English 1A: Composition
Instructor: Vicki Tulacro
Chaffey College
Email: victoria.tulacro@chaffey.edu
Section #: 78721
Voicemail: (909) 652-6944
Day/Time: T/Th 2-3:20
Office: LA-123
Room: TA-1M
Office Hours: M 11-12:30, Tues 6-7pm, Th 11:30-2, & by appointment
Fall 2013
Units: 3
Welcome to English 1A! This transfer-level course will focus on college-level critical reading and
academic writing. We will be reading a variety of texts from journalistic pieces to personal essays,
argumentative texts and expository writings. Students are expected not only to read the texts, but to engage in
insightful, critical discussions of the material. Students will also construct original essays of varying length
(750-2,000 words) and variations of rhetoric. Students are expected to produce academic-quality essays that are
relatively free from errors in syntax, grammar, punctuation, diction and spelling, and essays that demonstrate
awareness of audience, voice, formality, structure and tone. In this course, you will also be asked to write wellreferenced research essays where you will not only have to cite sources at the end of your essay but also create
parenthetical citations within your own text.
Course Description
Careful study and practice of expository and argumentative writing techniques and the frequent writing
of compositions with the ultimate goal of a research project. A minimum of 6,000 written words is expected
over the course of the term. Three arranged hours of supplemental learning in a Success Center that supports
this course is required. Designed to prepare the student for satisfactory college writing.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
 Develop critical thinking strategies through the primary use of a variety of 750 word or longer
persuasive/argumentative essay readings.
 Arrange argumentative points in clear, effective prose.
 Critique and apply the principles of unity and coherence in essays.
 Develop and use the forms of exposition and argumentation.
 Produce logical, coherent, unified essays with minimal errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
 Appraise the relationships between audience, tone, purpose, and levels of diction.
 Compose clear and specific thesis statements and develop theses into unified and complete essays.
 Analyze the structure of various kinds of essay development, including exposition (analysis,
classification definition, comparison and contrast, cause and effect), an argumentation and construct
essays in such patterns.
 Examine the relationship of logical ideas within an essay, be able to distinguish fact from judgment, and
be able to eliminate prejudice and fallacious reasoning in his or her own writing.
 Inspect his or her writing for grammatical, punctuation, spelling and paragraphing errors to facilitate
more effective author/reader communication.
 Study and practice stylistic devices.
 Generate a suitable and manageable research topic. (Because the research project is a tool in serving the
goal of critical thinking, the subject matter should be argumentative.)
 Choose relevant source material using the library and information technology resources.
 Evaluate potential sources.
 Integrate source material into student writing to support assertions.
 Produce proper style format for citation and documentation through research papers.
1
Required Textbooks & Materials
1. The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing 10th ed, Axelrod & Cooper, ISBN: 978-1476-3094-1
2. The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, ISBN: 978-0-618-70641-9
3. A college-level dictionary
4. A spiral or bound notebook for the exclusive use of journal entries
5. A notebook for taking notes
6. Loose-leaf paper for quizzes & in-class writing assignments
7. A folder to keep handouts, drafts and essays in
8. Highlighters
Attendance Policy
Because you will have a higher chance of success in this class if you attend every class meeting—
ATTENDING ALL CLASS MEETINGS IS REQUIRED. In addition to quizzes and in-class journal
assignments which will take place at the beginning of every class meeting, readings, homework and essays are
due at the beginning of class. Please be sure you make it a priority to be in class on-time, prepared and ready to
learn. If you are late, leave early, or are disruptive in class, you will be counted as absent. You may only miss
TWO classes before your course grade will be negatively affected.
When you choose a class, instructors assume that this class works best with your schedule—which
again, means you are committing to the day and time of the class for the duration of the semester. However, if
in the event you have an emergency and you must miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain all homework
assignments, syllabus changes, lecture and discussion notes, and important announcements. Although I
appreciate knowing that you are committed to the class and that you hate to miss out, it is not necessary to email
me. Rather, you should contact a classmate for the work you missed. Please use this paper to write in the
names, numbers, and email addresses of a couple classmates.
Name
Phone Number
Email Address
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Please be sure to update this list as the semester progresses. Some classmates will stop attending! If you stop
attending class and do NOT drop, you will FAIL. It is your responsibility to complete the necessary paperwork
regarding your enrollment in the class. Do not rely on your instructor to do it for you.
Late-Paper Policy
ALL assignments are due at the beginning of class on the day listed on the syllabus. If you are late to
class, your work is late. If there is an assignment or essay due, and you know you cannot attend, please plan
ahead and have a classmate turn in your work for you. I will NOT accept any assignment via email.
