Syllabus Schedule Projects Handouts
English 1101 English Composition
The course work consists of reading assignments, in-class exercises, and individual (sometimes group) essays. The total possible points are 1000.
For some of your writing assignments, you will write two drafts: first and final. Please note the different due dates. For first drafts, you need to email it to me the day before it’s due. I’ll pick some of your drafts and share them with the class. We’ll provide feedback on the drafts. Based on the feedback, you’ll then have the chance to revise and edit your essay.
Each project must be saved in exactly the same file name as specified in my project instructions, and each project must be turned in electronically, typically as email attachments, unless I specify otherwise.
Grading
Instructors typically grade essays in one of two ways: holistic grading or analytical grading. For your information, I use holistic grading. For those of you who would really like to know what we composition instructors look at when evaluating your essay, here’re some examples of analytical grading rubrics just for your reference.
Reading Assignments, Peer Editing, and In-Class Exercises (not graded)
Carefully read each assigned chapter—on time—so that you can participate meaningfully in the discussions and contribute your insights. Although these activities are not graded, they are essential to effective learning and the efficient use of class time.
The combination of the readings and discussion will thus prepare you for the more serious work—analyzing the methods and processes and genres of writing. These analyses are best conducted in a group, where you each have the benefit of each other’s individual perceptions and insights. For most of your writing assignments, you’ll peer edit each other’s papers and provide feedback so that you can improve your writing.
Grammar Presentation (200 Points)
You will work in pairs to research into one particular aspect of grammar or mechanics, summarize and synthesize the information in a written handout, and present your findings in class in an interactive format.
Here’s the presentation schedule:
| Date | Topic | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 1/22 | sentence types | |
| 1/29 | verbs and tenses | Nahija Arline, Fidelis Besong, Makailah Brown |
| 2/5 | subject-verb agreement | Dylan Djomale, Jada Foxworth, Audrey Georges |
| 2/12 | adjectives and adverbs | Hannah Heisman & Jonathan Dubreuil |
| 2/19 | comma splices and fused sentences | Kaiden Johnson, Zamir Jones |
| 2/26 | sentence fragments | Annie Milner, Qadree Mujahid, Zaya Whitaker |
| 3/4 | punctuation | Mann Patel, Michael Patterson |
| 3/18 | gerunds, participles, and infinitives | Kushi Rasamallu, Michael Saramat |
| 3/25 | parallelism | Kiersten Pickett, Ibrahim Shariff, De’Mya Smith |
| 4/1 | active vs. passive voices | Jordan Tucker-Wilson, Daniel Vaughn, Lucas Verner |
| 4/8 | articles | Titi Keita, Phoenix Young |
Narrative Essay (200 points)
This assignment gives you a chance to describe a personal experience that has had an impact on your life.
Expository/Analytical Essay (200 points)
For this assignment, you will demonstrate your abilities to analyze anything from literature, music, film, television, etc. and to describe your analysis in detail providing your own comments and critiques.
Argumentative Essay (400 points)
Your practice in essay writing in this course will culminate in this persuasive essay assignment, where you will choose a topic that interests you and that you can personally relate to and construct an argument that persuades your audience about your beliefs.