ENG 0933-304/302
WRITING II: WRITING AS EXISTENCE
T/R 9:30-10:50/12:30-1:50
11272/11270
Fall 2008
Dr. Kara M. Ryan-Johnson
Assistant Professor of English
SE 1129; 595-7613
E-Mail: kara.ryanjohnson@mail.tulsacc.edu
Office hours: T/R 9-9:30, 11-12:30, 2-2:45; W 9-10,
11-2:30
Communications Division
Judy Leeds, Associate Dean
SE 1202; 595-7694
Catalog Description
English 0933 is a continuation of Writing I. This course will be a step-by-step approach to paragraph and
essay writing. Special emphasis will be placed on sentence structure, punctuation, editing, and revising skills,
English language usage, and basic types of academic writing.
Instructor Philosophy
Writing is an enactment of existence; that is, writing is a method by which we as human beings assert
ourselves as unique individuals. In the act of writing, our individuality becomes concrete and real. When we
write, our ideas and thoughts become visible and available to others, which can be both exhilarating and
frightening. In addition to these abstract concepts, writing is also a primary, important method of critical
thinking and communication. Very frequently, when we sit down to write something—say, a response to a
reading—the ideas that we put on paper might be different than the ideas we had when we were reading. This
is because writing is a re-visiting of thoughts, which leads to the progression of ideas. Writing can be
frustrating because we want what we write to be identical or nearly identical to what we are thinking. We
might relieve some frustration, however, by acknoWLedging and accepting the interdependence between
writing and thinking. Ultimately, this class seeks to achieve this: I want you to become a more conscious
reader and writer, so that you can be a more resourceful writer and so that you regard reading, writing, and
thinking as enjoyable activities.
Required Texts and Materials
Gaines, Ernest. A Lesson Before Dying. New York: Vintage, 1993. [Our section only.]
Hardy, D. J. Writing For Life. New York: Pearson, 2008.
Notebook for in-class writing exercises
Pocket Folder (for Writing Portfolio)
Computer with online access
General Education Goals
The General Education Goals are designed to ensure graduates of Tulsa Community College have the skills,
the knoWLedge, and attitudes to carry them successfully through their work and their personal lives. General
Educational Goals relevant to this course include critical thinking, effective communication, engaged learning,
and technological proficiency.
Course Objectives
This course is designed to prepare students for fundamental college writing situations by teaching them to,
 Use the stages of the writing process to select effective topics, gather supporting details, organize and
develop ideas, prepare rough drafts, and edit and revise compositions;
 Evaluate their own writing and the writing of their peers;
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


Achieve their writing objectives by effectively selecting and using appropriate methods of writing
development;
Master the fundamental structures and stylistic techniques for sentences, paragraphs, and essays;
Improve use of Standard English and other academic skills.
Teaching Methods
Based upon current needs, I will use a variety of teaching methods throughout the semester, including brief
lectures, discussions, group activities, Writing Center learning experiences, and portfolio assessment.
Writing Center
A campus writing center is an important resource for college writers at all levels. TCC has a writing center
located in SE 1102. Aside from offering individual tutoring on writing assignment, the WC also offers selfpaced laboratory courses in grammar, usage, writing skills, reading, spelling, and study skills are available for
enrollment during the first eight weeks of the semester. Students in Writing II will be responsible for
completing assignments in the Writing Center, which will count toward the participation portion of your final
grade. Each student will have a folder on file in the Center. (Note: the WC’s hours are as follows: M-R 8-8; F
8-5; Sat 9-1.)
Grading Paradigm
Assignment
Points
Email to Instructor from MyTCC
Personal Introduction on Blackboard
Syllabus Quiz
Writing Center Quiz
LRC Orientation Quiz
Essay Rough Drafts
Midterm Exam
Final Portfolio (essays and conferences)
My Comp Lab exercises
Writing Center Tutorials
20
4 @ 25
20
20
20
20
100
2 @ 25
100
300
50
50
Total 700
Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy
Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not condoned nor tolerated at campuses within the Tulsa Community
College system. Academic dishonesty is behavior in which a deliberately fraudulent misrepresentation is
employed in an attempt to gain underserved intellectual credit, either for oneself or for another. Academic
misconduct is behavior that results in intellectual advantage obtained by violating specific standard, but
without deliberate intent or use of fraudulent means. The student should review the relevant sections of the
TCC Student Code of Conduct Policy Handbook.
Plagiarism is a form of academic misconduct; it is claiming, indicating, or implying that the ideas, sentences,
or words of another writer are your own. Plagiarism includes having another writer do work claimed to be
your own, copying the work of another and presenting it as your own, or following the work of another as a
guide to ideas and expressions that are then presented as your own. The student should review the relevant
sections of the TCC Student Code of Conduct Policy Handbook. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you plagiarize,
you will receive an F on the relevant assignment and you may also receive an F for the course.
