English 101.24: College English

Rhetorical Writing as a Modern Process

Instructor: Ms. Abigail Browning / Time: MW 3:30pm-4:45pm
Office: Curry 102, Mailbox in MHRA 3rd Floor / Classroom: MHRA 1207
Office Hours: Tuesday 10am-1pm / E-mail:

Required Texts: Unless otherwise noted, always bring all books to class.

  • Ensor, Lavina, Sally Smits, and Courtney Wooten, eds. Rhetorical Approaches To College Writing. Plymouth, MI: Hayden McNeil, 2013. Print ISBN: 9780738046693
  • Cohen, Samuel. 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology ISBN-13: 978-0312609658
  • Graff, Gerald and Cathy Birkenstein. They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writingwith Readings ISBN-13: 978-0393912753
  • Blackboard Readings – These can be found on Blackboard under Course Documents.

All electronic course documents must be printed and brought to classfor use during our discussion exercises or you may be asked to leave class and result in an absence. Budget time and resources accordingly.

Online/Technology Requirements:

  • Active I-Spartan Email Address
  • Blackboard Account
  • Daily Internet access for E-mail and Blogging purposes
  • Printing Access. Please make sure you budget enough money to print documents and drafts for peer editing and other assignments. I will not accept “my card ran out of money/my printer ran out of ink/etc” as an excuse for not having documents.

Course Description:

“In art there should be interpenetration and metamorphosis.” ~T.S. Eliot, London Letters, September 1921

Blogs, Facebook, twitter, and other social media utilize writing extensively. In an increasingly connected world, the use of words becomes not only a daily mode of communication but also as a factor in social influence. This English 101 is meant to empower you to build a broader foundation in your writing and argumentation skills, and to equip you with the tools that will allow you to dissect the completeness of what you are reading, writing, and analyzing as you interact with a series of different types of texts, in terms of speaker, audience, and subject.

English 101 satisfies three of the six hours of the Reasoning and Discourse (GRD) requirement at UNCG, which asserts that students “gain skills in intellectual discourse, including constructing cogent arguments, locating, synthesizing and analyzing documents, and writing and speaking clearly, coherently, and effectively” (

In addition, English 101 is designed to address Learning Goal #1 (LG1) in the UNCG General Education Program. This is the ability to “think critically, communicate effectively, and develop appropriate fundamental skills in quantitative and information literacies.” (

The following are English 101 Student Learning Outcomes (SLO), each of which corresponds to both the GRD goals and to LG1:

At the completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Analyze the content and structure of complex texts (written, oral, and/or visual in nature);
  2. Compose cogent, evidence-based, argumentative texts;
  3. Identify and employ the rhetorical triangle, the canons, and the appeals in both formal and informal discourse;
  4. Summarize, quote, paraphrase, and synthesize source material in support of an argument;
  5. Employ drafting, peer review, and revision techniques in order to improve content, style, and structure of their own writing;
  6. Appraise their own composing abilities and composing processes through critical reflection.

Grading:

Quizzes and In-Class Writing (SLOs 1,3,5): 5% of total grade

Blogfolio (compilation revised in-class work and blog assignments) (SLOs 1-6): 10%

Essay One (4-5 pages) (SLOs 1-5): 10% of total grade

Essay Two (6-7 pages) (SLOs 1-5): 10% of total grade

Essay Three (7-8 pages) (SLOs 1-5): 15% of total grade
Portfolio (includes 6-8 page Critical Essay) (SLOs 1-6): 40% of total grade

Participation (SLOs 1-5): 10% (a combination of your participation as a discussant and expected preparedness)

Course Requirements and Policies

  1. Attendance: Attendance: Our class, as a discussion- and workshop-based class, depends upon your participation in the conversations, debates, and questions we bring up in class. Therefore, any absences are strongly discouraged and will affect your grade. According to department policy, you are permitted two absences without a grade penalty. Each absence beyond two will result in the lowering of your final grade by ten points. (i.e.: missing a total of three classes over the semester = -10 points from final grade). If you miss four classes, you automatically fail the course and will need to retake it in order to graduate. Should a crisis arise, come talk to me or email me before you miss too many classes. You are by state law allowed two excused absences due to religious holidays. These absences do not count toward the total maximum allowed above. If you plan to miss class due to a religious holiday, you must notify me at least 48 hours prior to the absence via email at .

Tardiness: I take attendance through exercises and quizzes at the beginning of class, so being late may result in you being marked absent in addition to affecting your participation grade. Three tardies equal an absence. Arriving more than ten minutes late or leaving ten minutes early will count as an absence. I say all of this simply because it’s vital to our class that you, your voice, and your work are present if we are to have a helpful, successful, complete course.

  1. Participation: Your participation grade rests on your contributions to class discussions, quality comments on your classmates’ ideas, meetings with me about your work, and demonstrated knowledge of readings (as shown in writing and discussion). I will keep track of your participation in class.

