English 101, Section 25
English Composition I
MWF 11:00-11:50, BRYN 132
Claudia McQuistion, Instructor
Office 328, McIver
Office Hours: W 2:30-5:30
E-mail: c_mcquis@uncg.edu
Course Description
English 101 is designed to help you become a better writer and critical thinker. This class
will hone your already existing skills of reading, writing, listening, and response. We’ll
study various readings in order to help you improve the abilities that you have and those
that you want to develop further. By the end of this course, we will have discussed how to
analyze an argument, conduct research, and craft personal observations and ideas into a
successful essay. The assorted readings will help you use structural tools more confidently;
issues like organization, quotations, summary, and citation will be explained. In addition to
understanding the mechanics and conventions of writing and research, we will also explore
what it means to be a writer, for the self, in the classroom, and in our larger community.
English 101 Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):
At the completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Analyze the content and structure of complex texts (written, oral, and/or visual in
nature);
2. Compose cogent, evidence-based, argumentative texts;
3. Identify and employ the rhetorical triangle, the canons, and the appeals in both
formal and informal discourse;
4. Summarize, quote, paraphrase, and synthesize source material in support of an
argument;
5. Employ drafting, peer review, and revision techniques in order to improve content,
style, and structure of their own writing;
6. Appraise their own composing abilities and composing processes through critical
reflection.
English 101 satisfies three of the six hours of the Reasoning and Discourse (GRD)
requirement at UNCG, which asserts that students “gain skills in intellectual discourse,
including constructing cogent arguments, locating, synthesizing and analyzing documents,
and writing and speaking clearly, coherently, and effectively”
(http://web.uncg.edu/reg/Bulletin/Current/UnivReq/GECDescription.aspx).
In addition, English 101 is designed to meet Learning Goal #1 (LG1) in the UNCG
General Education Program. This is the ability to “think critically, communicate effectively,
and develop appropriate fundamental skills in quantitative and information literacies.”
(http://web.uncg.edu/reg/Bulletin/Current/UnivReq/GECProgram.aspx)
The Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) correspond to both the GRD goals and LG1.
Required Texts
Course Documents (http://blackboard.uncg.edu/). Required readings that don’t appear in
the textbooks will appear under Course Documents on our course’s Blackboard site. When
assigned, you are required to print these out and bring them to class.
Babb, Jacob, Sally Smits, and Courtney Adams Wooten, Eds. Techne Rhetorike: Techniques of
Discourse for Writers and Speakers. Plymouth, MI: Hayden-McNeil, 2011. ISBN: 978-07380-4669-3
Graff, Gerald, Cathy Birkenstein and Russel Durst. They Say I Say With Readings. New
York: Norton, 2008. ISBN: 978-0393-93114-7
Course Requirements & Policies
1. Attendance: It is essential that you arrive for every class meeting and that you arrive on
time. You may have three absences with no penalty to your grade. More than this will only
be tolerated if there are extreme circumstances (e.g., death in the family or severe illness). In
these cases, I will need proof or documentation (e.g., a doctor’s note). If documentation is
not applicable to your situation, set up a brief conference with me within one week of the
absence.
You are also allowed two excused absences for religious holidays. If you plan to miss class
due to a religious holiday, you must notify me at least 48 hours prior to the absence. If you
miss more than three classes you will lose two-thirds of your final letter grade (e.g, a B+
would turn into a B-). If you miss six classes, I am required to give you a failing grade for
the course. Please keep in mind that notifying me by email of your absence does not excuse
it.
2. Participation: Your participation grade will result from quizzes, in-class reflections and
exercises, homework, and meaningful contributions to group work and class discussion. If
you find that it’s difficult to chime in to our discussions, please let me know. All readings
and assignments must be completed the days they are due. This may seem obvious, but it
needs to be said: I expect you to treat your classmates with respect.
It is also expected that you bring the appropriate text(s) to class on the day(s) that we discuss
them, as well as writing materials (pen, notebook, etc.) Cell phones should be out of sight
and turned off during class. Laptops may be used in class only by students who have a
special need for purposes of note-taking or other classroom activities. No student may use a
laptop in class without a prior arrangement with me.
You will need regular access to your UNCG email. Email will be the primary avenue by
which I will communicate with you outside of class. Please be sure to check it routinely.
3. Assignments: This class is primarily focused on developing your skills as a writer, so all
of the reading and writing assignments will be tailored to this task. We’ll be doing plenty of
in-class exercises and reflections, as well as group discussion about effective writing. Over
the course of the semester, you’ll complete three essays. The first will be focused on
rhetorical analysis in visual advertisements, and the second will be a research paper. In the
third essay, you’ll have the chance to study a community outside of our classroom. You
will need to keep all the drafts of all the assignments you complete, including your inclass and take-home work. All of your work will need to be thoroughly polished and
revised for your final portfolio, a collection of your work through the course that will be 1520 pages long. The portfolio will also include smaller papers that are assigned throughout
the semester, including responses and some in-class reflections. You will also write a
reflective letter which explores the way your writing has grown this semester, the revisions
you’ve made, your strengths and weaknesses, and the aspects of your writing that you plan
on improving for the future.
