WR097 Section L1
English Grammar and Composition
Fall 2014
SED 210, Tue, Thu 11:00am-12:30
Instructor:
Office:
Contact:
Office Hours:
Kimberly Shuckra-Gomez
100 Bay State Road, Room 337 B
kmsbarth@bu.edu; Office Number: 617-358-1561
Tu. 8:30-9:00; Wed. 11:00-1:00, and by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
WR 097 is designed to prepare students for the challenges of WR 098 and WR 100. We study the
conventions of academic writing along with review of grammar and prose mechanics. Our emphasis
is on comprehension, summary, and critical analysis of a wide range of readings, and we focus on
accuracy and fluency in writing and speaking. There are frequent papers and in-class writing in
addition to student presentations and individual conferences.
















COURSE GOALS
Use effective strategies for reading college-level texts and for acquiring new vocabulary
in academic contexts
Begin to build up a logical analytical argument in a short essay
Identify and practice various writing styles and formats
Fluently perform classroom language functions
Express ideas using a controlled range of structures
Understand the culture of the American academic classroom
Acquire knowledge of basic grammar and meta-language
Begin to perform meta-cognitive and self-reflective tasks
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Assigned readings with written assignments such as journal entries, summaries,
outlines, and vocabulary logs
In-class writing
Two formal papers with drafts
Several minor papers
Presentations
Three quizzes
Mandatory instructor conferences and WC tutoring appointment
Class attendance and participation
Course Materials
Required Texts (available at BU Bookstore)
 Cooley, Thomas. The Norton Sampler.8th ed., 2013 (main text - anthology)
 Bailey, Stephen. Academic Writing.3rd ed. Routledge, 2011. (grammar/academic literacy text)
 Watson, Larry. Montana 1948. Perseus, 2007.
 Advanced English-English dictionary (your choice)
Our class has a Blackboard site that contains syllabus, assignments, and other courserelated materials. You can log into your Blackboard page at:
https://learn.bu.edu
Email Policy: I welcome your email communications. Please allow 48 hours for a response.
ASSIGNMENTS
You will be given a range of writing assignments in this course, including a self-assessment,
various reading and writing exercises, several minor and two major papers. Some of this work
will not be graded, but that does not mean it is unimportant. Students who prepare diligently for
class, participate actively, and take the homework exercises and drafts seriously generally learn
more and write better final papers than those who do not.
Major Papers (drafts and final versions): We will use the term draft to refer to unfinished or
preliminary versions of your major papers. You will be required to write drafts of each major
paper and will receive feedback from me and your classmates. Drafts will not receive explicit
grades, although you will receive credit for completing them on time. Remember that you are
more likely to write a better final paper if you write a substantive draft. Your performance on
your drafts may also affect your participation adjustment (see below). Your course grade will be
determined primarily by the quality of the final versions of your major papers. All drafts and
final papers must be word-processed and be documented in MLA style. Please include a word
count (available as a function on most word processors) at the end of all written work.
Homework Assignments and Exercises: You will be assigned weekly HW (varying
assignments based on the readings covered) and occasionally exercises and activities. You will
do some of these in class; others will be given as homework. I recommend that you purchase a
notebook to contain your in-class writing and that you bring this notebook with you to class each
day. Your exercises may not receive explicit grades, although you will receive credit for
completing them on time. Your performance on these assignments may also affect your
participation adjustment (see below).
Self-assessment: Mid-semester, you will be asked to respond to the goals of the course in the
form of self-evaluation, reflecting on your writing progress.
Sharing of Student Writing: Experienced writers routinely share their work with others,
because they understand that the best way to improve a piece of writing is to test it out with
actual readers. In this class, you will learn how to respond productively to the writing of others
and how to use feedback from others to improve your own work. All students in the class will be
required to share at least one draft of each paper. If you are concerned about sharing your
writing, please talk with me about your concerns.
