Instructor: Christina Vazquez

Office Hours: By Appointment

Email:

Course Description:

English 111 introduces students to critical thinking and the fundamentals of academic writing. Through the writing process students: refine topics, develop and support ideas, investigate, evaluate, and incorporate appropriate resources, edit for effective style and usage,and determine appropriate approaches for a variety of contexts, audiences, and purposes. English 111 will prepare students for all other expected college writing and for writing in the workplace through understanding the writing process and creation of effective texts.

Course Credit: 3 credit hours

Prerequisites:

Students must achieve satisfactory scores on placement tests or SATs as established by the VCCS and adopted by their college, or have satisfactorily completed either ENF 1 or ENF 2, depending on where the student was placed.

Final Exam:

There is no formal exam; however, the final paper is a research paper which will serve as the final assessment for the course (due week of January 19-check Bb for specific date).

Drop Date:

The last date to drop is October 19, 2015. If you are not proving successful in this college course due to its rigor or personal issues, the course can be dropped by the above date. Your school will not be billed for your participation in the course. With your agreement, your teacher will send an e-mail with this request to the DE Registrar. If a transferrable course, you must be removed from the course. If non-transferable, you can take the high school only credit and remain in the course.

Withdraw Date:

The last date to withdraw is December 11, 2015. If you missed the drop deadline, you may also be withdrawn from the course. A withdraw places a “W”on your college transcript but does not impact your college GPA. To be withdrawn, with your permission, your DE Instructor will complete the DE withdraw form and send to the DE Registrar. Please note, too many “W’s” on a college transcript can impact your ability to secure financial aid in the future.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion the course, the student will be able to:

  • Successfully complete this course will be able to produce an effective essay through an organized and coherent process.
  • Develop a topic, draft an essay, revise the draft for improvement, and edit a final copy.
  • Incorporate reading and experience into their writing.
  • Explain, describe and inform in expository writing and will be able to identify the purpose of the mode of argument in persuasive writing.
  • Organize and explain ideas with clarity, vividness, effectiveness and grammatical and mechanical correctness in expository essays.
  • Use evidence in a thesis-driven essay argumentatively asserting one viewpoint over another. (A fuller and more robust study of argument is the province of ENG 112.)
  • Analyze and investigate ideas and present them in well-structured prose appropriate to a particular purpose and audience.
  • Read, summarize, and respond to college level texts of varying lengths
  • Create unified, coherent, well-developed texts that demonstrate a self-critical awareness of rhetorical elements such as purpose, audience, and organization.
  • Employ grammatical and mechanical conventions in the preparation of readable manuscripts, including the documented research essay.
  • Use and evaluate outside sources of information, incorporate and document source material and avoid plagiarism.
  • Produce 15-20 pages of finished, graded text, including a documented essay.

Major Topics to be Included:

  • Selecting/Refining topics
  • Critical thinking
  • Composing effective sentences and paragraphs
  • Developing, organizing, and supporting ideas
  • Investigating and evaluating resources
  • Incorporating appropriate resources into a text
  • Considering context, audience, and purpose

Method of Instruction:

  • Traditional classroom lecture and class discussion
  • Group discussions and group activities
  • Peer review sessions/workshops
  • Discussion Boards on Blackboard
  • Presentations
  • Videos
  • Digital and paper assessments

Instructional Materials:

Readings listed on Blackboard.

Assignments/Activities Grading Breakdown:

  • Essays: 50 points each
  • Quizzes: 100 points
  • Journals: 10 points each
  • Punctuation Project: 50 points
  • Annotated Bibliographies: 20 points each
  • Writing Workshop Activities: 10 points each
  • Research Paper: 100 points
  • Class Participation: 10 points

Final Grade for the course is derived from an average of total number of points the student earns in the class, divided by the total number of points offered during the semester (students will have the opportunity to earn about 700 points more or less).

NVCC Grading Scale:

A = 100 - 90B = 89 - 80C = 79 - 70D = 69 - 60F = 59 and below

LCPS Grading Scale:

A+ = 100-98A = 97-93A- = 92-90B+ = 89-87B = 86-83B- = 82-80

C+ = 79-77C = 76-73C - = 72-70D+ = 69- 67D = 66-63D - = 62-60 F = 59-

Note: The NVCC grading scale does not use pluses or minuses. In terms of percentages, the grade is the same as LCPS; however, on your LCPS transcript the grade will reflect the LCPS grading scale.

