Phone: 310-434-4097

email: todd_gary@smc.edu 

Welcome to English 1! This introductory course in rhetoric emphasizes clear, effective written communication, and the preparation and writing of the research paper.

Texts:

The Bedford Reader, X.J. Kennedy, Dorothy M. Kennedy, and Jane E. Aaron

Steps to Writing Well, 9th edition, Jean Wyrick

A dictionary containing 70,000+ entries, such as American Heritage, Webster's or Oxford

A novel that you will choose from a short list to be provided

Note: Please bring all textbooks to each class

1. Five or six essays (750 words minimum) - 50% of final grade

2. Research paper (6-10 pp.) - 20% of final grade

3. Final exam - 10% of final grade

4. Attendance, participation, homework (including journal assignments), and tests - 20% of final grade

Assignments:
Essays written both in and out of class will be evaluated based on content, organization, style, and mechanics. All essays (both in-class and outside) must be submitted on time. Essay grades will be dropped a minimum of one full grade for each class period it is late and will not be accepted after one week from the due date. The final essay of the semester will not be accepted after the due date. If you are absent the day an essay is due, do not expect to be able to hand in your late essay for full credit after I have collected them. Such essays will still be considered late, and you will be considered late or absent. If you are absent or do not have a typed draft ready the day we complete peer review of an essay, you automatically lose homework and participation credit.

Textbook homework counts 20 points per week, whether it is collected or checked. Please respond to textbook homework on notebook paper (staple pages together (into a portfolio) to be collected or checked on various announced and unannounced dates throughout the semester). Always identify the author of the reading assignment, the page number, and the date you responded. Handwritten responses are okay to the textbook homework. No need to copy directions and questions from the book. Thoughtful answers that show your understanding of the material will suffice. Homework is an integral part of college work and your completed assignments will strongly impact how well you do on your essays and tests. Textbook homework is due during class and at the time collected.

Tests may be given during any particular class period on the reading, grammar, or essay activities covered up to that time. No make-up tests will be given due to absence. However, because of absence or low grade, you may drop one homework grade and one test score. Keep up with the reading and you will succeed.

Standards: Final drafts of essays must be typed double space. You must meet the minimum requirement for the number of words for each homework essay; otherwise, you will be graded down. Number the pages; staple the essay at the upper left-hand corner; provide a title page in the center of the page, and your name, the class, and the date in the lower right-hand corner. Neatly crossing out is acceptable on handwritten and typed assignments. In-class essays can be hand-written (double spaced in ink). Always bring in one extra copy of your rough draft for peer review.

Types of peer review: 1). content 2). structure 3). grammar and spelling

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. If you miss more than 4 class meetings, you will not receive points for participation, and you may be dropped from the class. While I realize that parking and bus schedules can be a problem, tardiness and early departures from class will affect your grade. If you are late, please write your name and the time on a piece paper and place it on my desk (otherwise, you will be considered absent from the class). Chronic tardiness is both rude and disruptive. Hopefully no one will need to drop the class; however, if you do, it is your responsibility to complete the necessary forms and observe all the deadlines; otherwise you may risk receiving an F for the course. If you are absent, you are still responsible for keeping up with assignments and changes in our schedule. You may wish to exchange phone numbers with another student so you can call for assignment changes, if you miss class.

Classmate #1: Name and phone #:___________________________________

Classmate #2: Name and phone #:___________________________________

Plagiarism: Plagiarism—presenting someone else’s words or ideas as your own—is a serious offense. If you copy another person's writing, you will receive a zero for the assignment and you may receive an F for the course. Please do not plagiarize.

Tutoring: Free tutoring is available in the Humanities Tutoring Center in DRSCHR 313, located upstairs across the hall from the English Department. Appointments must be made in person. Note that tutors can give feedback on content and organization and can answer specific grammar questions but do not proofread papers and do not do grammar checks. Please also come to my office hour for help and/or a referral. Remember, you do not need an appointment during office hours.

I reserve the right to amend the syllabus and schedule of assignments during the course of the semester.

Important note: Cellular phones and pagers must be turned off before you come to class. If I see your cell phone/pager or it rings any time during the class, you will lose grade points. No exceptions.

9/1 Diagnostic Essay

9/15 Essay #1: Rough Draft / Peer Review

9/22 Essay #1: Final Draft due

9/29 Essay #2: Rough Draft / Peer Review

10/6 Essay #2: Final Draft due

10/18 Essay #3: Rough Draft / Peer Review

10/27 Essay #3: Final Draft due

11/3 Essay #4: Rough Draft / Peer Review

11/8 Essay #4: Final Draft due

11/10 Essay #5: Rough Draft

11/15 Essay #5: Final Draft due

11/17 Research paper: Tentative thesis based on your reading and working bibliography

11/24 Research paper: revised thesis, outline, and introduction

12/1 Final draft of research paper due

10/13 Assignment before class: Steps, "Writing a Research Paper," (Conducting the Personal Interview, Preparing a Working Bibliography, and Choosing and Evaluating Your Sources), pp. 363-370

Steps, grammar review, "Word Logic," practice exercises, pp. 147-148. "Selecting the Best Words," read and complete pp. 149-161 (stop before Assignment section on p. 161).

                    In class: Research paper activities. Grammar review

10/18 Assignment before class: Type draft of Essay #3.

Steps, "Writing a Research Paper," (Preparing an Annotated Bibliography, Taking notes, and Incorporating Source Material), pp. 370-376

10/20 Assignment before class: BR, Gore Vidal, "Drugs," pp. 437-439; Journal Writing exercise, p. 439; Continue with "Gore Vidal on Writing," pp. 440-441. Complete discussion questions that follow. Steps, "Writing a Research Paper," (Avoiding Plagiarism and MLA Documentation Style), pp. 376-391 (stop before APA Style) Note library assignments on pp. 379-380.