English 101 Freshman Writing I Section: 014 Time: MWF, 10-10:50am Room: DH 238

Ms. Yanders Office: A243 Office Hours: MWF, 12-12:50pm

Email: jyanders@sycamores.indstate.edu Phone: 237-3903

Undergraduate Catalog Course Description:

Writing expository and argumentative essays based on personal experience and readings. Freshmen
with SAT verbal scores below 510 or ACT usage scores below 20 must take this course during their
first semester and English 105 the semester after successfully completing this course.

Foundational Studies Statement:

This course, in conjunction with English 105, fulfills the foundational studies freshman requirement
in composition. The course focuses on managing an efficient writing process of planning, drafting,
revising and editing (FS. I, 1st criterion) as well as developing rhetorical strategies in various forms of
writing (FS I, 3rd criterion). To these ends, you will receive instruction and practice in writing papers
with careful attention to thesis, stance, content, organization, sentence structure, diction, and
technical matters (FS I, 2nd criterion). You will also develop a strong awareness of audience (FS I, 3 rd
criterion) in terms of the ways in which writing is relevant in university and public settings (FS 1, 7th
criterion). The assigned writings, as well as the course readings, are designed not only to develop
your skills as a writer but also as an analytical and critical thinker (FS I, 4 th and 6th criteria).

Required Textbooks:
Carino, Peter. Basic Writing, 5th. ed. Pearson, 2010. (ISBN 9781256786801)
Perrin, Robert. Beacon Handbook Concise 6th ed. Houghton Mifflin, 2011. (ISBN 9781133444831)

Additional Required Materials:

one 9x12 manila filing folder (no pockets) for your writing portfolio
one large binder clip

