ENGLISH 13O1: COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC I … · The Bedford Reader 11th ed. The McGraw-Hill Handbook 3rd ed. (See schedule for information) Comp I Study Guide ... argument, persuasion,

English 1301: Composition and Rhetoric I 1

ENGLISH 13O1: COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC I—SPRING 2016

T Th 11:00 AM -12:20 PM (Section 9008, Course ID #89714)

Houston Community College, Northwest College, Alief-Hayes campus, Room B230

Instructor: Ms. B. A. Wade Email: [email protected] Office hours: Online (e-mail: up to 24 hour

turnaround) by appointment Learning Web: http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/beth.wade

3-hour lecture course credit 48 credit hours per semester 5 hours a week for 9 weeks

REQUIRED TEXTS

Texts

The Bedford Reader 11th

ed.

The McGraw-Hill Handbook 3rd

ed. (See schedule for information)

Comp I Study Guide

A good, recent college-level dictionary (Merriam-Webster)

Materials:

1 packet of small Scantron-style forms for quizzes (available in school bookstore)

Stapler and staples (to collate your work, at a slant in the upper left corner, before you submit it in class

White, lined loose-leaf (no spiral notebook paper with ragged edges) 8 ½” x 11” paper

Black ball-point (or other inks that will not run if they get wet: no felt-tip) pens

Cardboard pocket folder

Sharpened #2 pencil(s) and/or mechanical pencil for Scantron quizzes

Access, outside of class, to computer and printer, with toner and paper (through the college and/or other)

USB device (optional but recommended)

PREREQUISITES

A satisfactory assessment score, completion of English 0310 or English 0349, and successful completion of

remedial reading courses, if required.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

“A course devoted to improving the student’s writing and critical thinking. Writing essays for a variety of

purposes from personal to academic, including the introduction to argumentation, critical analysis, and

the use of sources.” (HCC catalog).

mailto:[email protected]

http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/beth.wade


Core Objectives:

Given the rapid evolution of necessary knowledge and skills and the need to take into account global,

national, state, and local cultures, the core curriculum must ensure that students will develop the essential

knowledge and skills they need to be successful in college, in a career, in their communities, and in life.

Through the Texas Core Curriculum, students will gain a foundation of knowledge of human cultures and

the physical and natural world, develop principles of personal and social responsibility for living in a

diverse world, and advance intellectual and practical skills that are essential for all learning. Students enrolled in this core curriculum course will complete a research project or case study designed to

cultivate the following core objectives:

o Critical Thinking Skills—to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information

o Communication Skills—to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication

o Personal Responsibility—to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making

o Teamwork (Comp I, Comp II, and TW)—to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal

English Program Student Learning Outcomes

1. Write in appropriate genres using varied rhetorical strategies.

2. Write in appropriate genres to explain and evaluate rhetorical and/or literary strategies employed in

argument, persuasion, and various genres.

3. Analyze various genres of writing for form, method, meaning, and interpretation.

4. Employ research in academic writing styles and use appropriate documentation style.

5. Communicate ideas effectively through discussion.

English Composition I Student Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate knowledge of writing as process.

2. Apply basic principles of critical thinking in analyzing reading selections, developing expository essays,

and writing argumentative essays.

3. Analyze elements such as purpose, audience, tone, style, strategy in essays and/or literature by

professional writers.

4. Write essays in appropriate academic writing style using varied rhetorical strategies.

5. Synthesize concepts from and use references to assigned readings in their own academic writing

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS


A variety of instructional methods, including collaborative work, especially peer review; visual and

multimedia work; lecture heavily punctuated with discussion; in class writing; ,and quizzes, will be

employed.

MINIMUM WRITING REQUIREMENTS

For this course to comply with state-mandated requirements, students must write a minimum of 5000 words

for evaluation.

HCC STUDENT SERVICES INFORMATION

Student Services provides master’s and doctoral-level counseling for the Northwest College student body.

Counselors are available at each campus to assist students in creating class schedules, evaluating college

transcripts, and completing degree/certificate plans. Student Services regular business hours are the same at

all campuses: M-Th 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., F-Sat 8 a.m.--1 p.m.

LIBRARY

The HCC libraries offer assistance in finding and documenting resources. The phone number for the Alief

library is 713 718 6941 and “Ask A Librarian” services are available at

http://library.hccs.edu/learn_how/askalib.php

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

On campus tutors are available at all campuses.

On-line tutoring (one draft only?) http://askonline.net

COURSE EVALUATIONS

EGLS3—Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System

At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to

improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to answer a short online survey

of research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be made

available to your professors and division chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look for the

survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System online near the end of the term.

TITLE IX OF THE EDUCATION AMENDMENTS OF 1972, 20 U.S.C. A§ 1681 ET. SEQ.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 requires that institutions have policies and procedures that protect students’ rights with regard to sex/gender discrimination. Information regarding these rights are on

http://library.hccs.edu/learn_how/askalib.php

http://askonline.net/


the HCC website under Students-Anti-discrimination. Students who are pregnant and require accommodations should contact any of the ADA Counselors for assistance.

It is important that every student understands and conforms to respectful behavior while at HCC. Sexual misconduct is not condoned and will be addressed promptly. Know your rights and how to avoid these difficult situations.

Log in to: www.edurisksolutions.org . Sign in using your HCC student e-mail account, then go to the button at the top right that says Login and enter your student number.

GRADING

Your grade will be determined by the following:

Paper #1 Editorial 500 words 5%

Paper #2 Referenced Editorial 750 words 10%

Paper #3 Full draft of researched, persuasive/argumentative paper (1200 words) 10%

Paper #4 Final version of researched, persuasive/argumentative paper (1200 words) 35%

Oral presentation 5%

Final Exam 500 words 10%

Drafts, peer reviews and any other work not specified above, participation 25%

TOTAL 100%

GRADING SCALE

A=90-100 Superior, exceptional, perfect or almost perfect

B=80-89 Above average

C=70-79 Average and/or adequate

D=60-69 Below average but not failing

F=59 and below Failing

ASSIGNMENT POLICIES

Although I will provide assignment sheet handouts that delineate the requirements for

these tasks, I expect students to keep up with assigned readings and to take notes while paying attention in

class.

