English 120: Introduction to Expository Writing
Fall 2015
M/W/TH 12:10-1:00
Room: HW 1143
Instructor: James Regan
Office: HW 1436
Office Hours: TH 3-4
Email: jregan@hunter.cuny.edu
Course Description
We will focus on non-fiction—reading it, writing it, analyzing it. We will examine how to
develop a thesis, construct an argument based on it, and support that argument elegantly and
persuasively.
Course Goals
We will spend the semester working toward six goals:
1. Write essays and develop presentations that express a clear thesis, reflect clear
thinking, and signal orderly progression of thought with smooth and logical
transitions.
2. Develop analytic reading and research skills.
3. Make effective use of instructor and peer critiques. Revise and edit early drafts in
light of critiques. Proofread written work.
4. Write in standard English prose, observing the convention of grammar and
spelling. Employ diction appropriate to the audience and free of jargon and
clichés.
5. Produce papers that incorporate and integrate ideas from others and that use
substantiating evidence effectively. Identify all sources with proper attribution.
6. Create a final documented research paper employing an acceptable format for
citation and documentation and that meets standard academic and specific course
requirements.
Required Texts (can be purchased from the Hunter College Bookstore)
Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein, and Russell Durst. They Say/I Say: The Moves Matter in
Academic Writing with Readings, 3rd ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2015.
(It is important you get the 2nd edition)
ISBN: 978-0-393-912753
ASIN: B0084I2S8W
Price: $50.00
Bullock, Richard and Francine Weinberg. The Little Seagull Handbook.
ISBN-13: 978-0-393-91151-0
Price: $15 ($5 with They Say/I Say)
These two books can be purchased together as a bundle for $50 under the following ISBN:
978-0-39326740-2
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(editions and prices are subject to change)
Course Requirements
In addition to the required texts, we will read a variety of essays, articles and reviews. You
will be responsible for reading each of these works prior to class, and for considering how it
relates to the class as a whole—its function not just as an exemplar of a single technique, but
as a part of the intellectual conversation that will develop between you and your peers over
the semester.
You will also create a body of written work. Because your ability write is informed by your
ability to read and think critically, you will spend class time reviewing the work of your
peers, articulating responses to their ideas, and identifying ways they might strengthen their
work. You will be responsible for the following writing assignments:
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•
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An 8-10 page documented research paper, with Works Cited, and multiple drafts.
An annotated bibliography
A pre- and post-assessment, with reflection
When you submit these for departmental review at the end of the semester (your portfolio)
you will also compose a cover letter introducing the document to your reader. It is a good
practice to begin by referring to the diagnostic essay then to reflect what you have learned
since then over the course of the semester. Please keep all of this work both in hard copy
and digital formats.
Grading Policy
Participation/Group Work/Attendance
In-Class Writing/Homework
2 Revised Essays
Research Paper and Annotated Bibliography
Revised assessment essay and reflection
Portfolio
10%
20%
20%
40%
10%
Pass/Fail
Class Policies
Attendance/Tardiness: If you miss more than three days of class (excused or otherwise),
your final grade will be substantially reduced. Any student who misses more than six class
sessions for any reason will receive an “F”. When absent, it is your responsibility to find out
what you missed and obtain the necessary information from another student. If you are more
than fifteen minutes late to class, this will count as an excused absence.
Late Work: I do not accept late work of any kind—email, Blackboard, or essay submissions.
All work should be submitted via TurnItIn prior to the beginning of class on the day it is
due. All formal writing assignments must be typed, double-spaced, with standard margins
and in twelve point font (either Times New Roman or Ariel).
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Electronic devices such as cell phones, tape/MP3/CD players, etc. are prohibited.
Computers/laptops/iPads or other similar tablets are permitted for note taking.
Email Policy: I am happy to answer questions or discuss your ideas further outside of class.
This is, however, a professional environment so when emailing me be sure to compose your
messages accordingly. If you miss class, do not contact me to find out what you have
missed.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is defined as word-for-word
copying without acknowledgment of the language or ideas of another writer.
Obviously, having another person write or dictate all of part of one’s composition is
forbidden. In addition, a writer should copy no printed passage, no matter how brief, without
acknowledging its source and either placing it in quotation marks or setting it aside as a
blocked quotation. This applies to even the briefest of phrases if they are truly individual or
distinctive.
Academic Integrity
Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g. plagiarism, cheating on
examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official
documents) as serious offenses against the values of intellectual honesty. The college is
committed to enforcing the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of
academic dishonesty according to the Hunter College Academic Integrity Procedures.
Academic Accommodation
In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Hunter College is committed to ensuring educational parity and
accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It
is recommended that all students with documented disabilities (Emotional, Medical,
Physical and/or Learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY located in Room E1124 to
secure necessary academic accommodations. For further information and assistance, please
call (212-772-4875)/TTY (212-650-3230).
How to be successful in this class:
1. Come to class on time and prepared to participate. Participation includes having
assignments completed, bringing needed materials, contributing to discussion in a
positive manner, and working on what is assigned during the class period.
2. Keep this syllabus and any changes made to it on hand. Know when writing
assignments are due. Know when reading should be completed.
3. Keep all of your work. Do not throw anything away.
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4. Ask questions. It is your responsibility to find out what you need to know in order to
be successful in your academic endeavors, as well as in the other areas of your life.
Check the class Blackboard site at least once a week.
If any problems should arise, you may contact me (or I may contact you) to discuss
them. If a problem seems too difficult for us to resolve, mediation is available
through the English Department.
Course Schedule
Homework is due on the day it is listed in the Course Schedule. Take notes as you do your
readings and come to class with marked-up documents, prepared to discuss what you have
read. All assignments are in They Say, I Say unless otherwise noted. Be sure to save hard
and digital copies of all your work.
