Introduction

Welcome to English 1100: Academic Writing & Reading. Here is a syllabus for the course; you are responsible for the information therein, so read it over carefully and print out a hardcopy.

In this online course, you will be responsible for completing multiple reading and writing assignments within the context of five modules over the span of fifteen weeks. This is the first module. While strict deadlines will be upheld for assignments, you are encouraged to work at your own pace. Be sure to read the modules slowly, carefully, and repeatedly; they contain all core information and are designed to provide you with what you need to know while guiding you from the beginning to the end of the course as smoothly and clearly as possible.

You may email me with questions via Pilot and [email protected]. I always answer within 24 hours, usually sooner, on the condition that your emails are written in complete sentences and free of mechanical errors. This is a college writing course, so make sure your queries are polished and professional and I will promptly address your concerns.

Please check your WSU email regularly throughout the semester. I often send out information about assignments, campus news, holidays, etc.

This course is run by way of my own website in conjunction with WSU's distance learning program Pilot. The index page will operate as your primary resource for the course. You may access this page via www.wright.edu/~david.wilson or via Pilot.

All major and minor assignments should be submitted to me via Pilot on their respective due dates and times. Go to the Dropbox and upload your work accordingly. Barring discussions, assignments may be submitted as .doc, .docx, .rtf or .pdf files.

You are responsible for monitoring the upload of each assignment you submit. Assignments submitted after their due dates have elapsed (whether it be one day, ten days, or one minute) will not be accepted. Assignments are due every Friday at 9 a.m. The modules for the course and Pilot provide you with all due dates from the beginning to the end of the course. You are responsible for organizing and managing your time accordingly. Never wait until the last minute to submit work in case of computer glitches, among other issues that might crop up. Always provide yourself with enough time to upload your work.

Grades are based upon a point system tallied throughout the quarter by Pilot. Major assignments are worth 100-200 points and minor assignments are worth 25 points.

I will provide feedback on major writing assignments. There are five: an annotated bibliography, a reflection essay, a literary analysis, a literacy narrative, and an argumentative essay.

I am happy to comment on drafts of major essays prior to their final due date. Once the final due date has elapsed, however, you may not revise or resubmit your work. Be sure to send me drafts AT LEAST 48 HOURS prior to their final due date.

If you do not turn in a major essay, you cannot pass the course.

We have one paperback text for this course, the fourth edition of The Norton Field Guide to Literature with Readings and Handbook, which, on this site, will always be referred to as NFG.

In addition, you will also use Purdue OWL, an online writing lab.

Due dates and times for assignments are clearly posted at the end of each module and on Pilot. Assignments with no due dates and times (namely readings) are not required to be turned in.

FINAL NOTE: Under no circumstances should parents or guardians of students contact me with questions or concerns regarding a student's performance, grades, or the course itself. Such matters are confidential and protected by university policy. Parents and guardians need to contact the Wright State University administration with questions or concerns. Students, however, should feel free to contact me at any time.

The Student Success Center offers FREE services to help students meet their full potential. Students can find tutoring in any subject, study buddies, one-on-one technology workshops, feedback on writing assignments, and general academic skills coaching.

Location: 182 Andrews
Phone: 419.586.0326
Web: www.wright.edu/lake/ssc

Students who use the Student Success Center for help on their writing assignments will be given 10 extra credit points for each visit. To make an appointment, go to the website.

Reading & Comprehension

Norton Field Guide (NFG): Read PART 1: Academic Literacies, PART 2: Rhetorical Situations and PART 9: Handbook. The latter reading, while long, is especially important; do your best to familiarize yourself with it. You must possess a working knowledge of the material covered in Part 9, namely Sentences, Language and Punctuation / Mechanics.

NFG: Make sure that you understand the basic stages of the writing process as described in the text: BRAINSTORM (FREEWRITE, LIST, CLUSTER), OUTLINE, DRAFTS, EDIT & REVISE, and the FINAL DRAFT. Additionally, make sure you understand PURPOSE, AUDIENCE, GENRE, STANCE, MEDIA/DESIGN and WRITING IN ACADEMIC CONTEXTS. Your writing must exhibit a grasp of these criteria.

NFG: Read 52: MLA Style, 34: Guiding Your Reader, 15: Annotated Bibliographies and 33: Beginning & Ending.

Read What Is a Scholarly Journal?

Purdue OWL: Read Annotated Bibliographies, Evaluating Print vs. Internet Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism. Be absolutely certain that you understand the concept of plagiarism. If you turn in a plagiarized writing assignment, you will receive a failing grade for that assignment, which almost invariably leads to a failing grade in the course.

Essay #1
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Here is your assignment for the annotated bibliography: Choose a topic and compile EIGHT descriptive annotations (two books, two newspaper articles, two magazine articles, and two academic journal essays). Annotations must be properly organized and preceded by a 250 word introduction that states the scope of the bibliography. Specifically, introductions must identify the PURPOSE and the target AUDIENCE of the bibliography. Each annotation must be between 100-150 words.

Annotated bibliographies must be written on one of the following twenty topics: Animé, Beat Literature, Bilingual Education, Existentialism, Feminist Movements, Genetic Engineering, Gnosticism, Internet Addiction, Jazz, Ku Klux Klan, Kung Fu, Plagiarism, Pornography and Art, Reality Television, Science Fiction, Self-Publishing, Space Exploration, Surfing, Veganism, Zombie Movies. Whatever topic you select, you must sufficiently narrow your focus in the annotated bibliography's introduction.

In order to compile an annotated bibliography, you must perform research on your topic of choice. Refer to the WSU Libraries. If you have difficulty negotiating this search database, see this Library Tutorial and follow this Library Research Guide.

Read these sample selections from an annotated bibliography with the topic Reading and Literature in the Composition Classroom. Each of your annotations MUST be formatted in the MLA style of these samples. Note that no introduction precedes the sample selections, but you are still required to write one.

For an example of an effective title and introduction to an annotated bibliography, consult pgs. 188-89 in NFG. For more information on devising titles, see pgs. 344-45 of NFG.

Assignments

Discussion: In the discussion forum, post the topic of your annotated bibliography, explaining what it is and why you find it interesting and important. 250 words. (NOTE: While it is not required here or in other forums, you are encouraged to respond to your peers. Both positive and negative feedback should be substantive. Don't simply tell somebody that their topic is good or bad. If it's good, explain why. If it's bad, explain how you think it can be improved upon. Ideally I would like to see discussions forming between students.) DUE DATE & TIME: Friday, Jan. 13, 9 a.m.

Summaries: In your own words, summarize 1: Writing in Academic Contexts, 5: Purpose, 6: Audience, 7: Genre, 8: Stance and 9: Media/Design in NFG. Each summary should be 150-200 words long for a total of six summaries. You may paraphrase the text, but do not cite the text verbatim. Summaries not written in your own words will not receive credit. All six summaries should be submitted via Pilot on the same document. DUE DATE & TIME: Friday, Jan. 20, 9 a.m.

Annotated Bibliography: Submit via Pilot. DUE DATE & TIME: Friday, Jan. 27, 9 a.m.

NOTE: Always refer to samples during the writing process. Ideally you will pattern (not plagiarize) your own writing after other people's writing. The best way to become a better writer is to read and study other texts with an eye to syntax, structure, thematics, format, etc. With time and practice, you will establish your own unique voice and style.