4. Grading: Your final grade will be determined from your attendance and participation
(15%), three responses (15%), three essays (30%), and your portfolio (40%). Your writing
assignments will be graded according to their originality, clarity, ambition, and adherence to
the assignment. I will also examine the structure of your work, including organization,
grammar and punctuation. All assignments must be in MLA format, in 12 point Times New
Roman font with 1- inch margins. A header must appear at the top right-hand corner with
your name and page number. Please staple all of your final drafts. Finally, I expect all of
your assignments to be on time. If one is late, I will deduct a third of a letter grade for each
calendar day I do not have it.
If at any point you have questions regarding your progress or an assignment throughout the
semester please do not hesitate to contact me. Drop by during my office hours or e-mail me
to make an appointment. I will make every effort to respond to your message within 48
hours. If I haven’t replied to your message after 48 hours, then please re-send the message.
5. Academic Integrity: “Academic integrity is founded upon and encompasses the
following five values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Violations include,
for example, cheating, plagiarism, misuse of academic resources, falsification, and
facilitating academic dishonesty. If knowledge is to be gained and properly evaluated, it
must be pursued under conditions free from dishonesty. Deceit and misrepresentations are
incompatible with the fundamental activity of this academic institution and shall not be
tolerated.” (UNCG’s Academic Integrity Policy)
To ensure that you understand the university’s policy on academic integrity, review the
guidelines and list of violations at <http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu>.
I expect you to abide by the Academic Integrity Policy. If you intentionally violate the
Academic Integrity Policy by plagiarizing a published source or using the work of your
peers, I will likely catch you. Please talk to me if you’re having difficulties with the
assignment— that’s what I’m here for. That said, if you intentionally copy someone else’s
work and pass it off as your own work, I will give you a failing grade.
If you violate this policy unintentionally (by failing to use citations properly, for example), I
will choose a penalty on a case-by-case basis. Recommended penalties range from a zero on
the assignment to a failing grade in the course.
7. The Office of Disability Services: Students with documentation of special needs should
arrange to see me about accommodations as soon as possible. If you believe you could
benefit from such accommodations, you must first register with the Office of Disability
Services on campus before such accommodations can be made. The office is located on the
second floor of the Elliott University Center (EUC) in Suite 215, and the office is open 8 am
to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. They can be reached at 334-5440, and their e-mail address is
ods@uncg.edu.
8. The Writing Center: The purpose of the Writing Center is to enhance the confidence
and competence of student writers by providing free, individual assistance at any stage of
any writing project. Staff consultants are experienced writers and alert readers, prepared to
offer feedback and suggestions on drafts of papers, help students find answers to their
questions about writing, and provide one-on-one instruction as needed. Located in the
Moore Humanities and Research Building, room 3211.
9. The Learning Assistance Center: The Learning Assistance Center offers free services to
the entire UNCG undergraduate community and is located in McIver Hall, rooms 101-104,
and 150. For help with study skills, contact Erin Farrior, Academic Skills specialist.
Telephone: 334-3878; e-mail: lac@uncg.edu.
Calendar
The calendar represents the tentative schedule for our readings and writing assignments
during the semester. It is subject to some changes, depending on our pace; if these changes
need to be made, I’ll let you know. Otherwise, consult this schedule.
Note: Please complete all readings BEFORE the class period for which they have been
assigned. We will not be reading in class.