Oral presentation: You will be responsible for leading a class discussion on an assigned Norton
Sampler essay and will receive evaluation and feedback from the class and the instructor. The
oral presentation will allow you to practice public speaking.
GRADING AND EVALUATION
Final course grades will be based on the major papers, written homework, in-class assignments
and participation, oral presentations, and quizzes. Late papers will be penalized by one-half letter
grade. Due dates will be outlined on the course schedule, and you are expected to plan
accordingly and allow sufficient preparation time.
GRADING AND EVALUATION
Final course grades will be based on the major papers, written homework, in-class assignments
and participation, oral presentations, and quizzes. Late papers will be penalized by one-half letter
grade. Due dates will be outlined on the course schedule, and you are expected to plan
accordingly and allow sufficient preparation time.
Your final grade will be calculated as follows:
Two major papers with drafts (Summary/Argument-based analysis) - 30 %
(paper I, Summary: 10%; paper II, Argument-based analysis: 20%)
Three minor papers (Basic summary/Outline/Response to rhetorical technique) = 15%
Unit quizzes and in-class writing
15%
Homework
25%
Oral presentations
10%
Participation
5%
Your final grade may also be adjusted to reflect your attendance and participation as described
below.
Late and Missed Assignments: Unless you make other arrangements with me in advance,
graded assignments will be penalized by one-third of a letter grade for each class day they are
late. If you submit a homework exercise or draft late, I cannot promise to read it in time for my
comments to be useful to you. If you do not turn in drafts, you are still responsible for turning in
final versions of your papers when they are due. Please note too that we will regularly work with
our exercises and drafts in class. If you are habitually late with your assignments, you will be
unable to participate fully in the class.
As your instructor, I am committed to providing you with timely written or verbal feedback on
one draft of each major paper and written feedback and a grade on the final version of each
major paper. You can generally expect my responses to your drafts within two weeks of your
punctual submission of them; graded final versions will also be returned to you within two
weeks.
Participation and Attendance: Since this course is a seminar, your regular attendance and
participation are essential both to your own learning and to your classmates’ learning.
Under ordinary circumstances, missing more than one week of class will lower your final grade.
Missing more than two weeks of class may lead to a failing grade in the course. Note that these
absences need not be consecutive.
The second and third weeks of absences (3-6) will each lower the participation grade by a third
of a letter for each class missed (e.g., B becomes B-C+CC-). Seven or more absences
(more than three weeks) could be grounds for an “F” in the course.
If you have a special obligation that will require you to miss several classes (e.g., varsity
athletics, religious observances), please talk with me at the beginning of the semester. Missed
conference appointments will be counted as absences.
CAS CENTER FOR WRITING
At the Writers’ Studio in the CAS Center for Writing (100 Bay State Road, 3rd floor with a
satellite office at Mugar Library) students enrolled in WR courses can receive one-on-one
consultations about their writing with well-trained tutors familiar with WR assignments. When
you visit the Writers’ Studio, you should expect to be actively involved in your session. Tutors
will work with you at any stage in your writing process, but they will not edit or correct your
paper for you. Rather, they will work with you to help you do your own best work. The Writing
Studio is a resource for all WR students. Whether you consider yourself to be a strong writer or a
weak one, you can benefit from consulting with a tutor.
The Writers’ Studio’s hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 7:30 pm and Friday 9:00
am to 5:15 pm. While the Studio accepts walk-in visits, you are strongly encouraged to make an
appointment in advance. Because of the high demand for consultations, students are limited to
one reservation per week. You may schedule a session online at:
http://www.bu.edu/writingprogram/the-writing-center/
You may also schedule a session in person at the Arts & Sciences Writing Center or by calling
617-358-1500. Cancellations must be made at least 12 hours in advance.
Please make sure to book an appointment with a designated ESL tutor, who has the competence
to help with specific language issues.