COURSE POLICIES

Assignment Policies

http://www.edurisksolutions.org/


Assignments must meet requirements as outlined in this document (the syllabus), verbally conveyed in

class, and explained on assignment sheets.

Attendance Requirements

Attendance during the entire class period is crucial for success for many reasons. In order for you to be

successful in this class and in college, you need to make the class a priority in your life.

Arrive to class on time. Gather the materials you will need for the day (you will always need pen and paper,

and whatever else you need will be indicated on the schedule) from your bag and put your bag on the floor.

It disrupts the class and instructor when students are digging through bags during class.

If you arrive late, do not disrupt the class for any reason other than a true emergency. For example, do not

interrupt the class to inform me that you are present or to ask me questions that may have already been

covered before you arrived. Do not disrupt class by asking questions of your classmates. Instead, ask a

classmate for the missing information AFTER class.

If you do not answer when the roll is taken, then you will be counted absent unless you inform me at the

end of class that you arrived late, in which case you will be counted tardy. Repeated tardies will constitute

absences.

Also, for security reasons, the door will be closed (and locked automatically) at least one minute after class

start time. So, if you arrive late, someone will have to open the door for you. Be on time to limit these

interruptions. To the extent possible, also avoid going in and out of class: it’s not a come and go open

house.

Although Houston Community College does not expect instructors to distinguish between excused and

unexcused absences, it allows me to do so. My policy is as follows: if you must be absent, late, or leave

early, it is your responsibility to inform me, in advance if possible, in writing (preferably by e-mail) without

interfering with class to do so unless there is no other possible way. Keeping me informed via e-mail of

your situation; having a legitimate reason for missing class, such as a religious holiday, illness/injury, death,

and court appearances; AND providing hard copies of documentation, such as a doctor’s note, are necessary

in order for me to excuse your absence. Having documentation is key to my excusing your absence. You

may e-mail me about your absence but the excuse must be in hard copy.

In accordance with HCC policy, missing more than 6 hours of class (4 classes), excused or unexcused, is

excessive and you may be dropped from the class. If a student misses 9 hours of class (approximately 3

weeks worth, 20% of the course), it is unlikely that he or she can succeed in the course, and you may be

dropped. If you disappear from class (stop attending), it is still your responsibility to drop.

Attendance Requirements:

If you must be absent, late, or leave early, it is your responsibility to inform me, in advance if possible, in

writing (preferably by e-mail). Keeping me informed of your situation; having a legitimate reason for

missing class, such as a religious holiday, illness/injury, death, and court appearances; AND providing

legitimate, verifiable documentation from an objective third party, such as a doctor’s note, are necessary in

order for me to excuse your absence.


Late Paper/Missed Assignment Policy

In order to be allowed to make up missed work, the requirements for an excused absence must be met (see

above for requirements). Most class work, such as peer review, cannot be made up; so, if you have an

unexcused absence, you will have a zero for those assignments. If you have an excused absence, you will

be excused from the applicable assignments and the grades for them will be dropped.

If you miss class, it is your responsibility to get the missing information from a classmate, outside of class.

I will accept the hard copy of major assignments one day late (on Thursdays) but I must have the

Turnitin.com Originality Report on that same day. Ten (10) points will be deducted unless you have a valid,

documented excuse (see Attendance). I will not accept major papers or reports past Thursday without you

providing an excuse.

If you have an excuse and are allowed to turn in an assignment late, you still have to meet all the

requirements for the assignment, such as submitting a hard copy of the assignment and of the Turnitin.com

Originality Report for it.

If you have an excuse and are allowed to submit an assignment late, the excuse gives you an extension for

the number of days that the excuse covers, if the note states that you are incapacitated for that period of

time, and no more days than that.

Also, if you submit your assignments late, you are off schedule and you may not receive your feedback

before the next, linked assignment is due. Therefore, if you turn in one assignment late, the grade on the

next one is likely to be affected in a negative way because you did not have the corrections you needed to

make.

Just because I take an assignment from you does not mean that I am accepting it. I will not be pressured

into snap judgments about whether you will receive credit for late work.

You must submit work when it is due, not when you get around to it or feel like doing it.

I reserve the right to not accept late daily work (small assignments that are part of the participation and

misc. grade). For example, I do not, as a rule, accept late drafts. The window of opportunity for you to get

credit for a draft is the beginning of peer review when I ask for the drafts. See Standard Procedure for Peer

Reviews, below. Phone Policy

No cell phones allowed in class unless I say so, and you are allowed to use them only for the assigned task.

Cell phones and beepers must be silenced by all students and kept out of sight by students other than those

who are active members of firefighting organizations, emergency medical services organizations,

commissioned police officers, or on-call employees of any political subdivision of the state of Texas or


agencies of the federal government. That means that you should not be continually checking your cell phone

during class. If there is a campus emergency, we will be notified by a bell or an announcement.

If you meet one of these exemptions, you must put your device on silent but you may keep it in sight. It is

your responsibility to inform me of your position the first day of class, and to provide documentation of

your current employment.

If you do not meet this exemption but your device alerts you to a personal emergency during class, please

leave class quietly to handle the issue and reenter quietly if your situation permits. Otherwise, e-mail me

later as to the circumstances of your departure. If you have a personal emergency situation, notify me before

class begins. If I have a personal emergency, I will do the same for you.

No photographs, videos, or audio recordings using any device may be made of class unless you have a

disability accommodation.

Laptop/Tablet Policy

You are responsible for the information that is relayed in class; therefore, you should take notes in some

fashion so that you can refer to them later. Laptops are allowed for taking notes and other class related

purposes but not for any other purposes, such as entertainment, which includes but is not limited to checking

e-mails, Instant Messaging, social networking, playing games, and watching movies or television. I reserve

the right to restrict the use of laptops if lack of class engagement is a problem or if there is too much noise

from the clacking of keys during lecture/discussion becomes a problem.

