School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of English and Modern Languages

Course Name
Advanced Composition
Course Code
ENG 105. _______
& Section No.
Semester Spring 2025

Instructor Name
Office
Office Hours
Office Phone
Email Address
Department Department of English and Modern Languages
Links North South University Website: http://www.northsouth.edu
School Webpage: http://www.northsouth.edu/academic/shss/
Department Webpage: http://www.northsouth.edu/academic/shss/eml/

COURSE AND SECTION INFORMATION

Class Time &

Location
Course ENG 103
Prerequisite(s)
Course Credit Hours 3

Course Description English 105 (Advanced Composition) introduces students to research methodology and the art
of persuasion and argumentation. Students will be focusing on how to write well-developed
argumentative essays. The course will help students to become well versed in academic
research and referencing skills. In addition, students will also be taught to critically read and
analyze texts. Students will be taught how to effectively present their research findings and will
practice on honing their presentation skills.

Course Objectives The aim of the course is to enable students to understand, utilize and produce academic writing
effectively through a program of writing, reading, speaking, and undertaking and presenting
research.
To improve their reading, students will regularly read articles and essays, sharpening their
comprehension and analytic skills through discussions and assignments.
The primary focus in writing will be on persuasiveness and effective argumentation, and
achieving control of the writing process in its different stages–pre-writing, writing, and
rewriting. The emphasis will be on academic writing, particularly the essay form, and the
qualities that make it successful.
Students will also get practice in speaking through class discussions and presentations so as to
be able to participate competently in group discussions and seminars.
A major part of the course will deal with research: how to conduct it, how to define a research
topic, how to find and use secondary material on the same, how to integrate primary and
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 secondary research, and how to present it in a substantive research paper as well as a formal
spoken presentation.

Student Learning On successfully completing this course, students will be able to

Outcomes CO 1.Gain an overview of argumentation and persuasion and acquire the basics of writing
argumentative essays
CO 2.Learn about and identify different types of claims as well as study and practice the Toulmin
model of argumentation
CO 3.Learn about and develop research conducting and writing skills
CO 4. Learn how to employ APA style in research writing
CO 5. Critically analyze texts and learn to respond to various types of literary prompts

Mapping of Course Outcomes with Program Outcomes, Delivery Methods and

Assessment Strategies
Course Outcomes (CO) Bloom’s Delivery methods Assessment
taxonomy and activities tools
domain/level
(C: Cognitive
P: Psychomotor
A:Affective)
CO-1 Gain an overview of argumentation and persuasion
and learn the basics of writing argumentative C-1, 2 Lecture, Assignment
essays A- 1, 2 Discussion &
handouts
P-1

CO-2 Learn about and identify different types of claims C- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Concept

and study and practice the Toulmin model of Lecture, in- clarification, quiz,
argumentation class group Assignment &
A- 2, 4, 5 discussion, Midterm and
course reader, final exam
P- 1, 3, 5, 7 handouts &
practice sheets

CO-3 Learn about and develop research conducting and C- 2, 3, 5 Lecture, Class work,
writing skills 7 Discussion, course Assignment,
reader & handouts Concept,
A- 4, 5 Demonstration,
Research Paper,
P- 1, 4, 6, Research
Presentation
CO-4 Learn how to employ APA style in research C-1, 2, 3, 5 Lecture, Concept,
writing Discussion, Demonstration,
Supplementary Quiz, Assignment,
A- 4, 5
materials & Final Exam
practice sheets
P- 2, 4, 6

CO-5 Critically analyze texts and learn to respond to C- 4, 6 Lecture, Assignment, Quiz,
various types of literary prompts Discussion, Final Exam
Handouts &
A- 2, 3, 4
Practice Sheets

P- 3, 5, 6, 7

Cognitive domain (knowledge-based): C

1: Knowledge, 2: Comprehension, 3 Application, 4 Analysis, 5: Synthesis, 6: Evaluation
The affective domain (emotion-based): A
1: Receiving, .2: Responding, 3: Valuing, 4: Organizing, 5: Characterizing

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The psychomotor domain (action-based): P
1: Perception, 2: Set, 3: Guided response, 4: Mechanism, 5: Complex overt response, 6: Adaptation,
7: Origination

RECOMMENDED TEXT(s) – Primary and Supplementary

Author Edition & Year Publisher

Title
N/A ENG 105 Course Reader N/A N/A
N/A APA 7 Style Guide N/A N/A

TEACHING STRATEGY
Teacher’s Discretion

ASSESSMENT STRATEGY AND GRADING SCHEME

Your performance in ALL the exams determines your grade. The points are distributed in the following manner:

Points
Exams (Midterm and Final) 40
Research Paper 15
Research Presentation 05
Viva 05
Research Related Assignments 10
Argumentative Essay 05
Quizzes/Class work 10
Attendance & Participation 10
Total 100 (100%)

NSU’s grading and performance evaluation policies will be followed in assigning your grade. Please note that all final
grades are subject to departmental review and approval.

CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT

1. The ground rule for our class is respectful, open communication. We have many things to learn from one
another. Every single question is appreciated!

