FIRST YEAR WRITING (WRTG 1150)
Libby Arts Residential Academic Program
Fall 2011
Nobody sees a flower, really; it is so small. We haven’t time, and to see takes time-like to
have a friend takes time.
-Georgia O’Keefe
And how do you learn the craft? In the trenches...I say write and write and write some
more and go write some more.
-August Wilson
Instructor: Kerry Reilly
E-Mail: kerry.reilly@colorado.edu (E-mail is usually the best way to reach me.)
Office Phone: (303) 492-3515
Office Location: Program for Writing and Rhetoric Building at 1338 Grandview Avenue
Office Hours: Wednesdays 2:00-4:00 and by appointment
Class location: Libby 140
TEXTS:
Texts are available in the special orders section in the basement of Boulder Bookstore on
the west end of the Pearl Street Mall. Feel free to purchase elsewhere.
-They Say, I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing by Gerald Graff and Cathy
Birkenstein
-Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
-Art Objects: Essays on Ecstasy and Effrontery by Jeanette Winterson
-Writer’s/artist’s notebook (I’d like these to be hard-covered and unlined. Boulder
Bookstore, CU Bookstore, Trident, Two Hands Paperie, McGuckins, Barnes and Noble,
and art supply stores have a variety of styles.)
-Essays I send to your email address. Please print these and bring them to class the days
we are scheduled to discuss them.
-Knowing Words, edited by Erik Ellis and Lonni Pearce
(Required for all students who take First Year Writing, this text is the Program for
Writing and Rhetoric’s introduction to academic writing and the writing process.
Available in the CU bookstore.)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
First Year Writing is designed to help you improve your writing, reading and criticalthinking skills. In this class, you will read many different types of essays and academic
articles. You will study the ways writers use conventions such as voice, genre and form
to appeal to different audiences. Like professional writers, you will develop strategies for
brainstorming ideas and for writing, revising and editing drafts. You will practice
critiquing your own work, the work of your classmates and the work of published writers.
You will also get a lot of practice using the CU library system. The goal of this class is to
prepare you for writing assignments and writing-related tasks you will encounter in
college and beyond.
COLORADO COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION CRITERIA:
This introductory writing course is part of the statewide “Guaranteed Transfer” pathway of
courses as defined by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) and fulfills
your lower-division writing requirement within the College of Arts and Sciences at CU
Boulder. As such, it addresses the following shared curricular goals:
 Rhetorical knowledge: Our readings, discussions and writing assignments will focus on
enhancing your awareness of the choices available to a writer (or speaker) based upon
the rhetorical situation, her/his intended audience(s) and her/his purpose.
 Writing processes: A fundamental aim of all introductory writing courses is to engage
you in the processes of exploring your writing through multiple revisions, in
consultation with other writers (e.g. students, teacher, Writing Center staff). We will
also focus on: techniques for how to generate, develop, critique and refine ideas; how to
effectively analyze, critique and edit your own and others’ writing; awareness of and
facility with multiple avenues and technologies for conducting effective research,
including online search engines, catalogue databases and subscription research
databases; etc.
 Writing conventions: Through multiple drafts of scaffolded writing assignments, you
will gain increased facility using appropriate conventions of written, academic language
and form, including syntax, grammar, document formatting, and research and citation
procedures appropriate to various disciplines.
 Effective communication strategies: Assignments in this class are intended to prepare
you for effective participation in a variety of rhetorical communities, both in and
beyond your university courses. In addition to standard forms of academic writing (e.g.
analysis, persuasive argument, synthesis), we will also practice writing for a variety of
other very practical occasions, from application essays and proposals, to letters to the
editor, to professional or academic presentations. This will also engage you with a
variety of relevant technologies, from electronic databases and search engines to
PowerPoint and other presentational apparatus for engaging visual media effectively.
ESSAYS:
Over the course of the semester, you will write and revise several different types of
essays including personal narrative, ethnographic, critical inquiry and profile. Each piece
should be at least five double-spaced pages and each will require different types of
research.
HOMAGE:
You will write several one-page, single-spaced tributes to the writers we study. In each,
you will choose a topic that is similar to the one the writer has chosen and you will
imitate the rhetorical techniques the writer uses. For example, you will notice which
modes of persuasion a given writer relies upon (ethos, pathos, logos) and then you will
try to use the same modes, or balance of modes in your one-pager. I would like you to
imitate the writer’s voice, sentence length, word-choice and research techniques.
