English 1010
Basic Writing
Fall 2008
Section 023; CRN: 14763
Room: 159 Old Main
R. Smith, Instructor
Office: 5057 Woodward, Ste. 9408
Office Phone: (313) 577-7701
e-mail: ad2073@wayne.edu
Office Hours: (by appointment)
English Department attendance policy: Students enrolled in any English course must attend at
least one of the first two class sessions of the term in order to maintain a place in the class. If a
student does not show up he/she may be required to drop the class. The student is responsible
for dropping the class.
Undergraduate Bulletin (2007–2009): Prereq: placement through English Qualifying
Examination or ACT score. Offered for S and U grades only. Only two credits count toward
graduation. No credit toward English group requirement. One hour arranged. Extensive practice
in fundamentals of college writing and reading in preparation for ENG 1020. Required of
students qualifying on the basis of the English Qualifying Examination or ACT.
Course Description
English 1010 prepares students for English 1020 by building upon their diverse skills to become
critical readers and writers at the college level. The main goals of the course are to teach
students to integrate reading and writing in basic academic genres; to use a writing process that
incorporates drafting, revising, and editing; and to write according to the conventions of college
writing, including mechanics and documentation. To achieve these goals, the course encourages
students to read critically, respond analytically and critically, and write in a variety of academic
genres, including analysis and argument for an academic audience.
Learning Objectives

to develop college-level reading skills, including reading challenging texts for
information and reading toward an understanding of multiple perspectives

to develop college-level writing skills in writing with a clear thesis/purpose and providing
evidence/support in well-developed paragraphs of a well-organized essay

to develop college-level writing skills that integrate writers’ own ideas with those of
others, in genres that include summary, response, analysis, and argument in response to
specific assignments

to begin to develop research skills for college writing, including citation and
documentation of information from sources

to develop a flexible writing process that includes generating ideas, writing/ revising and
providing/responding to feedback in multiple drafts

to develop a flexible writing process that includes editing for an academic audience and
proofreading for surface errors

