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Syllabus
CSUEB Spring 2011
English 1002 College Writing II Online
Rhetorical Analysis, Argumentation, and Research
Instructor: Georgie Ovenden
Email: georgie.ovenden@csueastbay.edu
Course Description: English 1002 is an expository writing class with emphasis
on critical reading, rhetorical analysis, persuasion and argumentation with
concentration on the preparation and writing of the research paper.
Prerequisite: ENGL 1001 with grade of "C-" or better.
Required Texts/Materials:
 Reading Critically, Writing Well, 9th edition by
Axelrod, Cooper and Warriner - ISBN 978-0312-67685-8
To receive the Video Access card, this package must
be purchased from the campus Pioneer Bookstore; otherwise
the video access card is available at an extra cost through the publisher.
(* NOTE If you buy the book separately, or elsewhere, you will need to order the
video access card from the publisher for $18.95. Go to:
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/rewriting2e/#t_577394_
In the lower right corner you will see VideoCentral - Get It.)
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reliable computer and internet access
current email account
Email and Internet Requirements:
You will be using email, accessing websites for articles, interactive quizzes,
readings, videos and writing exercises.
Course Web pages:
* Blackboard – contains your course syllabus, Class Schedule, emailing
and Discussion Board links.
* The class Facebook is under Georgina Sara Ovenden.
Each of my classes will have its own group on the site.
* http://georgiesenglishwiki.pbworks.com/. My website contains resources you
may use for the course
Weekly Summary Response Assignments: For each assigned article, video,
and powerpoint, you must write TWO paragraphs:
1) Paragraph one summarizes the assignment
2) Paragraph two is your response: what you learned, how it could influence
your writing. Summary responses are due by Wednesday midnight.
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Note: the media opens best in Internet Explorer browser. If you are having
trouble opening the files, check which browser you are using.
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How to Submit Assignments: Click Schedule on the Menu Bar in
Blackboard. Weeks are organized by folder. Click on the assignment to
open. Click on View/Complete Assignment to access dialogue box in
which you can write, or attach a Word document.
Discussion Board Participation:
You are required to post responses to Discussion Questions on the Discussion
Board by clicking on the MenuBar button. The Reading Like a Reader and
Reading Like a Writer questions follow each of the assigned readings in the text.
You must contribute to the discussions of each reading, and respond to TWO of
your classmates' responses in the discussion board, making substantive
responses for each reading. Show respect for your classmates and their ideas.
During discussions, many different opinions will be expressed. All are welcomed
and none are to be ridiculed. Use appropriate language during discussion, and
refrain from domination a discussion. Keep audience and purpose in mind.
Essays:
You will write three essays this quarter.
The first two will be 4-6 pages, or 1,000-1,500 words with required full revisions.
The research essay will be 8-12 pages, or 2,000-3,000 words.
To submit essays, click on the Submit Essays button on the Menu Bar on
Blackboard. Click on View/Complete link to open page to upload your document.
The drafts will be peer-reviewed online between you and your classmates. I also
encourage you to take your work to the Student Center for Academic
Achievement (SCAA) if you can, and work with a tutor. You will prepare the final
draft based on the feedback you receive and this final draft will be graded.
Your three essays will be worth 65% of your grade:
(Guidelines and due dates for essays are on your class webpage).
1. Evaluation Essay 15%
2. Problem Solution Essay 20%
3. Position Essay 20% (plus 10% for the Portfolio)
How to Format Your Essays in MLA style:
Double-spaced in the upper left hand corner:
Your Name
English class
Instructor: G. Ovenden
Page Numbers upper right hand corner
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Assignment (Narrative Essay, for example)
Date
Draft One (or Two or Three)
Double Spaced throughout, 12 point font with 1" margins
Titles are Centered and Capitalized Correctly in
Same Size Font and not Underlined
Portfolio Final Writing Requirements: Your portfolio is due in the Blackboard
Portfolio section by the last class date, and will be submitted through the Portfolio
link on the MenuBar. The Portfolio Guidelines are listed on Blackboard.
Grading in this course:
* Three Writing Projects are worth 65% of your grade.
* Discussion Group Participation is worth 15 % of your grade.
* Assignments are worth 20% of your grade.
Objectives:
1. Review and refine writing skills that pertain to process, including audience
awareness, prewriting, thesis generation, outlining and essay organization,
effective sentence generation, paragraph development, effective proofreading
and revision
2. Become familiar with various models of argumentation
3. Master the Toulmin model of rhetorical analysis, including terminology such as
“claim,” “evidence,” “warrant” or “assumption,” “backing,” and “logical fallacy”
4. Refine critical reading skills
5. Critically read, discuss, and evaluate the rhetorical effectiveness of a written
argument in terms of ethos, pathos, and logos, (inductive and deductive
reasoning), audience appeal and strategies of support
6. Deepen familiarity with the conventions of academic writing, including
demonstrating command of MLA documentation style
7. Generate well-reasoned and authoritatively supported argumentative essays in
the form of rhetorical analyses of a range of texts, including argumentative
essays, speeches, op ed pieces, advertisements, film, and some literature
8. Become familiar with primary and secondary research methods and protocol,
including personal interviews, surveys, library searches, on-line searches,
documentation format, note-taking, and annotated bibliography
9. Assert a position on a debatable issue (e.g., political, social, or cultural issues)
and persuasively support it with authoritative evidence acquired through research
10. Show evidence of awareness of differing points of view and be able to
address those points of view
11. Engage in the process of generating a major argumentative research essay.
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Course Assignments:
In this class students will perform the following tasks:
• Review the components of different types of argumentative essays
• Read assigned text and essays
• Explore vocabulary usage, especially as it pertains to rhetorical analysis of
Toulmin, Classical, and Rogerian modes of rhetorical analysis and argumentation
• Improve critical reading and argumentative writing skills by discussing essays,
written by both students and professionals
• Practice incorporating secondary sources into their own writing
• Write and revise rhetorical analysis essays and/or write and revise
argumentative essays supported with well-researched evidence
• Work in peer revision groups
• Engage the process of producing a major argumentative research essay.
Academic honesty and plagiarism policy:
Any content in any sentence in essays that you did not discover through
first hand experience, or that is common knowledge, you will need to
provide:
 correct in-text citations in parentheses
 works cited page
Cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in severe disciplinary action.
Students are required to attend the class on plagiarism.
Cheating is defined as possessing unauthorized sources of information during an
exam; copying the work of another student during an exam; completing an assignment
for another student; submitting out-of-class work for an in-class assignment; retaining
exams or other materials after they were supposed to be returned to the instructor;
submitting the same paper for two different classes without approval of both instructors;
and inventing data or falsifying an account of data collection.
Plagiarism is taking the words of another and either copying or paraphrasing
those words without giving credit to the source (through parenthetical citations, quotation
marks, reference citations, all of which we will go over in class). This includes using
material from the Internet without citing correctly. I am required to file a report of
academic dishonesty with the Department of Academic Affairs should an act of
plagiarism occur. The first incidence of plagiarism will result in an “F” on the assignment
and you will be reported to the Dean of the College. If plagiarism occurs a second time,
you will fail the course.
Grievance Policy
English Department Grievance Policy: All student grievances concerning grading or
other areas are to be brought to the attention of the course instructor before any other
action can be. If you cannot find a resolution to your grievance, then you and your
instructor will meet with the head of the composition program or the Dean of the English
Department.
Disability Accommodations
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If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic
accommodations, or if you would need assistance in the event of an emergency,
please contact me as soon as possible.
Final notes:
This syllabus is subject to change as needed. I may also assign individualized
homework to help you improve particular skills.