ENG 104 College Writing and Rhetoric Fall 2007      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:         ENG 104 students will complete four formal writing assignments in addition to other graded and                                     ungraded work through which they will learn how to discover ideas, respond to texts, and                                  summarize others' ideas. In these assignments, students will learn how to analyze readings and                            share information with others by reading and responding to course texts and other materials                                gathered through research. Final drafts of all formal writing assignments must be word-                                       processed. All students are expected to be prepared for class and participate in class discussions                                   related to reading and writing assignments.

Texts:                         ––Axelrod, Rise B., and Charles R. Cooper. The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing. 7th

                                                ed.  Boston/New York: Bedford/St. Martin, 2005.

 

––McQuade, Donald., and Robert Atwan. Popular Writing in America: The

            Interaction of Style and Audience. 5th ed.  Oxford/New York: Oxford                                          University Press, 1993.

                                     

                                    ––A GOOD COLLEGIATE DICTIONARY!  (e.g. Webster’s 9th Edition)

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

Learning to write for different audiences and purposes

Learning to use active reading and critical thinking

Learning to use writing processes

Learning written conventions

 

Common Departmental Requirements:        http://www.missouriwestern.edu/EFLJ/eng104.asp

 

Requirements:           1.   Computer Use:     All Thematic Papers must be word processed (including R.D.)

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.)

3.  Citations:               All citations must follow MLA Parenthetical Referencing and

                                    Work Cited style.

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

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

                                    save as “Lastname_FirstName_Nameof Assignment”.

5.  Themes:                 All themes must be submitted in person at the beginning of

the class period on the date due. Each Theme is to cover a

different topic! Four Themes=50% O.F.G..

6.  Readings               Assigned readings must be completed before the class meeting                   Responses:                 when the material will be discussed and Quizzes/Constructed

Responses/Journals Assignments will be administrated.  

Responses=30% O.F.G.

7.  Midterm/Final:      THE CLASS MIDTERM AND FINAL EXAMINATION ARE

                                    MANDATORY AND WORTH 20% O.F.G.

 

 

 

• Thematic Paper #1:  “Everyday Is an Adventure”/Observation Writing•

 

1.         Description:      Choosing a topic from the Theme: “Everyday Is an Adventure” as is encompassed in

                                    classroom readings and discussions, Paper # 1 will be an exercise using sensory details.

 

2.         Criteria:            •Thematic Paper #1 Draft is worth 50 points

• Thematic Paper #1 Final Draft:

• Length is 2-4 pages

• Entire Thematic Paper #1 Final Draft is worth 100 points.

                                                • Specific Criteria:
                                                            -
Use time order, but do not tell a story—it will not fulfill the assignment.

                                                            -Add as much detail as possible.

                                                            -Check for punctuation and grammatical errors.

                                                            -Present tense is required.  Show—do not tell. 

                                                            -Incorporate ALL “ELEMENTS of OBSERVATION WRITING”.

.                                    

• Thematic Paper #2:  “My Way or the Highway?”/ Persuasion Writing•

 

1.         Description:      Choosing a topic from the Theme: “My Way or the Highway?” as is encompassed in

                                    classroom readings and discussions, Paper # 2 will be an attempt to argue a written point.

 

2.         Criteria:            •Thematic Paper #2 Draft is worth 50 points

• Thematic Paper #2 Final Draft:

• Length is 3-6 pages

• Entire Thematic Paper #2 Final Draft is worth 150 points.

                                                • Specific Criteria:

                                                            -Create a thesis statement.

                                                            -Create at least 5 supporting points (each to be discussed in separate para.)

                                                            -Give a couple of examples, explain them and link both examples and

point to thesis statement and to each other.

                                                            -Make sure to have an introduction and conclusion paragraph.

                                                            -IN THIS THEME, DO NOT USE “I”.

                                                            -Incorporate ALL “ELEMENTS of PERSUASION WRITING”.

 

• Thematic Paper #3:  “I Remember When”/Creative Nonfiction Writing•

 

1.         Description:      Choosing a topic from the Theme: “I Remember When” as is encompassed in classroom

                                    readings and discussions, Paper # 3 will be a chance to write about a remembered event.