to develop a knowledge of basic technologies for writing
Required Texts
The following texts are available at the WSU Barnes and Noble Bookstore:
Ingalls, Anna and Dan Moody. Expectations: A Reader for Developing Writers. 2nd ed. New
York: Pearson Longman, 2006.
Ruszkiewiez, John, Daniel Seward, and Maxine Hairston. SF Writer. 4th ed. Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.
Required Electronic Access for this Class
Students in this class are expected to have daily access to the Internet whether through private
means or via campus computers which are available to students at no cost at the University
Libraries.
Pipeline: Students should become familiar with all areas of the home page and student pages of
Pipeline.
Blackboard: The course syllabus, announcements, and assignments will be posted on
Blackboard which is accessed from the Student Tab menu on Pipeline.
WSU E-mail: All class correspondence must be conducted via wayne.edu e-mail addresses. To
access wayne e-mail directly, go to the Pipeline home page and click on the envelope icon at the
top of the page, or go to www.webmail.wayne.edu and login just as you do Pipeline.
.
MySkillsLab: Students will be given access codes for this online bank of writing, reading, and
study skills exercises and tests. They will receive regular assignments from MySkillsLab and
complete these assignments online at www.myskillslab.com. MySkillsLab assignments will
comprise a significant portion of the course grade.
Additional Required Materials
A flashdrive to save your work
A spiral notebook to use exclusively for 1010 journal (70-100 pages, no pockets or
sections)
A two-pocket folder for class handouts and syllabus
Several blue or black pens
A highlighter
A pocket dictionary (American Heritage or Webster’s Collegiate preferred)
A pocket thesaurus (recommended)
Methods of Instruction and Learning
Each class period will begin with a warm-up activity (freewriting topic, quiz, homework review,
etc.) followed by lecture and discussion on the current lesson. Students will be given time for
guided practice, either individually or in groups. The class session will conclude with a
summary activity to reinforce the lesson and pinpoint insights or questions that may arise.
Students will be given opportunity for independent practice through short homework
assignments and longer formal assignments.
Grouping and peer review: We will be spending a substantial portion of this course engaged in
grouping activities, so participation and cooperation are essential for satisfactory completion of
ENG 1010. Much of the planning and revising stages will be accomplished in small groups of 34. This way students can learn from one another as they become more familiar with the writing
process.
Classroom Expectations
Please do . . .
 Bring your textbooks and notebooks to class every day. We will be working from these
daily. If you do not bring your book, your participation grade will suffer.
 Turn your pagers, cellular phones, and watch alarms off when you come to class.
Please refrain from . . .
 Arriving late and causing a disruption as you enter the classroom.
 Dining in class.
 Turning in ragged papers torn out of spiral notebooks.
Important University Dates
September 15…………………………………Last Day to Drop Class with Tuition Refund
November 27 – 29th……………………University Closed for Thanksgiving Day Holiday
Class does not meet Wednesday, November 26th since it is scheduled as a Friday.
December 10, Wednesday ……………………………………………………Classes End
December 11, Thursday……………………………Last Day to Drop a Class; Study Day
December 12 (Friday) – December 18 (Thursday)………………………Final Exam Week
Student Resources
1. Writing Center (2310 David Adamany Undergraduate Library): Use this facility frequently
for additional writing assistance. Call 577-2544 for Writing Center hours.
2. Hoot: For those of you who are having difficulties getting to the campus facility, The WSU
Writing Center now has Online Writing Tutors The service is called HOOT (Hypertext One on
One Tutoring). Through HOOT, students are able to send essays and within 48 hours (business
days only) should receive comments from one of our tutors embedded in their essay in HTML
format. Tutors can work with students at all stages of the writing process through this system
from brainstorming to revising. They currently can read 32 papers per week.
To become a part of HOOT, students should visit this website
http://www.clas.wayne.edu/writing for further instructions. You can read the terms of service
and learn how to send your essays.
NOTE: Tutors will not proofread essays, but they will guide you in the writing process and help
you learn to correct your writing errors.
3. The Computer Access and Study Skills Lab (577-3165) is located in the Academic Success
Center on the second floor of the Undergraduate Library. Students have access to the computer
lab Monday through Friday (call for fall semester hours). In addition to supplemental tutoring,
the Academic Success Center also has software on college reading skills and vocabulary
enhancement.
4. WSU Undergraduate Bulletin: The Undergraduate Bulletin is online at
www.bulletins.wayne.edu. This is a valuable resource for students, providing information on
university, college, and departmental requirements and procedures as well as many student
services. The bulletin includes a guideline of instructor and student rights and responsibilities.
Additional Student Services
5. Educational Accessibility Services (EAS): If you have a physical or mental impairment that
may interfere with your ability to complete successfully the requirements for this course, please
contact EAS in Room 1600 of the David Adamany Undergraduate Library to discuss appropriate
accommodations on a confidential basis: (313) 577-1851 or www.eas.wayne.edu.
6. Counseling and Psychological Services: The goal of Counseling and Psychological Services
(CAPS) is to assist in the development and maintenance of a positive and healthy university
community. CAPS has a professional staff of psychologists, clinical social workers, and licensed
professional counselors trained to work with college students. Students can call or stop by to
make an appointment to see an individual counselor, join a group, or join a workshop. CAPS is
located in the Student Center Building in room 552: (313) 577-3398 or www.caps.wayne.edu.
7. Career Services: The Career Services Office provides a wide variety of career-related
programs such as career development and assessment resources, on-campus interviewing,
resume referrals, career fairs, professional, co-op, internship and part-time job postings, and oncampus student employment. The office is located at 1001 F/AB, 656 Reuther Mall: (313) 5773390 or www.careerservices.wayne.edu.
Course Requirements
1. Attendance: Attendance at all class sessions is required. If a student misses a session, he or
she should obtain class notes from another student. Since in-class work (individual and group) is
