Keith G. Page
English 1301
Telephone: 281 641 7226
Conferences by appointment
Department Chair: Professor Cindy Baker
Adjunct Instructor of English
Fall 2012
Email: keith.g.page@lonestar.edu
Office: KHS 2309
PAC 119
281 312 1484
Course description:
ENGL 1301 Composition I
The course offers an intensive study of and practice in writing processes, from invention
and researching to drafting, revising, and editing, both individually and collaboratively.
There will be an emphasis on effective rhetorical choices, including audience, purpose,
arrangement, and style. Focus on writing the academic essay as a vehicle for learning,
communicating, and critical analysis.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative writing processes.
2. Develop ideas with appropriate support and attribution following standard style
guidelines in documenting sources.
3. Write in a style appropriate to audience and purpose.
4. Read, reflect, and respond critically to a variety of texts.
5. Use Edited American English in academic essays.
Prerequisite:
Placement by testing or completion of English 0307 or 0326 and English 0305 or 0316.
Success in English III and approval of counselor.
Text:
The Language of Composition: Reading, Writing, Rhetoric
Everything’s an Argument
Sentence Composing in College
Vocabulary Workshop: Level H
Semester Grades:
Explain how much each assignment/grade weighs - also add this information (required):
Grading Scale: 90 - 100 earns an A; 80 - 89 earns a B; 70 - 79 earns a C; 60 - 69 earns a
D; 0 - 59 earns an F
Attendance and participation:
Attendance
Students should be present and on time for all class meetings. Attendance will be taken at
the beginning of class. Class attendance is not optional; you should come prepared to
discuss the work(s) under study. I do not distinguish between excused and unexcused
absences. If you do miss a class, work assigned during your absence and due the next
class meeting is due for you as well.
Upon missing six (6) classes, you should drop the course. If you have more than six
absences and you do not drop the class by the withdrawal deadline of November 8th,
one letter grade will be deducted from your overall semester average for each
class missed beyond three.
Tardy Policy
 Students who are late to class more than three times will receive a zero for the
participation grade.
Drop (Withdrawal) Policy
If you choose to drop this course for any reason, you must fill out all the official
paperwork before Thursday, November 8th to avoid receiving an F on your transcript.
Late and Make-up Work
 A paper is late if it has not been successfully uploaded to the online class prior to
the start of class on the day it is due. I will accept only one (1) short essay late;
however, there will be a 10-point deduction. The last opportunity to submit a late
essay will be one class meeting after the original due date. This policy only
applies to the short essays. No late research papers will be accepted.
 Although we will have only one test, it is my general policy that tests may rarely
be made up. If you do miss the test, you must contact me that day. If I do allow a
make-up test, there will be ten points deducted from the test grade.
 There will be no make-ups for missed quizzes. I will, however, drop the lowest
quiz grade at the end of the semester. Any student who arrives after the quiz has
begun will not be allowed to take the quiz and will, consequently, receive a zero.
Academic Integrity Policy
The Lone Star College System is committed to a high standard of academic integrity. In
becoming a part of the academic community, students are responsible for honesty and
independent effort. Failure to uphold these standards includes, but is not limited to, the
following: plagiarizing written work or projects, cheating on assessments or assignments,
and collusion on assessments or assignments.
 Cheating includes looking at or copying from another student's work,
communicating or receiving answers during an assessment, having another person
take an assessment or complete an assignment, and using unauthorized notes,
texts, or other source material to complete an assignment.
 Plagiarism is the act of presenting another person’s work (including words and
ideas) as if they were your own. When using another person’s words or ideas,
you must cite the source to give appropriate credit.
 Collusion is inappropriately collaborating on assignments that are to be
completed independently.
Consequence for Violating the Academic Integrity Policy in This Class:
When there is clear evidence of cheating, plagiarism, and/or collusion, the student will
earn an automatic F in the course.