No ear/headphones, mp3s, gaming systems, etc., allowed, which means that ear/headphones must be turned

off before entering the classroom and may not be turned back on until you have left the classroom

Academic/Scholastic Honesty/Integrity: All student work for this course must be original to the student

and original to the course. In other words, reusing partial or entire assignments from previous courses is not

allowed.

A student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, not showing that the coursework has been

learned, and that student is claiming an advantage not available to other students. The instructor is

responsible for measuring each student’s individual achievements and also for ensuring that all students

compete on a level playing field. Thus, in our system (the HCC system), the instructor has teaching,

grading, and enforcing roles. You are expected to be familiar with HCC’s Policy on Academic Honesty

found in the catalog.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following: plagiarizing written work or projects;

cheating on exams or assignments; collusion on an exam or project; and misrepresentation of credentials or

prerequisites when registering for a course.

Cheating includes looking at or copying from another student's exam; orally communicating or receiving

answers during an exam; having another person take an exam or complete a project or assignment; using


unauthorized notes, texts, or other materials for an exam; and/or obtaining or distributing an unauthorized

copy of an exam or any part of an exam, knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or

soliciting in whole or in part the contents of an unadministered test; and/or bribing another person to obtain

a test that is to be administered.

Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s words or ideas and the unacknowledged incorporation of

that work in one’s own written work offered for credit. Plagiarism includes submitting a paper, report, or

project that someone else has prepared, in whole or in part, whether or not the person has allowed you to do

so (see collusion). Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the following: missing entries on the works

cited page; missing in text citations; sources on works cited page do not match sources cited in the essay;

sources in the essay do not match the sources listed on the Works Cited page; missing quotation marks;

and/or uncited borrowed information, such as statistics.

Collusion meant the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work offered for

credit. You are to work alone unless otherwise indicated.

Students who plagiarize, collude, or cheat may face disciplinary action including the grade of zero for the

assignment or exam, an F for the course, and/or dismissal from the college.

Assignments

Assignments: Hard copies (print outs) of assignments (papers and Turnitin.com Originality Reports) are

due at the beginning of class on the due date, without verbal or written comments about them to me. You

should have your assignment ready to turn in when asked, which means, among other things, that you must

come to class with it stapled. A stapler will not be available in class, so do not ask me or your classmates if

we have a stapler. If you do not submit a hard copy of the paper and/or the Turnitin.com Originality Report,

the grade may be a zero.

Assignments must be submitted in the format required, which is in writing, hard copy (print out). For

example, telling me your topic verbally does not substitute for turning in a piece of paper with your

identifying information and the topic on it.

If you know in advance that you will be absent on the day that an assignment is due, you should turn in the

assignment the class period before it is due. Also, if you know in advance that you will be absent, you

should let me know that as much in advance as possible, check the schedule, and ask for the work. Almost

all of the work is on the schedule, although there may be handouts and assignment sheets that you will need.

See Attendance section above for the policy on making up classwork and on excused absences.

No assignments by e-mail. Unless I request that assignments be submitted in that manner, or I give

permission to submit an assignment via e-mail, or an emergency arises, I will not accept assignments via e-

mail. It is not my responsibility to print them out and collate (staple) them for you. If you are allowed to

submit an assignment via e-mail, you must follow up with a hard copy of it at the first class afterward.


I will not accept assignments that have not been developed under my auspices, which means that you must

go through the writing process on time in order to have your final product accepted. I will not accept a

batch of late assignments (see late work policy above) at the end of the semester, or only the final paper.

Assignments must meet at least the minimum specifications regarding word count, number of sources, etc.,

set out in the assignment sheet; otherwise, they are substandard and the grade will reflect this. Such

assignments are considered below average level, so they can receive only a grade of below C, or lower.

Excess words of quotations (more than 5-10% of the word count, as per the assignment sheet) will be

deducted from your total word count, potentially resulting in your assignment not meeting the required

length and thus not meeting minimum assignment guidelines.

I reserve the right to not accept an assignment or to deduct points from the grade for the assignment for the

following reasons: not stapled, not in the proper format with regard to spacing, lacks paragraph breaks, uses

the wrong margins, has paragraphs that exceed the allowed length, uses the wrong font style and/or size, is

hand-written instead of typed, is illegible (for example, ink too light), is not on 8 ½ x 11” white paper, or is

on paper that has a ragged spiral edge.

If you become aware that you made a mistake on an assignment before the graded assignments are returned,

do not ask me whether I intend to apply the penalties in the syllabus. I will determine those when I grade

the assignment, usually at the same time that I am grading the assignments of all the other students in the

class. I will not be put on the spot about grades.

The general format for assignments is MLA, which consists of using size 12 Times New Roman typeface,

printed in black ink on blank white paper, double-spaced and have 1” margins, printed in portrait

orientation, with page numbers in the upper right corners. See Writer’s Reference textbook.

If the assignment is a draft, label it as such. It is important to document your writing process.

In this course, we will use a modified version of the MLA heading which will consist of your name, the

class time (the scheduled start time of the class), the semester and year (Spring 2016), and the name of the

assignment (Paper #1, for example). You don’t need to put the class day, my name, or the name of the

course.

No rewrites or extra credit. Do not ask. It is unethical for a student to request special favors. Focus on

doing your best on each assignment, and doing it in a timely manner.

You are expected to make the corrections I mark on your papers, including those on the Turnitin Originality

reports, unless the correction is in error, on the next version of the paper. If you cannot read or do not

understand the corrections I make on your papers, it is your responsibility to ask me. Making all the

corrections does not necessarily guarantee you a grade of A, but not making the corrections will result in a

lower grade than what you would have received. Corrections made on graded papers are not exhaustive,

and corrections on drafts for peer reviews (spot checks) are even less so. A check mark next to the sources

on the Works Cited on your papers means only that the source has been cited in the text, not that the citation

is correct.

