REQUIRED TEXTSREQUIRED MATERIALSA 3-ring binder and loose-leaf paper for notes, handouts, and papers to serve as your Writer’s Notebook (bring to every class)Access to the internet including D2L and word processing software (MS Word only)Fall 2008 Expository WritingTidwell 1 ENGLISH 1010-074“Voice Yourself”Professor Keri M. TidwellTuesdays & Thursdays 8:00-9:25a.m.E.W. MIDGETT 302Email: [email protected] TEXTS- WWF: WritingWithout Formulas, 1st edition, by Thelin - HHH: Hodges’ Harbrace Handbook, 16th edition, by Glenn and Gray- SFC: Surviving Freshman Composition, 4th edition, by Smith, Smith, and Strickland- Any material presented in class or on Desire2Learn (D2L)REQUIRED MATERIALSA 3-ring binder and loose-leaf paper for notes, handouts, and papers to serve as your Writer’s Notebook (bring to every class)- USB key (jumpdrive) or data storage deviceAccess to the internet including D2L and word processing software (MS Word only)- Email address that you check regularly COURSE OBJECTIVESEnglish 1010 is the first course in your two-semester freshman English writing sequence. In this course we will discuss what college writing is and why it is important, and we will adopt a process approach to writing that emphasizes brainstorming, drafting, revising, and editing. Therefore, your essay grades will not only be based on the actual written product but how you arrive at that product, and writing workshops will be an integral part of your grade. We will also address what makes an effective college-level essay and will spend time looking at strategies to improve our writing on the following levels: content, organization, word choice, grammar, and mechanics. Using the required texts as well as supplemental materials will provide helpful writing models, create fruitful opportunities for discussion and reflection, and enhance your critical reading skills. For more information regarding course guidelines and objectives, consult the English Department’s website at http://www.mtsu.edu/~english2. CLASS GOALSAll of the major writing assignments will revolve around the class theme—“Voice Yourself”—to focus on the power of the individual voice to create change. Students will learn to identify and develop their own distinctive writing voices and learn to manipulate and integrate those voices with the voices of other writers. We will spend significant time in class working collaboratively in small groups, which will provide an authentic audience and feedback from other writers. This class is web-intensive, so you will need to be willing to become familiar with D2L throughout the semester. You Office Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:45-11:15 a.m. (and by appointment) Office Location:Peck Hall 105Office Phone: 904-8262Fall 2008 Expository WritingTidwell 2 are responsible for checking the class announcements daily and fulfilling any assignments posted. GRADESIn order to pass this course and earn three credit hours, your course average must be a C (at least a 70) or better. To be eligible, you must 1) complete and turn in all assignments and 2) meet all requirements for the course as stated herein. Your course grade will be determined by dividing the total points earned by the total pointspossible. Your final grade must exceed the .5 mark for me to round up.In-Class Essay 50 points (5%)Essay 1 150 points (15%) Essay 2 175 points (17.5%)Essay 3 175 points (17.5%)Essay 4 200 points (20%)Writer’s Notebook 100 points (10%)Response/Reflection Papers 50 points (5%)Class Participation (Homework, small group work, presentations, quizzes, etc.) 100 points (10%) 1000 TOTAL POINTS (100%)Grading Scale: 100-90=A / 89-87=B+ / 86-80=B / 79-77=C+ / 76-70=C / 69-60=D / 59 & below = F (or possible N)*Students who fulfill all course requirements but fail to achieve the grade of C or better and who are attempting the course for the first time may receive a course grade of N (not passing), which gives them another opportunity to pass the course without lowering their GPAs. *Final grades will be reported as A, B+, B, C+, C, F, or N.*Although I will use the grade of “D” in grading papers and assignments, no one receiving an overall “D” grade will pass the class.CLASS ACTIVITIES - Writer’s Notebook (10%) – This three-ring binder is where you will: keep class notes, handouts, materials, and essays; write in-class journal entries; brainstorm, plan, and draft essays; and just jot down ideas, tell stories, write poetry, or doodle. It will be taken up twice during the semester. More information will be provided in class. - Response/Reflection Papers (5%) – Throughout the semester, you will write short 1-2 page papers related to assigned readings, film clips, and class discussions in order to stimulate thinking and provide ideas for the essays you will write. - Class Participation (10%) – This may include any in- and out-of-class work, specifically participation in class and small group work, discussions, writing workshops, grammar minilessons, quizzes, presentations, homework, in-class writing, or any other activities. - Essays (75%) – Per English department guidelines, you will write four formal essays of approximately 4-5 pages each worth a total of 70%. You will have theopportunity to revise and edit these essays prior to the final turn-in deadline. Inaddition, you will have one in-class on-demand writing task, which you will do inthe first week of the semester that is worth 5%. ALL FOUR MAJOR ESSAY ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO PASS THIS COURSE!Fall 2008 Expository WritingTidwell 3 - Writing Workshops – We will have writing workshops in which you will have the opportunity to discuss your writing with classmates and myself, brainstorm ideas, write, revise, edit, and rewrite. Missing writing workshops may significantly reduce your final essay grade. ATTENDANCE IS CRUCIAL!!! CLASS GUIDELINES- In order for writing skills to improve, the classroom must be a dialogic space where everyone takes an active role in learning and feels safe asking critical questions. Thus, all participants must be respectful of the instructor and each other; absolutely