Note: Due to the rise in plagiarism cases, be advised that the college subscribes to an
anti-plagiarism site called www.turnitin.com to which all assigned written work will be
submitted.
Class Participation
Class participation is one of the means by which you will learn how to improve your
thinking, reading, and writing skills. Be aware that you will be expected to share your
writing with others in peer review sessions. Part of becoming a good writer and critical
thinker is learning to appreciate the ideas and criticisms of others. * Please respect the
diverse cross section of opinions and perspectives in this class.
Class Behavior
Misbehavior should not present a problem in a college course. However, if a student
disrupts the class, he or she will be asked to leave the classroom. A notice of this action
will be sent to the English department chair and/or the Dean of Arts and Humanities. If
the student disrupts the class a second time, he or she will be dropped from the course.
Inappropriate behavior includes (but is not limited to): extraneous conversation, texting,
sleeping, reading another text, lack of participation, and disrespectful or negative
comments. **Please turn OFF and put away all electronic devices prior to class.
Problem Solving
I encourage you to make an appointment to see me if you wish to discuss issues
associated with this class and/or your performance. Please discuss concerns with me
while we still have options. I tend to be more open-minded and generous when these are
“situations” and less so when students leave matters until they reach the crisis point. If
you need an alternate contact, the Arts and Humanities Dean is Jim Stubbs, and he can be
reached via the division coordinator at (281) 312-1404.
Americans with Disabilities Act
LSCS is dedicated to providing the least restrictive learning environment for all students.
The college system promotes equity in academic access through the implementation of
reasonable accommodations as required by The Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
Title V, Section 540 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) which will
enable students with disabilities to participate in and benefit from all post-secondary
educational programs and activities. (Lone Star College System Catalog)
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Lone Star College System is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education
and employment. The system does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of
race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, veteran status, nationality or ethnicity in the
administration of its educational policies, admission policies, employment policies,
scholarship and loan programs, and other system or college administered programs and
activities.
Safety Statement
Lone Star College System (LSCS) is committed to maintaining the safety of the students,
faculty, staff, and guests while visiting any of our campuses. See
http://www.lonestar.edu/oem for details. Register at http://www.lonestar.edu/12803.htm
to receive emergency notifications. In the event of an emergency contact LSCS Police at
(281) 290-5911 or X5911
Course Work: Syllabus will be updated weekly
WEEK ONE
Monday, August 27th:
Introduction to class and syllabus; issue class texts; student
introductions; an introduction to rhetoric. READ: pp. 1-34 for Wednesday’s class
Tuesday, August 28th:
Diagnostic grammar test
Wednesday, August 29th: Writing workshop; diagnostic writing assignment. READ:
pp. 35-59 for Friday’s class
Friday, August 31st:
Close Reading: The Art and Craft of Analysis
WEEK TWO
Tuesday, September 4th:
Return Einstein writing assignment (pp.9-10 Language of
Composition). Review “The Story of an Hour” writing assignment (handout). Present
rhetorical analysis of Republican convention speeches.
Wednesday, September 5th: Synthesizing Sources: Entering the Conversation (pp. 61-68
Language of Composition). Complete presentation of RNC speeches; analyze the
rhetorical strategies in Mrs. Obama's DNC speech http://www.npr.org
Meet with counselors in LGI 4212
Friday, September 7th: Analysis of Democratic National Convention speeches; Chapter
1: Everything Is an Argument; exploring visual texts.
Assignment: Read pp. 66-68 in The Language of Composition and answer questions 1-7
on p.68
Homework: Study glossary of 20 selected tropes and schemes on pp. 58-59 in The
Language of Composition. Quiz on Tuesday; read chapter 3 in the Language of
Composition. Test on Wednesday
WEEK THREE
Monday, September 10th, 2012
Review Chapter 3 of The Language of Composition
Tuesday, September 11th, 2012
Formative grade: quiz over glossary of terms; Chapter 1-3 test review
Wednesday, September 12th, 2012
Summative grade: Test over Chapters 1-3 of The Language of Composition and
material covered in analysis of RNC and DNC conventions
Friday, September 14th, 2012
Read "I Know Why the Caged Bird Cannot Read" on pp. 89-99; Answer attached
questions: Questions
WEEK FOUR
Monday, September 17th, 2012
Read “The Campus Crusade for Guys”: pp. 923-929 in Everything’s an Argument.
