University of Waterloo
Department of English
ENGL 109 LEC 007
Introduction to Academic Writing
Winter 2020
Environment 3 3406
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 – 6:50 PM
Instructor:
Sally
Beresford
Office:
PAS
1065
Office
Hours
(Jan
7-Feb
25):
Tues
and
Thurs
9:30-10:30
AM
or
by
appointment
Office
Hours
(Feb
27-Apr
TBD)
Email:
s3beresf@uwaterloo.ca
N.B. I will check my email daily and respond within 24 hours on a weekday and 48 on weekends. I cannot guarantee to check my email after 5PM on Fridays. Also note that if the question warrants, I may ask you to come meet with me to discuss.
Course Description
The
purpose
of
English
109
is
to
help
you
develop
your
abilities
as
a
writer,
to
think
critically
and
communicate
effectively.
You
will
learn
and
practice
a
variety
of
strategies
for
inventing,
drafting,
and
editing
texts
written
in
different
genres
and
for
different
audiences.
Through
this
work,
you
will
learn
ways
to
adapt
your
writing
to
different
situations,
so
that
you
can
more
effectively
and
more
powerfully
communicate.
This
course
will
prepare
you
to
succeed
throughout
your
academic
career,
regardless
of
your
discipline.
To
facilitate
this
learning,
I
will
assign
reading
and
writing
assignments
that
will
ask
you
to
study
and
reflect
on
personal,
academic,
and
civic
contexts.
Writers
and
readers
learn
from
one
another,
and
therefore
much
of
your
work
in
English
109
will
involve
different
kinds
of
collaboration,
including
small
group
workshops
and
discussions.
It
is
important
to
understand
that
writing
is
a
process
that
takes
place
over
time.
So
you
will
revise
all
of
your
work
many
times,
and
we
will
use
portfolio
evaluation
as
the
primary
means
to
assess
your
work.
You
can
succeed
in
this
course
by
working
hard,
revising
your
writing
as
much
as
you
possibly
can,
coming
to
me
for
help,
helping
your
peers
(and
learning
from
that
process),
taking
risks,
and
being
original.
Course Goals and Learning Outcomes
English 109 is designed:
-
To help you to think critically and communicate effectively
-
To give you the chance to learn and practice a variety of strategies for inventing, drafting, and editing texts
-
To give you the opportunity to learn and practice writing in a variety of academic genres
-
To help you learn to read critically
-
To help you learn to write persuasively by effectively employing elements of formal argumentation
-
To help you give and receive useful feedback on writing for the purposes of revision
- To help you learn and practice communicating to a variety of academic audiences.
Required Text
Ruskiewicz, John and Jay Dolmage. How To Write Anything: A Guide and Reference with Readings, 4th Edition. Boston: Bedford St. Martin’s Press.
Course Requirements and Assessment
N.B.
Dates
are
tentative
and
subject
to
change.
Please
see
Assignment
Handout
for
instructions
on
the
Final-for-Now
(FFN)
Essays
and
Final
Portfolio.
See
LEARN
for
the
low-stakes
assignments
Assessment | Date of Evaluation (if known) | Weighting |
---|---|---|
Final
Portfolio | April 9 | 70% |
Personal
Narrative |
January
28 | (FFN - 20%) |
Expository
Essay | Feb 27 | (FFN - 20%) |
Argumentative
Essay | March 26 | (FFN - 30%) |
Low-Stakes Writing Assignments | Varied | 10% |
Participation and Professionalism | 20% | |
Total |
There will be no exam in this class. Portfolios will be returned by the end of the exam period.
Standard of Work
This is a University-level course, and you are expected to be comfortable with the mechanics of writing; that is, to understand and use proper grammar, syntax, and punctuation in order to communicate effectively. The course textbook, How To Write Anything offers guidelines and activities to help you with these mechanics. If you need extra assistance with the basics of writing, it is your responsibility to come to office hours or make an appointment with me for extra help.