 

2.         Criteria:            •Thematic Paper #3 Draft is worth 75 points

• Thematic Paper #3 Final Draft:

• Length is 4-7 pages

• Entire Thematic Paper #3 Final Draft is worth 200 points.

                                                • Specific Criteria:

                                                            -Tell a true story from your past and begin by setting the time and place.

                                                            -The incident itself must occupy at least two-thirds of the paper. 

                                                            -Do not jump around in the action.

                                                            -Use an abundance of sensory imagery, specifics, and detail.

                                                            -Focus on at least one but no more than three significant moments.

                                                            -PAST TENSE IS REQUIRED

                                                            -FIRST PERSON IS REQUIRED

                                                            -Incorporate ALL “ELEMENTS of CREATIVE NF WRITING”.

• Thematic Paper #4:  “Tall Tales”/Creative Fiction Writing•

 

1.         Description:      Choosing a topic from the Theme: “Tale Tales” as is encompassed in classroom readings

                                    and discussions, Paper # 4 will be a description of a dramatic moment from your life.

 

2.         Criteria:            •Thematic Paper #4 Draft is worth 100 points

• Thematic Paper #4 Final Draft:

• Length is 5-8 pages

• Entire Thematic Paper #4 Final Draft is worth 250 points.

                                                • Specific Criteria:

                                                            -Begin by making up a story or characters and then the story.

                                                            -Set up the story with location and time frame.

                                                            -Use an abundance of sensory imagery, specifics, and detail.

                                                            -Use of dialogue is suggested. 

                                                            -Concentrate on making sure the story “flows” properly.

                                                            -Check for punctuation and grammatical errors.

                                                            -Past tense is recommended. 

                                                            -THIRD PERSON NARRATIVE IS REQUIRED

                                                            -Incorporate ALL “ELEMENTS of CREATIVE FIC. WRITING”.

 

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.  Electronic Submission:  Must be in the following format or they will not be                      accepted: Lastname_Firstname_Proj#**_Draft

e.  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):

            —Title Page= Project #2 Final Draft, 2nd Submission

            —Electronic Submission: “Heard_Michael_Proj#2FD_2ndSub”

 

2. Attendance:            In order to improve student learning as well as to achieve compliance with federal

                                    financial aid policies, Western has a mandatory attendance policy for all 100-level

                                    courses.

                                                You will be given an excused absence when acting as an official representative of

                                    the university, provided you give prior written verification from the faculty/staff

                                    supervisor of the event. 

                                                All other absences will be deemed unexcused.  The maximum number of                                                            unexcused absences allowed for this class before the midterm report, October 17th is

                                    ONE.  Thus, when you have TWO unexcused absences you will be reported to the

                                    Registrar’s Office, who will automatically withdraw you from this class.  The Financial

                                    Aid Office will reduce financial aid as appropriate.

 

                                    IN-CLASS CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE/ASSIGNMENTS CAN NOT BE MADE UP IF ABSENT FROM THAT CLASS!!!

 

 

3. Academic                Academic honesty is required in all academic endeavors.  Violations of academic honesty           

    Honesty Policy       include any instance of plagiarism, cheating, seeking credit for another’s work, falsifying              

    and Due Process:   documents or academic records, or any other fraudulent activity.  Violations of academic                                               honesty may result in a failing grade on the assignment, failure in the course, or                                                   expulsion from the University.  When a student’s grade has been affected, violations of                                       academic honesty will be reported to the Provost or designated representative on the                                         Academic Honesty Violation Report forms.

 

                                Please see the 2007-08 Student Handbook and Calendar on page 21 for specific activities identified as violations of this policy and the student due process procedure. This handbook is also available online at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/handbook/index.pdf.

 

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.

 

 

 

SCHEDULE ON NEXT PAGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ENGLISH 104 Fall 2008 Semester Schedule:

 

Popular= Popular Writing in America                        St. Martins’: The St. Marin’s Guide to Writing

Handbook: “Handbook” Selection located in the back of The St. Marin’s Guide to Writing

 

August:           Introduction to Course

 

27th(1):  •1.        Distribute and review syllabus, course outline, and other materials.

•2.        Discussion: “Why Writing is Important?” Text: Page 1-3

•3.        Discussion: “How Writing is Learned?” Text: Page 4-???

