Ivy Tech Community College
Region 14 – Bloomington
English Composition
ENG 111 (3 credit hours)
Instructor: Amy Rubens
Required Texts and Materials
 Patterns for College Writing, 10th edition. (Kirszner and Mandell)
 A Pocket Manual of Style, 4th edition (Hacker)
 Notebook for taking notes and completing in-class writing assignments
Catalog Description
English Composition is designed to develop students’ abilities to think, organize, and express
their ideas clearly and effectively in writing. This course incorporates reading, research, and
critical thinking. Emphasis is placed on the various forms of expository writing such as process,
description, narration, comparison, analysis, persuasion, and argumentation. A research paper
is required. Numerous in-class writing activities are required in addition to extended essays
written outside of class.
Pre-requisites
Demonstrated competency through appropriate assessment or earning a grade of “C” or better
in ENG 025 Introduction to College Writing II and ENG 032 Reading Strategies for College II.
Major Course Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course the student will be expected to:
1. Understand communication theory and the roles audiences play in the writing process.
2. Apply critical reading and thinking skills to the writing process.
3. Demonstrate an awareness of language as a tool for learning and communication.
4. Develop strategies for making independent, critical evaluations of student and published
texts.
5. Research and critically evaluate information to produce writing with APA or MLA formal
documentation, which consists of in-text citations and final list of all sources cited.
6. Apply strategies for the composition process such as drafting, collaboration, revision, and
peer evaluation to produce written documents.
7. Write well-organized essays with a firm thesis and a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
8. Engage in pre-writing activities, including narrowing a topic, generating ideas, determining
the audience and the relationship between audience and content, and setting an appropriate
tone.
9. Demonstrate an understanding of the various rhetorical modes, including argumentation and
analysis, and apply that understanding in various writing environments, including an essay test.
10. Support a thesis statement with valid reasons and evidence.
11. Follow the conventions of standard written English, in sentence structure, punctuation,
grammar and usage, and spelling.
12. Recognize and develop styles appropriate to varied writing situations.
Course Content
Topical areas of study will include:
 Reading and thinking critically
 Generating ideas
 Identifying an audience
 Developing a thesis
 Organizing an essay
 Prewriting, drafting, editing, and revising
 Using rhetorical modes including exposition, argumentation and analysis
 Developing style
 Following conventions of standard written English
 Writing essay exams
 Conducting library and other research methods
 Gathering, evaluating, and using sources for research
 Paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting
 Documenting sources (MLA and/or APA)
 Avoiding plagiarism
Methods of Evaluation
Students will write for evaluation at least five compositions. Students will write a minimum of
5,000 words, excluding rough drafts during the semester. At least two compositions must
include analysis and argumentation. Instructors will require that in at least one paper students
will incorporate outside sources into their writing and use an appropriate style of
documentation (MLA style, e.g.).
In this class, you’ll be required to complete the assignments listed below. If you fail to submit a
major assignment (rough drafts, quizzes, and in-class work not included), you will receive a
failing grade for the course.
1-2 page Description essay (25 points)
2-3 page Narrative essay (50 points)
3-4 page Exemplification essay (100 points)
3-4 page Comparison and contrast essay (100 points)
4-5 page Analytical research essay (150 points)
Essay exam (75 points)
Quizzes and graded in class activities (100 points)
You can earn a total of 600 points during the semester. Your grade will be the sum of the points
you receive, converted to a letter grade. It’s likely that you will have at least one extra credit
opportunity during the semester.
Grading Scale and Philosophy
I follow the standard Ivy Tech grading scale:
A (90-100%)
B (80-89%)
C (70-79%)
D (60-69%)
The specific point value assigned to any assignment or exercise will correspond to how well you
meet the terms of the assignment. Grading criteria for papers will listed on each assignment
sheet.
As a general guideline:
An “A” paper is outstanding. It explores the subject matter in great depth and reveals attention
to nuances and complexities at hand. It is focused, carefully supported, nicely organized, meets
the requirements of the assignment, and exhibits the writer’s mastery of mechanical skills and
style.
A “B” meets the requirements of the assignment but does so in an above-average manner. It
examines the subject in some more depth. The thesis sis supported and the organization is
generally clear. Paragraphs and sentences are generally well constructed. Mechanics are clean
for the most part. The paper meets the requirements for the assignment.