Response and Evaluation
You will write three major essays in this class (see handouts), and this work will represent the bulk of your course grade. You will not receive a final grade on individual papers when you first hand them in. Instead, you will receive a “final-for-now” grade. You can then revise any of your papers to improve the writing. Finally, you will collect your work and create a final portfolio, which you’ll submit at the end of the semester for a final grade. You will always receive extensive comments on your papers to give you a sense of what you need to revise for your final portfolio. You will be given ample opportunity to rewrite all papers.
You will also be evaluated on four short “low stakes” writing assignments. If this work is completed satisfactorily, you will receive a high grade. Doing this work also prepares you to do well on your longer writing assignments.
Success in this class depends on meeting all the requirements, the quality of your written work, and your willingness to try new perspectives, to revise and rethink, and to take risks.
The final portfolio will include your three major papers, revised; a reflection of what you learned through your writing process in the course; and your writing process on revising these three papers. A handout will be given with more detailed instructions which will include grading expectations
Your
Participation
and
Professionalism
grade
is
assessed
on
attendance,
your
investment
in
class
activities
and
discussion,
and
your
ability
to
respect
and
work
well
with
others.
You
are
expected
to
write
a
lot,
and
to
engage
in
group-work
and
discussions.
Participation
and
Professionalism
break-down
- Peer Review – 8% (Four Peer Review sessions at 2% each. Attendance, Thoughtful feedback, and engagement with peer commentary)
- Class attendance and participation – 7% (see below for more details)
- Professional discussion and communication – 5% (LEARN posts and discussion, emails with Instructor, engagement with peers)
There are a variety of ways to participate in this class and they include:
-traditional modes, like volunteering to talk in class, ask questions, or provide opinions and ideas
-offering examples of writing and communication, or of texts for analysis, either by volunteering in class, or by emailing this example to me so I can share in class
-asking a question via email – If applicable, I can address this question in class which will benefit all students
-offering feedback to your peers on their ideas and their writing in a respectful and constructive manner
-taking part in small groups and being an active and engaged listener
-taking notes that can be shared with classmates when we cover a difficult concept or idea; or taking notes that can be shared with classmates who might need to miss class
-taking part in LEARN discussions
Course Policies
Late
Work
Late
papers
(major
assignments)
will
be
penalized
2%
(applied
to
your
participation
grade)
per
day
late.
All
major
papers
must
be
completed
–
you
will
fail
the
class
if
any
of
the
major
papers
is
not
completed
and
submitted,
however
late.
You
must
also
complete
all
other
reading
and
writing
assignments
on
time.
Short-writing
submitted
late
will
be
accepted,
but
will
work
against
your
short-writing
grade.
While
I
will
try
to
remind
you
of
due
dates,
it
is
your
responsibility
to
check
the
syllabus
for
all
due
dates.
Absences
You
must
attend
all
classes.
Attendance
will
be
taken
at
all
class
sessions
and
contributes
towards
your
participation
grade.
Always
bring
your
course
book
How
To
Write
Anything
to
all
classes.
Please note: attendance is mandatory for Peer Review Workshops. Peer Review is worth 8% of your participation grade.
Classroom Etiquette and Electronic Device Policy
Discussions
will
be
respectful
and
create
a
space
of
mutual
respect
for
all.
Please
turn
off
and
put
away
all
phones.
If
you
have
an
emergency
when
your
phone
will
be
required,
please
let
me
know
before
class.
Laptops
and
tablets
are
permitted
for
writing
and
in-class
activities.
If
used
for
non-class
related
activities
(such
as
answering
emails,
chats,
online
shopping,
etc.)
I
will
ask
you
to
put
it
away.
Please
note
that
for
some
activities
I
may
ask
you
to
put
your
computer/devices
away.
Procedural Basics for Assignments
-
Use Microsoft Word for all written assignments (except for in-class work, of course).
-
Follow the instructions for where to hand-in your work: on LEARN or in-class. This will be clear on the assignment handout.
-
Use MLA format for all written work (see HTWA for guidelines): Times New Roman, 12pt. Font, double-spaced, 1 inch margins, numbered pages, your name, Works Cited if necessary, and so on.
-
Keep copies of all your work, as hard copy and electronically.
