WRTG 1150: First-Year Writing & Rhetoric
Spring 2012 Section 95 ♦ DUAN G1B39
♦
T/Th 3:30pm-4:45pm
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within
us.”
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
COURSE INFORMATION:
Instructor Name: Korri Roach
Office Phone:
Email: korri71@gmail.com
Office: ENVD 1B62C-C
Office Hours: T/Th 2:00pm-3:30pm
Box: ENVD 1B62
TEXTS:
Knowing Words, Diane DeBella, Eliza Klinger, Robert McBrearty, Lonni Pearce, Caroline Sinkinson
They Say/I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing, Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein, Russel Durst
The Curious Researcher: A Guide to Writing Research Papers, Bruce Ballenger
E-Reserve readings as assigned
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
WRITING:
1. To teach each student how to refine and reflect on his/her own writing process, and to participate in substantial revision
while giving and receiving feedback from peers.
2. To develop rhetorical awareness, and to make informal choices by considering one’s audience, a specific context or
3.
situation, or for a particular purpose.
To understand and apply conventions of standard language use including proper grammar, syntax and punctuation, as a
student composes, revises and edits his/her writing across a range of genres.
READING:
4. To become a critical reader, approaching texts with a writer’s awareness of craft and a critic’s ability to interpret and
respond to a text’s meaning and effects.
RESEARCH:
5. To develop strategies of research using a variety of research tools and methods that will enable the student to read and
evaluate the work of others, and then to integrate his/her research into his/her own writing in a thoughtful and ethical
manner.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Major Papers/Portfolios: There are THREE major papers required for this class: 1) Personal Essay 2) Rhetorical Analysis
3) Research. Each paper will be submitted as part of a portfolio which will include proof of the writing process (prewriting exercises, assignments, revisions, etc.).
In-class Rush Write Journal (15 entries 1pt. each entry= 15pts. ): Each student is required to bring a small notebook to
class to be used specifically for journal entries. Over the course of the semester, I will frequently ask students to respond to
questions that concern class readings, questions from class discussions, etc. The entries, of course, will be very informal.
JOURNAL ENTRIES CANNOT BE MADE UP. However, each student is allowed to miss two (2) journal entries without
penalty.
Required Format: The date and number of each entry is to be placed in the TOP RIGHT CORNER.
Due Date: Randomly throughout the semester, and also at the end of it.
Information Literacy & Library Tour (10 pts.): The Program for Writing and Rhetoric partners with Norlin Library to
help teach research skills to first-year writing students. The RIOT online tutorials will help students learn to discern good
sources from undependable ones and how to cite properly. They will also give students a sense of what college research
looks like and requires. Note that the RIOT online quizzes and Library visit are worth 10 pts. Because the library is a
productive and valuable resource tool as a university student, it is imperative that students familiarize themselves with its
layout and resources. For these reasons, students are required to
1.
Complete the RIOT online library tutorial sessions by
1
2.
Attend Norlin Library seminar:
Annotated Bibliography (10 pts.): As part of the final research unit, each student is to create an annotated bibliography of
their research sources. An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and documents. Each citation is
followed by a brief (100-150) descriptive and evaluative paragraph, which is the annotation. The purpose of the annotated
bibliography is to inform your reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of sources cited. Writing in-depth about each
of your sources will help you to begin to 1) develop your own ideas and opinions about your sources and to 2) help you
begin writing about and evaluating your sources.
Due Date: TBD
Homework, Reading, & Participation (15 pts.): In addition to major assignments, students will be required to complete
daily reading and homework assignments. Students are also expected to participate in class discussions. Productive
discussions will not occur if students have not read assigned reading materials and are not prepared to engage in class
conversations. This said, ALWAYS bring text(s) and homework we’re discussing to class. I reserve the right to deduct
participation points if students do not come to class prepared with the assigned text(s) or homework.
Student Conferences (5 pts. each): Over the course of the semester, each student will meet with me three times to discuss
his/her writing. I sincerely want to help each student grow as a writer and critical thinker. To ensure conferences are
productive and helpful, each student is REQUIRED to come prepared with specific questions and concerns about a piece of
his/her writing.
DUE DATE
Th Feb 9
Th Feb 9
T Mar 20
T Mar 20
T Apr 17
TBD
TBD
Th May 3
ASSIGNMENT
Personal Essay
Personal Essay Portfolio
Rhetorical Analysis
Rhetorical Analysis Portfolio
Annotated Bibliography
Research Paper
Research Paper Portfolio
Rush Write Journal Entries
PTS
50
10
50
10
10
100
10
15
Attendance/Participation
RIOT Quizzes & Library Tour
Student Conferences (5 pts. each)
TOTAL POINTS
20
10
15
300
MISC.
give
on.
revision groups, and to seek help from me.