a central element of this course, there are no “excused absences.” Students exceeding five
absences will not receive credit for the course. Because late-arrivers tend to be distracting and
time-consuming for the instructor and class, three tardies will equal one absence. Anyone
arriving more than 30 minutes late will be marked absent.
2. Journal: Each student will be responsible for maintaining a weekly journal that will include
lecture notes and freewriting topics for every class meeting.
*Journals will be collected at the beginning of the hour on test days.
3. Formal Writing Assignments: Students will write four formal essays.
In order to receive a grade for a paper four steps must be completed per paper:
o Prewriting (brainstorming and organization)
o Rough draft
o Final draft
o Reflection memo
All four steps will be turned in with the final draft in order for you to receive credit. The
prewriting and rough draft must be assessed by the instructor before turning in the final draft.
*Late final drafts will be graded down one full grade for each class period late. Late rough
drafts will receive no credit.
* Papers will be collected at the beginning of the class period on the date they are due. Final
drafts must be submitted electronically to the Blackboard Drop Box prior to the class period on
the day they are due.
4. Short Writing Assignments: Students will be given short writing assignments throughout the
semester for additional practice and reflections. These could be assigned in-class or as
homework.
5. MySkillsLab assignments will comprise a significant portion of the course grade. There are
58 exercises in the current program, and students will be responsible for completing a minimum
of two per week as determined by the instructor, beginning the week of September 8th. Students
are encouraged to try additional, non-assigned, practice activities as well.
6. Tests: Two tests will be given on materials covered in class, including reading, grammar and
mechanics, study skills, and composition.
7. Quizzes and Activities: During approximately the first 10 minutes of class, we will have a
five-point quiz or activity. Students may not make up these assignments. The quiz with the
lowest score will be thrown out at the end of the term for each student.
8. Participation: Class discussion, group work, peer revision, homework, and attendance will be
evaluated as part of the grade for this course, so please come to class prepared to participate.
9. Conferences: Prior to midterm you will sign up for an individual conference with the
instructor, and we will review portfolios to determine your status in the course.
Grading
Since English 1010 is taken for an S or U grade, final drafts falling below “C” quality work will
be considered “unsatisfactory” and will be returned to the student for revision. A “U” (no credit)
will be recorded until the paper is resubmitted with the appropriate revisions. No late penalty
will be applied as long as the original final draft, including all writing stages, is completed on
time.
(4) essays
(1) combined short writings
(1) MySkillsLab Exercises (combined)
(2) tests (combined)
(1) journal
(1) combined quizzes
(1) class participation
40% (10% each)
10%
10%
15%
10%
10%
5%
Formal assignments will be graded as follows:
*Each final draft will receive an S or U grade, though I may indicate a letter grade as well to give
you an idea of where your paper would place in the more familiar A-F range of assessment.
S (satisfactory = receives credit)
U (unsatisfactory = no credit)
4.0 = A
3.7 = A3.3 = B+
3.0 = B
1.9 or lower = C- or lower
2.7 = B2.3 = C+
2.0 = C
Incomplete grades: The grade of incomplete is reserved for rare occasions when “there is, in
the judgment of the instructor, a reasonable probability that the student can complete the course
successfully without again attending regular class sessions.” (2007-2009 WSU Undergraduate
Bulletin, 40).
As a rule I do not apply “I” grades because the largest portion of this class is based on in-class
instruction and learning.
Plagiarism Policy
To plagiarize is to steal and use the ideas and writings of another as one’s own (The American
Heritage Dictionary).
University Policy on Plagiarism and Cheating: Academic work submitted by a student for
credit is assumed to be of his/her own creation, and if found not to be, will constitute cause for
the student's dismissal (2007-2009 Undergraduate Bulletin, page 37).
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Policy on Plagiarism (2007-2009 Undergraduate
Bulletin, page 254): The principle of honesty is recognized as fundamental to a scholarly
community. Students are expected to honor this principle and instructors are expected to take
appropriate action when instances of academic dishonesty are discovered. An instructor, on
discovering such an instance, may give a failing grade on the assignment or for the course. The
instructor has the responsibility of notifying the student of the alleged violation and the action
being taken. Both the student and the instructor are entitled to academic due process in all such
cases. Acts of dishonesty may lead to suspension or exclusion.
The Plagiarism Policy for this Class: I will be going over appropriate ways to cite sources
with you in class, and I will give you examples of different forms of plagiarism so you can avoid
that mistake. I may use electronic software and/or other means to check the originality of your
work. If you do plagiarize in this class, you will receive a “U” as a final grade--no matter what
the assignment. Dropping the course will not be an option.
For the Student Code of Conduct, Academic Integrity Brochure, and Letter from the University
Ombudsperson, please refer to the Judicial Services link from the Dean of Students’ web site:
www.doso.wayne.edu.
Essay Format Guidelines
Paper:
White bond paper, unlined, 8.5" x 11"
Print:
Dark black, letter quality
Font:
Times New Roman, size 12
Margins:
1" all around; unjustified right margin (ragged)
Spacing:
Double space between lines; two spaces after terminal punctuation
Page Numbers:
Last name and number; top right margin; one-half inch from top on
all pages; Arabic numerals without period
Identification:
First page, left margin; student name, instructor name, course, date
Title:
Centered on first page after identification.
Sample:
See pages 335-348 SF Writer (Ruszkiewiez)
ENG 1010 Grading Rubric
It is considered good practice in composition to provide written instructions and a grading rubric
for every assignment (materials like these are an immense help if your students go to the Writing
Center for assistance). It also helps with consistency and efficiency of grading if grading is
focused on selected criteria that grow steadily more complex over the course of the term.
The following rubric can be adapted for different genres and assignments.
The S paper in ENG 1010 meets the following criteria:





