O’Berry
Spring 2012
Framingham State University
English 110: 023 Expository Writing
Tuesdays 10:30-12:20/ Fridays 8:30-10:20
May Hall 117
Instructor name: Shanna O’Berry
Office location: TBD
Office hours: Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. & Fridays 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Email address: soberry@framingham.edu
Credits/Hours: 4 credits
______________________________________________________________________________
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Designed to improve the writing of expository prose needed in college and beyond. The emphasis rests on collecting,
evaluating, and organizing evidence from primary and secondary sources in order to support an explicit, arguable, and
substantive thesis. The course includes the writing of a well-researched and documented paper that draws on traditional
and electronic sources. Note: Credit will not be given for this course and ENGL 102 Essentials of Writing. Students must
pass ENGL 110 to fulfill the College’s writing requirement (General Education Goal 1) and entering students must
complete this course within their first three semesters. Credit is given for both this course and ENGL 100 Introduction to
College Writing if ENGL 100 Introduction to College Writing is taken first.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory performance on the English writing and reading placement exams or ENGL 100 Introduction to
College Writing.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Flachmann, Kim & Michael Flachmann. Nexus: A Rhetorical Reader for Writers. Boston: Pearson, 2012.
ISBN-10: 0-205-82987-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-205-82987-3
RECOMMENDED LEARNING MATERIALS:
Purdue Owl Online Writing Center: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1.) Students will understand that effective academic writers use information about rhetorical situations to make
decisions throughout the writing process.
2.) Students will understand that reading and writing are dialogically related and are used for inquiry, learning,
thinking, and communicating.
3.) Students will understand that writing is a recursive and collaborative process and that good writing often
requires multiple drafts.
4.) Students will understand the conventions of academic writing.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGIES:
Learning outcomes for the course will be achieved through a variety of in-class workshops, group work, guided peer
review, written reflections, independent and collaborative writing and reading assignments, analysis of sample student
and academic essays, and revision exercises.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Students are allowed 5 unexplained absences; a sixth will result in an automatic F in the course, regardless of the reason.
Without the submission of proper documentation (i.e. a doctor’s note), all absences will result in a class participation
grade of zero for the day. Being late for class or leaving early is always noted and will lower your grade.
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PARTICIPATION:
Your success in this course is dependent upon your participation. You must come to each class prepared to actively and
respectfully contribute to small group work, class discussions, and individual activities. To be fully prepared to engage in
discussion means having carefully read and completed all of the work assigned for each class. In addition, to receive full
credit for participation, you must bring the proper materials to each class. You will not need to use your laptop in this
course. Cell phones, Ipods, headsets, etc. must be put away at all times.
ASSIGNMENTS:
All assignments are due by the beginning of class on the days, unless otherwise noted. Late assignments (including
papers, pre-writings, and peer responses) will only be accepted with the submission of a doctor’s note. You MUST
submit all papers on time in order to pass this course, and all papers must adhere to MLA format. In case of an
emergency, students should notify me as soon as possible after the fact. In situations where you know of the absence in
advance (e.g., religious observance), you should make prior arrangements with me to submit work early or on time.
GoogleDocs: In an effort to reduce paper usage, we will use GoogleDocs, which is an advanced/collaborative version
of Microsoft Word. Many assignments- such as some pre-writings, two Short Essays, Research Paper, and Final
Paper- will be submitted through GoogleDocs. Other assignments will need to be printed: drafts for peer review and
some pre-writings. GoogleDocs requires you to have a Gmail account. I will work with everyone to get this set up. To
share your work with me, please use the following email: soberry01@northshore.edu
Pre-Writing Assignments: Our course is broken into 4 units. Each unit ends with an essay. Pre-writing assignments
are the stepping-stones to the essay. Pre-writing assignments, therefore, are crucial for solid essays. PWs are an
opportunity for you to explore new ideas and practice academic thinking and writing.
Drafts: Though I will only comment on final drafts, I will check your progress on paper assignments, most often on
peer workshop days. Drafts will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis—if you have a draft that meets the requirements of
the assignment, you receive full credit; if you fail to bring a draft to class when one is due or fail to meet the length
requirement, you will receive a zero on the assignment. We will not use GoogleDocs for drafts; print hardcopies.
Peer Responses: Peer response is a critical part of the work for this course. Writing is inherently collaborative,
and I will be asking you to comment extensively on the drafts of your classmates during in-class peer workshops.
Short Essays: During the first half of the semester you will write two 700-1100 word essays, focusing on specific
rhetorical strategies (definition and illustration) that will help you learn to develop an argument, utilize supporting
examples, and define terms. Short essays will be submitted via GoogleDocs.