I will, however, allow ONE LATE ASSIGNMENT per student per semester, with the exception of your
Argument Essay and your oral presentation, which must be turned in at the beginning of class on the due date.
If you choose to use your one late assignment, it must be turned in by the NEXT class meeting, and you must
write LATE across the top for full credit. Remember, there is only one late assignment, so choose wisely.
Plagiarism Policy
2
Violations of the Student Academic Integrity Code, including plagiarism, will not be tolerated in
Chaffey College English courses. Plagiarism is defined as the misrepresentation of the published ideas or words
of another as one’s own. At the discretion of the professor, plagiarism or other violations may result in zero
points for the assignment and/or failing the course. Additionally, the professor may file a Student Academic
Integrity Form documenting the violation and may seek other sanctions. The complete Student Academic
Integrity Code appears in the Chaffey College Student Handbook.
Content Disclaimer
It is expected that students enrolled in this course will be willing to engage and carefully consider a
range of materials and subject matter. We may be reading some texts that treat questions of sexuality and the
body fairly candidly. Texts may contain adult language or subject matter.
It should also be noted that at times we will be evaluating student work as a class or student work may
appear in the course of lecture/ discussion. Students will always remain anonymous, and the purpose of these
exercises is to better the class and the writer with commonplace errors or to even highlight an exemplary piece
of writing. At no time should you feel singled-out, as we are all here to learn about reading and writing.
What to Expect in Class
I expect every student in attendance to be prepared, organized and ready to contribute. I will never
come to class unprepared, so I expect the same from you. If you are unprepared or are disruptive (this includes
cell phone use, private conversations and inappropriate behavior), I will ask you to leave and will mark you
absent. Please be considerate of others who have come to learn.
Chaffey College Resources
Student Success Centers
Chaffey College has created a network of Student Success Centers – offering free tutorials, workshops, learning
groups, directed learning activities, and computer/resources access – to assist students in their academic development and
success.
During the Fall 2013 semester, Success Center services will be offered at all 3 Chaffey locations:
Chino Campus Success Center
fall hours TBA
Multidisciplinary Success Center
(CHMB-145) 909-652-8150
Fontana Campus Success Center
fall hours TBA
Multidisciplinary Success Center
(FNFC-122) 909-652-7408
Rancho Campus Success Centers
fall hours TBA
Language Success Center
(BEB-101) 909-652-6907/652-6820
Math Success Center
(Math-121) 909-652-6452
Multidisciplinary Success Center
(Library) 909-652-6932
A current Chaffey College photo ID card is required for all Success Center services. Walk-ins are welcome, and advanced
appointments are available for most services. Call the centers or consult the college website at www.chaffey.edu/success/
for more information. Online appointments: https://chaffey.mywconline.com/
Disability Programs & Services
Chaffey College’s Disabled Students Programs and Services, or DPS, serves an estimated 1500 students across all
Chaffey campuses. DPS serves students with physical, learning, and psychological/psychiatric disabilities by providing
accommodations based on the type of disability and verifying documentation. Services include academic counseling,
disability related counseling and referral for community resources, test accommodations, tram services, adapted computer
lab, assistive technology training, assessment, and equipment loan. For more information please contact the DPS general
phone line at (909) 652-6379.
EOPS and CARE
3
Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) is designed to ensure student retention and success through
academic support and financial assistance for eligible students. Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) is
a program that serves a limited number of EOPS students who are single heads of household parents. It provides
additional support services beyond those available through EOPS. The ultimate goal is completion of a certificate
program, an associate degree, and/or transfer to a four-year college. Call (909) 652-6345 for more information.
Veterans and Eligible Family Members
Chaffey College’s Veterans Resource Center (VRC) is dedicated to assisting veterans and eligible family
members in achieving their educational goals efficiently and without impediments. If you are a veteran or eligible family
member, please contact the Veterans Resource Center at (909) 652-6235 or vrc.staff@chaffey.edu for information
regarding educational benefits and opportunities. The Veterans Resource Center (VRC) is located in AD-125 on Chaffey
College’s Rancho Cucamonga campus.
Student Health Services
Student Health Services is dedicated to assisting students to achieve and maintain optimum physical, mental and
emotional health. We are committed to providing quality healthcare at a reasonable cost. All currently enrolled full and
part time Chaffey College students on the Rancho Cucamonga Campus or any off campus site may utilize the services of
the Student Health Office. Please have your Chaffey ID ready.
Rancho Campus
MACC-202
(909) 652-6331
Chino Campus
CHMB-105
(909) 652-8190
Career Center
The Career Center helps Chaffey College students find meaningful careers. The program offers career counseling,
career assessments, résumé assistance, interviewing skills preparation, job referrals, student employment, and career
related workshops. The Career Center is located on the Rancho Cucamonga Campus in MACC-203. Please call (909)
652-6511 for more information.