TR= Techne Rhetorike
TSIS= They Say / I Say
BB = Blackboard
WEEK 1
Monday, August 22
In class: Introduction to class; syllabus
Wednesday, August 24
Read: Alexie, “Superman and Me” (BB), Tedder, “Academic Integrity” (TR)
In class: Reflective Writing
Friday, August 26
Read: Dodson, “Introductions to Rhetorical Concepts” (TR), Tamny, “College
Degrees Increasingly Worthless” (BB)
In class: group work, discussion
WEEK 2
Monday, August 29
Read: Shook, “Reading for the Rhetorical Appeals” (TR), Leonhardt, “Even for
Cashiers, College Pays Off” (BB)
In class: group work, discussion
Wednesday, August 31
Read: Dodson, “The Canons of Rhetoric as Phases of Composition” (TR), Sharot,
“Major Delusions” (BB)
In class: group work, discussion
Friday, September 2
Read: “Introduction” (TSIS), Bok & Ateya (BB)
Due: Exercise #2 of Introduction (TSIS)
In class: introduction to Essay I
WEEK 3
Monday, September 5
Labor Day Holiday
Wednesday, September 7
Read: Draut, “The Growing College Gap” (TSIS)
Due: Response I
In class: group work, discussion
Friday, September 9
Read: Laminack, “Analyzing Visual Media” (TR), “They Say”, “Her Point
Is”(TSIS)
Due: visual ads for approval
In class: discussion of analysis
WEEK 4
Monday, September 12
Read: Morehead, “Genre of Academic Discourse” (TR), Anzaldua, “How to Tame
a Wild Tongue” (BB)
In class: group work, discussion
Wednesday, September 14
Read: Ensor, “Viewing Peer Review as a Rhetorical Process” (TR), Thesis Statement
Reading (BB)
Due: first page of Essay I
In class: workshop of first page
Friday, September 16
Read: Mullins, “Revision is Writing”, Benson, “The Writing Center: Where Writers
Meet” (TR)
In class: Trip to the Writing Center
WEEK 5
Monday, September 19
Due: first draft of Essay I
In class: workshop
Wednesday, September 21
Read: Lamott, “Shitty First Drafts” (BB), Meriweather, “Conferencing Rhetorically”
In class: group work, discussion
(TR)
Friday, September 23
Class canceled for individual conferences
WEEK 6
Monday, September 26
Class canceled for individual conferences
Wednesday, September 28
Class canceled for individual conferences
Friday, September 30
In class: Essay I due, introduction to Essay II
*Please bring King’s “What Writing Is” (BB) to class
WEEK 7
Monday, October 3
Read: Benson and Lyda, “Researching Rhetorically” (TR)
In class: Trip to the library
Wednesday, October 5
Read: Parker, “Marginalia: Talking Back to Books” (BB), “Reading for the
Conversation” (TSIS)
In class: group work, discussion
Friday, October 7
Read: Research Reading TBD
In class: group work, discussion
WEEK 8
Monday, October 10
In class: Fall Break
Wednesday, October 12
Read: Tan, “The Language of Discretion” (BB), Bufter, “Understanding Voice” (TR)
Due: Response II
In class: group work, discussion
Friday, October 14
Read: Wooten, “Finding a Conversation to Find Research,” Babb, “Developing an
Idea of the Audience” (TR)
Due: List of works cited for Essay II
In class: group work, discussion
WEEK 9
Monday, October 17
Read: Ray, “Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Quoting” (TR), “As He Himself Puts
It” (TSIS)
In class: group work with sources
Wednesday, October 19
Due: first draft of Essay II
In class: workshop
Friday, October 21
Read: Webb, “Understanding Tone” (TR), “Yes/ No/ Okay, But” (TSIS)
In class: group work, discussion
WEEK 10
Monday, October 24
Read: Lancaster, “Beginning and Ending with Power” (BB), “And Yet” (TSIS)
In class: group work, discussion
Wednesday, October 26
Due: Essay II
In class: reflective writing
*Please bring Lederer’s “The Case for Short Words” (BB) to class
Friday, October 28
Read: Melix, “From Outside, In” (BB), “Ain’t So/ Is Not” (TSIS)
In class: group work, discussion, introduction to Essay III
WEEK 11
Monday, October 31
Read: Ramirez, “The Barrio” (BB), “As a Result” (TSIS)
In class: group work, discussion
Wednesday, November 2
Read: Didion, “On Keeping a Notebook” (BB), Elbow, “Freewriting” (BB)
In class: group work, discussion
Friday, November 4
In class: trip to the Weatherspoon Museum
WEEK 12
Monday, November 7
Read: Excerpts from Fieldworking (BB)
Due: Response III
In class: discussion
Wednesday, November 9
Read: Marshall, Ralph’s Sports Bar (BB) “In Other Words” (TSIS)
In class: group work, discussion
Friday, November 11
Due: First draft of Essay #3
In class: Workshop
WEEK 13
Monday, November 14
Read: Dillard, “Seeing” (BB), “So What? Who Cares?” (TSIS)
In class: group work, discussion
Wednesday, November 16
Read: Murray, “Where Do You Find Your Stories?” (BB), Schank, “Story Skeletons
and Story-Fitting” (BB)
In class: group work, discussion
Friday, November 18
Due: Essay III
In class: reflective writing
WEEK 14
Monday, November 21
Read: Ray, “The Portfolio Process” (TR), Murray, “The Maker’s Eye” (BB)
In class: discussion, introduction to portfolios
Wednesday, November 23
Thanksgiving holiday
Friday, November 24
Thanksgiving holiday
WEEK 15
Monday, November 28
Class canceled for individual conferences
Wednesday, November 30
Class canceled for individual conferences
Friday, December 2
Due: portfolio draft
In class: workshop
WEEK 16
Monday, December 5
Due: portfolio
In class: course evaluations
FINAL EXAM DATE
Monday, December 12
12 noon- 3:00 pm
In class: portfolios returned