2. When you come to the class, you become part of a learning community. Please be conscious of your
community role, and work toward creating a healthy learning atmosphere in the class.

3. Don’t chat during the class. If you have to, then feel free not to attend the class at the expense of your
attendance for the day. Inability to refrain from unnecessary, disruptive chatting may result in a request to
leave the classroom.

4. If you have to leave the class when it is in progress, sit near the door and leave silently.

5. While in class, please switch off your cell phone. Inability to do so may result in some penalty.

6. You must seek permission before using any sort of electronic gadget in the class such as a laptop. Use of such
gadgets for purposes other than note-taking during lectures is strictly prohibited.

7. Limit your eating while the class is in progress. Eat during the breaks.

8. Academic Integrity Policy: The School of Humanities and Social Sciences does not tolerate academic
dishonesty by its students. At a minimum, you must not be involved in cheating, copyright infringement,
submitting the same work in multiple courses, significant collaboration with other individuals outside of
sanctioned group activities, and fabrications. Note that there is ZERO TOLERANCE for any form of
plagiarism and use of AI tools for content generation or paraphrasing. You are advised that violations of
the Student Integrity Code will be treated seriously, with special attention given to repeated offences. Please
refer to NSU Code of Conduct at http://www.northsouth.edu/student-code-of-conduct.html
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EXAMS AND MAKE UP EXAMS POLICY

Please note:
 You must come prepared for all your exams.
 You must come on time.
 Being late does not necessarily guarantee that you are going to get extra time for writing your tests and exam.
 You must bring your own pencil, pen, eraser, course reader and any other permitted items that you may need and
you are allowed during the tests and exam.
 All cell phones must be switched off.
 Any deviation from the standard procedures will not be taken lightly.
 Any unfair means adopted in the tests and exam will be seriously dealt with.
 Academic misconduct or failure to comply with NSU Examination Code of Conduct may result in F.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

According to NSU policy, if you have THREE consecutive absences or FIVE absences over the course of the semester, you
will be automatically dropped from the course. You should also come to class in time: every three late appearances will count
as one absence. Also, if you miss submissions due to absence in class, you can submit it at a later date with 50% penalty. No
exceptions.

COMMUNICATION POLICY
Teacher’s Discretion
Week# Class# Day Date Topic Chapter

1 1 Course introduction & Writing sample Course Outline

Persuasion &
2 Writing & Essay Basics +Topics and Theses Argumentation Section-
Chapter 2

Persuasion and Argumentation

Persuasion &
2 3 Argumentation Section-
Analysis of Arguments -Identification of claims
Chapter 1 & 2
and their types

Introduction to the research paper & narrowing Research Section-

4
down and selecting potential research topics Chapter 1& 2

Pros & Cons of argument essay Persuasion &

3 5 Argumentation Section-
Writing an argument essay Chapter 1 & 2

6 Understanding APA documentation & APA rules APA style guide

Research Section-
4 7 Practicing APA documentation Chapter 1& 2

Teacher handout

Introduction to research methods & Introduction Research Section-

8
to research proposals Chapter 1& 2

Drafting & modifying research proposals Teacher handout

Introduction to incorporating secondary sources APA style guide

5 9 (paraphrasing, summarizing, using APA in-text
citation) Teacher handout

APA style guide

10
Practicing incorporating sources Teacher handout

4
 Introduction to questionnaires & types of Research Section-
6 11
questionnaires Chapter 4

Designing survey questionnaire & Review of Research Section-

12
Midterm examination Chapter 4

Midterm Examination Date: February 28, 2025 (Friday)

The Argumentative
7 13
Reading Basics &Analysis of Arguments Essay Chapter 2

Analysis of Arguments (Contd.) The Argumentative

14
Essay Chapter 2
Argument essay writing

Toulmin model of argumentation (contd.)&Types

of support in argumentation + Evaluating the
The Argumentative
8 15 overall effectiveness of the passage + Practice
Essay Chapter 2

Analyzing survey responses + Presenting research Research Section-

16
results + Annotated bibliography Chapter 5

Preparing the Research paper outline+ Writing

9 17 Teacher handout
abstract, introduction & background

18 Introduction to Data analysis & Practice Research Section-5

10 19 Analyzing primary and secondary data + Writing Research Section-5 & 6

the research paper (contd.)

20 Presentation basics & practice Teacher handout

11 21 Writing the Research paper (contd.)

22 Presenting research through a formal presentation

12 23 Presenting research through formal presentation

(Contd.)

24 Presenting research through formal presentation

(Contd.)

Submission of Research Paper in Turnitin

Date: 5th April, 2025 (Tentative & subject to change)

Final Examination Date: 21st April, 2025 (Tentative & subject to change)

Syllabus for Midterm and Final examinations:

Midterm Exam (20 Marks) Final Exam (20 Marks)
Claims- 4 points (4 claims with identification & Argument Analysis- 10 points
justification along with any 2 for pro & con)
APA- 8 points (3 reference list entries+ 2 in-text Data/Graph Analysis- 10 points
citation questions)
Incorporating Sources- 8 points