A “C” paper meets the requirements of the assignment. It offers an acceptable examination of
the subject, but it lacks depth. The thesis is present but not well-supported with examples and
illustrations. Skeletal overall organization is present. The paper may depend on generalizations
and lack detail. Paragraphs may not be fully developed. Sentences are generally clear but are
also awkward at times.
A “D” paper demonstrates below average effort; this paper fails to meet several major
requirements of the assignment. It does not examine the subject in depth and lacks
organization. Paragraphs are not well-developed. Awkward sentence structure may create
problems for the reader. It may exhibit significant mechanical difficulties.
Important Course Policies
Absences. There are 14 class sessions, not including the first and last day of class. Because
each two-and-a-half hour class covers so much material, regular attendance is vital to your
success in this course, and this is why I have a strict attendance policy. Students who miss four
or more classes will receive a failing grade in the course. Note: you are responsible for any
work missed due to an absence, and you should email a fellow student to find out what was
covered in class during your absence.
Lateness. It’s vital that you arrive to class on time; however, certain circumstances may
occasionally arise that will delay your arrival to class. Your first two lates will be excused.
However, for every late beyond these two that you accrue, you will lose 5 points from the total
amount of points you earned for the course for each tardy arrival. Finally, be aware that
students who arrive more than ten minutes late to class or leave early will be marked absent.
Drafts and peer review. Drafting is an important part of the writing process, and you are
required to write drafts for four of the assigned essays. You will receive feedback on these
drafts from your peers and me during peer review days. Peer review is mandatory. Students
who do not bring a completed draft with them to class on peer review days will not be allowed
to participate and will be marked absent for class that day. In addition, students who do not
submit drafts and do not participate in peer review will have 20% of the total point value of
the assignment deducted from their final grade for the assignment. If you are absent on a
peer review day because of an emergency (medical, family, etc.), email me as soon as possible.
You may be able to participate in an alternate peer review.
Submitting final copies of essays. Please type the essays that you write for this class. All final
copies of essays must be submitted on the day that they are due; assignments that are not
submitted on time will be penalized. The penalty for late essays is 20% of the total point value
of the assignment, to be deducted from your final grade for the assignment. I do not accept
essays via email or my Ivy Tech mailbox unless prior arrangements have been made with me.
Blackboard. You are required to check Blackboard daily for important announcements, course
worksheets (including assignment sheets), and other pertinent information about Eng 111.
SafeAsign on Blackboard. In addition to submitting paper copies of your final essay to me, you
must also submit the final copy of your essay to Blackboard before the beginning of class on
the day the assignment is due. I reserve the right to use resources of the College, like SafeAsign
(which is a part of Blackboard), to screen your work for plagiarism. NOTE: If you fail to submit
a paper copy of your final essay and an electronic copy to Blackboard on the day the
assignment is due, your essay will be considered late.
Quizzes and in class work. Quizzes will be both announced and unannounced; quizzes will ask
questions about the readings listed on the syllabus. We will talk about strategies to help
prepare for quizzes in this class. Occasionally, I will assign in-class writing and brainstorming
activities which I will collect and grade. You’ll be notified at the beginning of the activity if it will
be graded. The point value of individual quizzes and in class work will vary.
Contacting me. Email is the best way to reach me; I will do my best to return your email as soon
as possible. If you do not have immediate/easy access to email, you may call me at my home
number, 812-334-4121, between the hours of 10am and 8pm.
Getting help. I’m available for consultation by phone and email. In addition, I’ll be happy to
meet with you on the Ivy Tech campus before or after class; however, if you’d like to meet with
me before or after our class, please email or call me at least 3 days in advance to schedule a
meeting.
Academic Honesty Statement
The College is committed to academic integrity in all its practices. The faculty value intellectual
integrity and a high standard of academic conduct. Activities that violate academic integrity
undermine the quality and diminish the value of educational achievement. Cheating on papers,
tests or other academic works is a violation of College rules. No student shall engage in
behavior that, in the judgment of the instructor of the class, may be construed as cheating. This
may include, but is not limited to, plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty such as the
acquisition without permission of tests or other academic materials and/or distribution of these
materials and other academic work. This includes students who aid and abet as well as those
who attempt such behavior. Finally, it is academically unethical to submit to one instructor
work that you wrote earlier for another instructor (this is called auto-plagiarism).
