English Composition I: Argument and Analysis
ENG 101-56
SPRING 2011
HEHP 319
TR 12:30-1:45
Instructor: Ryland Bowman
Office: 328 McIver (ph: 256.8553)
Office Hours: 10:30-12:00 TR
Email: rgbowman@uncg.edu
Required Texts
Babb, Benson, Dodson, eds. Technê Rhêtorikê: Techniques of Discourse for Writers and
Speakers. UNCG/Fountainhead Press, 2010. (ISBN: 978-1598713855)
Birkenstein, Durst, Graff, eds. They Say/I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing (2nd ed.).
W.W. Norton, 2008. (ISBN 978-0-393-93174-7)
Readings via Blackboard
Course Overview
ENG 101 is intended to give a thorough introduction to the processes of reading critically,
understanding and shaping arguments, and writing within the framework of academic discourse.
We’ll start by reading a wide range of essays: some seem, on the surface at least, more academic or
formal than others, but they all share the same principles of employing rhetorical analysis and
techniques to add complexity to their arguments. As we read these essays (these readings are mostly
on Blackboard), we’ll also examine the principles of rhetoric and academic inquiry that are
presented in Techne Rhetorike. For the first few weeks, students will be expected to complete
several writing assignments that address some aspect of the topics and readings under discussion.
These short writing assignments will form the basis of the first essay, a rhetorical analysis. We’ll
follow a similar process for the second paper, which will you ask to synthesize and discuss the
arguments presented in a group of readings while providing an individual perspective.
A major component of this class is the portfolio assignment, which is a collection of your work
(about 25 pages) that reflects extensive revision and critical engagement and re-engagement with
the readings. While some of your work from the first part of the semester will be included, at least
half of the writing in the portfolio will be generated by the third essay, which will be a combination
of the first two essay approaches along with a significant research component. The portfolio
assignment will also include some shorter assignments such as reviews, annotated bibliographies,
discussions of visual rhetoric, etc. For each major assignment, we’ll either meet during an
individual conference to discuss your work and revision strategies or have an in-class editing
workshop.
Student Learning Goals
This course is intended to:
 help students develop the ability to analyze texts, construct cogent arguments, and provide
evidence for their ideas in writing;
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provide students with multiple examples of argumentative and analytical discourse as
illustrated via student and professional/ published texts;
introduce students to rhetorical concepts of audience, writer, message and context, and how
to employ these concepts in both formal and informal writing situations;
help students develop the ability to summarize, paraphrase, and use direct quotations in
writing;
promote to student writers the value of writing-to-learn through sequenced assignments
rooted in a common theme or focus;
introduce students to the act of writing as a public and community-based process through the
activities of drafting, peer review, and revisions.
Evaluation
All assignments will be discussed in class and posted on Blackboard.
Participation: 10%
Everyone is expected to have thoroughly prepared the readings for each class and to contribute
regularly to class, including in-class writing and peer-editing exercises. If you do not have the right
texts or materials for class or are otherwise unprepared, or if you are late to class, this grade will be
severely impacted. The same goes for violating the laptop or phone policy
Short Writing Assignments: 10%
Five writing assignments and/or Blackboard posts that will ask you to critically assess the readings
or otherwise provide analysis or complete assignments such as an annotated bibliography.
Rhetorical Analysis Essay: 20% (Initial Grade 10%, Portfolio Revision 10%)
Argumentative Essay: 20% (Initial Grade 10%, Portfolio Revision 10%)
Research, Analysis, and Argument Essay: 30% (Initial Grade 20%, Portfolio Revision 10%)
Portfolio: 40% (30% Revision of 3 Essays, 10% Other Work)
Academic Integrity
“Academic integrity is founded upon and encompasses the following five values: honesty, trust,
fairness, respect, and responsibility. Violations include, for example, cheating, plagiarism, misuse
of academic resources, falsification, and facilitating academic dishonesty. If knowledge is to be
gained and properly evaluated, it must be pursued under conditions free from dishonesty. Deceit
and misrepresentations are incompatible with the fundamental activity of this academic institution
and shall not be tolerated” (from UNCG’s Academic Integrity Policy).
Please review the guidelines and list of violations at http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu to ensure that
you understand the university’s policy on academic integrity (including knowing what your rights
are in the event of an accusation). All students are expected to abide by this policy. We will discuss
this further in class, but please keep the following in mind.
A minor offense of the policy (inadvertent failure to cite a source, for example) will be handled at
my discretion. If I suspect you of violating a more serious policy (such as cheating or plagiarism) I
will schedule a conference to discuss it with you; if, after the conference, I believe you have
violated the policy, you will, at the minimum, receive a zero on the assignment; keep in mind that
harsher penalties, including failing the course, may be enacted. A second violation (or an egregious
first one) will be referred to the English Department and University for further discipline (including
possible suspension).