•4.        Discussion: Handbook: Comma Splices and Fused Sentences, Fragments: pages: H-6—H-11

•5.        Assign peer groups.  In Class Assignment: As a group complete: Ex. 1 (p. 3) and Ex. 2 (p. 5)

                                                                       

            •6.        Assignment:   Popular:          “War of the Worlds” (p. 690)

                                                                        Jeffersons: Blackout (p.709)

            •7.        Assignment:   St. Martins’:   “Remembering Events” (pp. 25-28 and 50-53)

            •8.        Assignment:   Handbook:      “Pronoun Agree.”(H-14—H-16) & “Rel. Pro.” (H-16—H-19)

 

                         • Theme #1:  “Everyday Is an Adventure”/Observation Writing•

 

September:

 

3rd:      No Class (Labor Day)

 

10th(2): •1.        Opening Media: Play Portion of and discuss “War of the Worlds”.

            •2.        The Writing Process #1:            Discussion “Remembering Events”

            •3.        The Writing Process #2:            Writing Down The Bones

            •4         Discuss other reading selections in light of theme. -Elements of Observation Writing

•5         Constructive Response: Questions generated from all discussion of readings due for this class.

•6.        Discussion: Handbook: Pro.Agreement and Rel. Pronoun: pages:  H-14—H-16 & H-16—H-19

•7.        Peer groups:   In-Class Assignment: As a group complete: Ex. #4 (p. 7) and Ex. #5 (p.8)

                                                                                                                                     

            •8.        Assignment:   Popular:          “Who’s On First?” (p. 692)

                                                                        Roseanne: “Life and Stuff”(p. 721)

            •9.        Assignment:   St. Martins’:   “Guide To Writing” (pp. 53-71)       

            •10.      Assignment:   Handbook:      “Verb Tense” (H-21—H-22) and “Verb Ending” (H-22—H-24)

 

17th(3):  •1.        Opening Media: Play and discuss “Who’s on First”.

            •2.        The Writing Process #1:            Discussion “Guide To Writing”

            •3.        Discuss other reading selections in light of theme. -Elements of Observation Writing

•4.        Constructive Response: Questions generated from all discussion of readings due for this class.

•5.        Discussion: Handbook: Verb Tense and Verb Ending: pages:  H-21—H-22 & H-22—H-24

•6.        Peer groups:   In Class Assignment: As a group complete: Ex. #7 (p. 11) and Ex. #8 (p. 13)

                                                                                                           

            •7.        Assignment:   Popular:          “Hemingway’s ‘Soldier’s Home’” (p. 699)

            •8.        Assignment:   St. Martins’:   “Remembering People” (pp.83-85 and 105-109)

                                                                        “Uncle Willie” (p. 86)

                                                                        “A Different Kind of Mother” (p. 97)

            •9.        Assignment:   Handbook:      “Commas: (H-58—H-59)

 

 

24th(4): •1.        Opening Media: Read Aloud: Dillinger “Gets His”.

            •2.        The Writing Process #1:            Discussion “Remembering People”

            •3.        The Writing Process #2:            Adding Details

            •4.        Discuss other reading selections in light of theme. -Elements of Observation Writing

•5.        Constructive Response: Questions generated from all discussion of readings due for this class.

•6.        Discussion: Handbook: Comma, Indep. Clause, etc. and Comma after Intro: pages:  H-58—H-59

•7.        Peer groups: In Class Assignment: As a group complete: Ex. #26 (p. 38) and Ex. #27 (p. 40)

            •8.        Discussion of Thematic Paper #1:  “Everyday Is an Adventure”/Observation Writing 

a.  Theme Discussion

b.  Criteria

c.   Possible Problems (Grammar, Flow, Etc.)

.                                                                                                          

            •9.        ASSIGNMENT:                    THEME #1 ROUGH DRAFT DUE NEXT CLASS PERIOD.

            •10.      Assignment:   Popular:          “Now You Take ‘Bambi’ or ‘Snow White’…(p. 285)

                                                                        “Rambos of the Road” (p. 296)

                                                                        “TV’s Anti-Familes…” (p. 340)

                                                                        “Forbidden Words on Campus” (p. 237)

October:

                                                                       

• Thematic Paper  #2:  “My Way Or The Highway?”/Persuasion Writing•

 

1st(5):    •1.        Opening Media: Play and discuss Powerpoint of Persuasive Ads.