Behavior Statement
Students should always conduct themselves in a respectful manner. No conduct will be
tolerated that might threaten or endanger anyone in the class. Disruptive behavior, substance
abuse, downgrading remarks and any behavior that shows lack of respect for the instructor or
other students will not be tolerated. At the instructor’s discretion, a student causing problems
will be asked to leave for the session. If a student persists in causing problems, further
disciplinary action may be taken.
Copyright Statement
Students shall adhere to the laws governing the use of copyrighted materials. They must insure
that their activities comply with fair use and in no way infringe on the copyright or other
proprietary rights of others and that the materials used and developed at Ivy Tech Community
College contain nothing unlawful, unethical, or libelous and do not constitute any violation of
any right of privacy.
ADA Statement
Ivy Tech Community College seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified
individuals with documented disabilities. If you need an accommodation because of a
documented disability, please contact the Office of Disability Support Services.
If you will require assistance during an emergency evacuation, notify your instructor
immediately. Look for evacuation procedures posted in your classroom.
How to Access the Ivy Tech Virtual Library
The Ivy Tech Virtual Library is available to students on- and off-campus, offering full text
journals and books and other resources essential for course assignments. Go to
http://www.ivytech.edu/library and choose the link for your campus.
Course Schedule
The course schedule begins on the following page. It is subject to change. Changes will be
announced via Blackboard and in class. All page numbers correspond to our reader, Patterns,
unless otherwise noted. Note that the information in the far right-hand column lists readings
and assignments you need to complete before coming to class on that day. For instance, on
January 28, you will need to read “Ground Zero,” “The Way to Rainy Mountain,” and the other
readings listed in this box before class begins on January 28.
Date
Topics/Activities
Readings/Material DUE
Jan. 14
Introduction to the course
Blackboard
Icebreakers
Critical reading: highlighting/annotating
Critical thinking:
observation/interpretation
NO CLASS – MLK DAY
Introduction to “Description”
Discussion
Review essay assignment
Optimism
“Reading to Write” (1-4)
“Girls in Front of a 9/11 Mural” (160)
Jan. 21
Jan. 28
Feb. 4
Feb. 11
Feb. 18
Feb. 25
Mar. 3
Mar. 10
Thesis statements
Outlining
Paragraphing
Introduction to “Narrative”
Discussion
Review essay assignment
Targeted composition skills set #1
Introductions and conclusions
Peer review
Instructor/student consultations
Introduction to “Exemplification”
Introduction to academic writing
Review paragraphing
Discussion
Review essay assignment
Targeted composition skills set #2
Peer review
Instructor/student consultations
NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK
Mar. 17
Intro. to “Comparison and Contrast”
Discussion
Review essay assignment
Mar. 24
Targeted composition skills set #3
Peer review
Instructor/student consultations
Introduction to “Argumentation”
Discussion
Mar. 31
Blackboard quiz on course policies
143-150; 153-158
“Ground Zero” (162)
“The Way to Rainy Mountain” (180)
“Freewriting” to “Clustering” (23-28)
29-35
37-38
41-45 (begin with “Body Paragraphs”)
Final copy: Description essay
83-87; 89-92
“Finishing School” (101)
“Indian Education” (134)
Rough draft: Narrative essay
87-89
“The Introduction” (39-40)
“The Conclusion” (46-47)
Final copy: Narrative essay
203-208; 213-216
“Innovation” (231)
“Just Walk On By” (240)
Rough draft: Exemplification essay
208-210
Linking claims and evidence (handout)
Final copy: Exemplification essay
387-393
“Chinese Space, American Space” (421)
Fallingwater and Williamsburg (handout)
Rough draft: Compare/contrast essay
393-406
Final copy: Compare/contrast essay
555-562 (skip “Rogerian Argument”)
“The Case for Walmart” (652)
Apr. 7
Review Argumentation assignment
Apr. 14
Research and library skills
Field trip to Ivy Tech library
Review plagiarism policy
Using research to persuade
Quoting and paraphrasing
MLA citation
Student argumentation examples
Targeted composition skills set #4
Peer review
Preparing for an essay exam
LAST DAY OF CLASS
Apr. 21
Apr. 28
May 5
“Down and Out in…America” (659)
571-576
778-784 (sample essay)
Rough draft: thesis statement
*101-111 in A Pocket Style Manual*
757-763
*127-154 in A Pocket Style Manual*
Rough draft: Research essay
Essay exam preparation (handouts)
Final copy: Research essay