Assignments:

  • Reading Assignments/Reading Discussions —Class discussions and writing assignments will be paired with assigned readings. Students are responsible for all reading assignments both in and outside of class. Students must come to class prepared to talk about the readings. Participation points are based on the level of involvement in class discussions.
  • Daily Starters —A regular warm-up activity completed in class consisting of grammar and various sentence structure exercises.
  • Journals/Discussion Board— Weekly responses to various readings; students will reply to prompts using the Bbtools. Replies should be around 150-200 words.
  • Quizzes —Students may be assigned quizzes based on reading or workshop-related activities including writing mechanics and integrating and citing sources. Be prepared for pop-quizzes on readings.
  • Punctuation Project—Students will create a presentation on punctuation marks, explaining how to correctly use the mark and show examples, from billboards and signs, on the misuse of the punctuation marks.
  • Annotated Bibliographies—Students will research topics and find resources which will help support their topics.
  • Peer Edits —Rough drafts will undergo mandatory peer editing by one or more students during class time; students must be present and have a draft in order to receive points (writing workshop).
  • Final Drafts —Final drafts reflect substantial time and effort devoted to revising, with evidence of drafting and editing.
  • Research Paper —A final paper offering students an opportunity to apply various skills to persuade readers.

All essays need to be typed and double-spaced, in 12-pt. font (Times Roman), follow MLA guidelines and must be turned in via SafeAssign.

Honor Code:

Neither cheating nor plagiarism will be tolerated. If you are found cheating or plagiarizingyou will receive a grade of 0 for that assignment, and the incident will be reported to the principle and academic dean. According to the NOVA Student Handbook, “Academic dishonesty cannot be condoned. When such misconduct is established as having occurred, it subjects you to possible disciplinary actions ranging from admonition to dismissal, along with any grade penalty the instructor might, in appropriate cases, impose. Procedural safeguards of due process and appeal are available to you in disciplinary matters.” The complete policy may be reviewed at Students have the right to due process and to appeal as defined in the sections on Students Disciplinary Procedure and Student Grievance and Academic Due Process in the student handbook.

Special Services:

To the extent allowable by NVCC, students with IEPs or 504 plans will receive the accommodations specified in those IEPs or 504 plans. It should be noted that such modifications will NOT include excusing students from completing the minimum page requirement for the class specified by the university.

Attendance:

Good attendance is imperative to success in the class. If an absence is unavoidable, it is YOUR responsibility to check Blackboard (Bb) and keep up with the class.

Please note that if you have an assignment due on a day you are absent, you are required to turn in your work, on time, for full points. If it is late, you will lose points (a deduction of 20% of the total number of points available; see below for further clarification), even if you were absent.

Policy for Make-up Work:

Papers must be submitted at the time indicated on Bb,or assignments are considered late. If you turn in an assignment past the due date, you will lose 20% of the total available points. For example, if an assignment is worth 100 points, you will immediately lose 20 points for turning in the assignment late.

Late assignments will be accepted up to one week from the original due date; assignments will NOT be accepted if they are later than one week from the original due date, and you will earn a “zero.”

If you have a legitimate emergency and need to make arrangements for an extension, you must do so before the due date. Communication is key.

Revision/Retake Policy:

Students will be allowed one revision on formal essays. Students will have one week from the day the paper is returned to submit a revision; they will receive the higher grade.

No retakes on quizzes or in-class writings.

Additional Course Information:

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as using another person’s work or ideas without giving proper credit. Any attempt to take credit for work that is not yours may lead to an automatic zero for the assignment and a report will be filed with the academic dean and principal.

Classroom Etiquette: This is a college course, and you are expected to behave like a college student. Your maturity when dealing with difficult and/or adult topics is expected. This includes a willingness to consider opinions that differ from your own and an open mindabout a variety of subjects. It is not necessary for you to agree with or support ideas in order to engage with them. Additionally, please refrain from all distracting behavior, including participating in irrelevant discussions, using personal electronic devices, and completing work for another class. Cell phones are not allowed in class, unless we are working on something and need to use them for instruction. Turn them off before class begins and keep phones in your bag. Texting also counts as cell phone use. If you are using your phone during class, I will ask you to leave class, and you will NOT be able to make up whatever is missed.

Miscellaneous Information:

  • NVCC IT Help Desk: 703-426-4141
  • Writing Center (make an appointment first): 703-450-2511 [located in LR 250]
  • NVCC ID cards: Bring your student ID number to: LR 241
  • Parking is free at NVCCafter 4 p.m. in student lots.

Class Schedule: The schedule is subject to change.