Documentation of plagiarism will be forwarded to the Dean of Students for inclusion in the student’s
permanent file.
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Conduct
All communication in this class, including class discussions, individual emails to me, telephone conversations,
and/or face-to-face dialogue should be professional in content and format. Note: I will not discuss grades or
assignments with parents. Students are responsible for monitoring their progress. To understand why you
may have received a particular grade on an assignment, you should follow these steps:
1. Verify that you followed the assignment requirements;
2. Read over any comments that I have made on that assignment;
3. Consult the appropriate grading rubric.
I am happy to clarify any comments that you may not understand. I encourage students to come to me if they
want individual assistance with writing, reading, or other course materials.
Cell phones should be turned off and stowed out of sight during class. Laptop usage during class is
prohibited. The instructor reserves the right to confiscate cell phones for the duration of class if they become
distractions.
Attendance and Missed Work Policy
Becoming a better writer and reader necessitates that you be an active and engaged student—meaning, that you
should come to class regularly; nonetheless, your education is your responsibility. You should, however, note
that quite a significant percentage of your grade includes work that is completed in class.
If you come to class without having completed the day’s assigned reading or writing, and/or if you come to
class without class materials (textbooks, paper, writing implements), I reserve the right to dismiss you from that
particular class session and you will be recorded as absent.
You may only be allowed to make up work in the case of excused absences, which are defined as absences
due to emergency circumstances; however, you will need to show evidence for unexcused absences (a
doctor’s note, a police report, an obituary listing you as a survivor, etc.) In the case of unexcused absences, inclass work, including quizzes, exams, writing exercises, etc. may not be made up. Take-home assignments should
be completed and handed in prior to anticipated absences.
After an absence, you should NOT contact me to obtain missed assignments, information,
announcements, etc.; rather, you should consult the Personal Introduction Discussion Forum on
BlackBoard in order to obtain contact information for classmates; however, it must be stated that
those students who are contacted for missed work are under no obligation to the absent student.
I will not assign an “I”, or an Incomplete; I will only issue an Administrative Withdrawal in cases
where the student has not come to the first two session and when the student has failed to turn in the
first two assignments.
Failure to Withdraw Policy
Failure to withdraw may result in the student’s receiving a regular grade of “F” at the end of the semester.
The last day to withdraw from the course with a full refund is Sunday, August 30th. The last day to withdraw
with a W or change from credit to audit is Friday, November 9th.
Student Needs
TCC offers a number of services for students with disabilities from the Disabled Students Resource Center
(595-7115). Any student needing special services should meet with me immediately.
Inclement Weather
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TCC rarely closes. If extreme weather conditions or emergency situations arise, TCC always gives
cancellation notices to radio and television stations. This information is also posted on the TCC website
(www.tulsacc.edu).
ADA Policy
Students with documented disabilities are provided academic accommodations through the DisAbled Student
Resource Center (918-595-7115) or Resource Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (918-5957428/TDD-TTY 918-595-7434). If any student is in need of academic accommodations from either office, it
is the student’s responsibility to advise the instructor so an appropriate referral can be made no later than the
first week of class. Students may also contact the DisAbled Student Services Offices directly at the telephone
numbers indicated. Academic Accommodation will not be provided unless appropriate documentation is provided to the
DisAbled Student Services Office to support the need.
Learning Support Services
The following services are available at the designated locations on the TCC college campuses to assist the
student in this course:
Metro CampusSoutheast Campus
Distance Learning, MC 129 (595-7143)
Microcomputer Lab, MP 200 (595-7146)
Communications/Reading Lab, MC 536 (595-7214)
Writing Lab, MC 306 (595-7240)
Learning Resources Center, MC 200 (595-7172)
Northeast Campus
Microcomputer Lab, NE A1 (595-7592)
Learning Resources Center, NE 1135 (595-7501)
Microcomputer Lab, SE 4231 (595-7643)
Communications Center, SE 1102 (595-7749)
*Learning Resources Center, SE 7200 (595-7701)
West Campus
Microcomputer Lab, WC I166 (595-8122)
Reading & Writing Center, WC I116 (595-8063)
Learning Resources Center, WC I266 (595-8010)
Note: Computer Services Acceptable Use
Access to computing resources is a privilege granted to all TCC faculty, staff, and students. Use of TCC
computing resources is limited to purposes related to the College’s mission of education, research, and
community service. Student use of technology is governed by the Computer Services Acceptable Use
Statements/Standards found in the TCC Student Code of Conduct Policy Handbook. These handbooks may be
obtained by contacting any Student Activities or Dean of Student Services office.