WORKSHOPS:
Because it is important for each of you to give and have plenty of feedback on your
writing, we will have writing workshops in and out of class. For every essay and onepager that is due, please bring four copies to class. You will exchange essays with
your classmates and give one to me. You will read the essay of each group member, write
comments throughout, add a paragraph of comments at the end, then sign your name. I
will give you several handouts that will help you get used to the workshop format and
help you to become more skilled at commenting on the essays of your peers.
Make sure to bring a copy of your own essay to the small-group workshops that
meet in my office.
LIBRARY TUTORIALS:
Over the course of the semester, you will be assigned four library tutorials. These
tutorials are designed to help you become familiar with the library’s databases. They will
also help you to discriminate among various types of sources and become a more savvy
researcher and library-user in general. You may access these tutorials online at
http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/pwr/. Click on RIOT (Research Instructional Online
Tutorial). You may also go directly to RIOT:
http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/pwr/tutorial/home.htm.
WRITING CENTER:
The Writing Center is a place where students and faculty may go for help during all
stages of the writing process. The services are part of your tuition. Make sure to make an
appointment before you go. For more information, email wrtghelp@colorado.edu. And
see the Writing Center home page: www.colorado.edu/pwr/writingcenter.html
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION:
It is important for everyone to participate in class discussions and workshops. If you are
shy or quiet, I urge you to push yourself. Attendance is also mandatory. If you are absent
more than twice, your grade will drop a letter with each additional absence. You will also
be penalized for chronic lateness. If you are late twice, that will count as one absence. If
you are more than fifteen minutes late, you will be marked absent for the day. Note that
you are responsible for all assignments even if you miss a class. Make sure to have at
least one classroom contact.
If you are ill or are experiencing a serious difficulty and must miss class, please let me
know.
FINAL PORTFOLIO:
At the end of the semester, you will revise and hand in approximately fifteen pages of
what you consider to be your best work from the semester. You will also write a letter in
which you reflect on your writing, your writing process, the rhetorical strategies you
employed for each piece and your process of revision. (Separate Handout to follow.)
GRADES:
Because this is a process course, I will not grade individual assignments. I believe an
obsession with grades often inhibits the desire to take risks and push yourselves in new
ways. I also understand that grades are important to you. At mid-semester, you will
assemble a portfolio of your work thus far. I will provide each of you with a midsemester grade and in-depth evaluation. If you are ever concerned about how you are
doing, please make an appointment or stop by during my office hours.
-Participation and Quality of Your Presence in Class and Small-Groups: 20%
-Mid-semester Portfolio and Reflective Letter: 30%
-Final Portfolio (Reflective Letter, Revised Creative Nonfiction Essay, Revised Critical
Inquiry, Profile, Revised Homage): 50%
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
THE HONOR CODE:
All students at the University of Colorado, Boulder, are responsible for knowing and
adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations include: cheating,
plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery and threatening
behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Council.
Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject
to sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not
limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion).
See www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and
www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/
I would like to add:
Plagiarism is the act, whether deliberate or unintentional, of passing off another author's
work as your own. Plagiarizing all or part of a paper will result in an automatic failure for
that paper and possibly failure for the course. Also, I will not accept papers you have
written or are writing for other classes.
.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR:
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning
environment. Students who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to
discipline. Faculty have the professional responsibility to treat all students with
understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable
limits on the manner in which they and their students express opinions. Professional
courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics
dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender
variance, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's
legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or
gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may
make appropriate changes to my records. See policies at
www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at
www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS:
If you know you will miss class or not be able to make an assignment due date because of
observation of a religious holiday, please contact me within the first two weeks of the
semester so we can make accommodations. For more info:
www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html
DISABILITIES
If you qualify for accommodation because of a disability, please submit to me a letter
from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs can be addressed.
Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities.
