A Checklist for Syllabi in the IPFW Writing Program
In this checklist, you'll find a list of reminders and suggestions when writing a syllabus for your writing
course. This checklist shows both required and optional information. The required information must appear
in all syllabi for composition courses at IPFW.
Required information
In your syllabi, include the following items:
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Basic course information. Please include
o course title
o course number and section(s)
o days, times, and location(s) of course meetings
Instructor information. Please include
o your name
o office location
o office hours (please be available at least one hour per week for each section taught)
o office phone number (to call during your office hours) and voice mail number
o your preferred email address
Departmental goals for the course. The goals for P131, W130, W131, and W233 are listed in The
IPFW Writing Handbook. All instructors are required to list the goals presented in boldface
Course policies. Please explain
o under what conditions you’ll accept late work
o your expectations for attendance and promptness
o a definition plagiarism and its consequences (see the Boilerplate) section
Assignments and activities: Briefly describe each major paper assignment (your assignment
sequence) as well as other graded activities (such as journals and in-class participation)
Grading policy: (Note: Out-of-class papers should comprise at least 60% of the final grade)
o List the point value of each major component of the class (e.g., out-of-class papers, journals,
in-class writing, presentations, participation)
o Explain how final grades will be determined (e.g., Will you uses percentages, with 90% and
above being an A? Will you grade on a curve?)
Tentative course schedule: For each day, include
o discussion topics
o anticipated in- and out-of-class work
o due dates (even if tentative) for drafts and revisions
o date and time of final exam period.
Optional Boilerplate
The Writing Center suggests that you include the following statement in your syllabi: Save time and
write better papers for any class through free individual consultations in The Writing Center, Kettler G19.
Bring assignments, questions, ideas, and a draft (if you have one). Consultants can help you get started;
organize and develop your ideas; learn how to revise, edit, and cite sources responsibly, and proofread your
own paper. Come as you begin a paper and as you revise. Drop-ins are welcome, but to ensure
appointments, sign up on Tutortrac at our website, www.ipfw.edu/casa/wc. Online consulting and other
information about writing college papers is available at this same website. Questions? Call 481-5740 or
write writingcenter@ipfw.edu
Checklist for Syllabi
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Services for Students with Disabilities suggests that you include this statement in your syllabus: If you
have a disability or acquire one and want to find out what special services and accommodations are
available, you may contact Services for Students with Disabilities in Walb 113 (481-6657).
You could include the following statement on plagiarism: The IPFW 2004-2006 Undergraduate Bulletin
describes plagiarism as “the adoption or reproduction of ideas or statements of another person as one’s own
without acknowledgment” (280). To borrow someone else’s writing without acknowledging that use can
result in failure for the course as well as sanction from the University. (See the section entitled “Student
Conduct Subject to Disciplinary Action” beginning on page 280 of the bulletin.) The "ghost writing" of a
paper also can lead to sanction from the University. That is, you should never do someone else's homework
for them.
You must do your own original work in this course--and to identify that portion of your work which is
collaborative with others, or borrowed from others, or which is your own work from other contexts.
Whenever you quote passages, borrow graphics, or use ideas from others, you are legally and ethically
obliged to acknowledge that use, following appropriate conventions for documenting sources. You may
revise work that you have done or are doing in other courses as long as it meets the following conditions: (1)
it is your own work, (2) you plan an extensive revision for this course, and (3) you have informed, and have
received the approval of, your instructor. If you have doubts about whether or not you are using your own or
others’ writing ethically and legally, ask your instructor.
Consider including an athletic/extra curricular activity policy statement such as: Although
outside activities are an important part of college, academics are your number one priority. If you
miss class due to a university-sponsored event, you are still expected to submit all work that is due
on that day and the class is not “excused.” Please provide a written schedule signed by your coach
or sponsor of any classes you may miss because of athletic or extracurricular activities.
Other Suggestions
Consider these suggestions before composing syllabi:
 Label assignments on your syllabus and handouts in a way that corresponds with your course
texts (i.e., if your text stresses genre, label your assignments as “memoir,” “profile,” “position
paper,” etc.)
 Design out-of-class assignments in ways that will prevent plagiarism (e.g., don’t accept
revisions without accompanying drafts and evidence of “process,” encourage students to write
on local topics/issues rather than general topics)
 Create attendance and tardy policies that convey the importance of participating in all class
activities but allow some flexibility for students with daunting work, family, and
transportation problems. Hedging the wording of policies can help with flexibility (e.g., “More
than three absences may result in a lower course grade”).
 To avoid problems later, consider including a statement such as the following in your syllabus
so that you’ll be covered if students do not complete major components of the course: You
must submit all required work to pass the course OR In order to pass the course, you must
achieve a passing grade for all major components of the course, including final writing
portfolio, journal, and participation.