Expository Writing

English 111

Three Semester Credit Hours

Cheryl Saba – E-mail – csaba@capefear.cc.nc.us

http://cfcc.edu/csaba

Office Hours: MWF 2-3pm, TTH 10-11am

Appointments Also Accepted

Semester: Fall 2000 Office: S301I

Section: 04,22 Telephone: 251-5931

Class Meetings: MWF 11-12, TTH 11-12:15 Mailbox: S301

Required Texts:

Kirszner, Laurie G. and Stephen R. Mandell, eds., The Blair Reader. 3^rd ed. Upper Saddle

River: Prentice, 1999.

Fowler, H. Ramsey and Jane E. Aaron, eds., The Little, Brown Handbook. 7^th ed. New

York:Longman, 1998.

McKibben, Bill. The Age of Missing Information. New York: Plume, 1992.

Computer disk (formatted 2HD) – must be with you in class every day

Dictionary

2 folders with pockets or connectors

Catalogue Course Description:

This course is the required first course in a series of two designed to develop the ability to produce clear expository prose. Emphasis is placed on the writing process, including audience analysis, topic selection, thesis support and development, editing, and revision. Upon completion, students should be able to produce unified, coherent, well-developed essays using standard written English.

Prerequisites (you must have one of the following):

• A score of 42 or above on the placement test
• Completion of English 095
• Completion of English 095 and Reading 090

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1. gain a level of understanding in viewing and using writing as a recursive process comprised of discovery innovation, composition, revision, and editing
2. practice the elements of expository writing, including developing a sense of unity, cohesion, and completeness in various texts
3. define and analyze audience and purpose and meet the needs of a specified rhetorical situation (may involve adjustments in style, content, structure)
4. vary sentence style and structure to convey ideas interestingly and effectively
5. express ideas clearly using standard English grammar, mechanics, and spelling
6. compose effectively according to various time constraints
7. write with clarity, imagination, and a continued sense of purpose

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1. understand and engage reading as an active process by designating important passages, and annotating for purposes of written and oral discussion of texts
2. ask questions of texts to develop analytic/critical abilities
3. define and analyze purpose, audience, main idea in written texts (self-generated, peer, or otherwise)
4. use readings as a basis for your own writing—synthesize written texts with other ideas and/or personal experiences

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

1. communicate using common terms respective of the conventions of writing (thesis statements, tone, voice, style, organization, unity, etc).
2. ask questions and provide feedback to peers on written texts
3. discuss in small and large groups your own writing and that of others in relation to conventions of writing.

Official Grading Scale:

A 92-100 D 68-75 WP-Withdrawal Passing

B 84-91 F 0-67 WF-Withdrawal Failing

C 76-83 I-Incomplete NC-no Credit

Attendance:

Because your attendance is mandatory, you are allowed only three excused absences from class during the semester. Each of the two absences following your first three will result in a three-point decrease in the percentage of your grade allotted for attendance. If you incur more than five total absences, you will immediately be taken off of my role sheet, regardless of where in the semester we are. It will be your responsibility to officially remove yourself from the class by filling out the proper paperwork through the registrar’s office. Due to the emphasis on class participation, you cannot earn a passing grade if you miss more than five meetings.

If you know that you will be absent from class at any time, please notify me so that I can inform you of what you may be missing. Ultimately, it is solely your responsibility to make sure that you are always aware of assignments given when you are absent so that you will not fall behind on scheduled deadlines. Two tardies will always equal one absence. In addition, if you are either up to fifteen minutes late or leave fifteen minutes early, you will automatically be marked absent. Hence, I strongly suggest that you reserve your absences for emergencies only.

Course Presentation:

In this course, we will be using a combination of the following methods:

lecture group work out-of-class writing in-class writing

reading conferences class discussion computer work

Essay Components:

• approximately four pages each
• double-spaced
• typed (with word processor)
• one-inch margins
• cover sheet (including name, course and section numbers, instructor, and title)

You will often have homework due for each class meeting consisting of relative material that will be discussed in class as needed. We will take part in group discussion and peer editing activities frequently (myself included) so it is important that you always come to class prepared with your complete notes and assignments. You are expected to take notes on all important information given to you, for I frequently give pop quizzes each week on lectures and textual material; they cannot be made up. Class participation is a necessary factor in your overall grade, so it would benefit you to become involved in what the class is attempting to accomplish as much as possible. Offer informed opinions, ask legitimate questions, or contribute helpful comments whenever you see fit.

Percentage Breakdown:

Everything you do in this course is included in the following breakdown of you grade:

• Four essays: 10% each
• Additional assignments (group work, homework, quizzes, responses, in-class writing, etc.): 30%
• Group presentation: 20%
• Attendance and class participation: 10%

Additional Class Points:

All assignments given a due-date must be turned in on time or receive a penalty in the form of a three-point reduction for each late day, including weekend days. If you are absent on a day a written assignment is due, make sure that the paper somehow makes it into my hands by the time your particular class period is through.

At the end of the semester, every student will have the opportunity to drop their lowest two ten-point writing assignments, even if one is a zero. I will always try to inform you a week in advance of a final essay deadline. I will often suggest that students seek additional outside aid or a tutor, both of which are available through the Learning Lab. If I mention this to you at any time, you will need to make arrangements to get the help you need in order to improve your skills.

Important Reminders:

Since you are all in an official college atmosphere now, it is essential that you treat me and your fellow classmates with the utmost respect in class. Remember that any exceedingly negative comments or reactions in class can severely hinder another student’s academic development. The first and foremost priority of this class is to help you to learn, create, and grow as a student, so do your best to see that the environment offered remains one consistent with these goals. Always refrain from drinking, eating, and smoking in this class, and do not disrupt the class in any way. And remember, all of your work is a direct representation of who you are, so make sure that all you say and do is executed in a mature, professional manner.

If you should ever have any questions, do not hesitate to ask me at any time. If I cannot readily supply you with an answer, I will certainly work with you to find one!