Research Paper: Mid-way through the semester, you will complete a 1700-2500 word research paper on a
compelling and engaging topic of your own choosing by incorporating 3-5 supporting sources into your paper. Prior
to completing your research paper, you will submit an annotated bibliography, summarizing and evaluating at least
7 sources you are considering using in your final draft. The research paper will be submitted via GoogleDocs.
Final Project: In lieu of a final exam, you will submit a 1400-1700 word paper, analyzing a pop culture icon of your
choosing. We will work on this paper extensively towards the end of the semester, and you will submit it during the
final week of classes. You will also give an oral presentation on your icon. Your Final essay will be submitted via
GoogleDocs.
Revision Policy: Due to the pace of this course, you are only allowed one revision per paper: two short essays and
research paper. Other work—including peer and journal responses, as well as the final project—is considered final
when you submit it, and no revisions will be allowed.
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FINAL GRADE CALCULATION
Grades for the course will be developed according to the following percentages:
Attendance, attitude, class work, and participation
Drafts (Graded on a P/F basis) and Peer Responses
Pre-writing assignments
Short Essays (10% each)
Research Paper (including annotated bibliography)
Final Project (paper and presentation)
Total
10%
15%
15%
20%
20%
20%
100%
MAKE-UP POLICY:
If you have a legitimate and documented reason for missing an assignment, we can make arrangements for you to
make-up missed work—otherwise, late work will not be accepted. Please keep me informed of any special
circumstances that occur during the semester.
CENTER FOR ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND ADVISING (CASA):
CASA provides tutoring and advising services free-of-charge to all Framingham State University students. Professional
math and writing tutors are available 54 hours a week. CASA is located at the annex at Peirce Hall, directly behind
Horace Mann residence hall. Math tutoring is available on a walk-in basis; writing tutoring is available by appointment.
Subject Peer Tutoring is available for all major subjects (biology, business, chemistry, computer science, history,
geography, nutrition, physics, earth sciences, and foreign languages). Subject tutors are not available as often as
professional tutors, but they are available at different times throughout the week to accommodate student schedules.
Academic Success Peer Tutors (ASPT) are available to work one-on-one throughout the semester with students who are
needing additional academic support. ASPTs serve as academic mentors and role models for students. Students who are
wishing to meet with an ASPT should contact the Director of Academic Support at lbridges@framingham.edu
COLLEGE POLICY REGARDING ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Integrity is essential to academic life. Consequently, students who enroll at Framingham State University agree to
maintain high standards of academic honesty and scholarly practice. They shall be responsible for familiarizing
themselves with the published policies and procedures regarding academic honesty. Academic honesty requires but is
not limited to the following practices: appropriately citing all published and unpublished sources, whether quoted,
paraphrased, or otherwise expressed, in all of the student’s oral and written, technical, and artistic work; observing the
policies regarding the use of technical facilities. That is, don’t cheat.
STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT:
Any student found to be plagiarizing will automatically receive an F in the course. This policy applies to any and all
written work (papers, homework assignments, peer responses, etc.) completed for the course. Please note that this is
not debatable; plagiarized papers cannot be revised or re-written to receive a passing grade.
DISABILITY SERVICES STATEMENT:
Framingham State University offers equal opportunities to all qualified students, including those with disabilities and
impairments. The University is committed to making reasonable accommodations as are necessary to ensure that its
programs and activities do not discriminate, or have the effect of discriminating, on the basis of disability. Academic
Support serves students with learning and psychiatric disabilities as well as students with visual, mobility and hearing
impairments. For further information, please contact Ms. LaDonna Bridges at 508-626-4906 or
lbridges@framingham.edu.
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IMPORTANT DATES:
Last Day to Add/Drop: January 26
Last Day to Withdraw from Spring Courses: March 28
Final Exam Period: May 7-11
COURSE CALENDAR BY WEEK:
The instructor reserves the right to amend the syllabus and also to add or omit subject matter as she deems
appropriate. Any changes will be announced in class or via email.
Week 1: Introductions and Course Overview
January 20
Intros, syllabus, & course overview
GoogleDocs
Writing Sample
Assigned: Writing Sample- submit via GoogleDocs (soberry01@northshore.edu)
Week 2: Reading Strategies
January 24
Writing Sample Due Monday by 5:00 p.m.
