assignments:
 You must write three essays (each must be 4-5 pages long in MLA format). The lowest essay score will be dropped.
These essays will be based on forms - narrative, persuasive, comparison/contrast, etc.
 You must write three in-class essays based on the readings you have done prior to the actual writing. You will be
allowed to use a rough outline for the actual timed essay, but you must write the essay in class. The lowest score will be
dropped. You MUST receive a passing grade on at least one essay in order to pass the course.
 You must write ten compositions combining critical observations performed in the classroom with readings from the
textbook, The Bedford Reader. These will vary in length. Some may be traditional essays, while others will be shorter
expository writings asking you to ponder certain issues in the readings. Your two lowest scores will be dropped.
2
 You must turn in a Final Portfolio that represents your best work. This portfolio must include one essay, one in-class
essay, and 3 compositions.
 You must achieve a passing grade on at least one of the three writing quizzes given in class.
 There will be no extra credit assignments offered. Put your best work forward on each assignment.
Grading Chart:
Type
Essays (drop one
lowest)
Possible
Points
Grading Scale
Essay 1
225
A
Essay 2
225
B
Essay 3
225
C
Description
Points Earned
Total Essay Points
In-class Essays (drop
one lowest)
/450
In-class 1
100
D
In-class 2
100
E
In-class 3
100
Total In-Class Points
Composition (drop
two lowest)
Quizzes
3
/200
Composition 1
50
Composition 2
50
Composition 3
50
Composition 4
50
Composition 5
50
Composition 6
50
Composition 7
50
Composition 8
50
Composition 9
50
Composition 10
50
Total Vocabulary
Points
Quiz 1
/400
50
Quiz 2
50
Quiz 3
50
Total Quiz Points
/150
Portfolio
Portfolio
/300
Absences
Deduct 5 points
each after 2
absences
Total Semester
Points
C-
/1500
All papers are graded on content, mechanics, grammar, style, and organization. The standards for grading are as follows: ‘A’
papers have very few mistakes in one or two areas, and are very well-written. These papers are excellent and far exceed
expectations. ‘B’ papers are fairly well-written and with a few corrections and revisions could meet the standards of an ‘A’ paper.
‘C’ papers are average. They have a thesis and a basic argument, but have multiple mistakes in multiple areas. Papers receiving
a C- or lower have major problems that will require a great deal of revision. Remember, an AVERAGE paper will receive a ‘C.’ I
have high standards for your writing, and so should you! A paper without a thesis statement will not receive higher than a C-!
OLD Class Schedule:
Note: The course syllabus is below. For example, this means that for 9/1, you should have read the essay “Plagiarism Lines Blur for
Students in Digital Age” and be prepared to discuss what you have read. Please do your readings before coming to class as this is
critical to success in this class!
Week
Date
Topic
Week 1
8/30
Intro to the Course
Student Survey
In-class essay 1
9/1
Week 2
9/6
9/8
Week 3
9/13
9/15
Week 4
Week 6
4
“Plagiarism Lines Blur for Students in Digital Age”
Bring scantron to class 9/8
Hacker, pp. 107-147
Revision of in-class essay
into MLA format: Due 9/13
Bedford Reader, pp. 9-30
Composition #1: Read “On
Compassion” pp. 193-95
(Bedford) and complete
writing suggestion #5 on p.
33 in Bedford. Due 9/20
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composi
tion/editing.htm
Hacker p. 47
Bedford Reader, pp. 31-38
Discussion: “Champion of
the World,” Narratives:
point of view,
organization
Pre-writing Strategies
Composition #2 Due
Bedford Reader, pp. 81-96
9/29
Narrative Essay Prep
Composition #3 Due
Bedford Reader, 123-130 & 132-33
10/4
Revision & Refinement
10/6
Essay #1 Due
Discussion: Imagery and
Bedford Reader, pp. 38-49
Bring at least one page of essay to class
Bedford Reader, pp. 137-143
9/20
9/27
Assignments
Purchase course materials.
Revising & Editing
--Bring your draft of
Composition #1
Methods of Development,
Thesis Statements
Composition #1 Due
9/22
Week 5
No Class Meeting - Labor
Day
Writing & Grammar Quiz
1
Citing Sources
Writing Well: Where do
we begin?