GRADING BREAKDOWN:
300-281 (94%+)
280-269(93%-90%)
268-260 (89%-87%)
259-248 (86%-83%)
247-239 (82%-80%)
238-230 (79%-77%)
229-218 (76%-73%)
217-209 (72%-70%)
208-200 (69%-67%)
199-187 (66%-63%)
186-179 (62%-60%)
178 & BELOW
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DFAIL
Writer’s Studio: These classes are designed to
students regular opportunities to revise/rewrite current
major papers
and assignments. It is imperative that
students come prepared with papers/assignments to work
This is also a good
time to participate in peer
GRADING SCALE:
2
CLASS POLICIES:
Attendance: Because there is a lot of course material to cover during the semester, it is very easy to fall behind if you are
not attending class. For this reason, students are allowed TWO (2) unexcused absences without penalty. Four (4) tardies
equal one unexcused absence. For each class absence beyond those two, your final grade will drop one increment. For
example, if you earn a B+ for the course but miss four classes, your final grade will be a B-. Excused absences include
documented illness, family emergencies, and University sanctioned activities such as Athletics. Any student who misses
more than eight (8) unexcused class periods during the semester automatically fails the course. You are solely responsible
for obtaining the information that you miss due to absences.
Missing/Late Assignments: All major assignments are due in class on the assigned date. If students miss, or are late to
class on these days, 5 pts. will automatically be deducted from the final point score. Unless an extreme, unforeseen calamity
arises that I know about prior to the scheduled due date, NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE! No late assignments will
be accepted. Falling behind quickly becomes a negative experience for both teacher and student. The most productive and
responsible habit to develop is to complete the assignment correctly the first time. Also, no extra credit opportunities will
be given in this class. I DO NOT ACCEPT ANY WORK VIA EMAIL.
Writing Center: If you would like additional help with your writing, the Writing Center in Norlin Library is a great place
to go to talk about ideas, to improve a thesis statement or essay organization, or to generally work on your writing skills. If
you’d like additional help with your research, consultants are available in the Writing Center. Check the Writing Center
website for more information about hours and services, or request an appointment online at:
http://www.colorado.edu/pwr/writingcenter.html.
Required Format: All papers submitted for this course must have 1” margins, use Times New Roman 12-point font, and
follow standard MLA or APA style format.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES:
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as the use of another’s ideas or words without appropriate acknowledgment. Examples of
plagiarism include failing to use quotation marks when directly quoting from a source; failing to document distinctive ideas
from a source; fabricating or inventing a source; turning in someone else’s work as your own; and copying information
from electronic sources without attribution. In this course, if you hand in a piece of writing that is plagiarized in full or in
part, you will receive a failing grade on that assignment and the F will be factored into your final course grade.
The Honor Code: All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the
academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, academic
dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to
the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic
integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including
but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/.
Disabilities: If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability
Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on
documented disabilities (303-492-8671, Willard 322, www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices).
Religious Observances: Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to deal
reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams,
assignments, or required attendance. In this class, I ask that you contact me at least one week ahead of the date(s) that you
will be absent so that we can discuss any assignments/class material that you will miss.
Discrimination and Harassment: The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment, the
University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships
to all students, staff and faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of
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discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or
veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial
Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies and the campus resources available to
assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh.
CLASS CALENDAR
Note: Regardless of what we’re doing in class, stay on this reading and assignment schedule. If it becomes
necessary, we’ll modify it.
PERSONAL ESSAY UNIT
“You need to claim the events of your life to make yourself yours.” --Anne-Wilson Schaef
Wk. 1: T Jan 17
Introduction to class and Personal Essay Assignment
Th Jan 19
Discussion on Personal Essay: Key Characteristics of the Personal Essay
Writing Assignment:
Personal Letter: Write me a personal letter introducing yourself. What do
you want me to know about you as a person? a student? a writer?