Do not discard corrected and/or graded assignments, including Turnitin printouts, on which I have made

hand-written corrections. It is your responsibility to retain them. You may have to turn in previous


assignments that have been graded and corrected by me (for example, the draft from Peer Review, previous

assignments and their Turnitin reports) when turning in a new assignment to me. I do not need to see any

drafts that I haven’t already viewed and corrected, nor do I need the peer reviews that you did on other

students’ assignments returned to me. I do need the peer reviews initially (in class on peer review day) to

give you credit for doing them. See Standard Procedure for Peer Review.

You should make copies or printouts of all sources, including the publication information, that you use on

your assignments and be prepared to submit them to me upon demand with all the pertinent information. If

requested, each source should each be stapled separately, in consecutive page number order (in the upper

left corner at a slant) and labeled with your name, class time, and my name. The author’s name/authors’

names should appear on the first page of the source: if not, write it/them in with ball point ink. For books,

provide a copy of the title page and the table of contents, as well as copies of the pages from which you

borrowed information. On the copies of the sources, underline (do not highlight) the information you used in

your paper.

Although you may use writing tools such as a spelling checker, grammar checker, and/or websites that help

with citing sources, they will not catch every mistake. You are ultimately responsible for your work.

Turnitin.com Be advised that Houston Community College uses the Turnitin.com system to check

submissions for plagiarism against internet website sources, periodical archives, and other student

submissions, including submissions from other Lone Star College students during the current and previous

semesters.

If you do not have a Turnitin.com account, you will need to set one up. This will not cost you anything

extra, as part of your fees pay for the institution’s account. Go to http://www.turnitin.com and use the

course ID and password that I provide. Do not give the course ID and password to anyone who is not

enrolled in our class.

Do not enroll in the class on Turnitin more than once. If you do, it will be your responsibility to

communicate with Turnitin about deleting all but one enrollment into the class and consolidating class

assignments to that one enrollment.

Turnitin has training on how to register and how to generate originality reports in video, slideshow, and

written form. If necessary, please avail yourself of these training materials. I will not cover that information

in detail in class. Allow yourself time to work with Turnitin. See below for partial instructions on how to

generate originality reports.

You will be issued assignment sheets for each major assignment. All assignments are due on the dates

indicated on the schedule portion of the syllabus.

The dates on Turnitin are closing dates, not due dates. You must submit your assignment to Turnitin in

advance of the closing date in order for the report to generate so that you can then print it out and give it to

me.

Originality Reports: For the final version of each major assignment (listed in Grade Determination), you

must generate a copy of the originality report (not the digital receipt) showing the similarity index (a

http://www.turnitin.com/


percentage figure), the full text of your assignment with matches in boxes, and a list of matches. Submit a

hard copy of this report to me with the assignment on the due date (see Schedule). I strongly encourage you

to submit Originality Reports for your drafts to me at the beginning of class on Peer Review days.

In order for the Originality Report to generate, you must first submit your assignment. There is a waiting

period of indeterminate length between the time you submit your assignment and the time that the

Originality button and thus report are available, so submit your assignment as soon as you complete the final

version of the assignment.

To generate the Originality Report, click the Originality button at the top left of the screen. Then maximize

the screen. Next, click the Text Only button at the lower right of the screen. Click the printer icon that is in

the program, not the toolbar above, to print the report. Then do a right-click print. Please note that the e-

mail that Turnitin sends you or the digital receipt that can be generated is NOT the Originality Report.

Turnitin.com has a function where you can print a version of your assignment (in a reduced size font). Do

not submit this as your assignment, which should be printed from a word processing program such as

Microsoft Word. Also, do not confuse this with the Originality Report.

The assignment is not considered complete until all of the steps have been completed, and the assignment is

not considered on time unless all steps have been completed in a timely manner. If you do not submit the

assignment to Turnitin.com, the grade will be a zero. If you do not turn in a hard copy of the Originality

Report on time, the grade for the assignment may be a zero unless you have a documented excuse (see

above).

The assignment submitted to turnitin.com must match (be the same assignment as) the one submitted in hard

copy during class. If it is not, the penalty may be a grade of zero on the assignment. Therefore, do not make

changes to the paper after you submit it to me in class in hard copy. Upload the same document to Turnitin

that you printed your paper from.

The Originality Report shows matches or similarities between your paper and student papers in the data base

as well as previously published sources on the internet and in other databases. Just because there are

matches on your report does not mean that you have plagiarized, but the converse is also true: just because

there aren’t matches doesn’t mean that you haven’t plagiarized. Be advised that matches that do not appear

on the first version of an assignment may show up on later versions.

I allow students to view their reports that show the percentage of similarity that the student’s paper shares

with sources, in advance of the due date. This gives you the opportunity (and puts upon you the

responsibility) to eliminate matches before the final version of the paper is due.

You should view your report well before the final version of your paper is due. Anything that is in a box (or

shaded, if you have generated the wrong version of the report) that is not either a quotation (with quotation

marks); a citation (in-text or Works Cited); or common knowledge stated in your own words should be

addressed.

You are responsible for clearing your matches/reducing your similarity index percentage as much as

possible (by quoting sooner, paraphrasing better, and/or eliminating the material altogether), even if the


match is to a source is one that you did not use. If you have matches to another student’s paper, you need to

do an internet search the match to see if you and the student have plagiarized the same source. If your work

matches to an essay or paper mill, you need to change this. Do not use a paper or an essay mill as a source,

even if you cite it, as these are not appropriate sources.

You can submit your paper multiple times before the due date, but you can only submit it every 24 hours.

There will be a waiting period between the time the paper is submitted and the time that the originality

report is available, so plan for this when meeting the deadlines on the schedule.

Although the ideal percentage is 0, it is sometimes not possible to get your percentage down to zero.

Additionally, the similarity index for a paper that requires sources probably should not be zero.

Turnitin does not check to see if you have in text citations or end citations (Work or Works Cited in MLA

format) or if these citations are correct. It also does not check to see if you used quotation marks on a match

from a source. It is your responsibility to make sure that you put all word-for-word borrowed material in

quotations and cited it properly.