Course Policies:
1. Attend class. . Make-up work is allowed only with documented evidence providing a
legitimate explanation for an absence. Contact your instructor prior to an absence whenever
possible. Your attendance grade will be determined by this pattern: A+ (0), A (1), B+ (2), B
(3), C+ (4), C (5), D+ (6), D (7), F (8+). If you miss ten or more classes, you fail the class. A
missed conference counts as three absences.
2. Complete seven out-of-class essays. One of the seven essays will be an extended revision of
an early essay that you will rework and resubmit for a separate grade. The minimum
requirement for this class is to write all seven essays; however, completing all seven essays
is not a guarantee that you will pass. You must still achieve a minimum percent of possible
semester points to pass the class (see Grading Sheet below).
3. Attend the final exam period to turn in a project and complete a writing task—put that date
in your calendar and be there. Your last project will be due during that period, and if you
are not in class to turn in your project, your project will not be accepted (NO late
submissions). In addition, you will complete a mandatory writing task in class during the
final exam period. If you are not in class for the exam period, you cannot make up the
writing task.
4. Follow the required formatting for all out-of-class work:
a. Turn in your essay along with all planning and drafts; you will receive a cover sheet
with each essay assignment that will list for you what you need to turn in for each
essay
b. Word-process all out-of-class work. Use MLA format as described in Beacon (pp.
373-375)—one inch margins and twelve point fonts (Times New Roman or
Calibri). If you do not follow formatting conventions, you will lose 1/3 a letter
grade on that assignment.
 c. Turn in your essays in your writing folder (the filing folder noted above). If you
do not turn in your essays and required planning in the folder, you will lose 1/3 a
letter grade on the assignment that is not submitted in the folder.
d. Complete your write-back sheets. We will be placing write-back sheets in your
folder that will ask you to track your progress on your essays and reflect on your
process. These write-back sheets must be updated each time you turn in an essay or
you will lose 1/3 a letter grade on your next essay assignment.
5. Turn in all work on time (that is, at the beginning of the hour). Work turned in after the
beginning of class is considered late. Late work will be penalized one letter grade for each
late day (including turning it in after the beginning of class the day it is due, weekends, and
holidays). Extensions for papers are granted only in exceptional circumstances and must be
made in advance. The decision to accept a late paper is at the instructor’s discretion.
6. Submit to Turn It In (on Blackboard) electronic copies of any papers that you instructor
directs you to submit. Your instructor may ask that you submit one or all of your papers to
Turn It In. Turn It In is a program to check how much of a paper is your original writing and
can help you make sure that you have not plagiarized. Instructors have the right to delay
grading your paper until after you have submitted the paper electronically to Turn It In.
7. Be courteous and respectful to your classmates and your instructor. The ISU Code of
Student Conduct grants instructors authority to maintain classroom discipline, including
asking disruptive students to leave the classroom.
8. Be in your seat before class starts. If you must enter late, do so quietly. Attendance will be
taken promptly at 10:00am. If you are more than five minutes late, you will be considered
absent and you will earn no participation points for the day.
9. If you need to step out to use the restroom, please feel free to do so without asking. Please
keep in mind that this isn’t a free pass to skip class. Unnecessarily prolonged time outside of
class will be noted and considered an absence.
10. You may bring snacks and/or drinks to class as long as it’s not particular noisy and/or
smelly (whether it be good or bad smells). Also, please be sure to throw ALL of your trash
away.
11. Per the schedule, this class ends at 10:50am. There may be times when we run over a bit or
we end a bit early. Regardless, students are expected to keep all class materials out and to
continue working until I indicate that class is over. Choosing to begin packing up before class
has been dismissed will only prolong the session.
12. While you will be allowed to turn in make up work, excuses for absences will NOT be
accepted outside of extreme circumstances (i.e. hospitalization for multiple weeks at a
time). Keep in mind that, even in extreme circumstances, it is up to me to decide whether or
not the excuse is valid. If you’re sick for a day or two, simply take the time off, return to class
when you’re well and try not to get any more absences in the rest of the semester. Please do
NOT bring me notes from doctors (again unless it is an extreme circumstance) or send me
emails when you’re going to be absent.
13. The class reading assignments are not optional. They are necessary for your understanding
of the course material. If I get the impression that the class is not keeping up with the
readings and engaging with the material, additional quizzes/assignments/tests will be given
as needed.
14. No homework or essays will be accepted via email. Regardless of whether you have to
miss class or all the printers have a catastrophic failure right before class,
assignments must be turned in via hard copy. As such, I would strongly recommend
ensuring that work is printed long before class starts.
15. I’m not particularly interested in taking anybody’s technological devices. However, if you
are on your laptop outside of times when I say the laptops may be used or if you’re on
your phone at any time, you will lose your participation points for the day. Please, do
not assume that I can’t see your phone on your desk, in your book, in your lap, in your bag, in
your pocket, in the crook of your elbow or anywhere else. Trust me, regardless of whether I
say something or not, I see you and you will lose points accordingly.
16. No extra credit will be given in this course.
 17. The Writing Center is an excellent resource for assistance in improving your work. While I
certainly cannot force you to go to them, I would strongly encourage you to take the time to
do so if you’re at all interested in receiving additional one-on-one assistance with your
writing.
18. Ultimately, I don’t expect anyone to suddenly fall in love with writing in this course. That’s
great if it happens, but it’s not the end goal. I do, however, expect to see your writing
improve and to see you putting forth effort during each session just as I will be doing.
19. Continued enrollment after reading this syllabus signals your agreement to abide by the
course policies.

Communication Policy:

20. You may call my office via the number listed above and leave a message if there’s no answer.
However, the best method of reaching me is via email. I’m in my office a limited amount
of time during the week, but I check email several times a day. Generally speaking, emails
will be answered within 24 hours unless it’s the weekend or a holiday. If you do not
immediately receive a response, please do not repeatedly email me.
21. Emails should include, at the very least, the following information: your first and last name,
what class/section you’re in, and a subject line that indicates what the email is about.
Additionally, since this is college, emails are expected to be professional. Your
messages to me should not include shorthand, emoticons, etc. And your emails should be
constructed of information written in complete sentence that are fully punctuated.
22. Emails that ask me questions that can be answered by you reading the
syllabus/blackboard/textbook will be ignored. Please check all available resources
before contacting me.

