English 101-20
Ms. Anna Whiteside
328 McIver, Office Hours MW 1:00-2:30
Email: Aewhites@uncg.edu Office Phone: 336-256-8553
Class Time: MWF 11-11:50 MHRA 3204
Required Material:
Lunsford, Andrea et. al. Everything’s an Argument. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s 2010.
ISBN-10: 0312538618
Lyda, Laurie, et al. Techne Rhetorike, Southlake: Fountainhead Press, 2010.
ISBN: 9781598712544
Additional Required Material:
- Word Processor Program and Printer Access
- Notebook for class assignments, notes, handouts, etc.
- UNCG Email and Blackboard Access
Course Description: This class will focus on learning to master clear and concise writing in a
variety of disciplines. In order to achieve this goal, we will study techniques of argument and
persuasion. To do this, we will learn to read critically and explain what we have read, and then
use the techniques that we have learned from authors and apply them to our own writing.
Student Learning Outcomes
- To be able to determine what is considered “good” or “effective” discourse, and to
explain why this is good.
- To analyze texts for argument as well as rhetorical structure.
- To be able to identify techniques that makes your own writing effective, and to know
how to effectively employ these techniques.
- To develop the ability to use other sources in your own writing, both to back up what you
are saying, as well as a basis of argument.
- To learn to work with others to revise and draft your own writing, as well as to help
others revise and draft their own writing.
Grades:
Final Portfolio: 40%
For your final portfolio, you will revise the first four essays you have done for this class. Grading
will take into consideration the quality of the revision, as well as the quality of the final draft.
Please save all rough drafts, as you will be including these in the portfolio.
Assignments: 30%
You will complete five essays over the course of the semester. We will workshop these essays
before you turn them in. You will need to turn in your peer editor’s comments along with the
second draft that you are turning in to me. These essays will each be given a score of 1-6 (30
total points).
Peer Editing Letters 10%
Part of becoming a good writer is becoming a good reader. You will be assigned a peer editing
partner at the beginning of the semester, and you will be responsible for reading your partners
first draft carefully. You will write a letter to your partner that will a) outline and explain what
you interpreted their argument to be, b) recognize the strategies that are working, and c) make
suggestions for improvements.
Participation 20%
Your participation grade involves the quality of your participation in class discussions and any
presentations that you will do for the class. Also included under this grade will be any reading
quizzes we have and any in-class writing assignments. This will also be a place that will reflect
the overall level of respect that you give your fellow classmates and me.
Class Policies
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). To ensure that you understand the university’s policy on academic
integrity, review the guidelines and list of violations at <http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu>. I
expect you to abide by the Academic Integrity Policy.
Accommodations: I will make reasonable accommodations for anyone with a disability, but you
must come to me with documentation from Disability Services so we can discuss your specific
needs. Contact the Office of Disability Services at 336-334-5440, email at ods@uncg.edu, or
visit their office in the EUC in Suite 215, which is open from 8 AM to 5 PM on weekdays.
Email: Email is the best way to reach me. You can reasonably expect responses from me within
twenty-four hours, excluding university holidays. I will not accept work by email.
MLA Paper Formatting: Turn in all work in MLA format (1” margins, double-spaced, 12pt.
font). For a smashingly good guide to this formatting style, go to “Useful Links” on our
Blackboard site and click on “MLA Paper Formatting,” which leads to Purdue University’s
OWL MLA guide.
MLA Citation: I expect you to responsibly cite all material you use in your work. (See
“Academic Integrity.”) Both in-text citations and references must be in MLA format. For the
extra practice, I even expect you to follow these standards in your Reading Blogs. Purdue
University’s OWL is an excellent resource for learning how to properly cite sources.
Conferences: We will meet for conferences in my office once to discuss your writing. If you
miss your conference, you will receive three absences and a reduction in draft credit. Come to
conferences with questions about your work. I will cancel a week of class to make time for
conferences: hence why you will receive three absences instead of one.
Attendance: In accordance with English department policy, you have two free absences. A
subsequent absence will result in a grade reduction. If you miss four classes, you automatically
fail the course. I do not differentiate between excused and unexcused absences. Should a
crisis arise, come talk to me or email me before you miss several classes. *By this, I mean a real,
bona fide crisis. Missing three days for personal reasons and then having a cold on the fourth day
will not be considered a crisis. You are only learning if you are here. Keep this in mind when
deciding whether or not to come to class.
You are, by state law, allowed two excused absences due to religious holidays, which do not
count toward your total [allowed absences, as defined by your policy]. If you plan to miss
class because of religious holidays, you must notify me in advance of your absence.