If you turn in an assignment that has matches that are not either quotations, citations, formatting, or common

knowledge; these matches are potential plagiarism. You should print out copies of the matches (the links to

which Turnitin matched your paper) and give them to me. If the match is to a student paper rather than to a

website or article, do a google search on the offending phrase and give me a copy of the results. Write your

name, class time, and name of assignment on the matched sources. If you do not provide me with copies of

the matches upon request, your assignment grade will be penalized for plagiarism.

Staple the assignment and the Turnitin report SEPARATELY from each other, in the upper left corner at a

slant. Do not staple all your work together. Do not use paper clips, brads, binders, or folders. Such items

will be separated from your assignment and will not be returned to you.

I will then make the call as to whether the remaining matches are plagiarism.

In determining whether or not a match is plagiarism, I first look at the matches themselves, not the

Similarity Index percentage (which is a proportion of similar material to original material) and not where the

matches came from. You should do the same. If your paper has matches to another student paper, it usually

means that the two of you have used the same source.

If you experience problems with the Turnitin.com website that you cannot resolve by following my

instructions or the ones they provide on the site, you should immediately e-mail them explaining the

problem and asking that it be resolved. Save these e-mails. You should share this documentation with me

(in hard copy) as soon as you have contacted them. I won’t contact Turnitin for you unless several students

are experiencing the same problem and it appears to be unrelated to individual user error. Late assignments

due to problems due to user error or without the proper documentation of attempt to resolve the issue with

Turnitin technical support will not be accepted. Turnitin problems that I can usually resolve consist of the

dropbox not being open.

I do not need any intermediate Turnitin reports (ones I don’t see with drafts or final papers) but you should

keep them anyway.


Technology: Technology fails, therefore, plan for it. Save your documents early, often, and in multiple

locations (Sky Drive, e-mail, etc.), on multiple devices (such as internal, external, or portable drives, and

disks), and in multiple formats (hard copies). You should have back-up plans for computer and printer use

(for example, if your personal devices fail, be knowledgeable about college facilities). You should always

make and keep a hard copy of your completed assignment for yourself. Computer problems are usually not

an excuse for a late or missing assignment. As with any late assignment, documentation may be required to

excuse it.

This course requires the ability to use a word processing software program (Microsoft Word is the standard

tool at Houston Community College), Turnitin.com plagiarism detection software, Microsoft Outlook e-

mail, and Internet Explorer and Firefox internet browsers.

When using college computer equipment, it is better to print an e-mail attachment of your assignment rather

than from a USB device, although you should have your assignment in both formats as advised above. See

the Computer Viruses section in the Institutional Policies section of the syllabus, below.

You may be required to obtain material for this course from several different places. It is recommended that

you access and save and/or print out reading assignments from the internet (noted on the syllabus) or from

readings on reserve in the library as much in advance as possible. For example, I print out or copy

everything I need to do my job at the beginning of the semester or when it first becomes available,

whichever comes first.

Conduct: Although most students exhibit appropriate behavior most of the time, some do not. The

behavior of each person in class in some way or another affects the learning of others. College is expensive

and you do not have a right to disrupt your classmates’ learning experience. At times, a consumer culture

creeps into the classroom, with students perceiving faculty as employees hired to serve them. This is an

inappropriate comparison for several reasons, one of which is that a student’s tuition and fees do not cover

the cost of his or her education: the rest is financed by all taxpayers as well as other sources.

Following the rules in this section as well as those throughout the syllabus will help maintain the proper

classroom experience.

The basic rule is to be considerate. Remember that you are not the only student in your class nor the only

class that the instructor teaches. Don’t monopolize the instructor’s attention, either electronically (e-mail)

or in-person.

You must limit before-class interaction with the instructor to emergency matters, which I define as an

impending personal emergency or an issue with the course material or schedule that affects the entire class

not just the individual problems. Before class begins, I am trying to get class started on time for the entire

group. That time is not individual conference time: if you have individual questions that have not been

answered by the assigned reading, including the textbook(s), instructional handouts, and the assignment

sheets; or, by the classroom instruction, you should e-mail me. At the end of class, we (students and

instructor) must be out of the classroom by 5 minutes after class ending time. Bear in mind that instructors


may have other classes that they have to get started or have other obligations. Also, limit after-class

interactions with the instructor. The end of your class is the beginning of another scheduled activity (a class

or other obligation/need) for the instructor.

In order for the class to run efficiently, in general, everyone needs to be doing the same thing at the same

time: arriving in class in time for roll call, turning in assignments timely, not asking questions that could be

answered by referring to the syllabus or assignment sheets, etc. Otherwise, class time is not being used

efficiently and you are therefore wasting not only your own tuition money, but causing that of other

students, as well as taxpayers, to be used inefficiently and therefore ineffectively.

Raise your hand to be recognized. Be respectful of others. Don’t speak when the instructor or other students

are speaking. Stay on point when asking questions. Remain seated during lecture/discussion (defined as

when the instructor is addressing the entire class and/or students are addressing a question or comment to

the instructor) until dismissal unless there is an emergency. If you have to yawn, do so quietly and cover

your mouth, just as you would do if you coughed or sneezed. Do not text during class (see policy on

electronic devices). If there is a printer in the classroom, you are only allowed to print in-class assignments.

Students who behave in a disruptive manner or fail to remain on task during class will be asked to leave and

will be marked absent for the day. Rudeness, angry outbursts or other disruptive behavior; attempts to

undermine course content or the instructor, or attempts to degrade/humiliate classmates, instructor, or both

will not be tolerated. You should conduct yourself in a professional manner. Show respect for yourself as

well as your instructor and classmates by refraining from disruptive behavior.

Classroom standards for academic courtesy also apply to group work and student/teacher conferences s well

as e-mail.

No guests allowed in class. Appropriate attire is expected.