Institutional Statement
Each student is responsible for being aware of the information contained in the TCC Catalog, TCC Student
Handbook, TCC Student Code of Conduct Policy Handbook, and semester information listed in the Class
Schedule.
A final note: Please do not hesitate to come to me if you are confused about any part of the course.
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COURSE AGENDA
In class
August
T-19
Assignment due
Course Introduction
Review Syllabus
R-21
My Bag
Syllabus Quiz
Bring My Bag
Review Syllabus
T-26
Writing
BlackBoard (Bb) Orientation
Reading: Writing for Life (WL) Chap. 1,
“Prepare to Learn about Writing,”
Do Practices 3, 4, & 5
R-28
Writing Center Orientation
Email to Instructor and Blackboard
Personal Introductions due by 11:59 p.m.
Writing Center Quiz
The Writing Process
Review notes from
Writing Center Orientation
Reading: WL, Chap. 2, “Thinking about the
Writing Process”
R-4
The Importance of Reading
LRC Orientation
Reading: WL, pp. 664-669, “Reading and
Writing”
T-9
LRC Orientation Quiz
Study for LRC Orientation Quiz
R-11
Paragraphs
Using SafeAssign
Reading: WL, Chap. 3, “Understanding the
Paragraph,” Do Practices 1, 5, 6-8, 13
T-16
Producing Coherent Paragraphs
Success Paragraph due to
Blackboard by 11:59 p.m.
R-18
College-level Writing and Essays
Reading: WL, Chap. 13, “Understanding the
Essay”
T-23
Description Paragraphs & Essays
Reading: WL, Chap. 4, “The Descriptive
Paragraph,” & pp. 290-294, “Developing your
Point in a Descriptive Essay”
R-25
Discuss My Comp Lab Diagnostic
Revising Paragraphs
Sign up for Conferences
Draft of Description Essay
due to Bb by 11:59 p.m.
T-30
No class—Conferences in my office
Complete My Comp Lab Diagnostic
and write a lab plan
October
R-2
No class—Conferences in my office
Complete My Comp Lab Diagnostic
and write a lab plan
Narrative Paragraphs/Essays
Reading: WL, Chap. 5, “The Narrative
Paragraph” and pp. 294-298, “Developing your
Point in a Narrative Essay”
September
T-2
T-7
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R-9
The Relationship Between
Mechanics and Meaning
Reading: WL, Chap. 19, “Sentence Clarity,” Do
Practices 2 & 3
T-14
The Relationship Between
Mechanics and Meaning
Reading: WL, Chap. 21, “Comma Splices and
Run-ons,” Do Practices 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6
Draft of Narrative Essay
due to Bb by 11:59 p.m.
R-16
No class
Complete Midterm (on Blackboard)
by 11:59 p.m.
T-21
Process Paragraph
Reading: WL, Chap. 6, “The Process
Paragraph”
R-23
Introduction: A Lesson Before Dying
Talking and Writing About Literature
Chap. 7, “The Example Paragraph,” Do
Practice 2, 5;
in A Lesson Before Dying (LBD), Chap. 1-2
T-28
Comparison and Contrast Paragraphs/Essays
A Lesson Before Dying
Reading: WL, Chap. 9, “The
Comparison/Contrast Paragraph,” and pp. 313316, Do Practice 7;
AND, LBD, Chap. 3-5
R-30
Definition Paragraphs/Essays
A Lesson Before Dying
Reading: WL, Chap. 10, “The Definition
Paragraph,” and pp. 318-321, Do Practice 8;
AND, in LBD, Chap. 6-7
November
T-4
A Lesson Before Dying
Reading: LBD, Chap. 8-10
Draft of Definition Essay
due to Bb by 11:59 p.m.
R-6
A Lesson Before Dying
LBD, Chap. 11-15
T-11
A Lesson Before Dying
LBD, Chap. 16-26
R-13
A Lesson Before Dying
LBD, Chap. 27-end
T-18
The Persuasive Essay
A Lesson Before Dying
Reading: WL, Chap. 12, “The Persuasive
Paragraph” AND pp. 328-331, Do Practice 10
R-20
Peer Edits
Bring draft of Persuasive Essay
T-25
No Class: Optional Conferences
Draft of Persuasive Essays due
to Blackboard by 11:59 p.m.
R-27
Thanksgiving Break
December
T-2
R-4
Discuss Persuasive Essays
Portfolio Requirements
No Class: Optional Conferences
Portfolios due: TBA
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