Answer questions 1-5 on pp. 929-930
Tuesday, September 18th, 2012
Fallacies in Argument: pp. 491-512 in Everything's an Argument; Study appeals for
Friday's quiz; Fallacies of Argument.docx; Read today's David Brooks' New York Times
Opinion page: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/18/opinion/brooks-thurston-howellromney.html
Wednesday, September 19th, 2012
Complete Fallacies of Argument review; discuss rhetorical strategies in Brooks’s article:
Brooks Romney .docx; Assign rhetorical analysis paper: Rhetorical Analysis Speech
Paper.docx
Friday, September 21st, 2012
Fallacies of Argument quiz; Unit 1 vocabulary (quiz on Tuesday); modes of writing:
Patterns of Development
WEEK FIVE
Monday, September 24th, 2012
Return Fallacies of Argument quiz; The Language of Composition pp. 52-77: Analysis
rhetorical strategies in JFK's 1961inaugural address:
http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/languageofcomp; Chapter 5 of Everything's an
Argument pp. 102-115: Composing a Rhetorical Analysis; Begin grammar unit: Chapter
3 of The Little Brown Handbook; HOMEWORK: Exercises 12.4 and 12.5 on pp. 241.
Tuesday, September 25th, 2012
Unit 1 vocabulary quiz; Grammar unit: Sentence grammar; Chapter 3 test on October
3rd; organizing the rhetorical analysis paper: Rough draft due for peer edit tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 26th, 2012
Return Unit 1 vocabulary quiz; Peer edit rhetorical analysis essay; Grammar: The
Transitive Vampire: A Handbook of Grammar for the Innocent, the Eager, and the
Doomed; Strunk & White's Elements of Style
Friday, September 28th, 2012
I am attending a funeral today. Ms. Townsend will substitute for me. Turn in your
rhetorical analysis paper to Ms. Townsend. There will be a grammar activity for you to
complete and turn in to Ms. Townsend. Description paper instructions: Descriptive Essay
WEEK SIX
Monday, October 1st, 2012
Unit 2 vocabulary study; Review answers to grammar packet
Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012
Unit 2 vocabulary quiz; Grammar study
Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012
Grammar test: Strunk and White's Elements of Style; Little, Brown Handbook
Chapters 18-21; Writing Workshop: the descriptive essay: Objective Description
Directions; Editing Instructions; Homework: Watch the first presidential debate.
Friday, October 5th, 2012
Peer edit descriptive paper
WEEK SEVEN
Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
Descriptive essay due; Unit 3 vocabulary quiz
Wednesday, October 10th, 2012
Units 1-3 vocabulary test preparation: A, B, C technique; The Language of Composition:
"A Talk to Teachers" - James Baldwin pp. 123-29; Answer questions 1-3 on p.129
Friday, October 12th, 2012
Discuss the Baldwin essay; * I realize quite a few of you will out today. Please read the
following essay and focus on why this speech is so effective. What point is Postman
making in constructing this hypothetical graduation speech? Athenians vs. Visigoths:
Neil Postman's hypothetical graduation speech
WEEK EIGHT
Monday, October 15th
In-class essay: Baldwin response
Tuesday, October 16th, 2012
Unit 1-3 vocabulary test
Thursday, October 18th, 2012
Meet in library for research orientation; begin initial research and find and annotate one
source: Research paper
Friday, October 19th, 2012
Collect research paper proposals; Return Baldwin argument essay and make revisions;
Unit 4 vocabulary study (quiz on Tuesday)
WEEK NINE
Monday, October 22nd, 2012
Counselor meeting in my room; read pp. 139-173 in Everything's an Argument - focus on
the Toulmin method of argumentation
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012
Unit 4 vocabulary quiz; peer edit argument paper
Wednesday, October 24th, 2012
Summary of third presidential debate; return vocabulary quizzes; Unit 5 definitions;
Everything's an Argument: What Toulmin Teaches; the research paper: requirements, due
dates.