Laptop and Electronic Devices:

While there will be no assignments or examinations for which the laptop will be used, your use of a
laptop is generally permitted as long as such usage remains within the bounds of the Code of Student
Conduct and it conforms to the provisions of its use as laid out in this syllabus below. There may be
occasions where laptop usage is forbidden and if that occurs, failure to comply with this direction
will be viewed as a violation of the Code of Student Conduct.

For this class, laptop computers may be used only on peer editing days to enable you to make
suggested changes in your papers. You are still required to bring a hard copy draft as well. If I plan
to use the web, I will let you know in advance, and you can bring your laptop if you have one.
Otherwise, laptops are not allowed to be open in class. Nor are other electronic devices to be
used in class. You may not take or make calls, email, or text message in class. Ringers and
notifications on your phones should be turned off before class starts. You may not listen to music or
view videos on your phone or your iPod during class. Smartphones, tablets, and e-readers may be
used only for approved activities as described for laptops above. Any other use of laptops or any
other electronic devices is considered violation of course policy and the Code of Student Conduct. The
instructor has the right to require students to put away any electronics being used in violation of
policy and may also count as absent students who refuse to put the electronics away and return their
attention to class.

Plagiarism:
The ISU Code of Student Conduct defines plagiarism as follows:

Plagiarism is intentionally or carelessly presenting the work of another as one’s own. It

includes submitting an assignment purporting to be the student’s original work which has
wholly or in part been created by another. It also includes the presentation of the work,
ideas, representations, or words of another without customary and proper
acknowledgement of sources. Students must consult instructors for clarification in any
 situation in which documentation is an issue. Students will be considered to have
plagiarized whenever their work is not properly documented. (4)

Since you are writing from your personal experience in this class, there is no need for you to
cite the work of others. Unless you are given specific approval from your instructor, using someone
else’s work in your papers, including using websites of any kind, will be considered plagiarism. If you
plagiarize in this class, you will fail the class, and the case will be reported to Student Judiciary.
Understand that cutting and pasting from internet sites, in whole or part, is considered
plagiarism. You are also prohibited from buying or taking a paper from an online source and
submitting it in whole or part as your own as this is also considered plagiarism.

Academic Freedom:
ISU follows the American Association of University Professors’ guidelines for academic
freedom as described on their website
(http://www.aaup.org/aaup/pubres/policydocs/content/1940statement): “Teachers are entitled to
freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject, but they should be careful not to introduce into
their teaching controversial matter which has no relation to their subject.”

Students with Special Needs:

If you have a documented physical or learning disability that could affect your work, let your
instructor know privately. By federal law you are entitled to and eligible for accommodating through
Student Support Services, Gillum Hall 210E, x7920. Have your contact person there contact your
instructor. Such accommodation may include more time on in-class writings or a transcriber for out-
of-class work. Instructors cannot grant accommodation unless they have authorization from SSS, and
SSS will not authorize accommodation until you have submitted to their office all required
paperwork.

Help with Your Writing:

The ISU Writing Center provides free writing consultations to all students on an
appointment or walk-in basis. The Center’s consultants will assist you with any piece of writing, at
any stage of the writing process. For example, consultants can help you learn to identify paper topics
and generate ideas for them, plan and organize drafts, and rewrite and edit your papers. The Center’s
purpose is not to correct or proofread final drafts for you, but to help you learn strategies that good
writers use during the process of writing. You may visit the Center for assistance with any writing
project for this class.

The Center is located at the ISU Library, Main Floor (237-2989). Current hours of operation can be
found at the website: http://isu.indstate.edu/writing/hours.html

English 101 Fall 2013 Schedule

Assignments and readings are due on the day listed. Please keep in mind that this schedule is subject
to change and that additional work may be assigned in class that is not listed on the syllabus. To that
end, it is the responsibility of the student to keep up with any changes that are made in class.