WR
The Arts & Sciences Writing Program publishes an online journal of exemplary writing from
WR courses. If you are interested in looking at samples of successful WR papers, or if you just
want to read some good essays, I encourage you to visit the journal at:
http://www.bu.edu/writingprogram/journal/
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is the passing off of another’s words or ideas as your own, and it is a serious
academic offense. Cases of plagiarism will be handled in accordance with the disciplinary
procedures described in the College of Arts and Science Academic Conduct Code. All WR
students are subject to the CAS code, which can be read online at:
http://www.bu.edu/academics/resources/academic-conduct-code/
Penalties for plagiarism can range from failing an assignment or course to suspension or
expulsion from the university. In this class, we will discuss conventions for using and citing
sources in academic papers. If you have any questions about plagiarism, I invite you to speak
with me.
RESOURCES
Arts & Sciences Writing Program: Administers all WR courses and the Arts & Sciences Writing
Center. You may contact the Writing Program if you have any concerns about your WR class.
100 Bay State Rd., 3rd Floor
617-358-1500
<writing@bu.edu>
Boston University Libraries: Offer a wealth of online and print resources. Research Librarians
will introduce you to the many resources the library offers in any field of research. They can
work with you to develop a research plan and organize your sources. The Research Center
welcomes you for walk-in consultations on the first floor of Mugar Memorial Library or at any
other library on campus.
Research appointments can be made at http://www.bu.edu/common/request-an-appointment/.
Mugar Memorial Library
771 Commonwealth Avenue
Phone: 617-353-2700
http://www.bu.edu/library
Educational Resource Center: Offers tutorial assistance to all undergraduate students in a range
of subjects, including writing. You should use the Writing Program’s Writing Center for your
WR classes, but you may wish to visit the ERC for tutorial assistance in other subjects.
100 Bay State Rd, 5th floor
Phone: 617-353-7077.
http://www.bu.edu/erc
Dean Ralph W. Taylor Academic Advising Center: A central resource for all questions
concerning academic policy and practice in the College of Arts and Sciences. The office is
headed by the Associate Dean for Student Academic Life and has a staff of fifteen faculty
advisors and five academic counselors. All students can receive academic advice about and
assistance through this office. Students who have not yet declared concentrations can receive
pre-registration advising through this office.
Dean Ralph W. Taylor Academic Advising Center
100 Bay State Rd. 4th Floor
Email: casadv@bu.edu
Phone: 617-353-2400
http://www.bu.edu/cas/students/undergrad-resources/advising/
Office of Disability Services: Responsible for assisting students with disabilities. If you have a
disability, you are strongly encouraged to register with this office. You may be entitled to special
accommodations in your courses, such as additional time on tests, staggered homework
assignments, or note-taking assistance. This office will give you a letter outlining the
accommodations to which you are entitled that you can share with your teachers. If you require
accommodations, you must present me with an official letter from Disability Services.
19 Deerfield Street, 2nd floor
Phone: 617-353-3658
http://www.bu.edu/disability
Student Central: Web page that provides direct access to public and personal academic, financial
and institutional data maintained in the University's central computer system.
http:// www.bu.edu/students
Student Health Services: Offers an array of health services to students, including wellness
education and mental health services (behavioral medicine).
http://www.bu.edu/shs/
http://www.bu.edu/shs/wellness/index.shtml
http://www.bu.edu/shs/behavioral/index.shtml
Important Dates for Fall 2014
Last Day to ADD WR Classes
Last Day to ADD non-WR Classes
Last Day to DROP Classes (without a ‘W’ grade)
Last Day to DROP Classes (with a ‘W’ grade)
Last Day to Officially Take a Leave of Absence
or Withdraw from the University for Fall 2013
Monday, September 8
Monday, September 15
Monday, October 6
Friday, November 7
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
WR 097 Schedule
Handouts for other readings and assignments will be posted on our blackboard cite during the
course of the semester.