Tardies: Get to class on time. Showing up late to class causes a distraction to your fellow
classmates, and will not be tolerated Excessive tardies negatively affect your participation grade.
At fifteen after, I will shut the door to the classroom. Don’t expect to be allowed in – you can
count on an absence.
Late Work: Each day your paper is late, I will subtract 20 points. The only mitigating
circumstance will be a real and true emergency (ie., you or a family member is in the hospital). I
do accept early work; if you know you are going to miss a class, turn in your work before it is
due.
I do not accept work turned in via email. Printing problems do not constitute an
acceptable excuse for you to turn in late work, so leave yourself plenty of time to print your
work. There are several pay print stations around campus, including Jackson Library and the
University Writing Center; be sure you have money on your card for printing.
Electronics: Turn cell phones, mp3 players, and laptops off before class begins. Because this is a
discussion-based class, you should have no need to use your laptops during class. There may be
times when I allow you to use your laptops, and I will tell you when you may do so.
I will absolutely not tolerate the use of cell phones during class. If I see a cell phone on
your desk or in your hands at any times, I will reserve the right to mark you absent for that
period. Should a legitimate emergency arise that would require you to have your cell phone on
your desk, you should notify me.
University Writing Center: This free service exists solely to help you become a better writer.
Take printed drafts at any stage of completion for a one-on-one consultation. Ask consultants to
send me an email about your session. The Writing Center is located in MHRA 3211. No
appointment is necessary.
Disclaimer: Because this is a college class, I reserve the right to ask you to leave. If you at any
time disrespect me or your fellow classmates (which includes talking during class instructions,
while others have the floor, etc), I will ask you to leave and you will receive an absence for that
class. The same thing will happen if you come to class without your books.
Schedule of Readings
EA – Everything’s an Argument
TR – Techne Rhetorike
Subject to Change
Jan 10 Introduction; Syllabus Review; Writing Exercise
Jan 12 Basics of Rhetoric TR 11-45
Jan 14 Basics of Rhetoric TR 48-62
Jan 19 EA 3-20; 756-761
Jan 21 EA 21-35; 724- 741
Jan 24 EA 38-50; 743; 763-768
Jan 26 EA 52-66; 745-747; 769-771Paper 1 Due to Peer Editing Partner
Jan 28 EA 69-84; 748-750; 773-775
Jan 31 EA 84-93; 751-754; Peer Editing
Feb 2 EA 95- 123; 721-722 Paper 1 Due
Feb 4 EA 133-140; 150-163; 603-606; TR 56-62;
Feb 7 EA 141-146; 164-169; 608-609; TR 63-68
Feb 9 EA 170-181; 611-617; TR 69-75
Feb 11 EA 182-206; 621-622; Paper 2 Due to Peer Editing Partner
Feb 14 EA 208-216; 236-241; 624-630; TR 76-80
Feb 16 EA 217-228; 243-428; 632-643; Peer Editing
Feb 18 EA 249-260; 276-279; 636-639; Paper 2 Due
Feb 21 EA 260-273; 280-283; 903-907; TR 81-110
Feb 23 EA 284-297; 313-324; 909-915
Feb 25 EA 297-304; 326-344; 917-920
Feb 28 Conferences
Mar 2 Conferences
Mar 4 Conferences
Mar 14 EA 335-348; 365-368; 925-927 Rough Draft Due to Peer Editing Partner
Mar 16 EA 348-358; 369-372; 929-934
Mar 18 EA 373-380; 399-409; 936-938 Peer Editing
Mar 21 EA 380-391; 411-414; 941-945; Paper 3 Due
Mar 23 EA 417-426; 949-952
Mar 25 EA 426-439; 955-961; TR 124-130
Mar 28 EA 451-463; 963-967
Mar 30 EA 466-489; 779-782
Apr 1 Library Day
Apr 4 EA 493-513; 784-791; TR 184-189
Apr 6 EA 515-534; 794-798 Paper 4 Due to Peer Editing Partner
Apr 8 EA 536-551; 800-803 Peer Editing
Apr 11 EA 551-564; 805-815; Paper 4 Due
Apr 13 EA 817-838
Apr 15 Conferences
Apr 18 Conferences Email Rough Drafts of Paper 5 to Peer Editing Partners
Apr 20 Conferences
Apr 22 Conferences
Apr 25 EA 673-684 Peer Editing
Apr 26 EA 686-697 Portfolio including paper 5 due
Friday Apr 29 – You will pick up portfolios from my office between 8-11