            •2.        The Writing Process #1:            Formal Language and the News

•3.        Discuss other reading selections in light of theme. -Elements of Persuasive Writing

            •4.        Constructive Response: Questions generated from all discussion of readings due for this class.

            5.        Break into peer groups:

                                    Theme #1 Rough Draft:

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

                                    b.         Check for clerical and grammatical errors.

                                    c.         Check for logical errors of observation.

           

•6.        Revised Theme #1 RD to be submitted electronically by Midnight, October 4th   

            •7.        Assignment:   Popular:          “The Declaration of Independence” (p. 496)

                                                                        “Is There a Santa Claus” (p. 126)

                                                                        “There Isn’t a Santa Claus” (p. 127)

            •8.        Assignment:   St. Martins’:   “Arguing” (pp. 677-682…stop at “Statistics)

            •9.        Assignment:   Handbook:      “Eliminating Commas….” (H-66—H-67)

 

8th(6):    •1.        Return and discuss over-all problems with Theme #1 Rough Draft

            •2.        The Writing Process #1:            Discussion “Arguing”

            •3.        The Writing Process #2:            Supporting Ideas

•4.        Discuss other reading selections in light of theme. -Elements of Persuasive Writing

            •5.        Constructive Response: Questions generated from all discussion of readings due for this class.

•6.        Discussion: Handbook: Eliminating Commas…: pages:  H-66—H-67

•7.        Peer groups: In Class Assignment: As a group complete: Ex. #35 (p. 53) and Ex. #36 (p.54)

            •8.        Discussion of Thematic Paper #2: “My Way Or The Highway?"/Persuasive Writing

a.  Theme Discussion

b.  Criteria        c.   Possible Problems (Grammar, Flow, Etc.)

            9.        Discussion of Midterm Exam (THIS IS A TIMED FINAL: 2Hours, 7-9pm, Taken In Lab)

•10.      ASSIGNMENT:                    THEME #1 FINAL DRAFT DUE NEXT CLASS PERIOD.

•11.      ASSIGNMENT:                    THEME #2 ROUGH DRAFT DUE NEXT CLASS PERIOD.

•12.      ASSIGNMENT:                    STUDY FOR MIDTERM EXAM

15th(7) : •1.        Opening Media: TBA

            •2.        COLLECT THEME #1 FINAL DRAFT AND ROUGH DRAFT.

            3.        Break into peer groups:

                                    Theme #2 Rough Draft:

                                    a.         Work through each person’s Theme #2 Rough Draft.

                                    b.         Check for clerical, grammatical, and logical errors of argumentation.

•4.        MIDTERM TEST (THIS IS A TIMED FINAL: 2Hours, 7-9pm, Taken In Class, In Lab)

                                               

            •5.        ASSIGNMENT:                    THEME #2 FINAL DRAFT DUE NEXT CLASS PERIOD.

           

• Thematic Paper  #3:  “I Remember When”/Creative Nonfiction Writing•

 

22nd(8): •1.        COLLECT THEME #2 FINAL DRAFT AND ROUGH DRAFT.

            •2.        Return and discuss over-all problems with Theme #1 Final Draft.

            •3         Return and discuss over-all problems with Midterm Exam.

•4.        The Writing Process #1:            Concision

                                               

            •5.        Assignment:   Popular:          Black Boy (p. 591)

                                                                        “A & P” (p. 612)

                                                                        Old Times of Mississippi (p. 525)

                                                                        Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglas (p. 510)

 

29th(9): i.           LATE START: 7:30 PM….Will get out at Regular time at the Latest

•1.        Return and discuss over-all problems with Theme #2 Final Draft.

            •2.        Opening Media: Creative Non Fiction Defined and Shown

            •3.        Discuss other reading selections in light of theme. -Elements of Creative Nonfiction Writing

            •4.        Constructive Response: Questions generated from all discussion of readings due for this class.