Please leave the classroom in the same or better condition that you found it in. Put cans and plastic bottles

in the recycling bins (near the vending machines and elsewhere) and dispose of trash in the receptacle

provided in the classroom at the end of class: don’t get up from your seat to throw away something. Don’t

leave handouts unless they are class handouts as opposed to individual handouts: you are responsible for

their content.

Contact information: The best way to contact me is through Houston Community College e-mail. I will

not respond to e-mails sent through the eCourses system because this course is not a hybrid or online course.

Use only the HCC e-mail system address on the first page of this syllabus. If you e-mail, use your HCC

account. I cannot discuss grades and other matters over non-HCC e-mail due to federal laws; and, if you

use non-HCC e-mail, your message is highly likely to be delayed by the spam detector. Don’t put your

student number on your e-mails (or your assignments).

I do not send many unannounced, mass e-mails; but, you are responsible for checking your HCC e-mail

account and keeping it current. If I am late to class, wait 15 minutes and check your HCC e-mail to see if

you have an e-mail from me or someone at the college telling you to stay or go. I will be checking my HCC

e-mail account regularly.


E-mailing me is not a substitute for attending class during the entire period; listening closely and carefully

taking notes, which you can refer to later; and thoroughly reading and rereading the syllabus, assignment

sheets, other handouts, and all assigned material from the textbook or elsewhere. Read, listen, and take

notes first, and then ask questions

E-mail response time can be up to 24 hours. Weekends, holidays, and sick days are not counted as part of

the 24 hours (so in other words, if you e-mail on Friday, I might not reply until that same time on Monday).

Plan accordingly. Duplicate e-mails slow my ability to respond, so do not send another e-mail until the

response time has elapsed. Do not send unnecessary e-mails, such as those questions which can be

answered by your reading the syllabus.

Grades: Remember that your grades will reflect the time, work, and focus that you put into your

assignments.

You must prove yourself anew in each course you take. You work will be assessed on the basis of what you

demonstrate in this class, not how you have been evaluated in other classes.

Keep track of your absences and tardies so that you know what your attendance grade will be. Make sure

that you complete daily work, as these seemingly small assignments can result in that portion of the grade

being low. You can plug in your grades to the percentages on the syllabus (under Course Grade

Breakdown) to get an idea of your standing.

Although I will not calculate your grade for you during the semester, if you have questions or concerns

regarding your progress at any point during the semester, you should let me know.

Disability Accommodations: If you have a disability accommodation, you will need to remind me well in

advance if you need extra time for quizzes or tests and/or other assignments; and, you may need to remind

me of your other accommodations throughout the semester.

Other Expectations: College is different from high school. With regard to part of how they differ, see

http://smu.edu/alec/transition.asp.

For every hour you spend in class, you should spend 2 hours studying.

Part of my teaching philosophy is as follows: Learning is best achieved when students become engaged

with the material and discover information on their own.

This philosophy places students at the center of their learning and in charge of it.

My definition of a good student is one who has a good attitude and takes responsibility for himself or

herself, not necessarily just someone who is highly intelligent. I am glad to help students who have first

done their part.

http://smu.edu/alec/transition.asp


To this end, in addition to the other requirements stated in this syllabus, you should:

Read and reread the syllabus, instructional documents, textbook, and assignment sheets. Familiarize

yourself with the names of the assignments. Refer back to the syllabus during the semester. Keep the

assignment sheet and other materials nearby when working on assignments, and refer to them often.

Follow instructions, whether verbal, or written, on screen or in print. You are responsible for reading what

is written on the whiteboard, such as announcements.

If you have made a good faith effort and done your due diligence (discharged your responsibilities) by

reading the applicable material and you still do not understand, ask questions in class. Someone else may

have the same question. If your issue is particular to you (an individual problem), speak or e-mail directly

with the instructor outside of class. Do not take class time for your individual issues.

Participate in class discussions.

Tips:

Although writing directions come from the instructor, the Library can help with research.

Standard Procedure for Peer Review: Please note that this procedure has been revised for Spring 2016.

Bring at least two copies of full drafts of the assignment to class.

At the beginning of class or of the peer review activity, give one copy of the full draft of the assignment to

me. I will return it to you at the end of class after giving you. The draft is worth one daily completion grade

(100 if you do it: 0 if you do not) and is approximately 1-3% of the total course grade). Peer review is not

the time to write your topic, thesis, or a draft of the assignment; plus, drafts beginning with and including

Paper #1 must be typed and printed out. Be on time to class and be prepared with the appropriate number of

drafts and peer review forms as per the schedule.

You will review the drafts of the specified number (as per syllabus) of classmates and have the specified

number of classmates perform peer reviews on your draft. After you have completed one peer review, turn

it in to me without comment. I will check it off and return it, along with your draft, at the end of class.

While I am checking off the drafts and the initial peer review, do not interrupt me unless you have a peer

review question or an emergency. Peer review is not individual conference time: please be considerate of

your classmates so that I can get through drafts before the end of the class period.

Give feedback and receive feedback. If you want a record of your feedback, you will need to have your

reviewers write on your draft and/or take notes when they go over it with you. (The peer reviews will be

returned to the reviewer, not the author of the assignment being reviewed).

Save the completed peer review forms until you get your final grade in the course.


You will earn a daily completion grade (100 if you do it: 0 if you do not) and is approximately 1-3% of the

total course grade). for performing peer review on your classmates’ drafts.

This procedure is subject to change with notice. If students are not trying to do a good job of peer review

and/or not staying on task, there is the possibility that I will begin collecting a draft and grading the reviewer

on how thorough a job was done on the review

Disability Accommodations: If you have a disability accommodation, you will need to remind me well in

advance if you need extra time for quizzes or tests and/or other assignments; and, you may need to remind

me of your other accommodations throughout the semester.

Revision of policies and procedures: I reserve the right to amend any policies and procedures with

advance written and verbal notice.

Syllabus agreement: Complete and return the syllabus agreement (on last page of syllabus) to me on the

second day of class. Even if you do not complete and return the agreement, your continued enrollment in

the class constitutes your acceptance of the policies and procedures outlined in the syllabus.