Reading critically
Readings
Bedford Reader, pp. 99-100
Composition #2:
“Champion of the World”
(Assignment will be
handed out in class) Due
9/27
In-class activity
Composition #3: “Fish
Cheeks,” Assignment: #4
on p.102 of Bedford
Reader. Due 9/29
Essay #1: Narrative Essay.
(Assignment will be
handed out in class) Have
at least 1 page written by
next session. Essay Due
10/6
Composition #4: “Shooting
Dad:” Analyze the imagery
figurative language
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week
10
Week
11
Week
12
Week
13
Week
14
Week
15
10/1
1
Comparison & Contrast
Composition #4 Due
Bedford Reader, pp. 223-231
10/1
3
10/1
8
10/2
0
10/2
5
Writing Activities
No reading for tonight!!!
In-class writing #2
Composition #5 Due
Writing Quiz #2
Read assigned newspaper articles.
10/2
7
Process Analysis
Bedford Reader, pp. 281-289 & 302-304
11/1
Process Analysis
Composition #6 Due
Bedford Reader, pp. 319-326; complete Questions on
meaning and Questions on Writing Strategies before
11/1 class
11/3
Division & Analysis
Bedford Reader, pp. 331-339
11/8
In-class #3: Division &
Analysis, Cont.
Composition #7 Due
Essay Work
Pre-write: Bring prewriting sample on topic: Analyze
a learning environment in which you have been
successful and one in which you were not successful.
Bring at least 1 page of Essay #2.
Classification
Essay #2 Due
Bedford Reader, pp.375-382
11/1
7
Cause & Effect
Resume due (Comp. #8)
Bedford Reader, pp. 431-441
11/2
2
11/2
4
11/2
9
12/1
Composition #9 Due
Argument & Persuasion
Persuasion
Bedford Reader, pp.517-532
Analysis of Persuasion
Bedford Reader, pp. 558-578
12/6
Composition #10 Due
Writing Conferences
Writing Conferences
11/1
0
11/1
5
12/8
Week
16
5
12/1
3
Compare & Contrast: Peer
Edits & Rewrites
Complete peer edit sheet,
make changes, rewrite InClass #2 due 10/27
Composition #6: Process
Analysis: p. 305
Suggestion #1
Due 11/1
Essay #2:
Comparison/Contrast or
Process Analysis
Assignment to be handed
out in class. Due 11/15
Read pp. 340-349.
Composition #7: p. 348
Suggestions for Writing #2.
Due 11/8
Create a resume using p.
383 as an example. Due
11/17
Composition #9: Read 455456 & complete Suggestion
for Writing # 3 on p.457.
Due 11/22.
Essay #3: Persuasive Essay.
Due 12/1
Bedford Reader, pp. 533-537
Discussion
Essay #3 Due
Final Portfolio Due
and figurative language
used by Vowell
Due 10/11
Composition #5: Compare
& Contrast: p. 278 #3
Due 10/18
Composition #10: Course
analysis & review. Due
12/6
Bring graded work to class. Be prepared to peer edit.
Bring graded work to class. Be prepared to peer edit.
Schedule
Note: The course schedule is below. For example, this means that for 8/27, you should have read the essay “Plagiarism Lines Blur for
Students in Digital Age” and be prepared to discuss what you have read. Please do your readings before coming to class as this is
critical to success in this class!
Week
Date(s)
Week 1
08/22/13
Week 2
08/27/13
Topic
Intro to the Course
Student Survey
08/29/13
Week 3
09/03/13
09/05/13
Week 4
09/10/13
09/12/13
Week 5
09/17/13
09/19/13
Week 6
09/24/13
09/26/13
Week 7
10/01/13
10/03/13
Week 8
10/08/13
10/10/13
Week 9
10/15/13
10/17/13
Week 10
10/22/13
10/24/13
Week 11
10/29/13
10/31/13
Week 12
11/05/13
11/07/13
Week 13
11/12/13
11/14/13
Week 14
11/19/13
11/21/13
Week 15
11/26/13
11/28/13
6
No Class – Thanksgiving Break
Reading
Assignment
Assessment
Purchase course materials.
Week 16
12/03/13
12/05/13
Final Exam
7
12/12/13
7:20 – 9:10 PM