                       

            •5.        Assignment:   Popular:          Walden (p. 514)

                                                                        Blue Highways (442)

                                                                        Total Eclipses (662)

            •6.        Assignment:   St. Martins’:   “Describing” (p. 643-655)

 

November:  

 

5th:       No Class, Come See Cinderella  at LHS this weekend for extra credit!!!!

 

12th (10):•1.       Opening Media: Readings from and discussion of Blue Highways, Total Eclipses, and Walden

            •2.        The Writing Process #1:            Discussion “Describing”

            •3.        The Writing Process #2:            Why We Like To Tell Stories #1

•4.        Discuss other reading selections in light of theme. -Elements of Creative Nonfiction Writing

            •5.        Constructive Response: Questions generated from all discussion of readings due for this class.

            •6.        Discussion: Handbook: Subject-verb Agree. & Adj. and Adverbs: pages:  H-25—H-30

            •7.        Discussion of Thematic Paper #3: “I Remember When”/Creative Nonfiction Writing•

            a.         SAME AS WITH THEMATIC PAPER #1 and #2

                       

            •8.        ASSIGNMENT:                    THEME #3 ROUGH DRAFT DUE NEXT CLASS PERIOD.

            •9.        Assignment:   Popular:          “Family Tree” (p. 138)  AND“To Build a Fire” (p. 560)    

            •10.      Assignment:   St. Martins’:   “Narrating” (p. 627-641)                                          

 

 

 

• Thematic Paper #4:  “Tall Tales”/Creative Fiction Writing•

 

19th(11):•1.        Opening Media: Creative Fiction Defined and Shown.

            •2.        The Writing Process #1:            Discussion “Narrating”

            •3.        Discuss other reading selections in light of theme. -Elements of Creative Fiction Writing

            •4.        Constructive Response: Questions generated from all discussion of readings due for this class.

            5.        In Class Discussion:  Why We Like To Tell Stories #2

            6.        Break into peer groups:

                                    Theme #3 Rough Draft:

                                    a.         Work through each person’s Theme #3 Rough Draft.

                                    b.         Check for clerical, grammatical, and logical errors of analysis.

            •7.        Discussion of Thematic Paper #4: “Tall Tales”/ Creative Fiction Writing

a.         SAME AS WITH THEMATIC PAPER #1, #2, and #3

 

            •8.        ASSIGNMENT:                    THEME #3 FINAL DRAFT DUE NEXT CLASS PERIOD.

            •9.        ASSIGNMENT:                    THEME #4 ROUGH DRAFT DUE NEXT CLASS PERIOD.

            •10.      Assignment:   Popular:          The Bear (p. 583)

                                                                        The Godfather (p. 420)

 

26th(12):•1.        Opening Media: TBA

            •2.        The Writing Process #1:            Adding Description

            •3.        Discuss other reading selections in light of theme. -Elements of Creative Fiction Writing

            •4.        Constructive Response: Questions generated from all discussion of readings due for this class.

            •5.        COLLECT THEME #3 FINAL DRAFT AND ROUGH DRAFT.

                           

            •6.        Theme #4 RD to be submitted electronically by Midnight November 30th  

            •7.        Assignment:   Popular:          Casey at the Bat (p. 383)

                                                                       “The Open Boat” (p. 546)

 

December

 

3rd(13):•1.          Opening Media: Casey at the Bat Clip

            •2.        The Writing Process:  Coming From the Heart

            •3.        Constructive Response: Questions generated from all discussion of readings due for this class.

            •4.        Return and discuss over-all problems with Theme #3 Final Draft.

            •5.        Return and discuss over-all problems with Theme #4 Rough Draft.

            6.        Peer Editing #1: Break into peer groups:

                                    Theme #4 Rough Draft:

                                    a.         Work through each person’s Theme #4 Rough Draft.

                                    b.         Check for clerical, grammatical, and logical errors of description/story-telling.

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

 

            •8.        ASSIGNMENT:                    THEME #4 FINAL DRAFT DUE NEXT CLASS PERIOD.

            •9.        ASSIGNMENT:                    COMPLETE FINAL: To be delivered in PERSON on the 10th!

 

10th(14):•1.        COLLECT THEME #4 FINAL DRAFT AND ROUGH DRAFT.

•2.        COLLECTION OF Final Exam—Attendance Required.