Attendance Policy
Students may miss two classes without penalty. Missing an additional class will lower your overall
grade by five points, and after missing four classes you will fail the class. This is the official
attendance policy of the English Department, so do not expect exceptions to be made. Official
University-related absences will be excused; otherwise, an absence is an absence (except in the
event of very serious circumstances). Please take this into consideration and use your absences with
care. Also, please note that being late to class more than once may result in being counted absent as
well, in addition to affecting your participation grade. You are, by state law, allowed two excused
absences due to religious holidays, which do not count toward your total absences allowed. If you
plan to miss class because of religious holidays, you must notify me in advance of your absence.
Laptop/Phone Policy
Laptops may be used in class only by students having a special need for purposes of note-taking or
other classroom activities. Students with such a need should make specific arrangements with the
instructor. No student may use a laptop in class without a prior arrangement with the instructor.
Please turn off all cell phones during class.
Email Policy
I will respond to your emails within forty-eight hours (usually sooner). If I do not, please resend the
email.
Office of Disability Services
Students with documentation of special needs should arrange to see me about accommodations as
soon as possible. If you believe you could benefit from such accommodations, you must first
register with the Office of Disability Services on campus before such accommodations can be made.
The office is located on the second floor of the Elliott University Center (EUC) in Suite 215, and
the office is open 8am to 5pm, Monday - Friday. 334-5440; e-mail: ods@uncg.edu.
Writing Center
The Writing Center (3211 MHRA) is a free service available to all UNCG students, and is an
excellent resource if you need additional feedback during any stage of the writing process.
ENG 101-56 Course Calendar
The following is an overview of the readings and the schedule of assignments. Please have all
readings done by the day on which they’re listed. Assignments will be discussed in class and will
also be posted on Blackboard. You’ll also be responsible for short supplemental readings which will
occasionally be added to Blackboard. Any new reading assignments (or other changes to the
calendar/syllabus) will be discussed in class as well as announced on Blackboard. If you miss class,
remember to check Blackboard. Unless otherwise discussed, you are required to bring hard copies
of the readings on Blackboard.
T 1/11: Introduction to Course/Discuss Syllabus
R 1/13: “Introduction to Rhetorical Concepts,” Dodson (pp. 12-23, TR)
T 1/18: Excerpt from The Tipping Point, Gladwell (E-Reserve)
1st Short Writing Assignment (Blackboard Post, Due 1/20)
R 1/20: “Performing Rhetorically: Understanding the Movements of Tone in Text,” Webb
(pp. 63-69, TR)
“Developing an Idea of the Audience,” Babb (pp. 56-62, TR)
Excerpt from Baghdad Burning, Riverbend (E-Reserve)
2nd Short Writing Assignment (Due 1/25)
T 1/25: “The Genre of Academic Discourse,” Morehead (pp. 33-40, TR)
Excerpt from “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” King (E-Reserve)
1st Essay Assigned (Rhetorical Analysis)
R 1/27: Rhetorical Analysis Readings Part I (under Course Materials)
T 2/1: Rhetorical Analysis Readings Part II (under Course Materials)
R 2/3: 1st Essay Due (First Draft)/“Revision Is Writing,” Mullins/Student Revision Example (pp.
76-101, TR)
T 2/8: Individual Conferences/Classes Cancelled
R 2/10: Individual Conferences/Classes Cancelled
T 2/15: They Say/I Say: Part I/Pollan Essay (E-Reserve)
1st Essay Due (Final Draft)
3rd Short Writing Assignment (Blackboard Post, Due 2/17)
R 2/17: They Say/I Say: Part II, Deborah Tannen, “Agonism in the Academy: Surviving the
Argument Culture”
T 2/22: They Say/I Say: Gerald Graff, “Hidden Intellectualism”
2nd Essay Assigned (Argumentative)
R 2/24: They Say/I Say: Richard A. Muller, “Nuclear Waste”
Read Example Paper in class
T 3/1: First Drafts of 2nd Essay Due/In-Class Workshops
R 3/3: Final Draft of 2nd Essay Due
ENG 101-56 Calendar
3/8, 3/10: Classes Cancelled for Spring Break
T 3/15: “Finding a Conversation to Find Research,” Wooten (pp. 118-124, TR)
“The Art of Annotation,” Dodson (pp. 124-128, TR)
4th Short Writing Assignment (Due 3/22)
R 3/17: Research Class (Meet in Jackson Library)
T 3/22: 3rd Essay Assigned (Research, Analysis, Argument)
Portfolio Assignment
R 3/24: Research-driven writing: excerpt from King Leopold’s Ghost, Hochschild (E-Reserve)
5th Short Writing Assignment (Due 3/29)
T 3/29: “The Portfolio Process,” Ray (pp. 181-189, TR)
R 3/31: First Draft of 3rd Essay Due
T 4/5: Individual Conferences/Classes Cancelled
R 4/7: Individual Conferences/Classes Cancelled
T 4/12: “Rhetoric and the Creative Writer,” Welden (pp. 138-147, TR)
Final Draft of 3rd Essay Due
R 4/14: “Argument and Persuasion,” Hall (E-Reserve)
T 4/19: In-Class Portfolio Workshop
R 4/21: Portfolios Due
SAT 4/30 12:00 Final Exam Meeting