-
When we will be peer-reviewing writing in class, you are expected to bring 3 copies of your essay to class with you. (Depending on class size, this number is subject to change)
-
Please try to print double-sided.
-
Save multiple versions of all work. If you make changes to an essay, save the file under a new name. This will allow you to view the development of your work between drafts, show this development to your teachers, and reflect on it.
-
Save everything. Save peer review comments, notes from conferences, pre-writing, all in- class work, and every draft of your essays, with teacher comments.
Institutional-required statements for undergraduate course outlines approved by Senate Undergraduate Council, April 14, 2009
Cross-listed course
Please note that a cross-listed course will count in all respective averages no matter under which rubric it has been taken. For example, a PHIL/PSCI cross-list will count in a Philosophy major average, even if the course was taken under the Political Science rubric.
Academic Integrity
Academic
Integrity:
In
order
to
maintain
a
culture
of
academic
integrity,
members
of
the
University
of
Waterloo
are
expected
to
promote
honesty,
trust,
fairness,
respect
and
responsibility.
Academic
Honesty
All students registered in courses in the Faculty of Arts are expected to know what constitutes an academic offence, to avoid committing academic offences, and to take responsibility for their academic actions. When the commission of an offence is established, disciplinary penalties will be imposed in accord with Policy #71 (Student Academic Discipline). For information on categories of offences and types of penalties, students are directed to consult the summary of Policy #71 which is supplied in the Undergraduate Calendar (on the Web at http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infoucal/UW/policy_71.html).
If you need help in learning how to avoid offences such as plagiarism, cheating, and double submission, or if you need clarification of aspects of the discipline policy, ask your course instructor for guidance. Other resources regarding the discipline policy are your academic advisor and the Undergraduate Associate Dean. Students seeking guidance on academic honesty are urged consult the following page of the Arts Faculty Web site, “How to Avoid Plagiarism and Other Written Offences: A Guide for Students and Instructors” (http://watarts.uwaterloo.ca/~sager/plagiarism.html).
Plagiarism or copying other people’s style or ideas and claiming them as your own is a serious academic offense. Any incident of plagiarism will automatically cause a paper to fail, could cause you to fail the course, and will be reported to the Dean’s office.
Discipline:
A
student
is
expected
to
know
what
constitutes
academic
integrity,
to
avoid
committing
academic
offences,
and
to
take
responsibility
for
his/her
actions.
A
student
who
is
unsure
whether
an
action
constitutes
an
offence,
or
who
needs
help
in
learning
how
to
avoid
offences
(e.g.,
plagiarism,
cheating)
or
about
“rules”
for
group
work/collaboration
should
seek
guidance
from
the
course
professor,
academic
advisor,
or
the
Undergraduate
Associate
Dean.
When
misconduct
has
been
found
to
have
occurred,
disciplinary
penalties
will
be
imposed
under
Policy
71
–
Student
Discipline.
For
information
on
categories
of
offenses
and
types
of
penalties,
students
should
refer
to
Policy
71
-
Student
Discipline.
Grievance:
A
student
who
believes
that
a
decision
affecting
some
aspect
of
his/her
university
life
has
been
unfair
or
unreasonable
may
have
grounds
for
initiating
a
grievance.
Read
Policy
70
-
Student
Petitions
and
Grievances,
Section
4.
Appeals:
A
student
may
appeal
the
finding
and/or
penalty
in
a
decision
made
under
Policy
70
-Student
Petitions
and
Grievances
(other
than
regarding
a
petition)
or
Policy
71
-
Student
Discipline
if
a
ground
for
an
appeal
can
be
established.
Read
Policy
72
-
Student
Appeals.
Other sources of information for students
Academic integrity (Arts)
Academic Integrity Office (uWaterloo)
Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
Note for students with disabilities: The AccessAbility Services office, located in Needles Hall Room 1132, collaborates with all academic departments to arrange appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities without compromising the academic integrity of the curriculum. If you require academic accommodations to lessen the impact of your disability, please register with the AS office at the beginning of each academic term.