Note: This schedule is subject to change
Week One
Thursday 8/27
Week Two
Monday 8/31
Wednesday
Thursday
Week Three
Monday 9/7
Wednesday
Thursday
Introduction/Syllabus/English 120 Student Information and Record
Sheet. Pre-assessment response assignment.
Due: pre-assessment response.
Preface xix-xxix; Introduction “Entering the Conversation 1-15.
Chapter 11 – “Entering Class Discussion” 141 – 144
• Do exercise #2 on page 15, which involves writing a short essay
using a template. Bring essay to class.
Chapter 1 – “They Say: Starting With What Other Are Saying” pp. 19
– 29. Exercise #1 on p. 28.
How do writers use others’ ideas in their own writing?
Handout: “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”
• Consider how King uses the ideas of the white majority to
structure his critique of their response to the demonstrations in
Alabama and to the racial tensions across America. Why is this
effective?
Discussion of “Letter…”
• Essay #1 assigned
No Class – Labor Day
Chapter 2 – “Her Point Is: The Art of Summarizing”
Summarize the arguments King makes in “Letter…”
Chapter 3 – “‘As He Himself Puts It’: The Art of Quoting”
• Review pp. 1 – 51 and notice how Graff, et al. use quotations.
Underline every quote. How is it introduced? How is the
credibility of the speaker established?
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Introduce research paper requirements; students identify possible
topics and research questions
Week Four
Monday 9/14
Wednesday
Thursday
Week Five
Monday 9/21
Wednesday
Thursday
Week Six:
Monday 9/28
Wednesday
Thursday
Week Seven:
Monday 10/5
Wednesday
Thursday
Week Eight:
Monday 10/12
Wednesday
Thursday
No classes
B.R. Myer: “Evocative Prose”
• Notice how he uses what “they” say to make his argument.
Underline every quote. How is it introduced? How is the
credibility of the speaker established?
Morrison: “Friday on the Potomac”
Essay #1 rough draft due: peer review of draft
Chapter 4 – “‘Yes/No/Okay, But…’: Three Ways to Respond”
No classes
Essay #1 due
J.M. Coetzee: “Gabriel Garcia Marquez: Memories of My Melancholy
Whores.”
• When does the author quote and when does he summarize?
• Where is the thesis statement? The main idea?
• In a brief in-class essay, respond to Coetzee’s complex
observations of Marquez. Are they a critique? Praise?
Continue discussion of “Memories…”
Essay #2 assigned
Angers: “Almost Before We Spoke, We Swore”
Williams: “The Clan of One-Breasted Women”
Peer Review Essay #2
Chapter 5 – “‘And Yet’: Distinguishing What YOU Say from What
THEY Say” 68 – 77. Do exercises 1&2 pages 75 – 77.
No classes – college is closed
Chapter 6 – “‘Skeptics May Object’: Planting a Naysayer in You
Text.” 78 – 89. Do exercise 1 on page 90.
Re-read “Letter…” Notice how King uses every technique we have
talked about thus far. Underline those which stand out to you. Be
prepared to discuss.
Ellison: “The World and the Jug, Part I.”
Essay #2 rough draft due: peer review of draft
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Week Nine:
Monday 10/19
Wednesday
Thursday
Week Ten:
Monday 10/26
Wednesday
Thursday
Week Eleven
Monday 11/2
Wednesday
Thursday
Week Twelve
Monday 11/9
Wednesday
Thursday
Week Thirteen
Monday 11/16
Wednesday
Thursday
Week Fourteen
Monday 11/23
Ellison: “The World and the Jug, Part II”
Continued discussion of “Jug…”
Essay #2 final draft due
Draft of annotated bibliography for research paper due
Chapter 12 – “What’s Moving This Writer?’ Reading for the
Conversation” 145 – 155
Baldwin: “Everybody’s Protest Novel.”
Continue discussion of “Everybody’s Protest Novel.”
Rodriguez: “Aria”
Chapter 8 – “‘As a Result’: Connecting the Parts” 105 – 120
Do exercises 1&2 119-120
Lies My Teacher Told Me: “Handicapped by History”
Continue discussion of “Handicapped by History”
Annotated bibliography due
Chapter 7 – “‘So What? Who Cares?’: Saying Why It Matters” 92 –
101.
Chapter 9 – “‘Ain’t So/Is Not’: Academic Writing Doesn’t Mean
Setting Aside Your Own Voice” 121 – 128.
Re-read Myers and Angers. Underline informal language. Be
prepared to discuss.
Rough daft of research paper due: Peer review
Chapter 10 – “‘But Don’t Get Me Wrong’: The Art of
Metacommentary” 129 – 138
Invisible Man, Prologue
Orwell: “Shooting and Elephant”
Re-read “Letter…”
• Underline where King uses metacommetary to clarify his point.
Be prepared to discuss.
Wednesday
Thursday
Second draft of research paper due
Baldwin: “The Discovery of What It Means To Be An American”
Continue “The Discovery…”
No classes – Thanksgiving
Week Fifteen
Monday 11/30
Post-assessment revision due
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Wednesday
Thursday
Week Sixteen
Monday 12/7
Wednesday
Thursday
Final Exam Week
Monday 12/23
Tillich: “The Riddle of Inequality”
Sartre: “Existentialism”
“Letter…”
Research paper final draft due, along with drafts
Discuss reflection assignment for portfolio (part of the pre- and postassessment papers.)
First draft of Reflection: peer review
Woolf: “What the Novelist Gives Us”
Orwell: “Politics and the English Language”
Portfolio due
Final Exam
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