What We Have to Do:
1. write 20 pages of prose
2. do one formal revision
3. to write prose with only two errors per page
4. to recognize and correct comma splices, dangling modifiers, fragments, run-ons, and agreement and possession problems
5. read (excluding the novel) 50% fiction and 50% non-fiction
6. write a compare and contrast paper
a classification and division paper
What is Strongly Encouraged:
1. read a novel and some poetry
2. learn to use a word processing system, preferably word perfect
3. increase vocabulary
Syllabus for English 103
Instructor: Ms. Catherine Decker
Office: Morey 523
How to Reach: (1) put a note in my mailbox on the 4th floor of
Morey Hall
(2) call 275-4092 between 8:15-12:00; 1:00-4:30 on
weekdays and leave a message
(3) visit me during my office hours, Wed. 4-7
Required Texts:
Gefvert, Constance. The Confident Writer: A Norton Handbook. 2nd ed. New York: Norton, 1988.
Lewis, Matthew. The Monk. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1973.
Readings for English 103, with a special section on The Monk. Available at Kinko's, 1667 Mt. Hope Ave., 271-0454.
Recommended Texts:
Garrison, Roger H. How A Writer Works. rev. ed. New York: Harper and Row, 1985.
McClure, Rhyder. Fast Access/WordPerfect. New York: Brady, 1987.
Basic Rules:
Rule One: Attendance
If you miss a class, you are responsible for the work done that day. I will either give you a quiz or written assignment on the work you have missed.
Rule Two: Late Assignments and Papers
Each late paper or assignment must be accompanied by a note explaining why it is late. Reasonable excuses will be accepted. Unreasonably late assignments will receive a lower grade.
Rule Three: Proofreading
Do not turn in anything that is not proofread. The penalty will usually be greater than that for lateness.
Rule Four: Two Copies
To do our revision exercises, I need to keep a copy of each paper. I will mark, grade, and return one copy to you. At the end of the semester you may pick up the other copies.
Writing Rules: The Big Six
ALWAYS put commas and periods inside quotation marks.
Example: He said "hi."
ALWAYS underline the titles of books.
Example: I liked The Red Badge of Courage.
Write out NUMBERS under one hundred unless they are in a series of larger numbers.
Example: I have twenty-seven pens.
In a FORMAL paper NEVER use contractions.
NEVER use "a lot" in a paper for this class.
ALWAYS put your last name and the page number in the top right hand corner of every page of an assignment but the first.
Schedule:
W/S/6 Introduction
In-class Writing
F/S/8 Grammar Review
Gender-Free Pronoun Use
M/S/11 More Grammar
F/S/15 Documentation
Compare and Contrast
M/S/18 Poetry
Thesis/Outline
W/S/20 Comparison and Contrast Paper Due
F/S/22 Grammar Test
M/S/25 Grammar Review
Revision
"How to Analyze Fiction"
W/S/27 Division and Classification
Introduction to The Monk
F/S/29 The Monk
M/O/2 The Monk
W/O/4 The Monk
F/O/6 Essay Exam on The Monk
Begin reading critical articles
M/O/9 Writing workshop
W/O/11 "Strategies"
Introduction to Criticism
F/O/13 Division and Classification Paper Due
Analyzing Criticism
W/O/18 Critical Reports
F/O/20 Critical Reports
M/O/23 Introduction to Research and the Library
W/O/26 Library Workshop
Definition
F/O/27 Definition Paper Due
Revision Workshop
M/O/30 Library Workshop
F/N/3 Process Analysis Paper Due
Revision Workshop
M/N/6 Revision Workshop
W/N/8 Research and Revision Test
F/N/10 Brainstorming
"Argument"
M/N/13 Topic/Thesis Assignment Due
Writing Workshop
W/N/15 "Analyzing Arguments"
F/N/17 Bibliographies Due
"Analyzing Arguments"
M/N/20 Argumentation and Documentation
W/N/22 Annotated Bibliography Session
M/N/27 Annotated Bibliography Due
Outline Session
W/N/29 Outline Due
Overhead Presentation
F/D/1 Draft of Introduction Due
Overhead Presentation
Writing Workshop
M/D/4 Complete Draft Due
Revision Session
W/D/6 Revision Session
F/D/8 Final Copy Due
Final Review
M/D/11 Evaluation