Discussants: Each student will sign up for four days of preparation as a “discussant” – for which you are responsible for helping guide meaningful discussion with your thoughts and answers about the readings due for that day.

  1. Assignments:The class will combine a significant amount of reading outside of class with extensive in-class discussion of and writing about the texts. Your work will primarily consist of 1) Three Essays & peer reviews, 2) Blog posts, comments, & Blogfolio Presentation and 3) Other in-class and out of class assignments. Finally, at the end of the semester, you will turn in a portfolio, which includes revised and polished versions of the essays you’ve written throughout the semester (20-25+ pages of writing). This portfolio will also include a Critical Rationale Response (6-8pages) with articulates the revisions you have made and the reasons for them, the strengths and weaknesses you demonstrate in the portfolio, and your plans for future improvement in your writing. To help keep track of your process and to share with your colleagues, you will be maintaining Blogfolios online, which you will present at the end of the semester.

Your writing assignments will be graded based on their originality, ambition, willingness to take risks, relevance to the subject matter, analysis of particular passages and more general themes, and finally, on their mechanics. If punctuation, spelling, and grammar are going to be an issue, this should be addressed sooner rather than later (see me for resources or help). The cogent and articulate arguments you need to develop in this class and throughout your collegiate career can break down because of mechanical problems, so these issues will factor strongly in the grades of your papers.

Late Work: Because late papers (and blog posts) complicate my life excessively, and they interrupt your progress in the course, all assignments must be turned in on time. I do not accept late work. No exceptions. If you anticipate a problem, please email me at least 72 hours before the work is due.

  1. Assignment Submission: Any assignments that you are to email should be sent to . When naming files (such as 1st drafts), begin with your last name. Ex. “smith – visual rhetoric essay.doc”. All files must be formatted in .doc (compatible with Microsoft Word), and utilize MLA style. All Blogs are due on or before 8am.

Any assignments that will not be emailed will be noted on the syllabus. Some exceptions include the following: 1) You will always bring two printed copies of your drafts for peer review days. 2) The Writing Portfolio is a printed, bound document that you must submit in person at the end of the semester. 3) We will also be posting a selection of your responses and completed writings online to a Blogfolio that you will create to present at the end of the semester.

  1. Blogs: The blog will be graded on timeliness, thoroughness, depth, clarity, creativity, tone, and development. Final grading and Mid-semester self-assessments address these aspects.

Timeliness: Are blogs turned in on time (by or before the deadline on the day they are due)?

Thoroughness: Does the blog address and complete all aspects of each assignment?

Depth: How deeply (intellectually) does the blog address all questions of each assignment?

Clarity: Is the blog free of surface errors (such as spelling mistakes, grammar issues, distracting formatting, etc)

Creativity: Through writing, pictures, video, format, or other means, does the blog display a sense of original thought and creativity?

Tone: Based on theme, diction, and tone, does the blog appropriately address a literary audience with style?

Development: How has the blog itself developed over time? Are there other posts or pictures? Has the theme changed?

Academic Integrity: “Academic integrity is founded upon and encompasses the following five values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Violations include, for example, cheating, plagiarism, misuse of academic resources, falsification, and facilitating academic dishonesty. If knowledge is to be gained and properly evaluated, it must be pursued under conditions free from dishonesty. Deceit and misrepresentations are incompatible with the fundamental activity of this academic institution and shall not be tolerated” (from UNCG’s Academic Integrity Policy). To ensure that you understand the university’s policy on academic integrity, review the guidelines and list of violations at < I expect you to abide by the Academic Integrity Policy.

UNCG Faculty have discretion in assigning any grade-related sanction. Our class views plagiarism as a very serious offense. Plagiarism on any assignment or assessment will result in immediate failure in the course.

Accommodations: Students with documentation of special needs should arrange to see me about accommodations as soon as possible. If you believe you could benefit from such accommodations, you must first register with the Office of Disability Services on campus before such accommodations can be made. The office is located on the second floor of the Elliott University Center (EUC) in Suite 215, and the office is open 8am to 8am, Monday - Friday. Telephone: 334-5440; e-mail: .

Email: Email is the best way to reach me. You can reasonably expect responses from me within forty-eight hours, excluding weekends and university holidays. It is good practice to treat email as a writing situation that reflects you as an individual. Use appropriate language and etiquette. This does not mean emails have to be long and elaborate, but they should be moderately professional forms of communication with your instructor.

Conferences: We will meet once for conferences to discuss your writing. I cancel at least one class meeting for each round of conferences. Therefore, if you miss a conference, you will receive one absence. Come to conferences prepared to discuss your work and ask questions about the course.

Grading Scale: I utilize the full range of grades from A to F (including plusses and minuses) in keeping with University grading policies. Your final course grade will be based on the following components that make up your course work for the semester. UNCG defines an A as excellent; a B as good; a C as average; a D as lowest passing grade; and an F as failure. In adherence to this scale, you should understand that a C means you successfully met the requirements of the course, not that you did poorly, which would be indicated by a D or an F. Likewise, an A or B indicates that you met or exceeded course requirements.