The Honors Program
The Honors Program provides an intellectual and cultural community for students at Chaffey College. Program
benefits include smaller classes, creative and challenging coursework, academic enrichment activities, and scholarships.
Students also have opportunities to present research at scholarly conferences, build social responsibility through
community service, and receive ongoing personalized academic advisement as well as support during the transfer process.
Students who complete the Honors Program may take advantage of our transfer agreements with prestigious institutions
like UCLA. Visit http:///www.chaffey.edu/honors or SSA-122 for more information and admission requirements.
One Book, One College
The One Book, One College Committee strives to create a community of readers
across the curriculum at Chaffey College and within the communities it serves. Each year,
the committee selects a college book and creates a diverse series of related events.
Students are encouraged to participate in these activities to enrich their educational
experience at Chaffey.
This year, our college book is a collection of short stories by Tiim O’Brien entitled
The Things They Carried. We will be reading this book over the course of the semester
and will be attending several events in conjunction with the college book.
4
Grades & Assignments
Quizzes (6%)
At the beginning of each class, you will be given a quick, usually five-question, written-response quiz. These
quizzes will test your knowledge and retention of the material you were required to read prior to class that day, past
classroom material we have covered or homework you were supposed to complete. I strongly suggest taking notes while
you read, for there will be times when you will be allowed to refer to those notes. I also strongly suggest reading AND rereading the material until you can summarize what you have read.
Journal (5%)
In addition to all the writing you will be completing outside of class, you will also be asked to write EVERY class
meeting—sometimes multiple times during class. The most frequent type of journal entry will be the freewrite, where
you will typically be given a prompt to respond to and asked to employ a newly learned writing skill. The other type of
journal response will be a reading response. Again, you will be given a prompt and asked to evaluate recent or in-class
readings. Occasionally, you might be asked to complete a homework assignment in the journal. Each journal needs to be
dated and labeled appropriately.
Be sure to bring your journals to each class meeting. Sometimes we will be working with a specific journal entry,
and sometimes we will be sharing our journals with others. If you are late or absent, you can always contact a classmate
about that day’s entries, but it is up to you to stay on task. Each journal entry will earn a point/no point. If you are not on
task for that particular entry, or if you have labeled it incorrectly, you will receive no credit.
Essays (45%)
Over the course of the semester, you will be assigned four different essay models. Before you panic, we will go
over each and every essay type. You will get a handout that describes the essay, we will examine many successful
examples of that type of essay, and we will work on your drafts again and again so that the final version will be a polished
essay you can be proud of.
Rough Drafts, Outlines, Topic Proposals & Research Proposal (16%)
For each new rhetorical model, you will be required to complete a topic proposal, an outline and a rough draft
PRIOR to your final draft of the essay. Theses assignments are designed to help you process your essay. All good writers
have a process. These assignments should be typed, using MLA formatting, and turned in at the beginning of class on the
day it is due.
Peer Reviews (4%)
On the day your rough draft is due, we will hold a peer review session. Students will exchange rough drafts with
each other and thoroughly read and scrutinize each other’s paper. You will be required to respond to the paper, generally
with a series of questions, with the goal of helping your classmate write a better paper. At no time should you feel solely
responsible for making a bad paper good. I am simply asking you to make suggestions based on what we have learned in
class.
Likewise, at no time should you solely rely on a peer reviewer to fix everything that is wrong with your essay.
There are only so many hours in the day, and although your reviewer isn’t an expert, think of their suggestions as casual
suggestions. Sometimes their suggestions can lead you to the real solution or other ideas about your essay. You are not
required to take any of the suggestions your reviewer made; they are simply there for your consideration. If you would
like an additional review, the tutors and faculty in the Success Centers can help you as well. But be sure to have specific
questions in mind as they will not “fix” your drafts. You also need to bring in your drafts, assignment sheets and research
in conjunction with the essay each time you seek help with an essay.
Language Success Center Requirement (9%)
You are required to complete THREE hours of supplemental learning in the Language Success Center over the
course of the semester in conjunction with this course. These hours can include DLAs, Workshops, or Study Groups.
These hours must be completed by the deadline dates AND must have a valid stamp. You can complete your hours at any
of our three campuses, but appointments must be made prior to visiting the Success Centers. If you have questions about
this requirement, or if you are unsure about what type of activity would benefit you the most, please feel free to ask me.