Course Schedule

All reading assignments should be completed well before class. You must print out items needed from the

Learning Web in advance of the class. Read actively and perform critical thinking (see lessons below) on

the readings. Take notes on the readings—summarize in the margins, underline, and/or circle in the text.

Bring the specified readings (book, printout) to class. Come to class with questions and comments about the

readings in preparation to discuss them.

BR=Bedford Reader

HB=McGraw Hill Handbook

SG= Comp I Study Guide

T 1/19 Class introduction

Safety/security information

Abbreviated syllabus introduction

Go over ground rules for class discussions. See also: Conduct section of syllabus


Instructor introduction

Roll

Student introduction

Course introduction

Go over MLA heading to be used in this class

Diagnostic Writing (in class writing)

Th 1/21 Bring Scantron, syllabus (in print/hard copy or electronic), syllabus contract, and

pencil: Syllabus quiz. Most of the quiz is open-note: you can refer to a hard copy

of the syllabus during most of the quiz.

I will answer syllabus questions before the quiz.

Obtain Topic and Thesis Requirements and Paper #1 assignment sheet documents from your

HCC e-mail

College vs. high school Read chart http://smu.edu/alec/transition.asp

SG 88-90 Interacting with professors

Paper topic guidelines: HB 267-9, 30-1, 239-47 and document

Finding a topic (and start writing)

T 1/26 Proof of Turnitin.com enrollment due (a hard copy/printout of your Turnitin homepage showing

your name and the course name)

Writing HB 2-8, SG Intro 1-2

The Writing Process (Drafting, Revising, Proofreading) HB 80, 98-103, SG 4-5, 10, and 27-9

http://smu.edu/alec/transition.asp


Read BR 1-2 “Why Read? Why Write?”

The Rhetorical Situation HB 8-10, 28; BR 33-59, SG 6 Purpose and Audience

Critical Thinking and Active Reading HB 126-9, 131, 134-6; Critical Reading including some

source evaluation BR 9-12, “Disability” BR 13-15, Critical Reading cont’d BR 16-26, SG

31-47. Annotating Sources document (e-mail).

From Research Question to Thesis Statement HB 48-51, 85-8, 203-4, BR 39-40, SG 7-10 and

document

Topic workshop (time permitting)

Th 1/28 Topic due. Bring 2 copies of your topic and 3 Topic Peer Review forms to class.

T 2/2 Obtain document, Information that does not have to be cited, from e-mail.

Paraphrasing and summarizing HB 335-43

Go over capital punishment example.

Th 2/4 Thesis due. Bring 2 hard copies of your Thesis Statement and 3 Thesis Statement Peer Review

forms, obtained from e-mail.

Obtain Basic Paper Content and Structure and Argumentation documents from e-mail.

Basic Paper Structure (Intro w/thesis as last sentence, Body,

Conclusion), SG 18-21 Paragraphing, and Basic Paper Content: (Brief

background info, Supporting views, Opposing views/counterarguments, and their

rebuttals/refutations) HB 51, 76-8, 78.

We will go over those documents in class.

T 2/9 Topic sentences HB 62

Paragraph development, unity and coherence HB 89-95 and handout, SG 11-13


Academic Writing BR 61-3. (Although you won’t be writing a paper that responds to a text,

but rather using a text to support your argument; you will need to respond, on your own, to the

various sources that you use in your essays, and you will need to synthesize your views and

those of the various sources in your essays).

BR 86-90 Essay. Be sure to read the notes in the margin.

Read sample Paper HB 400-11 This is an example of Paper #3/4 except that the paragraphs are

too long and you cannot use notes

Th 2/11 Paper #1 Peer Review

T 2/16 Paper #1 due

Plagiarism worksheet (obtain document from e-mail for in-class activity).

HB 321-8 and syllabus: What is Plagiarism? And How to Avoid Plagiarism Using

Sources: Paraphrasing, Summarizing, and Quoting: HB 335-43, BR 64-6, Avoiding

Plagiarism 71-3

MLA Documentation HB 360-1, box on 363, 369. Skim 371-94

(Rules for list of Works Cited). Refer also to Sample paper.

Skim 361-8(Rules for In-Text Citations)

HB 343-6, BR 66-7 Integrating sources, including using ellipsis marks and brackets when

quoting, block quotes, plus info on the use of [sic]

Th 2/18 Originality Report for Paper #1 due

HB 262-5 and 273-94 Research

HB 304-12 Evaluating sources: Bias, etc., orking with Sources SG 56-9, BR 67-70 Writing

from Sources

Library instruction

T 2/23 Graded Paper #1s returned.

MLA instruction continued as necessary


Synthesizing multiple sources BR 70-1

The Rhetorical Appeals Triangle: Logos, Pathos, Ethos. SG 100-3, HB 196

http://www.iupui.edu/~uwc/pdf/Rhetorical%20Triangle.pdf

Kairos

Martin Luther King, Jr. “Letter from Birmingham Jail”

http://faculty.millikin.edu/~writing/king1a.html

HB 196-200, SG 15-6 Logical Fallacies

Stance and Tone/Language/Voice HB 35-6

Chicken Tonight! Exercise

Th 2/25 MLA quiz (open book, open note): bring Scantron form and pencils.

HB 195 Types of Evidence BR 91-3 Rosie Anaya on Writing

HB 192-4 and SG 11-14 Inductive and Deductive Reasoning

The STAR criteria for evidence (statistical samples) HB 193

T 3/1 Toulmin Method of Argument Analysis (adaptation of

classical/traditional/Aristotelian argument form) HB 194-6 -handout

Toulmin analysis of article “Who Needs a Husband” by Hila Colman handout (in class

Th 3/3 Print 3 Paper #2 Peer Review forms from e-mail. Bring 2 copies of a full typed draft of

your Paper #2 to class.

Peer Review of Paper #2, including the topic and thesis.

