English 101
College Composition I
St. Louis Community College-Forest Park
Section: _____
MWF ______ to ______
Credit Hours: 3
Spring 2013
1. Instructor Information
Professor Melody Gee
Email: mgee6@stlcc.edu (same day return)
Office phone: 314.644.9359 (2-day return)
Office: A-212
Office Hours: M:________ Tu:________
W: ________ Th:________ F:_________
& by appointment
Course website: http://geestlcc101.wordpress.com
Blackboard site: http://www.stlcc.edu/Blackboard/
2. Course Description
This course is designed to meet the writing needs of a wide variety of students in the following ways:
1) prepares students who will continue in college to write acceptable college-level expository essays,
2) provides career students with a strong base for technical and business writing, 3) familiarizes all
students with the kinds of writing skills that will be valuable in their everyday experience, 4) provides
students with some awareness of the way language functions and affects their lives. To help reach
these goals, the course will focus on the elements of clear writing, well-organized expository essays,
the necessary critical thinking that must always precede expository writing, analytical reading, and,
when necessary, a review of the principles of grammar.
3. Why Are We Here?
This semester we will become rhetorical writers. Here’s what we know about writing: 1. All writing
is situational and persuasive. 2. You always write to someone and for some reason. 3. Writing is
never simply “good” or “bad”; it either persuades, or it doesn’t.
What that means: There is no one definition of “good writing.” Beautiful, flawless writing can fail.
This semester, we won’t learn any writing rules or tricks because there is no single way to write well.
The rules change with every audience and situation. You might be wondering: if the rules about
writing are always changing, then what are we doing in this class? Put simply, we will learn how to
adapt to our writing to every new situation. Instead of learning rules, we will study rhetoric, which means
“the art of persuasion.” and we will deeply explore different writing situations. We’ll practice
choosing your writing style, mood, vocabulary, and even grammar (yes, grammar is a choice!)—all so
that your writing will appeal to the reader’s emotions, values, and needs to get something done.
I can’t promise that by the end of the course that you will be a better history, business, or nursing
writer—no one writing course can promise this. My goal, instead, is to present you with as many
different situations as possible and practice figuring out the best writing needed.
Writing is messy and it takes time. I know you have your own writing process that has worked for
you, but this semester, try my process out. We will brainstorm, freewrite, collaborate, draft, peer
review, revise, edit, and proofread—together. If you hate it, you never have to do it again. But see if
your writing doesn’t change, get faster, easier, more persuasive, even more fun.
4. Learning Objectives
By the end of the semester, successful students will be able to:
 Understand words as a center of writing and communicating, what a dictionary and
thesaurus offer, and the social reality of dialects
 Discriminate among informal/formal, and general/specific diction and usage
 Understand and demonstrate college-level writing produced through a process
 Understand the application of skills learned in Composition 101 to workplace and other
academic departments
 Be able to use college resources such as the Writing Center, computer lab(s), and library
 Write clear, precise, concise, expository prose in Edited American English
 Demonstrate ability to read critically and respond to non-fiction
 Demonstrate critical thinking in exposition
 Listen critically and give constructive feedback on writing in group and individual settings
 Give evidence of pre-writing techniques like listing, free writing, clustering and outlining
 Write standard paragraph structure (topic sentence + support) in body paragraphs
 Write themes in essay structure (thesis + evidence; introduction, body, and conclusion).
 Write for variety of audiences (readers) in the workplace and in other academic contexts,
using accepted conventions for presentation of written, quantitative, and graphical material.
 Demonstrate critical thinking skills in exposition and persuasion
 Edit your own errors in syntax, grammar, punctuation, spelling and usage
This semester you will also:
 write more than ever before
 become fast thinkers and writers
 get comfortable putting your ideas into words
 write for an audience
 know how to begin writing & know when you’re done writing
 revise, edit, and proofread your writing
 give feedback on your peers’ writing
 use feedback to change/improve your writing
 build and use new vocabulary
Professor Melody Gee
Syllabus & Policies; Spring 2013
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5. Required Materials

Textbook:
Thank You For Arguing by Jay Heinrichs.
