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"Honors" homepage| The two
most engaging powers of an author are, to make new things familiar, and
familiar things new. Samuel Johnson My most important
piece of advice to all you would-be writers: when you write, try to leave
out all the parts readers skip. A word is a bud
attempting to become a twig. How can one not dream while writing? It is
the pen which dreams. The blank page gives the right to dream. All that we are is
the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think,
we become. I don't pretend we
have all the answers. But the questions are certainly worth thinking
about.
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Writing
comes more easily if you have something to say. Sholem Asch The most essential
gift for a good writer is a built-in, shock-proof shit detector.
The
secret of good writing is to say an old thing in a new way or to say a
new thing in an old way.
Richard
Harding Davis
The most original of authors are not so because they advance what is new, but more because they know how to say something, as if it had never been said before.
Johann
Wolfgang Von Goethe
A
writer is rarely so well inspired as when he talks about himself.
Anatole
France
If
you can't annoy somebody with what you write, I think there's little
point in writing.
~ Kingsley Amis
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Tammie Bob, instructor e-mail bobtam@cdnet.cod.edu
Fall 2005 Office Hours schedule phone: 942-3327 office: IC3129b
ARE YOU confused, uncertain, or just in the mood to discuss something relative to the course? Call, e-mail, or stop by during my office hours.
I am always happy to talk to you.
Class location: MW 3049 F 3607
Reading Critically, Writing Well, seventh edition. Axelrad, Cooper
Tammie Bob's website. www.tammiebob.com
English 1101 is a required course that teaches the conventions and forms of the argued essay, a form of written communication that allows the writer to explore and examine as well as report. The essay forms the basis for most types of academic writing, and certainly a good essayist can transfer his or her mastery of the necessary writing techniques to any writing needs (and they're out there, both in academia and in the larger world beyond it.) As "honors" students, I assume that you are reasonably competent in the general mechanics of writing: punctuation, sentences, paragraphs. Many of you are already good writers, comfortable with basic essays, and brimming with ideas. Some of you are uneasy when faced with a blank page or computer screen. Whatever your experience as writers, as "honors" students, I challenge you to expand your skills. You'll do this by learning how to read as writers, opening yourself to a variety of writers' voices and methods of expression, and by examining what successful writers "do" on the page to achieve certain effects. You'll practice critiquing (not criticizing) your own, and others', writing. You'll learn ways to proceed if you're stuck or blocked. I challenge you to try different techniques for planning, drafting, and revising your work, even if you're sure you already use the best process, or that you can't work in a certain way. And most of all, I hope that you'll find the class an engaging place, where ideas and opinions flow and fly. That happens through preparation, and then active participation. Welcome to class!
By the end of the course, you should achieve these competencies:
· demonstrate improved writing skills at all levels, from constructing sentences and paragraphs to rhetorical strategies for effective communication with readers· write accurately and effectively in a variety of formats and genres, using appropriate conventions in each
· develop an understanding of how writing demonstrates the acquisition of knowledge and promotes critical thinking
· interpret, analyze and synthesize materials in a variety of ways to improve writing skills
· demonstrate a critical sense of what is appropriate and inappropriate writing
· proof-read, edit and evaluate the content of own and others' texts
· work collaboratively with peers on various writing activities and assignments
· develop autonomy and self-reflective assessment skills
· use writing and reading as resources for life-long learning
Naturally, I expect you to attend all classes; in reality this doesn't always happen. If you must miss, please consult the website or your classmates to find out what we did and what the assignments are. It's not necessary to let me know you'll be absent unless you anticipate several absences in a row.
MORE THAN THREE (3) absences may result in a lowered grade. If you are having a problem attending, please let me know. If at all possible, I will help you succeed in the class. If I don't hear from you, I can't do that.
Tardiness is disruptive to the class and you will miss material. Please allow yourself enough time to park, cross campus, get your coffee, etc. Habitual tardiness will be noted and dealt with at the instructor's discretion.
There are five assigned essays. Each essay assignment will consist of drafts, assigned reflections and observations, peer reviews and revisions, all of which will figure into the grade of a particular essay. In advance of an essay's due date, I will make you aware of the specific features and requirements of each assignment, and how it will be graded. However, I reserve the right to base up to 10 percent of your grade on preparedness and class participation --which is important-- speak up and speak often! Attendance is expected and will not enhance your grade but failure to attend may, as previously noted, detract from it.
GRADES
Your grades will be based on a portfolio due two weeks before the end of the semester.
Each of five written projects will be due as scheduled. You will get feedback and critique from your classmates and me at every stage of the writing process, as well as detailed commentary AND grade from me after paper (along with drafts, assignments, critiques) is turned in.
The portfolio will include all five of your revised essays (drafts,critiques, etc.) and grading will work like this:
A: Five essays, reflecting serious attempt to use targeted forms. ALL FIVE are carefully revised and edited to reflect your learning, prior discussion and critique of the work. An explanation of the revisions accompanies portfolio, including how prior discussion and critique affected/didn't affect revision. If project received an "A" grade earlier, it's likely that little revision is needed for that project--so don't be afraid to go for excellence. If you stay on top of your work you shouldn't have to scramble at the end of the semester.
B: Five essays, reflecting serious attempt to use targeted forms. THREE of the five are carefully revised and edited to reflect your learning. prior discussion and critique of the work. An explanation of the revisions accompanies portfolio, including how prior discussion and critique affected/didn't affect revision.
C: Five essays, reflecting serious attempt to use targeted forms. If they are graded C or higher no further revision is necessary.
D : Four essays, reflecting serious attempt to use targeted forms. Grade of C or higher for all of them.
F: Fewer than four acceptable essays.
Get to know the expectations for student conduct as outlined in the college's student handbook. You will be made aware of the specifics of plagiarism, but I expect that at the college level all students are aware that trying to pass off someone else's words as your own are dishonest, immoral, and will result in flunking this course with other possible consequences.
Schedule of Events (dates may change)
This schedule gives an overview of material to
be covered and major
assignments. It may be modified as needed. In
class I will assign specific
readings and written work such as drafts,
plans, and critiques, to be
collected in a packet with the final draft of
your essays. Specific homework assignments are given in class
and posted on the homework section of this website.
Weeks One, Two and Three
Personal narrative
key concepts: sequence, time signals, conflict
and
suspense, pace , action, dialogue, naming,
comparing, sensory language,
vantage point
Weeks Four, Five and Six
Observational
essay( utilizing field research)
key concepts: observation, interview,
note-taking
point of view
Weeks Seven, Eight and Nine
Explaining
a concept (piling on those methods of development)
key concepts: definition (dictionary,
sentence, extended, stipulative, historical)
classification, comparison, analogy
Weeks Ten, Eleven, Twelve Argument
in some of its common forms
(taking a position)
key concepts: arguable assertion, precise language, qualification, methods of
evidence (facts, statistics, authority, anecdote,
scenario, textual) counterargument
Weeks Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen Closely Examining Someone Else's Argument key concepts: critical reading strategies, evaluating sources, finding outside sources, documenting sources and ideas.