demonstrates college-level reading comprehension of sources
follows the assignment, including requirements for drafting, revising, collaborating in
peer groups, editing, proofreading, and formatting
executes the genre of the assignment:
o summarizes sources accurately in the writer’s own language, capturing the main
ideas from the whole text
o responds critically by integrating the writer’s ideas with the ideas of a text, in an
essay with a specific purpose and focused development
o analyzes effectively a complex text, image or issue within a framework (e.g.,
evaluation, exploratory, rhetorical) in a well-organized essay
o argues logically and persuasively in support of a thesis with information and
evidence from multiple sources
correctly cites and documents information from research
correctly uses standard conventions of spelling, punctuation, grammar and mechanics in a
tone appropriate for an academic audience
The U paper in ENG 1010 does not meet the criteria above:






does not demonstrate college-level reading comprehension of sources
does not follow the assignment or the requirements of the writing process
does not use proper text conventions for integrating the writer’s own ideas with ideas
from sources
o plagiarizes
does not adequately execute the genre of the assignment
o does not write with a clear thesis/purpose
o does not provide support in well-developed paragraphs
o does not develop a well-organized essay
does not cite or document sources correctly
does not show good command of standard conventions, including spelling, punctuation,
grammar and mechanics in a tone appropriate for an academic audience
Assignment Schedule: A full-semester schedule will be available next week. In the meantime,
below are the assignments for September 3-10.
September 2, Wednesday – Introduction to Course/Previewing
Assignment: American Fish; due September 8
September 8, Monday – Introduction to MySkillsLab/Diagnostic Tests
Assignment: Arrival at Manzanar; due September 10.
September 10, Wednesday – Active Reading/Introduction to Summary
Assignment: MySkillsLab/Reading/Active Reading Exercise
Assignment: Summary Writing: Manzanar; Due September 15.