5
Debate (5%)
Near the end of our semester, you will be assigned a topic and a position within a small group. With your team,
you will assemble a group debate to be presented in class. You will have some class time to prepare for this, but the
majority of the research must be completed outside of class. Everyone in your group will have to present an arguable
portion of the debate. In addition to the oral presentation, you will also have a written component to this grade.
Final (10%)
The final exam will consist of an in-class essay. Please bring an exam booklet on the day of the final.
Breakdown
There are 1,000 points possible in this course.
3 Essays
1 Essay
Research Proposal
4 Topic Proposal
4 Outlines
4 Rough Drafts
4 Peer Reviews
Debate
12 Quizzes
Journal
3 LSC Stamps
Final
TOTAL
NOTES
100
5
10
20
10
5
30
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
300
150
20
20
40
80
40
50
60
50
90
100
=
1,000
A+
A
A–
B+
B
B–
C+
C
D+
D
D–
F
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
97 – 100%
93 – 96.9%
90 – 92.9%
87 – 89.9%
83 – 86.9%
80 – 82.9%
77 – 79.9%
70 – 76.9%
67 – 69.9%
63 – 66.9%
60 – 62.9%
0 – 59.9%
 Failing to turn in one of the major assignments will probably result in failing the course.
 You are expected to keep track of your own grade.
o Simply input: points earned ÷ points possible = current %
 I do not typically give out extra credit, so do not anticipate it.
 Save all of your class work throughout the term.
 Some readings and/or handouts do NOT appear on the syllabus
 I reserve the right to change the schedule as necessary.
 SMG refers to The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing
 TTTC refers to The Things They Carried
 If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
6
Course Schedule
Week
Date
Tuesday
Date
1
8/15
2
8/20
 SMG Ch. 2 8-31, Ch. 15 574-585
3
8/27
 SMG 36-44, Ch. 13 546-559
 TTTC 26-29
 Topic Proposal #1 DUE
4
9/3
 SMG 44-51
 TTTC 37-58
9/5
5
9/10
 SMG 51-57
 TTTC 59-63
9/12
6
9/17
 SMG Ch. 6 242- 255, Ch. 19 608-625
 TTTC 64-81
9/19
7
9/24
 SMG 266-273, 280-286, Ch 24 674-686
 TTTC 85-110
9/26
8
10/1
 SMG 286-292, Ch. 27 709-730
 TTTC 113-117
10/3
8/22
8/29
Thursday
 Introductions
 Syllabus
 Scavenger Hunt
 SMG 32-36, Ch. 14 561-573
 TTTC 1-25
 SMG Ch. 11 508-520
 TTTC 30-36
 Outline #1 DUE
 Rough Draft #1 DUE
 FINAL-Essay #1 DUE







SMG 255-265, 274-279
TTTC 82-84
Topic Proposal #2 DUE
LSC Stamp #1 DUE by 9/20
SMG Ch 25 690-696, Ch 26 697-708
TTTC 111-112
Outline #2 DUE
 Rough Draft #2 DUE
 Event: Play with Poetry 12:30-2
 Event: Kitchen Sink Silkscreening 12:30-2
9
10/8
 SMG 292-295
 TTTC 118-130
 FINAL-Essay #2 DUE
10/10  Event: Writing: In Your Face! With Prof
Tulacro 12:30-1:30
10  SMG Ch. 9 402-422
10/15  TTTC 131-148
 SMG 422-432, 434-437
10/17  Topic Proposal #3 DUE
11  SMG 438-446, Ch. 12 521-532
10/22  TTTC 149-170

10/24 



10/31
12  SMG 446-452
10/29  TTTC 180-207
 Research Proposal DUE
13  SMG 453-456
11/5  TTTC 208-end
SMG Ch. 23 666-673, 532-543
TTTC 171-179
Outline #3 DUE
LSC Stamp #2 DUE by 10/25
Rough Draft #3 DUE
 Final Draft #3 DUE
11/7
7
Week
Tuesday
Date
14  SMG Ch. 10 457-470, 501-503,
11/12
15  SMG 481-484
11/19
16  SMG 484-490, 491-495
11/26  Rough Draft #4 DUE
 LSC Stamp #3 DUE by 11/27
17  Debate Preparation
12/3  Journal DUE
 FINAL Draft-Essay #4 DUE
18  Review for Final
12/10
12/17
Date
Thursday
 SMG 472-480
11/14  Topic Proposal #4 DUE
 Outline #4 DUE
11/21
11/28
12/5
12/12
No Class--Holiday
 Debates—Written component DUE
 Debates—Group Debate Presentation
No Class-Finals Begin
Final
2:15-4:45pm
Bring Exam Booklet
8