The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus. All changes will be provided to the students orally or in writing before the implementation of the change. 

  

A. Writing: A First Look  

a. The Purpose of Writing  

b. The Audience for Your Writing  

c. The Qualities of Good Writing  

B. Planning and Drafting Your Paper  

C. Revising and Editing Your Paper  

D. Paragraphs  

a. Characteristics of Effective Paragraphs  

b. Paragraphs with Special Functions  

E. Effective Sentences  

a. Sentence Strategies  

F. Diction, Tone, Style  

a. Toward Clear Diction  

b. Toward Rhetorical Effect  

c. Special Stylistic Techniques  

d. Eliminating Flawed Diction   

G. Process Analysis: Explaining How  

H. Description: Presenting Impressions  

I. Narration: Relating Events  

J. Comparison: Showing Relationships  

K. Cause and Effect: Explaining Why  

L. Argument: Convincing Others  

a. The Rational Appeal  

b. Reasoning Strategies  

c. The Emotional Appeal  

d. The Ethical Appeal  

e. Ferreting Out Fallacies  

f. Ethical Issues  

g. Writing an Argument  

M. The Research Paper  

a. Learning About Your Library  

b. Choosing a Topic  

c. Assembling a Working Bibliography  

d. Taking Notes  

e. Organizing and Outlining  

f. Ethical Issues  

g. Writing Your Research Paper  

N. Documenting Sources  

a. Preparing Proper MLA Bibliographic References  

b. Preparing Proper APA Bibliographic References  

c. Handling in-Text Citations  

d. Handling Quotations  

e. Avoiding Plagiarism  

100-90 = A 

89-80 = B 

79-70 = C 

69-60 = D 

Below 60 = F 

• Check your paper for organization, grammar, and mechanics. 

LATE WORK POLICY: 

Any out-of-class assignments are due by 11:59pm on the date the assignment is due. You have up to three days to turn in any assignments, but fifteen points will be deducted. After those three days, it is a zero. If you are ill, you should turn it day of by 11:59pm. If there are any extenuating circumstances as to why an assignment is late beyond when the assignment is due and after the three AND UNDERSTAND." Unannounced quizzes will be given over reading assignments and answers must reflect that you carefully read and analyzed the work.  

 

AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT NOTETAKING: The first thing you need to do when you get to class is get out your notebook to take notes. I recommend a spiral notebook that you can clip in your binder. Each day, write that day's date on the top of a clean page and be ready to take notes. Don't depend on your memory; take copious notes!  

 

WITHDRAWALS AND DROPS: It is the responsibility of the student to initiate a drop or withdrawal, even if the student is seriously ill or has been injured. Students who do not attend class and who fail to drop or withdraw from the course will receive a final grade of “F” for the course. 

Never attending or ceasing to attend classes DOES NOT constitute a withdrawal or drop. The instructor will not drop a student who stops coming to class. Students remain registered until they file a Drop/Withdrawal Form at the college Registrar's Office by the appropriate deadlines. Failure to act in a timely manner will result in an “F” grade for the course. It is the student's responsibility to turn in all Drop/Withdrawal Forms and to follow-up to ensure that they were processed as desired. 

 

INSTRUCTOR-INITIATED DROPS: Students who are disruptive, who do not follow class policies, who sleep in class, and/or who are dishonest (including those who plagiarize) will be required to drop the class. 

CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: No food or drinks may be used during class. Disruptive behavior and profanity will not be tolerated. Students should not talk when someone else is talking. All pagers and cell phones should be turned off and placed out of sight during class. Students are to be alert and pay attention at all times. Reading anything other than the course texts or doing work for another class will not be permitted. Students who are disruptive will be asked to leave the classroom and will be counted as absent. Disruptions include cell phones or other electronic devices that ring/beep during class. Students who sleep –or appear to be sleeping--during class will be counted as absent and may be asked to leave the classroom. NO TEXTING!!!!! 

Attendance is mandatory and attendance records of every class will be kept by the instructor.  Students with unexcused absences will not be allowed to make up assignments or quizzes from the day of the absence. Students with two unexcused absences may have their final average lowered two letter grades. Students with more than three unexcused absences may have their final average lowered three letter grades.  

Students are expected to be on time for each class. A record will be kept of students who are tardy or who leave before class is dismissed. Any significant tardy or any early departure from class will be figured as a half absence. Otherwise, three tardies will count as one absence. 

In order for an absence to be considered excused, you will need to provide the instructor with documentation from your physician. Parent notes will not be accepted to excuse absences. School activities are not counted as absences. 

The student, whether he/she is present or not, is responsible for material and assignments covered in class. You should not return after an absence and ask me what you missed. You need to find out from your course outline or another student before class.The conscientious student will confer in person, by phone, or by e-mail with the instructor on or before the day of an absence.