Dates / Overview of the Week / Readings / Assignments
Week 1:
08/31-09/04 / Course introduction & Syllabus Writing Process
What is academic writing?
Figurative language
Parts of a Sentence / “50 Pieces of Writing Advice from Successful Authors”
“Grandma’s House” / Online Syllabus Quiz
Journal #1 Response
Drawing
Week 2:
09/07-09/11
*09/07 No School / Strategy 1: Description
Using figurative language- chart
Group Project: “Chesterfield Couch”
MLA format
Assign Paper 1
Punctuating Dialogue / “At the Fish Houses”
“The Death of a
Moth”
“In Praise of the Humble Comma” / Journal #2
Begin Rough Draft (typed, follow MLA format)
Week 3: 09/14-09/18 / Description, continued
How to annotate
Details in writing/Capitalization
Peer editing
Discussion of Essays/Writing
Passive Voice / “A View from the Bridge”
“No Wonder They Call Me a Bitch” / Journal #3
Rough Draft
Essay 1 Due
Grammar Quiz 1
Week 4: 09/21-09/25 / Strategy 2: Narration
What is narration?
College Essay prompt
Passive Voice
Thesis Statement
Assign Paper 2
The Comma / “The Ashen Guy: Lower Broadway, September 11, 2001”
“Mary Ellen’s Story” / Research a narrative following the attack on World Trade Center
Journal #4
Week 5: 09/28-10/02 / Narration, cont.
Developing Voice
Diction
Introductions/Conclusions
Dependent/Independent Clauses / Sample college essays-Group work
Ted Talk: Joseph Kim / Journal #5
Essay #2 Due

Week 6: 10/05-10/09 / Strategy 3: Expository Writing
What is expository writing?
Assign Paper 3
The Semicolon / “So What’s So Bad about Being So-So?”
“This Is Water” / Journal #6
Grammar Quiz 2
Week 7: 10/12-10/16
*10/12 No School / Strategy: Process Analysis
Writing a process analysis paper
Select a topic/Research
Assign Infographic
Peer Edit Paper 3
The Colon / “How Boys Become Men”
“How to Poison the Earth” / Journal #7
Presentations to the class
Work on the Infographic
Week 8: 10/19-10/23 / Strategy: Process Analysis
Understanding process writing
Presentations in class
Computer Lab
Ellipses / “How to Write a Letter”
“On Keeping a Notebook” / Paper 3 Due
Work on presentations
Week 9: 10/26-10/30
*10/30 End of Quarter 1 / Strategy: Comparison & Contrast
Continue Presentations
Patterns in writing (Point by Point vs. The Block)
Annotated Bibliography
The Apostrophe / “Two Ways of Viewing the River”
“Neat People vs. Sloppy People” / Journal #8
Grammar Quiz 3
Week 10: 11/02-11/06
*11/02-11/03 No School / Strategy: Comparison & Contrast
Assign Paper 4
Subject-Verb Agreement / Ted Talk: Ken Robinson
Ted Talk: Amy Tan / Read/annotate three articles on your topic
Prepare an annotated bibliography
Week 11: 11/09-11/13 / Strategy: Definition
MLA: Citations/Works Cited
What is the database?
Developing a definition paper
Assign Annotated Bibliography / “What is Poverty?”
“Needs” / Journal #9
Begin to read and annotate 3 articles on your topic
Week 12: 11/16-11/20 / Strategy: Classification
Library research
Computer Lab
Understanding the Essay
Assign Essay 5
Who vs. Whom / “On Being a Cripple”
“The Way we Lie” / Annotated Bibliography
Journal #10
Grammar Quiz 4
Week 13: 11/23-11/24
*11/25-11-27 No School / Strategy: Classification
GMO OMG worksheet / Complete Worksheet
Week 14: 11/30-12/04 / Strategy: Classification
Understanding the Essay
Annotate a Classification Essay
Peer Edit Essay 5
I vs. Me / “The Plot Against People”
“But What Do You Mean?” / Annotated Bibliography Due
Journal #11
Week 15: 12/07-12/11 / Strategy: Argument/Research
Analyzing Ads
Developing an Argument
Logos, Ethos, Pathos
MLA Internal Citations
Essay 5 Due / “Free Pass Fails Kids”
“Retaining Kids No Answer” / MLA Scavenger Hunt
MLA Quiz
Journal #12
Week 16: 12/14-12/18
*12/19-01-01 No School / Strategy: Argument/Research
Assign Essay 6: Research Paper
Library Research
Fed Up worksheet / Bring in Op-Ed Pieces this week-be prepared to discuss / Journal #13
Complete Worksheet
Annotated Bibliography
Grammar Quiz 5
Week 17:
01/04-01/08 / Strategy: Argument/Research
Work on Rough Drafts
Work in Library/Computer Lab / 4 annotated articles which support your research / Essay 6
Annotated Bibliography
Week 18: 01/11-01/15 / Grammar Quiz
Peer Edit Essay 6 / “The Exclamation Mark” / Journal 14
Review notes for quiz
Essay 6
Week 19: 01/18-01/22 / Assign Punctuation Project
Computer Lab
Essay 6 Due / Punctuation Project
Week 20: 01/25-01-29
01/28 End of Semester
01/29 Moveable Holiday / Project Presentations

Northern Virginia Community College Course Policies and procedures can be found at

Teach Act Copyright Notice: “The materials provided for this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course, and may not be retained or further disseminated.”

Teach Act Copyright Notice "The materials provided for this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course, and may not be retained or further disseminated."

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