ENG 108 College Writing and Research Syllabus and Schedule               Professor M. Shane Heard

 

Work Phone #: 816.671.4220 Ex. 58    Home Phone #: 816.233.5335        Email: msh6797@sbcglobal.net

Office Hours—30 Minutes Prior To Class               MWSU Office Phone #:816.271.4310

 


Purpose:                     To provide practice with writing effective papers using field and document research in the style and manner of appropriate to today’s standards.

 

Texts:                         ––Weidenborner, Stephen., Domenick Caruso,  and Gary Park. Writing Research

            Papers: A Guide for the Process. 7th ed.  Boston/New York: Bedford/St.

            Martin, 2005.

                                     

Goals:                         By the end of the semester you should be able to:

• Effectively construct and defend a written argument.

• Conduct appropriate field research and library research.

• Accurately summarize, quote, and draw inferences from oral and written material.

• Synthesize personal perspectives with outside sources.

• Adequately document sources using appropriate formal citation methodology.

• Complete necessary revision, editing, and proofreading of papers.

 

Common Departmental Requirements:        http://www.missouriwestern.edu/eflj/lg/eng108.html

 

Requirements:           1.   Computer Use:     You must use a word processor for all the writing in this course.

2.   Formatting:           a.  Margins:      1” Top, Bottom, Right, and Left

b.  Font:           Times, Times Roman, or comparable

c.  Font Size:    12 pt.

d.  Spacing:      Double spaced (24 pt.)

e.  Indents:        ½”

3.  Projects:                All projects must be submitted in person at the beginning of

the class period on the date due.

4.  Reading:                Assigned readings must be completed before the class meeting

when the material will be discussed.

5.  Electronic All assignment files (In Class Assignments, Rough Drafts,

     Submissions:         Final Drafts, Ect.) being submitted electronically, need to be

                                    save as “Lastname_FirstName_Nameof Assignment”.

6.  Writing:                 Five projects totaling 1,300 points (65% O.F.G.)  

7.   Style:                    All research presentations must follow MLA Parenthetical

Referencing and Work Cited style.

8.   Class Assign.:      Additional In-class assignment will be added as needed  

accounting for at total of 400 points (20% O.F.G.).

9.   Midterm/Final:     The CLASS MIDTERM AND FINAL ARE MANDATORY

                                    AND WORTH POINTS (15% O.F.G.).

 

• PERSONAL ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY •

 

1.         Description:      This essay will argue a specific position you are taking concerning a topic of interest.

 

2.         Criteria:            •The Personal Argumentative Essay Rough Draft is worth 50 points.

• Personal Argumentative Essay Final Draft:

•Includes an “Argumentative Statement”

• Length is 2-4 pages

• Entire Personal Argumentative Essay Final Draft is worth 100 points.

• RESEARCH PROSPECTUS #1 •

 

1.         Description:      This research prospectus will cover the same topic used in your Personal Argumentative

                                    Essay and will be used to help write your Research Essay.

 

2.         Criteria:            •The Research Prospectus #1 Rough Draft is worth 50 points.

• Research Prospectus #1 Final Draft:

•The prospectus must include four parts:           

• 1.       Descriptive Title

• 2.       Working Thesis

• 3.       Explanation of Purpose

• 4.       Annotated Bibliography

a.         Minimum of six sources (no more than 1/3 from online)

• Entire Research Prospectus #1 Final Draft is worth 100 points.

 

• RESEARCH ESSAY •

 

1.         Description:      This research essay is argumentative/persuasive, based on your Personal Argumentative Essay and the library/online research you completed for Research Prospectus #1.

 

2.         Criteria:            • The Research Essay Rough Draft is worth 50 points.

• Research Essay Final Draft:

• A minimum of six sources are required (no more than 1/3 from online).

•The Research Essay Final Draft should include:

 • A revised (if necessary) argumentative statement

 •  Points and ideas generated from Personal Argumentative Essay and supported

     with information gained from research completed in Research Prospectus #1.

• Length is 4-6 pages (not including bibliographic material)

• Must have a Work Cited Page.

• Entire Research Essay Final Draft is worth 250 points.

 

• RESEARCH PROSPECTUS #2 •

 

1.         Description:      Follow the same criteria as for Research Prospectus #1. However in Research Prospectus #2, you must cover a different topic, which you will use research to support in your

                                    Research Paper.

 

2.         Criteria:            • The Research Prospectus #2 Rough Draft is worth 50 points.

• Research Prospectus #2 Final Draft:

• A minimum of 10 sources is required, with no more than 1/4 from online

• Entire Research Prospectus #2 Final Draft is worth 150 points.

 

• RESEARCH PAPER •

 

1.         Description:      This paper will be written based on the information found from your Research Prospectus #2, persuasive, and based on library/online research.