ISBN: 978-0307341440
About $15
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Pen & notebook paper
STLCC email that you check daily
Regular access to a computer and printer
Regular and reliable internet access
A good dictionary and thesaurus
Class folder or binder
Calendar or planner
Flash drive
6. Grades
Assignment 1
Assignment 2
Exam 2
Assignment 3
Exam 3
Assignment 4
Exam 4
40 points
100 points
100 points
200 points
200 points
350 points
200 points
Online Assignment 1
Online Assignment 2
Online Assignment 3
10 points
10 points
15 points
Conference Homework
Vocabulary Homework
In-Class Writings
Reading Quizzes
100 points
50 points each
5 points each
20 points
Participation, Week 4
Participation, Week 8
Participation, Week 12
Participation, Week 16
50 points
50 points
50 points
50 points
TOTAL
~2,500 points
Professor Melody Gee
There is no grading curve.
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89.9%
C = 70-79.9%
D = 60-69.9%
F = below 60%
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7. Policies
1. Late work is not accepted. At all.
a. See me about scheduling conflicts before the due date.
b. If you know you must miss class the day an assignment is due, turn it in early to
receive full credit.
2. All assignments must be typed, printed, and neatly presented.
a. In-class work, peer reviews, and exams can be hand-written.
3. Emailed work will not be accepted.
4. Attendance Policy
a. Attendance is mandatory and important for your grade.
b. Every absence after the 4th costs 20 points.
5. Each time you arrive late, you lose 5 points.
6. No make-ups for missed in-class work.
7. Participation points are earned for preparation and professionalism.
a. You earn points by showing up on time and fully prepared, contributing to class
discussions, and doing your best work.
b. If you’re not prepared to work hard and demand professional behavior from yourself
and others, don’t take up space in class.
8. Turn off your electronics. If you can’t be without them for 3 hours a week, find another
class. Each time I have to ask you to put yours away costs 20 points.
9. Your grade and your work are your responsibility.
a. Traffic, computers, printers, internet, flash drives, busses, trains, car troubles, work,
roommates, children, or spouses are not excuses for failing to complete your work or
submit it on time.
10. You are responsible for information presented in: 1) Handouts; 2) Wordpress and
Blackboard announcements; 3) in-class announcements; 4) email communications; 5)
assignment sheets; 6) syllabus. Information given in any of the above methods is official.
11. As long as it is within our ability, students learning needs will be accommodated in our
classroom. Students who wish additional accommodations must contact The Access Office
for disAbility Support Services. If you receive accommodations for this class, bring me your
Instructor Notification Memo. Your accommodations will be kept confidential. Contact the
Access Office counselors in Room G-223 or 314.644.9039.
Professor Melody Gee
Syllabus & Policies; Spring 2013
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12. You are responsible for knowing your Student Rights and Responsibilities, which are
found in your student Fact Finder (student handbook). See for academic appeals procedure,
academic integrity statement, FERPA statement, and sexual harassment policy.
13. You are responsible for withdrawing yourself from a course you do not want to be in.
Instructors cannot drop you for any reason. The last date to withdraw is Friday, April 12.
14. Non-discrimination statement: St. Louis Community College is committed to nondiscrimination in its admissions, educational programs, activities, and employment regardless
of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability,
genetic information or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran and shall take action
necessary to ensure non-discrimination. For information, contact: Dr. Thomas Walker, Vice
President, Student Affairs, STLCC-Forest Park, 5600 Oakland Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110,
314.644.9212, twalker122@stlcc.edu.
15. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty “when a writer deliberately uses someone
else’s language, ideas, or other original (not common-knowledge) material without
acknowledging its source. This definition applies to texts published in print or on-line, to
manuscripts, and to the work of other student writers” (WPA Council).
 Academic dishonesty in our class will result in failing the assignment, failing
participation grade, failing the class, up to and including disciplinary action by the
college, after the instructor has discussed correct citation.
 A note about plagiarism: DON’T DO IT.
Professor Melody Gee
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8. Calendar
*Homework is due at the beginning of class on the day listed, unless otherwise noted.
*Calendar is subject to change depending on weather or other scheduling needs.
WEEK 1
Monday, January 14
Course Introductions
Syllabus Review, Part 1
What is Rhetoric?
