ENGL 1301 (015) Composition I

Fall 2011 / M,W 11:1512:30 Professor T. J. McLemore Contact: tmcl@tjc.edu Office: 183B Office Hours: T,TH 14 // MW 911, 2:203:20 // and by appointment

This semester we will undertake a directed study of the rhetorical principles and techniques of written, expository, and persuasive composition through reading types of composition while developing your abilities to think critically and express thoughts in correct, clear language. In this course, you will be expected to write in Standard Written English (SWE). I will place a strong emphasis on grammatical correctness; crisp, clear, informative sentences; and the development of a cogent, convincing argument. Over the course of the semester, you will submit five essays of 7501250 words (35 pages) as well as several shorter responsive essays to assigned readings.

Class Policies:
As resolved by the TJC Faculty Senate and outlined in the TJC Student Handbook, academic integrity is essential to the writing process. Academic dishonesty of any kindplagiarism, collusion, cheating on a quiz or examwill result in an automatic failure of this course. (Consult http://english.tjc.edu/policy/ plagiarism-senate.htm for more information.) I will not accept late papers or give make-up exams without a written excuse from the college or a doctor. Please do not use laptop computers during class; tablets or e-readers, however, are acceptable.

Required Texts:
Reinking, James A., and Robert von der Osten. Strategies for Successful Writing: A Rhetoric, Research Guide, Reader, and Handbook. 9th ed. Boston: Prentice Hall, 2011.

Grade Distribution:
40% Essays (5) 25% Daily responsive writing and quizzes 10% Midterm exam 25% Final essay exam

Schedule of Readings and Assignments:

Week 1: August 22 & 24 Introduction / Types of Discourse In-class diagnostic writing assignment; grammar review Week 2: August 29 & 31

Reading and Writing / Sentences and Paragraphs SSW chaps. 1, 2, 5, 6; exercises

September 5: Labor Day Holiday, NO CLASS Week 3: September 7 Planning and Revision / Narrative SSW chaps. 3, 4, 8; selected readings Week 4: September 12 & 14 Description and Illustration SSW chaps. 9, 11; revised narrative essay (1) due September 12 Week 5: September 19 & 21 Diction, Tone, Style / General vs. Specific, Concrete vs. Abstract SSW chap. 7; selected readings; draft of essay 2 due September 21 for peer review Week 6: September 26 & 28 Grammar, Usage, and Revision Revisited / Analogies SSW Handbook, as needed; grammar and usage quiz; selected readings Week 7: October 3 & 5 Comparison and Definition SSW chap. 12, 15; descriptive essay (2) due October 3 Week 8: October 10 & 12 Midterm Review / Using Precise Language Selected readings; exam review MIDTERM EXAM, October 12 Week 9: October 17 & 19 Argument / Logical Fallacies / MLA Format SSW chap. 16; selected readings; comparative essay (3) due October 19 Week 10: October 24 & 26 MLA Format / Reading Literature Selected readings; citation and fallacy quiz Week 11: October 31 & November 2 Reading and Responding

Selected readings; response essay due Week 12: November 7 & 9 Writing about Literature SSW chap. 19; argumentative essay (4) due November 7 Week 13: November 14 & 15 Reading as a Critic Selected readings; critical responses Week 14: November 21 Readings / Student Conferences Selected readings; draft of literary analysis due November 21; peer review November 2327: Thanksgiving Holiday Week 15: November 28 & 30 Conclusions and Review Review for final exam; literary analysis essay (5) due November 28 FINAL EXAM, December 5 or 7