Reading Assignment:
E-Reserve: Phillip Lopate, “The Art of the Personal Essay”
E-Reserve: “Elements of the Personal Essay,” pp. 20-23
E-Reserve: section from Night, Elie Wiesel, pp. 3-22
Due in class: Personal letter
Coming Up With a Topic for the Personal Essay
Writing Assignment:
Personal Essay Stage One: Exploring Topic Ideas
Reading Assignment:
E-Reserve: Mark Twain, “The Danger of Lying in Bed”
Due in class:
Personal Essay Stage One typed responses (4-5pp. in length)
Wk. 2: T Jan 24
Th Jan 26
Developing Your Personal Essay Topic: Horizontal Movement: Show, Don’t Tell
Writing Assignment:
Personal Essay Stage Two: Developing your Topic
Reading Assignment:
E-Reserve: “Creating Horizontal Movement,” pp. 33-36
E-Reserve: Ernest Hemingway, “A Good Cafe on the Place St.-Michel”
Due in class:
Personal Essay Stage Two typed responses (4-5pp. in length)
Wk. 3: T Jan 31
Developing Your Personal Essay Assignment: Discovering Vertical Movement:
Contrariety & Dishonesty
Writing Assignment:
Write first draft of Personal Essay
Reading Assignment:
E-Reserve: “Discovering Vertical Movement,” pp. 41-44
E-Reserve: Edwidge Danticat, “Night Women”
Due in class: First draft of Personal Essay (4-5 pp. in length)
PERSONAL ESSAY CONFERENCES
Th Feb 2
Organizing the Horizontal and Vertical Movement
Writing Assignment:
Write second draft of Personal Essay
Reading Assignment:
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E-Reserve: “Organizing the Vertical & Horizontal Movement,” pp. 44-47
E-Reserve: Tim O’Brien, “Ambush”
Due in class: Second draft of Personal Essay (4-6 pp. in length)
PERSONAL ESSAY CONFERENCES
Wk. 4: T Feb 7
Writers Studio: Workshopping Personal Essay
Writing Assignment:
Third draft of Personal Essay
Reading Assignment:
E-Reserve: “Revising: Rewriting for focus and clarity,” pp. 51-55
Due in class:
Third draft of Personal Essay (4-6 pp. in length)
PERSONAL ESSAY CONFERENCES
Th Feb 9
Introduction to Rhetorical Analysis
Homework: Knowing Words, pp. 25-36
Due in class: Personal Essay Paper & Portfolio
Wk. 5: T 14
Tools of Poetic Language
Writing a good thesis statement
Homework: Knowing Words, pp. 30-32
E-Reserve: Swift, “A Modest Proposal”
Choose a speech from The American Rhetoric website:
www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html.
**Make sure it is a speech from the top 100 greatest speeches of the 20th century.
Due in class:
Copy of speech
Summary of speech
Th Feb 16
Tools of Logic/Logical Fallacies
Look at examples of RA Introductions & thesis statements
Workshop Introductions & thesis statements
Homework:
Knowing Words, “Fallacies of Argument” pp. 32-35
Write Introductory Paragraph & Thesis statement
Due in class:
Analytic snapshot of chosen speech
Introductory Paragraph/Thesis statement for Rhetorical Analysis paper
Wk. 6: T Feb 21
Workshop drafts of Rhetorical Analysis
Look at examples of body paragraphs & analysis
Homework:
Write Rhetorical analysis
Due in class:
2 drafts of Rhetorical Analysis
Th Feb 23
Read “Reagan’s ‘Bear‘ Parable,” Knowing Words, pp. 131-33
Look at examples of conclusions
Workshop RA conclusions
Wk. 7: T Feb 28
Read “A Struggle for Freedom”
Workshop RA conclusions
Due in class:
2 copies of conclusion of RA paper
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Th Mar 1
Introduction to Textual Analysis
Due in class: Rhetorical Analysis Paper & Portfolio
Wk. 8: T Mar 6
What is Analysis?
Watch film “Stranger Than Fiction”
Th Mar 8
Introduction to Research Unit
Textual Analysis Paper Due
Wk. 9: T Mar 13
Finding a Research topic
Th Mar 15
Finding/evaluating credible sources/Entering the Conversation/Tentative Thesis Statement
Explanation of Annotated Bibliography
Wk. 10: T Mar 20
Collecting Data: Reading for the Conversation
Th Mar 22
What is argument?
Wk. 11: T Mar 27
SPRING BREAK NO CLASSES
Wk. 12: T Apr 3
Finding/evaluating credible sources
Th Apr 5
Norlin Library Seminar.
We will meet in our classroom and walk together to the seminar
Wk. 13: T Apr 10
Collecting data/note taking
DUE: First 5 sources for Annotated Bibliography
Th Apr 12
Quoting/Paraphrasing/Summarizing/APA Formatting
DUE: Second 5 sources for Annotated Bibliography
Wk. 14: T Apr 17
Writing the Draft
Th Apr 19
Paper Worshopping: Introduction
Wk. 15: T Apr 24
Paper Workshopping: Body Paragraphs
Th Apr 26
Paper Workshopping: Conclusion/Complete Research Paper
Wk. 16: T May 1
Research Paper Presentations
Th May 3
Research Paper Presentations
Research Papers Due
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