NS:
AW:
M:
Bb:
Week 1
Tu 09-02
Th 09-04
Week 2
M 09-08
Tu 09-09
Th 09-11
Week 3
M 0915
Tu 09-16
Th 09-18
Week 4
Tu 09-23
Th 09-25
Week 5
Tu 09-30
Th 10-02
Norton Sampler
Academic Writing
Montana 1948
Blackboard
Introduction to course/Diagnostic writing
Assigned reading: “Reading as a Writer” (NS 20-23)
Peer editing/Basic summary
Assigned reading: Lederer “English is a Crazy Language” (NS 216);
Verbs (AW); Subject-Verb Agreement (AW)
Last day to add or change writing seminars
Critical reading/Annotating
Assigned reading: Tan “Mother Tongue” (NS 253); “The Writing Process”
(NS24)
Due: Minor paper: Basic Summary/Outlining
Assigned reading: Julavits “Turning Japanese“(NS 155); Writing Paragraphs”
(NS 42);
Last day to add a non-WR class
Conferences this week/Summarizing
Academic Honesty and Plagiarism: BU Code of Conduct: Boston University Arts
& Sciences
Outlining
Assigned reading: Marquez “Why and When We Speak Spanish in Public”
(NS 506)
Oral presentations begin: see schedule on Bb
Assigned reading: LI “Orange Crush” (NS 161)
Due: Minor paper: Outline/Basic summary and analysis
Assigned reading: Tannen “Gender in the Classroom” (NS 397); Nouns,
Pronouns, Adjectives, Adverbs (AW)
Due: Draft of Paper 1; Conferences on Paper 1/Coherent paragraphs and types
of paragraphs
Assigned reading: Goodman “So You Want to Be a Writer? Here’s How.”
(NS322); Coherent Paragraphs& Types of Paragraphs; (AW)
Quiz 1/Sentence Structure
Assigned reading: King “I Have a Dream” (NS 481); Word Forms (AW)
Week 6
M 10-06
Tu 10-07
Th 10-09
Week 7
M 10-13
Tu 10-14
Th 10-16
Week 8
Tu 10-21
Th 10-23
Week 9
Tu 10-28
Last day to drop classes without a “W” grade
Introduction to Rhetorical Analysis; 10/07-last day to drop classes without a “W”
grade
Due: Final Version of Paper # 1/ In-class editing
Assigned reading: Catton “Grant and Lee” (NS 373); Sentence Structure (AW);
(WC Unit7)
Holiday—No classes
Substitute Monday schedule of classes
Assigned reading: Brooks “Harmony and the Dream” (NS 279)
Self-assessment /Working with sources
Assigned reading: Document Design (AW); Pinker “Mind Over Mass Media” (NS
559)
Quiz 2/Argument
Assigned reading: Lusting “The Toxic Truth about Sugar” (NS 284)
Due: Minor paper: Analysis of Rhetorical Technique
Assigned reading:) Carr “Hal And Me” (NS 563); Constructing reasonable
arguments & Evaluating arguments (AW)
Review
Assigned reading: “Argument” (NS 376-388)
Th 10-30
Week 10
Tu 11-04
Th 11-06
Continued work on argument
Assigned reading: Montgomery “The Island of Plenty” (NS 539); Subordinate
Word Groups, Fragments and Run-on Sentences (AW)
Introduction to the Novel/ In-class editing and grammar review
Assigned reading Appropriate Language and Exact Words (AW); Word Choice
(WC Unit 13)
Quiz 3/ Discussing Fiction
Assigned reading: Prologue and Chapter 1(M)
F 11-07
Week 11
Tu 11-11
Th 11-13
Last day to drop classes with a ‘W’ grade
Discussion of Novel
Assigned reading: Improve Flow of Ideas (AW)
In-class writing practice/Team presentations
Assigned reading: Chapter 2 (M)
Week 12
Tu 11-18
Thesis statements for paper 2
Assigned reading: Chapter 3 and Epilogue (M)
Th 11-20
Draft of Paper 2 workshopped
Week 13
Tu 11-25
Team presentations
Fall Recess:
11/27-11/30 (Thanksgiving)
Week 14
Tu 12-02
Th 12-04
Draft of Paper 2 workshopped
Course evaluations
Week 15
Tu 12-09
Last day of classes; Due: Final Paper 2