English 1200-Developmental Writing
Instructor Lezlee Sharp [email protected] Wednesday 11-12, Thursday 2:00-4:00 or by appointment The Decisive Writer, Kathryn Rosser Raign. Brief Guide to Good Grammar. Kathryn Rosser Raign
Office Hours Required Text
Recommended Text Handbook of grammar and punctuation. Participation A small, yet significant portion of your grade will depend upon your participation in class discussions, as well as my estimation of your progress in the course. Therefore, you must not miss class, be late on a consistent basis, sleep in class, or carry on private conversations during lectures. Participation is worth 10% of your final course grade and is dependent upon regular, punctual attendance. Absence Policy I both expect and demand regular and punctual attendance. According to my policy, you may have four (4) unexcused absences for courses that meet twice weekly. After the fifth (5) absence, your grade WILL be affected, and you may fail the course. In addition, I will count you absent if you are more than ten (10) minutes late for class. Whether you are in class or not, you remain responsible for all assignments made, policies announced, etc., each day. If you must be absent, you are responsible for turning in any work that is due -as scheduled. The only excused absences recognized by the University of North Texas are those wherein a student is representing the university in an official capacity. These absences will not be excused without appropriate documentation. Athletes and other students who will be missing class for an official university activity must advise me in writing at least 48 hours in advance of the absence. I do not accept late papers.
Criteria for Excused Absences
Late Papers
Peer Editing The only way to improve your writing is to revise and rewrite. Therefore, for each paper that is assigned, we will have a session of peer editing. On peer editing day, you must bring a completed copy of your paper, which has been either typed or printed on a word processor, as if you were going to turn it in that day. You and your peers will assist one another in editing your papers. If you do not come to class prepared to peer edit (by bringing a copy of your paper), I will deduct 10 points from your final paper grade. Paper Format All papers must meet the following requirements: Be printed on a word processor Be double-spaced Include all pre-writing, rough drafts and peer evaluations (in that order). Be fastened with one (1) staple in the upper left-hand corner Use a 12-point font in Times New Roman Use one-inch margins on the top, bottom and sides Use correct MLA format and documentation Include a works cited page Keep in mind that the physical appearance of your paper is a vital component of its overall success. Failure to adhere to these guidelines will result in a 10 point deduction from your final paper grade. Mandatory Tutorials You must schedule one tutorial in the writing lab per major assignment. You can schedule your appointments in person at AUDB 105, or by phone at 940-565-2563. The lab is open from 99, Monday through Thursday, and from 9-4 on Friday. I will deduct 10 points if you fail to attend a tutorial prior to turning in your assignment. 940-565-2563 www.unt.edu/writinglab
Possible Deductions You can lose a total of 30 points per paper, if you do not follow the rules outlined below: Portfolio The Linguistics and Technical Communication department requires that instructors keep all students' papers on file for at least one (1) semester. You must turn in all your graded paper, in a paper folder, on or before the day of your final. I will give you more instruction before your portfolio is due. Plagiarism and Other Forms of Academic Dishonesty The term plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials (UNT 2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog). If you turn in a piece of writing all or part of which you have plagiarized, you may receive an F in the course. If you use unauthorized assistance of any kind in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations, you may receive an F in the course. Your actions will be reported to the Office for Academic Integrity and will become part of your UNT record. Students with Disabilities In accordance with the terms and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504, Rehabilitation Act, the instructor will cooperate with the Office of Disability Accommodation to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. If you have a disability for which you will require accommodation, you must advise me of your needs in writing no later than the end of the second week of class. Completed draft for peer editing Proper formatting Tutorial at the Writing Lab
Essential Competencies Essential competencies for this course include the ability: To read and analyze documents To write clear, concise, and prose for the intended readers in response to various types of assignments To discuss, both in class and in small groups, written documents To use a personal computer with various word processing, electronic mail, and software applications. Classroom Civility You are expected to conduct yourself as adults. Turn off pagers, cell phones, and other electronic equipment during class sessions. If you behave inappropriately in any way during class, you may receive an F in the course and/or be dropped from the course. Further action within the context of university guidelines may be considered.