 

2.         Criteria:            • The Research Paper Rough Draft is worth 100 points.

• Research Paper Final Draft:

• Length is 7-10 pages (not including bibliographic material)

• Must have a Work Cited Page.

• Entire Research Paper Final draft is worth 300 points.

GENERAL POLICIES:

 

1. Grading:                 Your course grade will be determined by your performance on the projects listed, as well as, additional classroom work. No extra credit or bonus points are available!

                                    a.  Deadline: Start of class, unless otherwise stated.

                                    b.  Grades: 100-90% = A, 89-80% = B, 79-70% = C, 69-60% = D, Below 60% = F.

                                    c.  Late Submission Policy: Each 24 Hours Late, 10% of grade will be deducted.

d.  2nd Submission Policy:  All FINAL DRAFTS may be resubmitted (with

            corrections) ONCE for a better grade.  Note: 100% will not be achieved with

            a resubmission. 2nd Submissions need to be titled as such on title page and as

            name of file (if submitting electronically): Research Prospectus #1 Final

            Draft, 2nd Submission and/or “Heard_Michael_Proj#2FD_2ndSub”.

 

2. Attendance:            You are expected to attend every class meeting. Absences do not allow you to skip assignments made during your absence or to submit work past deadline. In the event of planned absences that cannot be avoided, you must notify me in advance so that we might discuss what you need to do to remain current in your course responsibilities. IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS CAN NOT BE MADE UP IF ABSENT FROM THAT CLASS!!!

 

3. Academic                You are expected to do your own writing for this course. Submitting someone else’s

Honesty:                 work (including plagiarism through misleading documentation) will earn a zero for the course grade. Serious infractions may be turned over to the dean of students for disciplinary action. IMPORTANT: Let there be no mistake. If you cheat, you fail!!!

 

4.  Disabled                If you are disabled, whether the disability is apparent or not, and concerned that your     

Students:               disability may interfere with your completion of course requirements above, please notify me during the first week of classes so that we might discuss appropriate alternatives.

 

ENGLISH 108 Fall 2005 Semester Schedule:

 

Page references are to the Writing Research Papers textbook.

 

AUGUST:

 

31st:      •i.         Opening Media

            •1.        Distribute and review syllabus, course outline, and other materials.

•2.        Assign peer groups.

•3.        Work through Chapter 1 in class:          "Understanding the Research Pro."        (pp. 3-8).

•4.        Work through Chapter 2 in class:          “Deciding on a Topic”               (pp. 9-16)

                                                                       

            •5.        Assignment:   Read Chapter 3: "Moving From Topic To Hypothesis” (pp. 21-27).

•6.        Assignment:   Be thinking of a topic that you wish to argue.  This needs to be a

strong subject as you will be using this topic for Projects #1, #2, & #3.

 

SEPTEMBER:

 

7th:       •i.         Opening Media

            •1.        Discuss Chapter 3 (Side Discussion: Thesis vs. argumentative statement)

            •2.        Break into peer groups:

                                    a.         In-Class Assignment: Questions and Exercises 28-29

                                    b.         Share research topics.

                                    c.         Hypothesis and Brainstorm

                                    d.         Revise topic  

d.         Construct an “argumentative statement” that focuses your individual topic.  Share.

            •3.        Discuss and Prepare in Groups Personal Argumentative Essay criteria.

            •4.        In-Class Assignment: Criteria T.B.A.

           

            •5.        Assignment:   Word processed Personal Argumentative Essay R.D., which will include an

“argumentative statement” (identified), due next class period.

            •6.        Assignment:   Read Chapter 4, "Developing A Research Strategy” (pp. 37-51).

 

14th:     •i.         Opening Media

            •1.        Break into peer groups:

                                    a.         Work through each person’s Personal Argumentative Essay Rough Draft.

                                    b.         Check for clerical and grammatical errors.

c..        Check for logical errors of argumentation.

            •2.        Discuss Chapter 4.

            •3.        In-Class Assignment: Criteria T.B.A.

           

            •4.        Assignment:   Personal Argumentative Essay R.D. due electronically: 09/17/05, Midnight

            •5.        Assignment:   Read Chapter 5:  “Finding Books” (pp.53-63).

            •6.        Assignment:   Read Chapter 6   “Finding Periodicals” (pp.65-69).

            •7.        Assignment:   Read Chapter 7:  “Finding Internet Sources” (81-88).

                                               

21st:     •i.         Opening Media

            •1.        Personal Argumentative Essay Rough Drafts returned.

            •2.        Discuss general problems with Personal Argumentative Essay Rough Drafts.

            •3.        Discuss Research Prospectus #1 criteria.

            •4.        Discuss Chapter 5, 6, and 7.

            •5.        In-Class Assignment:  Create Research Plan

                       

            •6.        Assignment:   Personal Argumentative Essay Final Draft due next class period.