Wednesday, January 16
Syllabus Overview, Part 2
Introduce Online Assignment #1
Introduce Assignment #1
Friday, January 18
Syllabus Review, Part 3
Late Email drafting
DUE: Online Assignment #1
WEEK 2
Monday, January 21
MLK Holiday—No Class
Wednesday, January 23
Introduce Extra Credits
Introduce Online Assignment #2
READING QUIZ on Heinrichs
Ch. 1 & 2
Friday, January 25
It’s Friday. Is It Rhetoric?
Introduce Vocabulary Unit 1
Introduce Online Assignment #3
DUE: Online Assignment #2
(due by midnight)
WEEK 3
Monday, January 28
DUE: Online Assignment #3
Wednesday, January 30
DUE: Assignment #1
FINAL
Friday, February 1
DUE: Vocabulary Unit 1
WEEK 4
Monday, February 4
Introduce Assignment #2
Wednesday, February 6
READING QUIZ on Heinrichs
Chapters 3 & 4, Sample apologies
Friday, February 8
It’s Friday. Is It Rhetoric?
Notes:
______________________________________________________________________________
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Professor Melody Gee
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WEEK 5
Monday, February 11
Apology Drafting
Wednesday, February 13
Assignment #2 EXAM
in class today.
Friday, February 15
DUE: Vocabulary Unit 2
WEEK 6
Monday, February 18
Wednesday, February 20
Presidents’ Day Holiday
No Class
Exam Reviews
READ: Heinrichs Chapters 5 & 6
Friday, February 22
It’s Friday. Is It Rhetoric?
Exam Reviews
WEEK 7
Monday, February 25
DUE: Assignment #2
FINAL
Wednesday, February 27
Public Apology Readings, Day 2
Friday, March 1
DUE: Vocabulary Unit 3
Public Apology Readings, Day 1
WEEK 8
Monday, March 4
Introduce Assignment #3
Introduce Frederick Douglass
Monday, March 11
Wednesday, March 6
READING QUIZ on Heinrichs
Chapter 20
Wednesday, March 13
Friday, March 8
It’s Friday. Is It Rhetoric?
Friday, March 15
Spring Break—No Classes
Notes:
______________________________________________________________________________
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Professor Melody Gee
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WEEK 9
Monday, March 18
Assignment 3 Drafting
Wednesday, March 20
READING QUIZ on Frederick
Douglass Essay
Friday, March 22
DUE: Douglass
Vocabulary
WEEK 10
Monday, March 25
Assignment 3 Drafting
Wednesday, March 27
Assignment #3 EXAM
in class today
Friday, March 29
It’s Friday. Is It Rhetoric?
WEEK 11
Monday, April 1
Exam Reviews
Wednesday, April 3
Exam Reviews
Friday, April 5
DUE: Vocabulary Unit 4
WEEK 12
Monday, April 8
DUE: Assignment #3
FINAL
Wednesday, April 10
READING QUIZ on Heinrichs
Chapters 8 & 9
Introduce Assignment 4
Friday, April 12
It’s Friday. Is It Rhetoric?
Last day to withdraw
WEEK 13
Monday, April 15
Assignment 4 Drafting
READ: Heinrichs Ch. 10 & 11
Wednesday, April 17
READING QUIZ on Heinrichs
Chapters 12 & 13
Friday, April 19
Assignment #4 EXAM
in class today
Notes:
______________________________________________________________________________
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Professor Melody Gee
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WEEK 14
Monday, April 22
Exam Reviews
Sign up for final conferences
Wednesday, April 24
Friday, April 26
Assignment 4 Drafting
Research in the Library
Assignment 4 Drafting
Research in the Library
Monday, April 29
INDIVIDUAL CONFERENCES
during the class period. If you are
not signed up, use the library to
work on your paper.
Wednesday, May 1
INDIVIDUAL CONFERENCES
during the class period. If you are
not signed up, use the library to
work on your paper.
Friday, May 3
INDIVIDUAL CONFERENCES
during the class period. If you are
not signed up, use the library to
work on your paper.
DUE: Revised Exam
DUE: Revised Exam
DUE: Revised Exam
WEEK 15
FINALS WEEK: May 6-May 12
Assignment #4 FINAL due on your exam day
Wednesday, May 8, no later than 4:00pm.
Turn in: Room A-212.
No late or incomplete assignments will be accepted. No exceptions.
Notes:
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Professor Melody Gee
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