Open Door Policy You are welcomed and encouraged to visit me whenever you wish to discuss a paper or a problem as it relates to this class. If you cannot come during my office hours, schedule an appointment with me. If you need to leave a message for me, please call the main office at 940/565-4458. The easiest and best way to contact me outside of my office hours is to e-mail me. I try to read my e-mail on a daily basis and will send you a prompt reply. Rewrites You may rewrite any of your major assignments on which you receive less than an A (89 or below). However, you must observe the following rules: Rewrite each paper only once. Turn the original in with the rewrite, or I will not grade it. Turn it in within four class days of the day it was returned
to you, or I will not grade it. Grade Breakdown
Major Papers70% Quizzes10% Portfolio10% Participation10% 90100 8089 7079 6069 Below 60 A B C D F Excellent Good ReservedforExcellence Youvegoneaboveand beyond Average YouvedoneeverythingI askedyoutodo BelowAverage Yourejustdoingthebare minimum Failing
Week One
August 29 Introduction to course Diagnostic Essay: How I Feel About Writing
Week Two
September 3 QuizSyllabus For Next Class Read Chapter 1The Rhetorical Situation; Chapter 2Strategies for Writing Read Guide to Good Grammar, pages 2-10 Complete Exercises pages, 5, 9-10
September 5 Reading QuizChapters 1 & 2 Complete Group Exercise 1, page 78 Discuss Phrases and Clauses Review Exercises 5, 9-10 For Next Class Read Guide to Good Grammar, pages 11-20 Complete exercises pages 13, 19-20
Week Three
September 10 Introduce Paper One, ImagineWriters Break, page 21 Discuss the Writing Process and Its Importance Brainstorm about My Writing Process Discuss Simple and Compound Sentences Review exercises, 13, 19-20
For Next Class Choose topic and submit and email to instructor with a 3 or 4 sentence justification for your choice. Read Guide to Good Grammar, pages 21-25 Complete Exercises, pages 24-25
September 12 Read Aloud essay, Bread Discuss, Consider This, page 22 Read Aloud Song Lyrics, Imagine Watch Video of Imagine Discuss How Each Reading and the Video Found Different Ways to Talk About the Concept of Imagining a Different Reality Review Exercises, 24-25 For Next Class Email instructor 3 or 4 possible theses. If you need help, go to www.unt.edu/writinglab and read the material on writing thesis statements. Read Guide to Good Grammar, pages 26-29 Complete Exercises, pages 28-29
Week Four
September 17 Whole Class Peer ReviewAs a Class Develop Peer Review Questions and Use Them to Review Sample Essays Review Exercises, 28-29
September 19 Peer Review Paper One For Next Class Read Chapter Four: Writing about Personal Experiences Read Guide to Good Grammar, pages 30-32 Complete exercises, page 32
Week Five
September 24 Paper One Due Introduce Paper TwoOption 1 or 2, page 156 and 157 Complete Group Exercise 1: page 155 Reading QuizChapter 4 Review Exercises, page 32 September 26 Complete Group Exercise 2: page 155 For Next Class Read Guide to Good Grammar, pages 33-36 Complete exercises, pages 35-36 Write three possible theses and submit them to your instructor
Week Six
October 1 October 3 Mandatory ConferencesDiscuss Paper 1 and 2 Peer Review of Paper 2 For Next Class Read Chapter Six: Writing To Inform
Week Seven
October 8 Paper 2 Due Introduce Paper ThreeOptions 1 or 3, pages 238 and 239 Writers Break, page 232 (For Options 1 and 3 only, as a class or group) Reading QuizChapter 6 Review Exercises, page 35-36 For Next Class October 10 Read Guide to Good Grammar, pages 37-39 Complete Exercises, page 39
Complete Group Exercise 1, page 237 Review Exercise, page 39 For Next Class Assignment: Write three possible theses and submit them to your instructor Read Guide to Good Grammar, pages 40-44 Complete exercises, page 41
Week Eight
October 15 Group Exercise 2, page 237 Review Exercise, page 41 October 17 Peer Review
Week Nine
October 22 Paper 3 Due Introduce Paper 4Options 1 or 3, pages 311 and 313 Individual Exercise: Writers Break, page 305 (share with class) Review Exercise, page 44 For Next Class October 24 Read Chapter EightWriting to Evaluate Complete Exercises, pages 46-48
Discuss Writing Prompt: Option Two or Three Complete Group Exercise 2, page 310 Reading QuizChapter 8 Review exercises, pages 45 and 46 For Next Class Choose topic and email to instructor
Week Ten
October 29 Complete Group Exercise 3, page 310 Review exercises, pages 47 and 48 For Next Class October 31 Write three possible theses and submit them to your instructor Read Decisive Writer, pages 164-165
Peer Review Practice Identifying Active and Passive Voice Using Exercises at
www.unt.edu/writinglab
For Next Class Read Chapter NineWriting to Persuade Read Decisive Writer, pages 412 and 413
Week Eleven
November 5 Paper 4 Due Introduce Paper 5, Options 1 or 3, pages 359 and 361 Complete Group ExerciseWriters Break, page 335 Practice Identifying Dangling ModifiersUsing Exercises at www.unt.edu/writinglab Reading QuizChapter 9 November 7 Complete Group Exercise 1, page 358 Grammar Review
Week Twelve
November 12 Complete Group Exercise 3, page 358 Grammar Review November 14 Peer Review For Next Class Read Chapter TenWriting to Respond
Week Thirteen
November 19 Paper 5 Due Introduce Paper 6, Options 1 or 2, page 407 Complete Group ExerciseWriters Break, page 381 (use essay from
chapter) Reading QuizChapter 10 Grammar Review November 21 Grammar and Style Exam
Week Fourteen
November 26 Peer Review November 28 ThanksgivingNo class
Week Fifteen
December 3 December 5 FINAL Paper 6 Due Presentations Portfolio Due