            •7.        Assignment:   Research Prospectus #1 Rough Draft due next class period.

            •8.        Assignment:   Read Chapter 8 “Finding Other Kinds of Sources” (pp. 95-103).

•9.        Assignment:   Read Chapter 9 “Developing a Working Bibliography” (pp. 113-121).

 

28th:     •i.         Opening Media

            •1.        Collect Personal Argumentative Essay Final Draft and Original Rough Draft.

            •2.        Discuss Chapter 8 and 9.

            •3.        Break into peer groups:

                                    Research Prospectus #1 Rough Draft:

a.         Work through each person’s Research Prospectus #1 Rough Draft.

                                                b.         Check for clerical and grammatical errors.

c.         Check for logical errors of argumentation.

•4.        In-Class Assignment: Internet Appropriateness Assignment.

 

            •5.        Assignment:   Research Prospectus #1 Final Draft due next class period.

•6.        Assignment:  Read Chapter 12 “Paraphrasing, Summarizing…” (pp. 148-151 ONLY!).

•7.        Assignment:  Read Chapter 18 “Using the MLA Parenthetical System (240-243 ONLY!)

 

OCTOBER:

 

5th:       •i.         Opening Media

            •1.        Return and discuss over-all problems with Personal Argumentative Essay.

            •2.        Collect Research Prospectus #1 Final Draft and Original Rough Draft.

            •3.        Discuss Chapters 12 and 18.

            •4.        Break into peer groups:

                                    a.         Discuss any changes needed to be done to individual action plans.

•5.        Discuss Research Essay criteria.

            •6.        In-Class Assignment: Review for Midterm Test

           

•7.        Assignment:   Research Essay Rough Draft due next class period.

 

12th:     •i.         Opening Media

            •1.        Return and discuss over-all problems with Research Prospectus #1.

            •2.        Peer group:       Research Essay Rough Draft revision as in previous Project.

•3.        MIDTERM TEST

           

            •4.        Assignment:   Research Essay Rough Draft due electronically: 10/15/05, Midnight

           

19th:     •i.         Opening Media

            •1.        Return and discuss over-all problems with Research Essay Rough Draft.

            •2.        Discuss Chapter 8

•3.        Discuss Research Prospectus #2 criteria.

•4.        In-Class Assignment: Criteria T.B.A.

 

            •5.        Assignment:   Research Essay Final Draft due next class period.

•6.        Assignment:   Rough Draft #4 due next class period.

           

26th:     •i.         Opening Media

            •1.        Collect Research Essay Final Draft and Original Rough Draft.

            •2.        In class discussion: Topic T.B.A.

            •3.        Peer group:       Research Prospectus #2 Rough Draft revision as in previous projects.

            •4.        In-Class Assignment: Criteria T.B.A.

 

            •5.        Assignment:  Bring one news bite (newspaper, magazine, TV, etc.) that relates to your

topic.  This will be presented verbally (no need to write it down). 

            •6.        Assignment:   Read Chapter 12 “Paraphrasing, Summarizing, and Quoting” (pp. 144-146).

            •7.        Assignment:   Research Prospectus #2 Final Draft due next class period.

 

NOVEMBER:

 

2nd :     •i.         Opening Media

            •1.        Return and discuss over-all problems with Research Essay.

            •2.        Collect Research Prospectus #2 Final Draft and Original Rough Draft.

            •3.        Discuss News Bite Assignment/Media’s Affect on Research and Chapter 12

            •4.        In class Assignment: Media’s Affect on Research

            •5.        Discuss Research Paper criteria.

           

            •6.        Assignment:   Research Paper Rough Draft due next class period.

 

 

9th:       •i.         Opening Media

            •1.        Return and discuss over-all problems with Research Prospectus #2.

•2.        PG#1:    Research Paper Rough Draft revision as in previous projects (mechanics).

            •3.        In class Action Research assignment: Your Topic and Media Style

           

            •4.        Assignment:   Research Paper Rough Draft due electronically: 11/12/05, Midnight

 

16th:     •i.         Opening Media

            •1.        Return and discuss over-all problems with Research Paper R.D..

•2.        PG#2:    Research Paper Rough Draft revision as in previous projects (style).

           

            •3.        Assignment:   Research Paper Final Draft due next class period.

 

23rd:    No Class:        Thanksgiving Break

 

30th:     •1.        Collect Research Paper Final Draft and Original Rough Draft. You must bring it yourself!!!!

 

DECEMBER:

 

7th:       •1         Discussion of Final, Extra time to be spent, as class deems important, on group study!

            •2.        Assignment:   Complete Final, Due on December 14th.  You must bring it yourself!!!!

 

14th:     •1.        Return graded Research Paper.

•2.  COLLECTION OF Final Exam—Attendance Required.