Friday, October 26th, 2012
Argument paper due; Discuss research topics and arguments:
WEEK TEN
Monday, October 29th, 2012
How to create a visual argument; Non-fiction unit: "The Culture of Thin Bites Fiji" pp. 589-90; "Television,
Disordered Eating, and Young Women in Fiji: Negotiating Body Image and Identity During Rapid Social
Change" pp. 592-99 in Everything's an Argument
Tuesday, October 30th, 2012
Work on visual argument
Wednesday, October 31st, 2012
Visual argument instructions: Visual argument; library time
Friday, November 2nd, 2012
Return argument papers; MLA format instruction: MLA guided activity (formative grade given)
WEEK ELEVEN
Monday, November 5th, 2012
Visual argument due; Non-fiction unit: David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
Unit 6 vocabulary quiz; research paper instruction
Wednesday, November 7th, 2012
MEET IN LIBRARY: Research paper conferences; Non-fiction unit: From The Destruction of Culture pp. 92228 in The Language of Composition; How to annotate a source: annotated bibliography
Friday, November 9th, 2012
5 annotated sources due; Non-fiction unit: "Who's a Looter? In Storm's Aftermath, Pictures Kick Up a
Different Kind of Tempest" pp. 640-42; "Gay-Asian American Male Seeks Home" pp. 644-48 in Everything's
an Argument
WEEK TWELVE
Monday, November 12th, 2012
Non-fiction unit: "On Covers of Many Magazines, a Full Racial Palette Is Still Rare" pp. 649-52
Tuesday, November 13th, 2012
Unit 4-6 Vocabulary Test
Wednesday, November 14th, 2012
Rough draft of research paper due for peer edit (formative grade); Non-fiction list: readings
Friday, November 16th, 2012
Non-fiction unit: "Mainstream/Business-to-Business Advertising Best Practices" pp. 654-58; "Not Only
Natalee Is Missing: Is the Media Inattention to Missing Women Who Aren't White Due to Deliberate Racism
or Unconscious Bias?" pp. 659-61
THANKSGIVING BREAK - 19th - 23rd
WEEK FOURTEEN
Monday, November 12th, 2012
Review syllabus; grammar diagnostic revisited (You must past the grammar test to receive credit in class –
you will be required to take remedial exercises and attend tutoring until you do pass the exam).
Tuesday, November 27th, 2012
Non-fiction unit
Wednesday, November 28th, 2012
Non-fiction unit
Friday, November 30th, 2012
Research paper due
WEEK FIFTEEN
Monday, December 3rd, 2012
Writing workshop
Tuesday, December 4th, 2012
Writing workshop
Wednesday, December 5th, 2012
Non-fiction unit exam
Friday, December 7th, 2012
Writing workshop
WEEK SIXTEEN
Monday, December 10th, 2012
Writing workshop
Tuesday, December 11th, 2012
Presentations
Wednesday, December 12th, 2012
Presentations
Friday, December 14th, 2012
Pre-Finals Christmas extravaganza.
WEEK SEVENTEEN
Monday, December 17th, 2012
Final exam review
Tuesday, December 18th, 2012
Final exam review
Wednesday, December 19th, 2012
Final exam
WEEK 17
December 17
December 18
Exam review
Exam review
December 19
December 20
December 21
Final Exam: 1st, 5th, 7th
Final Exam: MAP, 2nd, 3rd
Final Exam: MAP, 4th, 6th