Should you decide to visit with me about a particular grade from an assignment or assessment, our conference must be at least 48 hours after you have received the grade. I will not meet with you unless you email me a 2 page in-depth response (MLA formatted) at least 24 hours prior to our meeting that respectfully discusses your concerns over the assignment’s grade in question.

Electronics: Silence cell phones and mp3 players before class begins. Refrain from texting or otherwise using your phones and electronics during class. Use of cell phones in class will result in an absence. Unless otherwise specified, students may use laptops in class due to a special need for purposes of note-taking or other classroom activities. Students with such a need should make specific arrangements with me as soon as possible.

The Writing Center: This free service exists solely to help you become a better writer. Take assignments at any stage of completion to the center for a one-on-one consultation. The center is located in MHRA 3211. No appointment is necessary, but please plan on visiting their office at least a week before any paper is due.

Additional Resources:

  • Counseling and Testing Center: 336-334-5874
  • Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies: 334-5099
  • Student Success Center (Tutoring Services): 334-3125

As always, all essay assignments should be formatted as such:

12pt font, Times New Roman / 1-inch margins
double-spaced / includes page numbers

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Final Portfolio Guidelines

(Effective Fall 2011)

The final portfolio is a required common assignment across all sections of English 101 in all academic sessions (Fall, Spring, Summer). The portfolio comprises between 40 and 50% of a student’s final course grade, with the exact percentage determined by the individual instructor.

Portfolios must include both a rationale essay and evidence of drafting and revision in order to receive a passing grade (D- or above)

Students who do not submit a portfolio will automatically receive an “F” for English 101, regardless of the quality of work otherwise submitted prior to the portfolio.

A. Required Components of the Final Portfolio:

  1. At least 15 pages of polished prose, distributed across 2-3 formal essay assignments. The assignments/prose has been further revised, beyond any prior course-based instructor assessments, upon inclusion in the portfolio.
  1. The drafts and any earlier graded versions of the included formal essay assignments, including peer comments. Students may also include other evidence of process, such as outlining, brainstorming, or other notes or exercises.
  1. Assignment sheets/handouts/guidelines for each formal essay included in the portfolio.
  1. A critical rationale essay of 6-8 pages that:
  • Assesses how individual pieces of writing as well as the collective contents of the portfolio illustrate the student’s growth as a writer throughout English 101.
  • Explains the stylistic and organizational choices made in the portfolio, i.e., the thoughtful and deliberate arrangement of all portfolio components.
  • Illustrates an awareness of rhetorical choices across contexts and an understanding of course materials.
  • Offers a deep and sustained critical reflection on the writing and revision process that resulted in these polished essays and other writings.

Please note:

The rationale essay is not included in the 15 pages of polished prose required for the portfolio or the 20 pages of polished prose required for the course.

Rationale essays do not evaluate the quality or validity of any individual assignment or course text, nor do they assess the capabilities of the instructor of the course. Rather, rationale essays should illustrate how students have met the Student Learning Outcomes for English 101.

  1. A cover page with the student’s full name, section number, and the date of submission
  1. A detailed table of contents that guides the reader(s) of the portfolio.
  1. A secure method of binding, using a comb binding with clear cover. Please budget ~$5 to have your portfolio bound at either Kinko’s or the on-campus printing center.

B. Optional Elements of the Final Portfolio:

Upon consultation with the course instructor, a student may elect to include additional pieces of informal or ungraded writing that he or she has produced for the course, and has revised for consideration as part of the portfolio’s assessment. Instructors may also ask students to submit particular pieces of writing beyond the required 15 page minimum, per their overall course trajectories, if such directives are included in the course syllabus.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Final Portfolio Holistic Grading Rubric

(Effective Fall 2011)

“A” = excellent. Portfolios that earn an “A”:

Demonstrate sophisticated understanding of rhetorical concepts (triangle, canons, and appeals)

 Posit focused thesis statements that are supported by ample evidence, examples, and analysis

 Always and skillfully integrate sources and cite these sources accurately

Organize ideas and arguments in a fluid, logical, and coherent manner

 Contain substantive, well-developed paragraphs and supporting transitional elements

 Skillfully execute and sustain an argument of significant complexity

 Contain stylistically mature, engaging, and sometimes memorable prose throughout

 Contain few to no surface errors and/or exhibit no error patterns

 Analyze, with ample insight, the writer’s own composing processes and rhetorical choices

 Exhibit substantial and consistent attention to revision of both content and structure

“B” = good or highly competent. Portfolios that earn a “B”:

 Demonstrate a good understanding of rhetorical concepts (triangle, canons, and appeals)

 Posit focused thesis statements that are supported by evidence, examples, and analysis

 Always integrate sources and cite these sources accurately

Organize ideas and arguments in a logical and coherent manner