Disabilities Services: 303-492-8671, Willard 332, www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices
DISCRIMINATION AND HARRASSMENT:
The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment
(www.colorado.edu/policies/discrimination.html, the University of Colorado policy on
Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships
applies to all students, staff and faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who
believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color,
national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should
contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the
Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH and the campus
resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be
obtained at www.colorado.edu/odh
FIRST YEAR WRITING (WRTG 1150)
SCHEDULE of DUE DATES
R 8/25
-Typed answers to the “Writing Habits” questionnaire
-Writer’s notebook. Personalize it in some way. Some ideas: glue in a photograph, a
postcard, a letter, a menu; write the lyrics to your favorite song; make a collage; sketch
your dining hall meal.
-A letter-sized manila tab folder with your name printed clearly on the tab.
T 8/30
Due:
-Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott: Read the introduction and “Getting Started”
10 minute freewrite in your journal beginning with the words “Anne Lamott..”
-Print, read and bring to class: Sue Wheeler handouts I sent via email.
(“You are a Writer,” “Dare to Take Yourself Seriously” and “You are Your Own Best
Subject”)
R 9/1
One-page, single-spaced turning point essay in the style of Andre Codrescu’s “Stalin”
T 9/6
-Print, actively read and bring to class the following handouts: “In the Waiting Room” by
Elizabeth Bishop and “My Rosetta” by Judith Ortiz Cofer
-Write a one-page, single spaced homage to one of the pieces
R 9/8
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott: Read the introduction and “Getting Started”
10 minute freewrite in your journal beginning with the words “Anne Lamott..”
T 9/13
“Dumpling” by Angela Balcita
http://serichardson.com/2308Readings/Balcita.pdf
-Write a one-page, single-spaced homage. Please bring four copies.
-Bring a first line (from an essay, novel, short story, article) that makes you want to keep
reading.
R 9/15
Complete the first two modules of the RIOT tutorial
https://libnet.colorado.edu/pwr/tutorial/index.htm
T 9/20
-Complete the last two section of the RIOT tutorial. (Use link above.)
-Read “Art Objects” from Jeanette Winterson’s Art Objects: Essays on Ecstasy and
Effrontery
R 9/22
Creative Nonfiction Essay Due (Expand one an homage to approximately five doublespaced pages.)
Please bring four copies.
T 9/27
-Print and read “Relations” by Eula Biss:
http://www.identitytheory.com/nonfiction/biss_relations.php
-Do a double-entry journal. (Must be at least four pages. You will hand this in.)
-Bring Knowing Words to class.
R 9/29
Come to class with a Magic Marker and a tentative topic of your critical inquiry.
T 10/4
Download, print and read chapter I sent to your inbox (“Re-Write to Write “ from Donald
Murray’s The Craft of Revision.)
R 10/6
Download, print and read excerpts I sent to your inbox:
“Types of Research,” “Incorporating Sources,” “When Do Writers Research” from Becky
Bradway and Douglas Hesse’s Creating Nonfiction
T 10/11
LIBRARY SEMINAR
Class will meet in room E260B of Norlin Library
R 10/13
Revised Creative Nonfiction Essay (Please bring four copies.)
T 10/18
Annotated bibliography
R 10/20
Mid-term conferences. Class will not meet at the regular time.
T 10/25
Print, read and bring to class: “Interviewing” from Creating Nonfiction by Becky
Bradway and Douglas Hesse
R 10/27
Critical inquiry draft due. Please bring four copies.
T 11/1
Small Group Workshops.
For the workshop, please:
1-Read the essays of your group members.
2-Write comments and questions throughout their essays.
3-Write a paragraph of feedback at the end and sign your name
4-Remember to bring a copy of your own essay. If you do not have a copy of your own
essay, we will not hold a workshop for your paper.
R 11/3
Print, read and bring to class: “What the Dog Saw” by Malcolm Gladwell
http://www.gladwell.com/2006/2006_05_22_a_dog.html
T 11/8
Firm up arrangements for profile essay. (This must be a person whose life has been
significantly impacted by the issue you researched for your critical inquiry.)
R 11/10
Hand in completed background sheet about interviewee.
T 11/15
Interview must be completed.
R 11/17
FALL BREAK
T 11/29
R 12/1
Profile essay draft due for workshopping.
T 12/6
Final Reading
R 12/8
Final Portfolio
Must contain:
-A letter in which you introduce and critique each piece
-Revised Creative Nonfiction Essay
-Revised Critical Inquiry
-Profile Essay
-At least two one-pagers (homage or response)