BW= Basic Writing

Date: Topic: Reading Due: Writing Due:
8/21 Introduction to Class
8/23 Diagnostic Will do writing in class
due at the end of hour
8/26 Rhetorical Terms Bollinger, BW 49-51
8/28 The Writing Process Chapter 1, BW 8-23
Appendix: Brainstorm
and Cluster Examples
(Stark, Stevens 254-
 260)
8/30 The Writing Process Chapter 1, BW, Brainstorm and cluster
continued homework
Appendix: Reporter’s
Questions and
Freewrite Example
(Johnson, Surma 261,
267-68)
9/2 Labor Day: No
School
9/4 Narration Freewrite, reporter’s
questions homework
9/6 Narration Chapter 3, BW 38-48 Invention exercises for
essay 1
9/9 Narration BW, Schaeffer 49-50
9/11 Narration BW Appendix:
Narrative Essay (White
273-75)
9/13 Narration Outline for essay 1
9/16 Narration Draft for essay 1
9/18 Description BW, Appendix: Heath Essay 1 and all
Invention 278-279 associated planning
and drafts due in your
folder at the beginning
of the hour
9/20 Description Chapter 2, BW Essay 2 invention
Appendix: Johnson,
Conner Audience
Questions 288, 262
9/23 Description BW, Lee 55-56 Essay 2 audience
questions
9/25 Description Appendix, Heath Essay 2 outlines
(Descriptive Essay
276-78)
9/27 Description Essay 2 draft
9/30 Revision Chapter 11 BW 219-38 Essay 2 due
10/2 Revision Bare bones outline of
chosen essay
(diagnostic or essay 1)

10/4-10/10
Conferences. Mandatory! You must attend! Bring all required
materials to instructor’s office at assigned day and time.

The day of my conference is _________________________________.

The time of my conference is _________________________________.

The location of my conference is _____________________________.

10/11 Illustration Revised essay due

10/14 Illustration BW Appendix: Johnson Essay 3 invention
263-66
10/16 Illustration Chapter 4, BW 67-72 Essay 3 audience
 questions
10/18 Illustration BW, Vaughn 211-13 Essay 3 thesis
10/21 Illustration BW Appendix: Stark, Essay 3 revised thesis
Connor 280-89 statement and essay 3
outline
10/23 Illustration Essay 3 draft
10/25 Compare/Contrast BW Appendix: Essay 3 due
Shepherd (invention
295)
10/28 Compare/Contrast BW pages 127-45 Essay 4 invention
10/30 Compare/Contrast BW Dunkin 120-21 Essay 4 audience
questions
11/1 Compare/Contrast BW Appendix: Essay 4 thesis and
Shepherd essay 291- organizational plan
92
11/4 Compare/Contrast Essay 4 draft
11/6 Classification Essay 4 due
11/8 Classification Chapter 8 BW 147-158 Essay 5 invention
11/11 Classification BW Robertson 123-25 Essay 5 audience
questions
11/13 Classification BW Appendix: Essay 5 thesis and
Hameed (Jobs Essay organization plan
296-97)
11/15 Classification Essay 5 draft
11/18 Argument BW pages 97-100 Essay 5 due
11/20 Argument BW Costa 211-13
11/22 Argument Essay 6 invention
12/2 Argument BW Appendix: Essay 6 audience
Hameed (Drug Dealers questions
Essay 298-99
)
12/4 Argument Essay 6 thesis and
organizational plan
12/6 Argument Essay 6 draft

FINAL EXAM. MANDATORY! YOU MUST BE PRESENT!

THE DATE OF MY FINAL EXAM FOR THIS CLASS IS _____________________________.
THE TIME OF MY FINAL EXAM FOR THIS CLASS IS ______________________________.
THE LOCATION OF MY FINAL EXAM FOR THIS CLASS IS ________________________.
THE MATERIALS I NEED TO BRING TO MY FINAL EXAM ARE AS FOLLOWS:
 ESSAY 6 FINAL VERSION
 PLANNING, DRAFT, AND WORKSHOP COMMENTS FOR ESSAY 6
 MY WRITING PORTFOLIO, CONTAINING
o ALL OF MY PREVIOUS ESSAYS AND PLANNING (INCLUDING DIAGNOSTIC)
o ALL OF MY ASSESSMENT SHEETS FOR PREVIOUS ESSAYS
o A COMPLETED WRITE BACK SHEET STAPLED IN MY FOLDER
o A COMPLETED GRAMMAR SHEET STAPLED IN MY FOLDER