Mini-conferences over Paper #2 draft (time permitting)

http://www.iupui.edu/~uwc/pdf/Rhetorical%20Triangle.pdf

http://faculty.millikin.edu/~writing/king1a.html


T 3/8 Hard copy/print out of Paper #2 due.

Rogerian argument. Obtain documents via e-mail

Th 3/10 Hard copy of Turnitin.com Originality Report for Paper #2

due.

Quiz over Library research skills: bring Scantron form and pencils

Spring Break 3/17 and 3/19

T 3/22 Receive graded Paper #2s

In class writing over whether college is different from high school, why or why not, and how

are they the same or different: Is College the 13th

grade?

Th 3/24 Composition Quiz. Bring Scantron-style form and pencils

F 3/25 Good Friday in the Christian tradition

T 3/29 Patterns of organization HB 66-75, SG 44-47 and 91-9

Note: These are also called methods of organization. They simply reflect common ways

that we think and thus that paragraphs and essays are written. They are often referred to as

the modes in classical rhetoric. In place of the modes, types of arguments are now being

taught in Rhet/Comp courses. Some of the modes--compare/contrast, analogy, cause and

effect, and definition (albeit with a slight twist)-- are types of arguments. Examples are a type

of evidence. All modes can be used in argumentation, although compare/contrast, analogy,

cause and effect, and definition are more common.

Narration: Skim BR 97-109, Read “Mary Ellen’s Story” BR 133-6.

Description: Skim BR 154-62 and BR 181-4 “The Best Pizza in the World”

Examples: Read BR 202-10 and read “Black Men and Public Space” BR 226-8.

Comparison and Contrast: Read BR 245-54 and BR 267-70 “Grant and Lee: A Study in

Contrasts”


Process Analysis: Skim BR 300-7 and read BR 326-33 “Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain”

Division: Read BR 350-9 and BR 372-5 “Vampires Never Die”

Classification: Read BR 398-407 and BR 418-24 “The World of Doublespeak”

Cause and Effect: Read BR 454-65 and BR 487-90 “The Squeeze”

Definition: Read BR 506-16 and “The Meanings of a Word” BR 517-20

Argument: Read BR 546-63 and 570-2 “What’s Wrong with Gay Marriage?”

Mixing the Methods: Read BR 618-9 and 634-9 “The Menace of Negative People”

Th 3/31 Print 3 Paper #3 Peer Review forms from e-mail. Peer Review of Paper #3: bring

at least 2 copies of a full draft of your Paper #3.

Paper #3 mini-conferences (time permitting)

T 4/5 Paper #3 due

If you would like to bring a toy/game, doll/action figure or a photo of a toy/doll/action figure

for the class to analyze, please clear it with me in advance. I will be bringing a Barbie doll.

Ken and G.I Joe as well as other action figures are represented in the photos in the

readings.

“The Troubled Life of Boys: The Bully in the Mirror” by Stephen S. Hall http://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/22/magazine/the-troubled-life-of-boys-the-bully-in-the-

mirror.html?pagewanted=all

Look at the visuals in “Evolving Ideals of Male Body Image as Seen Through

Action Toys” by Harrison G. Pope, Jr., et al.

http://www.afboard.com/library/Evolving%20ideals%20of%20male%20body%20image.pdf

“The Evolution of G.I. Joe” (document)

Th 4/7 Paper #3 Originality Report due

Using your HCC e-mail, e-mail me by 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, 4/10 for the time of your

appointment

http://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/22/magazine/the-troubled-life-of-boys-the-bully-in-the-mirror.html?pagewanted=all

http://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/22/magazine/the-troubled-life-of-boys-the-bully-in-the-mirror.html?pagewanted=all

http://www.afboard.com/library/Evolving%20ideals%20of%20male%20body%20image.pdf


Obtain assignment sheet for Oral Presentation. Go over assignment sheet for Oral

Presentation in class.

T 4/12 Conferences

Th 4/14 Conferences

T 4/19 Conferences

Th 4/21 Conferences

T 4/26 Hard copy of final version of Paper #4 due .

Watch and discuss The Persuaders, especially Song Airlines’ employees; the Frenchman

Clotaire Rapaille; the Axiom Corporation; and narrow-casting.

Th 4/28 Hard copy of Turnitin.com Originality Report for Paper #4 due

Presentations

T 5/3 Presentations

Th 5/5 Hard copy of Paper #4 and hard copy of Originality Report for Paper #4 due

Presentations

Final exam. We will meet during the finals period as per the final exam schedule.


Syllabus agreement/Student’s acknowledgement of receipt of syllabus and consent form

Please read the statements below. Sign and date this form and return it on the second day of class.

I, (print name)_____________________________________________________________, am

enrolled in ENGL 1301 at _________ (time) taught by Ms. B. A. Wade.

I have read, understand, and will follow the policies laid forth in the class syllabus.

I understand that I am responsible for knowing the policies in the syllabus and that claiming to not

understand them or to not be aware of them does not remove my responsibility.

If I do not understand a policy or procedure, it is my responsibility to ask the instructor to clarify it until I do

understand.

I understand that my continued enrollment in the class constitutes my acceptance of the policies and

procedures outlined in the Syllabus.

I realize that it is my responsibility to be aware of assignment requirements and class expectations. If I do

not understand, I will ask the instructor to clarify.

I also realize that learning doesn’t happen if I don’t take part in it, and I attest now to my willingness to take

responsibility for my participation, learning, and success in this class.

To that end, I will do my best to come to class with the materials I need, and having prepared the homework

(including but not limited to reading assignments, written work, and essays).

Signature:_______________________________________________ Date:______________

OPTIONAL

I give my permission for my work to be used anonymously in this class or future classes for research and/or

instructional purposes. I understand that all identifying characteristics would be eliminated.

Signature:_______________________________________________ Date:______________


Documents

ENGLISH 13O1: COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC I … · The Bedford Reader 11th ed. The McGraw-Hill Handbook 3rd ed. (See schedule for information) Comp I Study Guide ... argument, persuasion,