English 1102: English Composition II
Fall 2011
Instructor: Laurissa Wolfram
Office Hours: Thursday 11:00-12:00; Online office hours to be determined
Office Location: GCB964
E-mail:
Class Room: Classroom South 527
Class Times: Tuesday/Thursday 9:30-10:45
Required Texts
They Say/I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing, second edition (2010). By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein
Reading Rhetorically (2007). By John C. Bean, Virginia A. Chappell, and Alice M. Gillman.
The Everyday Writer, 5th Edition. By Andrea Lunsford.
Keep in mind that I will also be posting readings on ULearn or handing them out in class. These readings should be considered as required texts, not optional or suggested.
Official Catalog Course Description
This course builds on the writing proficiencies, reading and critical thinking skills developed in ENGL1101. It incorporates several research methods as well as persuasive and argumentative techniques. A passing grade is a C. Prerequisite: C or above in ENGL1101. 3.000 Credit Hours
Course Goals
In addition to the skills acquired in English 1101, by the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Analyze, evaluate, document, and draw inferences from various sources
- Identify, select, and analyze appropriate research methods, research questions, and evidence for a specific rhetorical situation
- Use argumentative strategies and genres in order to engage various audiences
- Demonstrate how to use writing aids, such as handbooks, dictionaries, online aids, and tutors
- Integrate others’ ideas with your own
- Use grammatical, stylistic, and mechanical formats and conventions appropriate for a variety of audiences
- Critique their own and others’ work in written and oral formats
- Produce well-reasoned, argumentative essays demonstrating rhetorical engagement
- Reflect on what contributed to their writing process and evaluate their own work
Course Policies
Attendance
This class depends on class participation, and you are expected to attend. My attendance policy is pretty simple: If you do not come to class. You will not pass.
Late Work
We will be doing a variety of in class assignments and activities, including writing assignments quizzes, presentations, and discussions. I do not, under any circumstances allow in class assignments to be made up or turned in late.
All major writing assignments will be submitted via ULearn by 5:00 on the day they are due. The ULearn submission system will lock you out promptly at 5:01. Other than extraordinary circumstances (a bad hair-day or faulty alarm clock will not suffice), all late assignments will result in a zero for the assignment.
Academic Honesty
No plagiarism or any other forms of academic dishonesty will be tolerated in this class. Any plagiarism, as defined by GSU’s Policy on Academic Honesty (available online at will result in a failing grade for the assignment and possibly an F for the course. In addition, all university policies related to academic honesty apply.
Classroom Etiquette
Please silence all cell phones and any other electronic devices that may beep, buzz, chime, rap, burst into spontaneous song, or otherwise disrupt the class. As this is a professional learning environment, you are expected to show up for class on time, prepared to work. The world will not come to an end and you will not have a sudden heart attack and die if you do not have access to Facebook, Twitter, your instant messenger, email, or text messages during the hour and fifteen minutes of class.
Additional Accommodations
Students who need additional accommodations are asked to arrange a meeting with me as soon as possible if accommodations are needed. Bring a copy of your Student Accommodation Form to the meeting. If you do not have an Accommodation Form but need accommodation, make an appointment with the Office of Disability Services (Suite 230, New Student Center, extension 3-9044) to make the necessary arrangements.
Discrimination
GSU policies forbids discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Contact the Affirmative Action Officer on campus to report any problems with discrimination or harassment. The main office is located at 10 Park Place South, Suite 460, and the contact number is (404) 413-2567.
The Writing Studio
The Writing Studio offers free tutoring services to students, and I encourage you to take advantage of this service. At the Writing Studio, tutors work with you one-on-on at whatever stage of writing you are currently in—idea-development, drafting, or revision—and can show you how to choose an appropriate essay topic, how to develop a thesis statement and paragraphs, and how to revise your essay. They are not a line-editing or proof-reading service, but they are happy to discuss grammar concerns with students from a holistic perspective.