Grades

You will receive earned semester points for each activity in this class. Use the following pages to
keep track of the points you have earned over the course of the semester. Additionally, I will update
your grades on Blackboard fairly regularly. Please check there before asking me what your grade is in
this class.
Homework
Letter Grade Point Value Point Value Chart
Invention _______ ________ A/A+ 12
Invention _______ ________ A- 11
E1 Invention _______ ________ B+ 10
E1 Outline _______ ________ B 9
E1 Draft _______ ________ B- 8
E1 Peer Review _______ ________ C+ 7
E2 Invention _______ ________ C 6
E2 Audience Questions _______ ________ C- 5
E2 Outline _______ ________ D+ 4
E2 Draft _______ ________ D 3
E2 Peer Review _______ ________ D- 2
Revision Outline _______ ________ F 0
E3 Invention _______ ________
E3 Audience Questions _______ ________
E3 Thesis _______ ________
E3 Revised Thesis/Outline ____ ________
E3 Draft ______ ________
E4 Peer Review _______ ________
E4 Invention ______ ________
E4 Audience Questions ______ ________
E4 Thesis and Outline ______ ________ Homework Range Chart
E4 Draft ______ ________ A/A+ 433-456
E4 Peer Review ______ ________ A- 420-432
E5 Invention ______ ________ B+ 374-419
E5 Audience Questions ______ ________ B 342-378
E5 Thesis and Outline ______ ________ B- 306-341
E5 Draft ______ ________ C+ 265-305
E6 Invention ______ ________ C 228-264
E6 Audience Questions ______ ________ C- 192-227
E6 Thesis/Outline ______ ________ D+ 151-191
E6 Draft ______ ________ D 114-150
Final Writing Task ______ x 5 ________ D- 73-113
(during final exam period) F 0-72
TOTAL __________

Write the point value for each homework letter grade on the highlighted line. Use the Point Value
Chart

Total up all the numbers on the highlighted lines. Multiply the final writing task x5 as it is weighted
more heavily than the other daily tasks.

Find your total in the Homework Range Chart. Write the corresponding letter grade on the
Homework line on the other side of this page. EX. Your total is 234. 234=C+. Write C+ on the
Homework line on the other side of this page.
English 101 Score Sheet (2010-11) Name:_____________________________

Point Value Chart Weight Per Assignment

(letter grade) (point value)

A/A+ 12 Essay 1 (Narration) ______________ = _____________ x 1 = _______________
A- 11 Essay 2 (Description) ______________ = _____________ x 1 = _______________
B+ 10 Revision Assignment ______________ = _____________ x 1 = _______________
B 9 Essay 3 (Illustration) ______________ = _____________ x 2 = _______________
B- 8 Essay 4 (Compare/Contrast) ______________ = _____________ x 2 = _______________
C+ 7 Essay 5 (Classification) ______________ = _____________ x 3 = _______________
C 6 Essay 6 (Argument) ______________ = _____________ x 3 = _______________
C- 5
D+ 4 Homework ______________ = _____________ x 2 = _______________
D 3 Participation ______________ = _____________ x 1 = _______________
D- 2 Attendance ______________ = _____________ x 1 = _______________
F 0 TOTAL ______________/204

To calculate your semester grade, find the letter grade for your paper (column above) and write it on
the first line. Find the point value for that grade (column below) and write it on the second line.
Multiply that number by the weight given and write it on the highlighted line.

EX. You got a B+ on Essay 3. A B+ = 10 points: Essay 3 B+ = 10 x 2 = 20

Your instructor will give you your participation and attendance grades at the end of the term.

Total your earned points and use the following scales to determine your final grade. Remember that
a 0 (zero) will result in an F for the class.

Final Grade Range Point Value Chart

196-204 A/A+ A/A+ 12
188-195 A- A- 11
169-187 B+ B+ 10
153-168 B B 9
137-152 B- B- 8
118-136 C+ C+ 7
102-117 C C 6
85-101 C- C- 5
67-84 D+ D+ 4
51-66 D D 3
33-50 D- D- 2
0-32 F F 0