109 F20 Ojeda

University of Waterloo

Department of English Language and LIterature

ENGL109 - 012 

Introduction to Academic Writing

Winter 2020

Mon. and Wed.: 2:30 pm - 3:50 pm, EV3 3406

Instructor Information:

Name: Diana Moreno Ojeda 

Email: dmorenoo@uwaterloo.ca

Office: PAS 1238

Office Hours: Tues. & Thurs. 10:30 - 12:00 pm, or by appointment.

Course Description:

English 109 is designed to get you comfortable writing in an academic context. We will study different genres of writing including personal narratives, close reading analyses, and argumentative essays. Together, we will study the choices great writers make as they create texts, and the processes they engage in order to create their best work. We will study a variety of texts to learn more about how they were written and how to improve the writing each of you produces. 


 Across the disciplines as well as in nearly every profession the ability not only to communicate effectively, but also to collaborate is necessary to success. The production of knowledge and, indeed, all learning are inherently social activities: writers at all levels of experience and ability learn from one another. For these reasons, this course will take the form of a workshop which means that we will discuss best practices, as well as engage in in-class writing exercises and peer review sessions. You will learn to give useful feedback to your classmates, as well as to receive feedback and put it to use in the revision of your writing.

Learning Outcomes:

• To think critically and rehearse strategies for effective communication
• To learn how to tailor texts to a variety of academic audiences 
• To learn and practice a variety of strategies for designing, drafting, and editing texts
• To learn to write persuasively by effectively employing elements of formal argumentation
• To gain practice writing in a variety of academic genres
• To identify strategies to give and incorporate feedback during text revisions

Required Text:

Davis, Roger and Laura Davis. Essay Writing for Canadian Students with Readings. 9th Ed., Pearson, 2019.

* Please notice that this is a digital textbook, you will need an access code for the platform, but you will be able to access the book from all your devices.

** All other materials will be made available to you either through class handouts or on LEARN. Please refer to the Course Outline for further clarification.

Course Requirements and Assessment:

Attendance and Participation: To receive credit in this course you are expected to show up for class. Life can get chaotic, I know, you can miss two (2) sessions in the term without letting me know, or handing in an excuse. If you, however, miss more classes I expect you to contact me by email or in-person to talk it out with me. Otherwise, it will be reflected in your grade. 

In-class exercises: By the end of this term you will have submitted 7 exercises of this type. These are considered writing exercises and receive a completion mark, worth 2% of your final grade. Just beware: if you miss 3 submissions of this type you get only 8%, but if you miss 4 or more and you get 0%.

* All in-class exercises are due on the date listed by 11:59 PM. Late assignments are not accepted, unless accompanied by a doctor’s note.

Workshops: Given that these are designed to give you practice reviewing your writing and that of your classmates, chances are you will get the major writing assignments done without problem if you attend these sessions.

We (you, your classmates, and I) will be working along one another during these class sessions, answering questions, going over the texts. You will take all the comments  home and do any revisions before submitting your essay.

Cover Letter: Cover letters are intriguing writing pieces. Intended to provide prospective employers with a sense of who you are as a professional, cover letters are meant to be concise, yet comprehensive. Using the skills honed through the personal narrative exercises, you will write a 1-page cover letter.

Work on this assignment as it is expected and you will have a piece of writing to take with you throughout various co-op terms!

Summarize, Paraphrase, and Quote: Accurately using and citing your sources is a major part of your academic work. This assignment is designed to get you sufficient practice with these skills before the two major class essays.

For this assignment you will be asked to summarize, paraphrase, and quote three different source types: a youtube video, an online article, and a chapter in a book.

You will also be given examples in class.

Argument Evaluation: Drawing upon models of argument studied in class you will assess an opinion piece on a specific topic. The class will be provided three opinion pieces, from which you will choose ONE. Your product must demonstrate your ability to apply critical thinking, and well-structured writing skills. 


Persuasive Essay: 2000-3000 words. Remember to cite, when needed. Details of this assignment will be distributed during the course.

Research Essay: 2500-3500 words. Remember to cite, when needed. Details of this assignment will be distributed during the course.

Course Outline:

The reading and assignment schedule is provided below, please understand that it is important to complete the assigned readings prior to our class meeting. Students are expected to participate in the discussion, and I strongly encourage you to ask relevant questions as we move along the different topics for this class. We will be working collectively at understanding the readings, and as a community we will enhance your level of comprehension and analysis. 

POLICIES 

Members of the University of Waterloo community are expected to follow and promote principles of honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility. If you think any aspect of my conduct, including teaching, marking, and counselling, is unfair and/or detrimental to you or the class in general, you have not only the right but the obligation to let me, the English Department Chair, or the Dean of Arts, know about it. Contact someone you are most comfortable speaking with, or you feel most appropriate for hearing your views and reasoning.

Late Policy: Don’t be. If personal concerns, including health issues, prevent you from meeting a deadline, contact me ahead of time to make arrangements. If unforeseen circumstances prevent you from meeting a deadline, contact me when you are able and we can work something out. 

• Please note that no extensions will be provided the night before the assignment is due. 
• Late papers (major assignments) will receive a 2% penalty per day late. All major papers (persuasive and research essay) must be completed – you will fail the class if any of the two major papers are not completed and submitted, however late. 
• If you submit a paper more than a week late, you forgo the right to receive substantial feedback on it. Your feedback will be minimal. 

Electronic Device Policy: Please mute your phones and do not answer them in class. If you have a genuine emergency for which your phone is needed during a particular class, contact me beforehand. Laptops and tablets are allowed for class-related purposes only.

E-mail: all e-mail must come from your official uwaterloo.ca address. You must have a specific subject line that begins with “ENGL109.” Use a professional salutation to greet me, write a specific message, and sign your name as you would complete a letter.

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. 

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 offences 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)

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 Writing and Communication Centre is a resource available to all students, to work on the development of ideas, drafts, and revisions. Writing and Communication Specialists offer one-on-one support in planning assignments, synthesizing and citing research, organizing papers, designing presentations and e-portfolios, and revising for clarity and coherence. You can make multiple appointments throughout the term, or drop in at the Library for quick questions or feedback. To book a 50-minute appointment and to see drop-in hours, visit www.uwaterloo.ca/writingand-communication-centre. Group appointments for team- based projects, presentations, and papers are also available. 

Mental Health Support

All of us need a support network, I strongly encourage you to seek out mental health support whenever in distress. 

On Campus:

• Counselling Services: counselling.services@uwaterloo.ca / 519-888-4567 Ext 32655
• MATES: one-to-one peer support program offered by Federation of Students (FEDS) and Counselling Services.
• Health Services Emergency service: located across the creek form Student Life Centre

Off campus, 24/7:

• Good2Talk: Free confidential help line for post-secondary students. Phone: 1-866-925- 5454 
• Grand River Hospital: Emergency care for mental health crisis. Phone: 519-749-433 ext. 6880
• Here 24/7: Mental Health and Crisis Service Team. Phone: 1-844-437-3247
• OK2BME: set of support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning teens in Waterloo. Phone: 519-884-0000 extension 213. Full details can be found online at the Faculty of Arts Website. 
• Download UWaterloo and regional mental health resources. Download the WatSafe app to your phone to quickly access mental health support information.

Territorial Acknowledgement:  

We acknowledge that we are living and working on the traditional territory of the Attawandaron (also known as Neutral), Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. 

For more information about the purpose of territorial acknowledgements, in your own presentations and public addresses please see the CAUT Guide to Acknowledging Traditional Territory.