The studio offers 30-minute face-to-face tutoring sessions for undergraduate students. Through Write/Chat, their online tutoring service, they offer 15-minute sessions that address short, brief concerns. In addition, the GSU Writing Studio will sponsor faculty- and staff-led workshops throughout the semester on various topics dealing with academic writing.
The Writing Studio is located in General Classroom Building 976, where you can drop in or make an appointment for a tutoring session. More information can be found on the Writing Studio website:
English Majors
Students planning to major in English should keep copies of their best essays to submit as their senior portfolio. For more information about these portfolios, please go to the English Department on the 9th floor of the General Classroom Building.
Contacting Me
You should feel free to make an appointment to speak with me or contact me via e-mail at if you have any questions about an assignment or the course in general. I will also be available throughout the semester during online office hours.
Course Requirements
The coursework consists of reading assignments, in-class activities, group discussions, quizzes, three major writing assignments, and a final essay.
Daily Grades and Participation: 10%
This part of your grade will be determined by a number of assignments, including, but not limited to:
- Class discussion
- Homework assignments
- In-class Activities
- Group work
- Writing Workshops
Quizzes: 15%
These will be short (5-10 questions) that will basically assess what you’ve gathered from the readings and class discussions.
Grammar/Writing Presentation: 15%
Students will work in groups of two to give a short, 10-minute presentation on a common grammar/writing mistake. Each presentation should include a visual and a handout. I will hand out more precise directions and we will determine partners and topics during the second week of class.
Writing Assignments: 40%
Since this is a writing class, the majority of your grade will be determined by (of course) your writing. Each writing assignment for this class serves as a foundation for the next assignment. In addition to smaller, in-class assignments you will have three significant writing assignments:
Paper #1:Rhetorical Analysis (3-5 pages)
Paper #2:Initial Project Proposal (3-5 pages)
Paper #3:Annotated Bibliography (5-10 sources)
Essay Format
I will hand out assignment sheets for each writing assignment, and we will discuss them extensively in class before they are due. In addition, we will be working on these assignments in class through writing workshops and peer review. These workshops are mandatory and your grade will be adversely affected if you are not present.
All submitted assignments (other than in-class writings) must be typed and should comply with MLA formatting (i.e. double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12 point font, right-adjusted header with last name and page number). I will deduct points for improper formatting. Please see The Everyday Writer (p. 365-412) if you have any questions about MLA.
Unless otherwise noted, all major papers should be submitted on ULearnby 5 pm on the day they are due.
I DO NOT ACCEPT LATE ASSIGNMENTS.
Final Persuasive/Argumentative Essay: 20%
The three writing assignments listed above will prepare you to write the class’s final persuasive paper. This paper will be 5-6 pages in length and will include a 1-2 page cover memo, describing and assessing your writing process. We will also spend class time drafting and working as a group on this assignment. As with all the other assignments, further instructions and a detailed assignment sheet will be handed out later in the semester.
*Please note that I reserve the right to change and adjust this syllabus as needed throughout the course of the semester.
Grading
Students’ work will be evaluated based on two general aspects:
- Rhetorical skill: This may include demonstrating awareness and analysis, persuasiveness, the author’s credibility, and evidence of research.
- Control of writing: This addresses grammar and correctness, but also refers to appropriateness of style, tone, and document design.
Please refer to the Professional Writing Grading Standards sheet for general grading criteria. I will discuss specific criteria in class for each assignment prior to the due date. The first priority in grading will be on higher-order concerns, such as rhetorical skills, as opposed to focusing solely on lower-order concerns, such as grammar and punctuation.
Grades will be assigned holistically to the entire assignment, using a standard A, B, C, D, F scale (with pluses and minuses).
The letter scale and quality points used for major assignments are listed below:
A+4.3C+2.3
A4.0C2.0
A- 3.7C-1.7
B+3.3D1.0
B3.0F0
B-2.7