THE FOLLOWING UNIT OVERVIEWS AND SCHEDULES ARE TENTATIVE AND MAY CHANGE. THEY ARE PROVIDED HERE IN A DETAILED FORM TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR SEMESTER AND TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE CLASS.
Unit One— Personal Narrative
The first unit, which asks students to explore their personal history with the topic they choose and to write a narrative, focuses on thinking reflectively about experiences. All units are also designed to help you learn processes for effective writing.
By the end of this unit, you should be able to do the following:
- Explore your thinking about your own experiences and beliefs, and about the cultures and communities you are a part of.
- Use narrative conventions to show rather than tell your story.
- Understand why your point of view is important to the topic you chose.
- Revise your narrative so that it is clear, compelling, and polished.
- Understand how writing is a process, and that one piece of writing might take several drafts and several revisions before it is fully developed. Develop knowledge about what processes work best for you as a writer.
TUESDAY |
THURSDAY |
---|---|
January 7
Course
Overview Activity – reflection on writing (If there is time and interest we will walk to my office to show you where it is!) Homework:
-
LEARN
discussion
board
introductions |
January 9
Discuss
chapter
1 Due today on LEARN – paragraph reflection on writing (2.5%) Homework – read ch3 – claiming Topics. Think of topic that you want your essays to explore for the semester |
January 14
Activity
–
discuss
claiming
topics,
how
to
find
topics
Homework
– |
January 16 Share Introductions Activity: Saying It Discuss “Epiphany” or “A-Ha Moment” Homework: - Read HTWA Chapter 31, Peer Editing Complete rough draft of essay |
January 21
Due
Today:
Rough
Draft
of
Narrative
–
bring
copies
to
class
Homework: |
January 23
Activity:
Experimenting
with
Sequence
–
bring
copy
to
class
to
cut
and
re-work
Homework: |
January 28 Due Today Online: Narrative Final-For-Now
Activity:
reflection
on
writing
process.
Handed
in
with
Personal
Narrative - read HTWA ch 9: Explanations |
Unit Two— Explanations
The second unit asks students to explore their topic responding to questions such as why and what if. The focus should be narrow and should reflect consideration of the inquiry and the answer – cause and effect.
By the end of this unit, you should be able to do the following:
1. Write reasonably and logically, exploring causal relationships.
2. Support your explanation with evidence and integrate research into writing
3. Understand the audience and take the appropriate voice in writing style
TUESDAY |
THURSDAY |
---|---|
January 30
Discuss
chapter
9,
Explanations
(Assignment
Handout)
Ch
45
finding
print
and
online
sources | |
February 4
Discuss
effective
researching
and
tips |
February 6
Due
Today
–
Short
Writing
Assignment
‘Citations’
(2.5%)
Activity
–
Research
for
essay
in
class.
Create
‘Works
Cited’
Page - Read HTWA Chapter 29 Outlining - Create outline of your essay |
February 11 Bring outline to class – discuss outlines. Homework - Read HTWA Chapter 29 Outlining Create outline of your essay Homework: - work on your rough draft for Explanation essay |
February 13
Bring
Rough
draft
(in
whatever
stage)
for
peer
review
Read
HTWA
Ch
32
Overcoming
Writer’s
Block
Ch
34
Clear
and
Vigorous
Writing Reading Week February 17-21 No Classes |
February 25
Creative
Process
–
Activity
–
Writer’s
Block
Homework: |
February 27 Final For Now Evaluation Essay Due Today
Reflection
paragraph
on
this
essay
writing
process.
Introduce
Arguments |
Unit Three—Argument
The third unit, which asks students to develop research questions, undertake some research, formulate a thesis, and then create an argument, focuses on writing persuasively. Here are some other specific goals for the third unit of 109:
-
Explore a relevant and contentious issue from a variety of perspectives, considering multiple viewpoints and arguments, using a variety of research strategies
-
Creatively and critically synthesize research from multiple sources—develop awareness of different personal, academic, and civic contexts and express your unique ideas in relationship to the ideas of others.
-
Formulate academic research questions and theses.
-
Use academic citation systems for documenting work, and know where to find resources that will help you with this.
