EN 105 English Composition (Prerequisite: by JCU English Composition Placement Exam) 3 credits. This course concentrates on the development of effective paragraph writing in essays while introducing students to the various rhetorical modes. Elements covered include outlining, the introduction-body-conclusion structure, thesis statements, topic sentences, supporting arguments, and transition signals. Students will also become familiar with the fundamentals of MLA style, research and sourcing, as well as information literacy. To develop these skills, students will write in- and out-of-class essays. Critical reading is also integral to the course, and students will analyze peer writing as well as good expository models. Students must receive a grade of C or above in this course to be eligible to take EN 110. Individual students in EN 105 may be required to complete additional hours in the English Writing Center as part of their course requirements.

COURSE AIMS

This course looks to develop and refine students’ appreciation and comprehension of what represents strong writing.  A number of approaches to producing concise and persuasive prose will be examined and practiced. Students will focus on an accurate and consistent use of grammar and the ability to edit and apply critical thinking to both their own and other people’s work.

By the end of the course students will have improved and refined their writing through actively engaging in peer review and applying a heightened awareness of critical reading skills both in and out of class. They will have expanded their understanding of different rhetorical techniques employing a broader range of language, varied sentence structure and self reflexive skills to produce essays which have a clear focus as to who their reader is and which reflect the ability to vigorously analyze and assess their own work to a high standard.

Students who successfully complete EN105 (with a grade of C or higher) should be able to

Grammar

* Write grammatically and idiomatically correct English prose with more sophistication

Reading

* Read to comprehend complex material

* Read and think critically

Vocabulary

* Expand vocabulary through reading and writing

* Develop subject specific terminology through reading and writing

Rhetoric

* Write effective paragraphs and essays

* Summarize

* Understand how to recognize and utilize rhetorical modes

* Construct detailed outlines

* Understand the introduction-body-conclusion structure

* Write a strong thesis statement

* Construct topic sentences and supporting arguments

* Utilize transition signals to form an essay that flows

* Think, read, and write critically for an academic audience

Research and sourcing

·         Be familiar with research skills including

·         Understanding databases, web-based sourcing, and source evaluation

·         * Utilize MLA format to cite sources

·         * Understand how to avoid plagiarism

·        If you are unable to attend a class session, you should make arrangements with one or more of your classmates to catch up on anything you missed. While illness and emergencies are often unavoidable and understandable, keep in mind that it will be difficult for you to make up missed peer reviews, small group discussions, and spoken lectures and instructions. Even if you are not able to attend, you are still responsible for making sure any assignments due that day are in my hands by the start of class.

Laptops and Cellphones are not permitted in class unless specifically required for the purposes of an in-class writing assignment.

Disruptive behavior that results in dismissal from the class at any time during class will be counted as one absence. This includes entering and leaving the class once the lesson has begun, doing work for this class during discussions or doing work for other classes during this class, inappropriate use of the computers (checking on your e-mail while in class, surfing the ‘net, etc), talking to others while someone else is talking, etc.

ASSESSMENT

At Home Essays

1 - Set 09/09/14 – Due 18/09/14

2 – Set 23/09/14 – Due 09/10/14

3 -  Set 28/10/14  -  Due 13/11/14

In Class Timed Essays

02/10/14

11/11/14

27/11/14

Final Exam - TBA

Schedule

Course Outline (NB: This outline is subject to change)

 Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

Week 12

Week 13

Policies on late work :

·        Assignments are due at the time and day they are due, this means the beginning of class. Papers are considered late as soon as I begin lecturing. Please take care to note the deadlines announced in class and in this syllabus.

·        One late assignment per student will be accepted without penalty. This does not apply to major paper assignments. Major papers will be penalized 10 points (a full letter grade) for every day they are late up to 30 points. Major papers turned in more than three days late will receive a grade of zero.