GoogleDocs
Audience (in-class rhetorical analysis of an advertisement/commercial & short reading)
Assigned: Nexus, Chapter 2
January 27
Tone
Advertising & Visual Interpretation—Constructing an Argument
Reading Strategies: close reading, annotations, glossing
Intro to definitive writing
Assigned: PW 1.1
Week 3: Reading & Writing Strategies
January 31
Definitive Writing
Feire, “The Banking Concept of Education”
Assigned: PW 1.2; Feire
(http://engl102-stevens.wikispaces.umb.edu/file/view/Freire_Banking+Concept.PDF)
February 3
Constructing a Definitive essay
Assigned: PW 1.3
Week 4: Rhetorical Strategies: The Definition Essay
February 7
No Class: Read Nexus Chapter 3
February 10
Bring PW 1.3 to class
Thesis Workshop
MLA Review
Assigned: Short Essay #1 Definitive
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Week 5: Rhetorical Strategies: The Definition Essay
February 14
Full Draft Due
Introduction to Peer Review
Peer Workshop #1
Assigned: Final Draft
February 17
Final Draft Due
In-Class Writing Response
Intro to Illustrative Writing
Assigned: Nexus p. 138-148 and [166-173 OR 177-184] + PW 2.1
Week 6: Rhetorical Strategies: The Illustration Essay
February 21
Rhetorical Strategies: The Illustration Essay
Ted Talks
Paragraph Structure
Assigned: PW 2.2
February 24
Rhetorical Strategies: The Illustration Essay
Quotations as Illustration
Assigned: PW 2.3
Week 7: Rhetorical Strategies: The Illustration Essay
February 28
Bring PW 2.3 to class
Peer Workshop
Strengthening Paragraphs
Assigned: Final Draft
March 2
Final Draft Due via GoogleDocs by 5:00 p.m.
In-class writing response
Grammar
Assigned: Metawriting: Grammar
Week 8: Rhetorical Strategies: The Argument Essay
March 6
Introduction to the Research/Argument Essay
Ted Talks: “How Games Make Kids Smarter”
Counterarguments, evidence, argumentative tactics
Assigned: Nexus (p. 411-424), PW 3.1
March 9
Research/Argument Essay: Motives for an Argument (in-class reading)
Counterarguments, evidence, argumentative tactics
Choosing a Topic
Assigned: “Family Guy and Freud” (Blackboard), PW 3.2
Assigned: Extra-credit assignment? TBD
Week 9: Spring Break—No Classes/ Extra-credit assignment due March 16 by 5:00 p.m. via GoogleDocs
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Week 10: Rhetorical Strategies: The Argument Essay
March 20
Revision of Illustration Essay due via GoogleDocs by 5:00 p.m.
Library Research Day
Introduction to the annotated bibliography
Assigned: PW 3.3: Research & Working Thesis
March 23
Bring PW 3.3 to class
Research/writing day
In-class conferences
Assigned: Annotated Bibliography
Week 11: Rhetorical Strategies: The Argument Essay
March 27
Annotated Bibliography Due via GoogleDocs by 5:00 p.m.
Paragraph Structure Review
Thesis Workshop
Assigned: Drafting—body paragraphs
March 30
Introducing Sources
Integrating Quotations Review
Assigned: Drafting—introductions & conclusions
Week 12: Rhetorical Strategies: The Argument Essay
April 3
Partial Draft Due
Review introductions and conclusions
Strengthening Paragraphs
Assigned: Full Draft
April 6
Full Draft Due
MLA Review
Peer Workshop
Assigned: Final Draft
Assigned: “Having it His Way” (Blackboard)
Week 13: Revision and Research
April 10
Final Draft Argumentative Essay Due via GoogleDocs by 5:00 p.m.
Visual Analysis
Pop Culture Icons; brainstorm icons in class
Assigned: PW 4.1 “The Mystery of Mickey Mouse” (Blackboard)
April 13
“The Mystery of Mickey Mouse”
In-class activity: Icon Madlibs
Assigned: PW 4.2 McCloud’s “The Language of Comics” (Blackboard)
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Week 14: Revision and Research
April 17
“The Language of Comics”
“Taking a Closer Look at Updike’s ‘The Mystery of Mickey Mouse’”
Selecting an icon
Final Paper discussion
Assigned: PW 4.3
April 20
Bring PW 4.3 to class
Assigned: Draft of final paper
Week 15: Revision and Presentations
April 24
Argumentative Essay Revision Due by 5:00 p.m. via GoogleDocs
Workshop: Bring partial draft of final paper to class
Assigned: work on final project
April 27
Icon Presentations
Assigned: continue to work on final paper
Week 16: Revision and Presentations
May 1
Icon Presentations
Course Wrap-up
Assigned: Finish Final Paper
May 4
Final Paper Due by 5:00 p.m. via GoogleDocs. No late or emailed papers accepted.
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