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Word Rogues |
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On English and Writing: Leon Lanzbom |
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English 110 Basic Composition (#1295) fall session 2008 10/20/2008-12/12/2008 Instructor: Leon Lanzbom
Class Website: lanzbom.org Office Hours: TBA Class materials: Textbook: Langan, John. College Writing Skills with Readings 7th ed. CD’s or Key or Disks to take home Yellow, Blue, and Pink Highlighting Pens T &TH Lecture and Lab 8:00am-11:50am K122
what lies within us. --Henry David Thoreau ______________________________________________ Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: “We are shut up in schools and college recitation rooms for ten or fifteen years, and come out at last with a belly full of words and do not know a thing. The things taught in schools and colleges are not an education, but the means of education.” I hope youare here for the means of education, to stimulate “what lies within” you. If you are, my goal is not to fill your belly with words, but to help you fall in love with learning, to light a fire under you, to show you that knowledge is greatest gift. The knowledge you gain in class is more valuable than gold. Gold you can lose. Knowledge, no one can take from you. ____________________________________ CLASS POLICIES Due Dates: To receive full credit for an assignment (homework, essay, or journal) you must turn it in when assignment is due. Assignments not handed in at that time are late. (Five minutes late is late!) Absence is never an excuse for lateness. Late is late is late. Points will be subtracted from an assignment for every class that passes without the assignment being handed in. I do not accept late work. One more time: I do not accept late work. Missing an assignment will result in zero points for that assignment. No quizzes or other in-class journal assignments may be made up without prior arrangements made with me. I do not accept emailed assignments. Highlighting: To help you structure your essays, I will require you to highlight all of your assigned writing in the following way: Yellow: Thesis statement Pink: Topic sentence of every paragraph. Blue: Transitions
Attendance: It is important to attend all class sessions. It is difficult to learn new material when you are not present in class. Lab is a class session. Do not skip lab. Also, please remember the college attendance policy states that if you miss more than twice the number of times a class meets in week, you may be dropped. However, for this short-term class you will be dropped if you miss three classes. If you miss more than 30 minutes of a given class, or signing the roll sheet, you will be marked absent. Additionally, be aware that two tardies are the equivalent of one absence. Read the last two sentences again. I am very serious about this. Lateness is a huge sin in my class.
Syllabus/ fall 08 One more thing: If you decide this class is not for you, you are ultimately responsible to drop the class. You need to go to student records and make sure they drop you from the class. DO NOT JUST STOP COMING TO CLASS. MAKE SURE YOU ARE DROPPED. If you do not drop the class, and I happen to miss dropping you, you will get an F for the class. I view attendance in this way: If you are in class, you are in class; if you miss, you miss. That is all. I have no desire to make judgments about what is a legitimate excuse for not being in class. As a result, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT call or e-mail me to report an “excused” absence. I do understand, though, that compelling issues or even crises do arise. If you have a critical problem, contact me, so we can work toward a solution together. However, PLEASE DO NOT COME UP TO ME AT THEBEGINNING OF CLASS TO ASK ABOUT WHAT YOU MISSED. Contact someone else in the class or talk to me during break or after class to get the information you missed by not being in class. You must therefore obtain at least three names, numbers, and E-mail addresses of fellow students on your first day of class, so you can find out what you missed if you do miss a class. You must have these names filled in on your syllabus.There may come a time where I will check to see if you’ve done this GRADING A papers exhibit a strong sense of voice, control, and purpose. They have virtually no grammar/mechanical errors (not zero errors, just few, minor, non-distracting errors). For an A paper, there is little else I can teach you. B papers demonstrate above average skills but lack fully developed information, and they have more grammar errors than A papers. C papers represent average level work. They exhibit more problems with development of ideas, purpose, and control, and they show lack of control over grammar usage. D papers are below average. They are either indicative of lack of understanding or lack of effort. F papers are more extreme versions of D papers. You will also receive an F for work not submitted. Please do not be disappointed if you received A’s in the past and are not now—I do not give out grades; you have to earn them. NOTE: I will not mark ALL grammar errors in your essays; this is a college-level class, so I expect college-level proficiency with spoken and written English. If you have ongoing errors of grammar, syntax, etc., get thee to the Bridging Lab or Writing Center as appropriate. Take control of your writing skills. On Books: One point that I am extremely firm on is your book. Without your book, you are helpless. I want you get the most from this class. English 110 is cumulative, and if you cannot keep up, especially in the beginning, you will be lost. Since we have a major reading assignment by day two, and almost every class meeting, you must have your book and have read the assignment listed on the syllabus for that day. Our class cannot function without your preparation. If you still do not have a book by our third class, you will lose 25 points or a grade. As a matter of fact, if you don’t have your book by day three, please consider dropping my class. You are a dynamic college student, and you will be expected to act as such. ASSIGNMENTS: 1. Two essays in response to topics (750 words each). 2. Two in class 750 word essays 3. Journals, consisting mainly of exercises from the text, freewriting, class diary (must be 50 pages by class end). 4. One “out-of-class” 5 page research paper—please note topic exceptions on your hard-copy handout. 5. Five unannounced, in-class startle-response quizzes. A grade of “C” or better is required on the research paper to pass the course Startle-response quizzes and missing class: There will be 5 in-class Startle-Response quizzes, otherwise known as “check that you did the reading carefully and on time quizzes.” You can expect these quizzes from time to time, and they will come unannounced throughout the semester. The quizzes will primarily focus on the reading assignments, providing me with a chance to see how well you are doing with the readings and documentation technique, though any area of the course may provide material for quizzes. The whole point of these quizzes is to help us work together, to convert what might be a boring classroom into a chaotic, unpredictable and exciting intellectual laboratory. You must submit all essays, exams, and the research paper in order to pass this course. _____________________________________________ Grading of assignments:
A 500—450 B 449—400 C 399—350 Credit: Grade of A, B, or C D 349—300 F Below 300 We are in college now, and we are, therefore, faced with choices and responsibilities that we did not have in high school. For this class, one choice is documentation. Note: Every paper you do in this class, after your first two papers, must have MLA documentation for outside sources you will use. Whether you look up a definition in the dictionary or a quote, or preferably, something from another writer that can help the reader understand your point, you must offer the citing of that source ted should you have? As many as it takes to get your point across. We’re looking at a minimum of three sources per paper. Please see the sample paper in Langan on pages 436 though 444. Notice the works cited page on 444. This is wrong in Langan. Your Works Cited will be found on its own page at the end of your essay. Also read pages 431-435 to review how to cite in the MLA style, which we will use in this class. Here are a few examples of MLA works cited: Book with one author: Gorman, Elizabeth. Prairie Women. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1986. Short story in an anthology: Allende, Isabel. “Toad’s Mouth.” Trans. Margaret Sayers Peden. A Hammock beneath the Mangoes: Stories from Latin America. Ed. Thomas Colchie. New York: Plume, 1992. 83-88. Artricle from a web page: “Great Gatsby Study Guide.” studyguide.org. 5 January 2002. 11 March 2003. <http://www.studyguide.org/gatsby_study_guide.htm>. Magazine article: Cannon, Angie. “Just Saying No to Tests.” U.S. News & World Report. Oct. 1999: 34. Film: The Empire Strikes Back. Dir. George Lucas. Perf. Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher. Twentieth Century Fox, Basic MLA Guidelines for your papers: * No Title page. No plastic covers. You may keep everything in a manila folder. *You must have a title: keep it short, but let it tell. *Submit your typed paper on standard-sized paper (8.5 X 11 inches). Use a paper clip OR a staple, to hold pages. *Double-space your paper. No additional space between paragraphs or above or below the title of the paper. [In Word, click on Format, Paragraph and change the drop-down menu under Line Spacing to say "Double."] * Indent the first line of each paragraph, 1�� inch (5 spaces) from the left margin. * Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides. [In Word, you will need to click File, Page Setup to check the margins.] * Create a header (your last name followed by the page number) that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. Do show page number on first page. * The paper should be left justified. Do not justify the right side, allow it to be “ragged.” * Font: Use Courier or Times New Roman, font size 12 Paragraphs should be indented 1 inch (or 5 spaces). NO BLOCK PARAGRAPHS. [In Word, use the Tab key at the beginning of each paragraph. Daily Menu English 110: 1295 Oct. 20 to Dec scribbles, drawings, outlines, a daily diary, and all the chapter exercises you are required to do. Journals will be checked and graded on the day of your final, but you may bring them in earlier to see if you’re doing what has to be done. This is an easy grade if you keep up daily. Note: Class notes are NOT a part of your journal. Week 1: T 10.21 (class and lab held in K122) begin essay-quiz #1: “Why did you take this class?” Due Thursday 10/22 Write about your decision to attend this fall session—What is your main reason for taking this class? By taking the class now, talk about three effects that you envision (positive or negative) on your fall plans? Your paper must be formatted properly. The grade on this quiz will be dependent on proper formatting. Please read formatting instructions on the last pages of this syllabus. Class K122: Introduction to class, first-day: syllabus review Lanzbom/syllabus/ summer 08 16 Thursday 10.23 Bring in your take home quiz Come into class having read and the following: Langan: Chapter 1, “An Introduction to Writing.” 5-15, “An Introduction to writing” and do exercises 1-7 on pp19-20. Please pay close attention to the “The Hazards of Moviegoing.” on pp. 8-9. Do all exercises on pp 10-12 Langan: The writing process, Chapter 2: 25-35 Essay #1: Due Tuesday 11.06 Read the following: Narration p.203-212. pay close attention to “Adopting a Handicap’s” thesis statement on pages 209-10; Also, read “Three Passions” by Bertrand Russell, and “The Yellow Ribbon,” Pete Hamill, 212-215. Look at these essays through the lens of “Narrative.” Notice how story can be weaved even out of simple passion for life as in Bertrand Russell’s essay. You are going to then follow the instructions on the front of our essay packet and write an essay on something that happened to you and had an impact on your life. Download your essay packet at our class website. Week Two Tuesday 10.28 Come into class having read and ready to discuss the following: Do all the exercises: Langan: 35-39, including all exercises. Langan: capitals p. 536-43 Langan: writing numbers & abbreviations p. 544-47 Lanzbom/syllabus/ summer 08 17 Langan: chapter 23 Subj. & Verbs: 449-54 Thursday 10.30 Catch up on anything we didn’t hit during the week. Introduction to standard essay. Review three points of argument and thesis. Langan: Chapter 24 fragments 455-468 Avoiding slang p. 598-603 Langan chapter 3: “The First and Second Steps in Essay Writing; 51-62 _________________________________ Friday 10.31 * this date may be incorrect. Please check to be sure Last Day to Add Last Day to Drop without a “W” on Transcripts Last Day to Receive a Refund ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Week 3 Tuesday 11.4 Work on essay: “Narrative.” Come into class having read and reviewed the following: Langan: CH 3 62-78 Langan chapters: chapter 25: avoiding run-ons p. 469-81 Start thinking about your final paper topic. You must hand it in by Thursday this week ______________________________________________ Thursday 11.6 Come into class having read and reviewed the following: Narrative essay due on my desk at beginning of class Begin essay 2: “Description Essay.” Due 11/20 see below. Langan: chapter 4: 79-104 Langan: Read and do exercises, chapter 26: 482-91 CH 27 _____________________________________________ Lanzbom/syllabus/ summer 08 18 Week Four Tuesday 11.11 Come into class having read and reviewed the following: Continue and catch up CH 32 Misplaced Modifiers 522-25 Ch 33 Dangling Modifiers: 526-31 ___________________________ Thursday 11.13 Essay 1 due on my desk Begin Description Essay Catch up Come into class having read and reviewed the following: Continue chapter 5: 105-127 Essay #2: “Still Life” Description Essay: Due: 11/20 For this, your first piece of word art, you will describe your favorite meal. We’re shooting for a 750 word essay that describes the image of this food, offering three points of observation and a thesis. You must use your five senses to paint the most wonderful specific details in words, sight, smell, taste, touch, and maybe even hearing. To make your words as vivid as possible, use strong verbs and colorful nouns—the kinds of words that appeal to the reader’s senses. Keep away from the “to be” verbs (be, is, am, are, was, were, been, being). Here is an example of description with almost no appeal to the senses: The hat is being worn by the boy. Here is an example rich in description: Carl wears a fedora. Notice how the second sentence not only paints a vivid picture of Carl but it also uses far fewer words (actually half the amount). With clarity comes concision. Download your Description essay pack at our website. This packet must be filled out and handed in with your essay Lanzbom/syllabus/ summer 08 19 Week Five Monday 11.18 Lab: Work on Description Essay Review: Catch up Hand out: MLA worksheets Helping verbs, verbals, gerunds 500-02 Chapter 29: 504-08 Bring rough draft of essay 2 into class ___________________________________ Thursday 11.20 Description Essay due on my desk today at beginning of class. Ch 6: 139-166 Four Bases for Revising Essays Ch 30 Pronoun types: 510-15 Bring in rough draft of essay 2 Final Paper This paper will be a five-paragraph essay with at least two (2) works cited. The topic for this paper should be handed in to me by Thursday 6.26 You must hand in the topic or lose 10 points. The sooner you can develop an idea the sooner you can begin your paper. You must have your rough draft for this paper ready to send to other students in class by 7.6. You will be graded on this. So get the wheels rolling. Download your final paper packet from our website. Lanzbom/syllabus/ summer 08 20 Week Six Tuesday 11.25 CH 6 four bases cont. Ch 31 Adjectives and adverbs Last readings for rough drafts Lab: Description Essay ____________________________ Thursday 6.27 Thanksgiving no class _____________________________ Week Seven Tuesday 2/2 Ch 37 apostrophe: 549-56 Ch 38 quotation marks: 557-64 Thursday 2/4 Meetings: review for final ---------------------- Week Eight Tuesday 12/9: Review for Final Thursday 12/11: Final Cataclysmic Interrogation!
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E-mail: Lanzbom@yahoo.com
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