TUESDAY | THURSDAY |
---|---|
March 3
Activity
–
taking
a
side - Read HTWA Chapter 26, Critical Thinking |
March 5 NO CLASS
|
March 10
Homework
Write
thesis
statement |
March 12 Discuss Thesis statements – peer review In-class Research (Library trip?)
- Start Bibliography - Annotate two sources in your bibliography - Write an outline |
March
17 - create introductory paragraph with thesis - Read HTWA ch 36-37 on writing |
March 19 Due Today Introductory paragraph, thesis, and outline for Peer Review Homework: Rough Draft of Argumentative Essay |
March 24
Discuss
HTWA
Chapter
37,
Transitions
and
Chapter 38,
Memorable
Openings
and
Closings Homework: - Complete draft of essay |
March 26 Due Today: Argument Essay Final-For-Now In-Class Reflective Memo Introducing the Portfolio (assignment handout) Homework: - Bring All 109 Work to Class From Now On |
March 31
Activity:
Reflective
Memo-
what
you
have
learned
Discuss
Revision
Strategies
-
Bring
All
109
Work
to
Class |
April 1 Final Class Work on portfolios in class Use this opportunity to discuss with peers, discuss with me any questions Thursday, April 9: Final Portfolios Due on LEARN 5PM |
Academic Honesty Contract For English 109
Please submit this form to me at the end of the semester. It will go towards your Participation grade.
I
have
directly
acknowledged
all
outside
sources
used
in
the
creation
of
this
writing.
These
sources
include
not
just
the
direct
quotations
that
I
have
used,
but
also
other
influences
and
inspirations.
These
other
cited
sources
can
influence
me
and
inspire
me,
but
I
have
created
my
own
essays
and
they
express
something
important
about
me.
This
work
represents
my
unique
ideas,
strategies
and
viewpoints
in
writing.
I value creativity and uniqueness. When I use outside sources, I synthesize and critically reinterpret the ideas of others, I don’t just drop them into my text or cut and paste them. I know that if I don’t synthesize and critically reinterpret the ideas of others, and acknowledge them fully by citing them, then I am plagiarizing.
I
know
that
even
if
I
don’t
quote
directly
from
a
source,
I
need
to
be
sure
to
always
give
credit—even
when
paraphrasing
or
summarizing.
I
know
that
properly
attributing
ideas
to
their
owners
can
also
strengthen
my
own
ethos
as
a
researcher.
I
know
that
good
research
means
more
than
just
avoiding
plagiarism.
Good
researchers
take
multiple
ideas,
analyze
them,
contrast
them,
synthesize
them,
and
then
use
them
to
say
something
unique,
while
carefully
documenting
where
each
idea
came
from.
I used the writing and revision process to practice giving credit to others correctly, using MLA citation style, with in-text citations and a full list of works cited. When I was in doubt, I used my textbook for guidelines, and I asked my peers and my teacher (and perhaps Writing Center tutors) for help. So, now that I am ready to hand in my writing, I know that I have followed all of the rules for correct citation.
I
know
that
“I
didn’t
know
I
was
plagiarizing”
is
not
an
acceptable
excuse.
If
in
doubt,
I
know
I
can
ask
my
teacher.
If
I
am
unsure
whether
information
is
“common
knowledge”
or
not,
my
readers
may
be
too.
If
in
doubt,
I
cite
it.
It
is
better
to
give
too
much
credit
to
others
than
to
assume
that
I
don’t
need
to
cite
something.
I did receive help in my writing—from peers in my class, from my teacher, and perhaps from others. But I had clear boundaries when asking for help. Nobody wrote or rewrote my paper for me. I welcomed suggestions and comments from others, reflected upon them, and then made rhetorical choices as I revised. I didn’t steal or borrow ideas from others without acknowledging them. I received guidance and support from others, but I can confidently state that this writing is mine.
By typing my name on a paper, I am signing a contract with my professor and with the University of Waterloo that states that the ideas contained in this paper are my own, and that all ideas that are not my own have been correctly attributed to their owners.
Print Full Name:
Signature:
Date: