English Composition 101
Course Outline
Spring 2008
January 7
Course Overview
Peer Introduction Essay Collaboration
January 9
Peer Introduction Essays, Collaborative
January 14—January 23
Fundamentals of Writing
Chapter 1, Prewriting
Chapter 2, The Thesis Statement
Chapter 3, The Body Paragraphs
Chapter 4, Beginnings and Endings
Chapter 5, Drafting and Revising
Chapter 6, Effective Sentences
Chapter 7, Word Logic
Chapter 8, The Reading-Writing Connection
January 28
Major Errors in Grammar
January 30
Exposition: Development by Example
Readings: "Darkness at Noon" by Harold Krents, page 579
"Black Men and Public Space" by Brent Staples, page 581
"Why Don't We Complain?" by William F. Buckley, Jr., page 583
February 4
Example Essay, Rough Draft
Peer Editing
February 6
Example Essay Due
Exposition: Development by Process Analysis, collaborative essay
Readings: "The Jeaning of America" by Carin C. Quinn, page 587
"Skiing Lessons: The Cold, Hard Facts" by Dave Barry, page 589
"Beauty and the Beef" by Joey Green, page 591
February11
Collaboration in Class
February 13
Collaborative Process Essay Due
Exposition: Comparison and Contrast
Readings: "My Real Car" by Bailey White, page 593
"Say Farewell to Pin Curls" by Anna Quindlen, page 595
February 20
Comparison and Contrast Essay, peer editing
February 25
Comparison and Contrast Essay Due
Library Orientation
February 27—March 5
Library Research Discussion
Writing a Paper Using Research, Chapter 14
Writing a Paper Using APA Style, Handbook for Writers
Topic for Research Essay Due
March 10
Argumentation, Chapter 10
Common Logical Fallacies, page 286
Analyzing Advertisements, page 299
Readings: "A Scientist: 'I Am the Enemy'" by Ron Kline, page 627
"Rethinking the Voting Age" by Ellen Goodman, page 629
"Judging by the Cover" by Bonny Gainley, page 630
March 12
Common Logical Fallacies Quiz
Description, Chapter 11
Readings: "A Day at the Theme Park" by W. Bruce Cameron, page 633
"Hush Timmy—This is Like a Church" by Kurt Anderson, page 634
March 24
Reference Cards and Note Cards Due
Descriptive Essay in Class
March 26
Thesis Statement and Outline
Research Essay Problems
March 31
Rough Draft Appointments
April 2
Research Essay Problems
April 7
Research Essay Due
April 9
Narration, Chapter 12
Readings: "38 Who Saw Murder Didn't Call the Police" by Martin Gansberg,
Page 641
"Crossing the Great Divide" by Peter Fish, page 644
"The Talkies" by James Lileks, page 646
April 14
Narration Essay Due
Writing about Literature, Chapter 16
"The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin, page 440
"When I Heard the Learned Astronomer" by Walt Whitman, page 449
April 16
Literature Readings:
"Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley, page 666
"A Jury of Her Peers" by Susan Glaspell, page 675
April 21
Writing about Literature Essay Due
April 23
Journal Due
April 28
Makeup Day
May 5
Final Essay
Some essays will be written in class as designated by the instructor. All work must
be completed on the instructor's timetable. Failure to complete an assignment on
time will result in a deduction of ten points per class day the assignment is late.
The assignments for November 5, 7, and 14 will each count 33.3 percent of an essay
grade; these assignments must be completed on time.
The course outline is subject to change at the instructor's discretion.