EN 101, Introduction to Expository Writing 
Spring Evening Semester, 2013
	
Instructor – Kai White
Section – 101-90-2
Course Description

“Instruction and practice in writing, editing, and revising short narrative and expository essays. The course instructs the basics of organization and clear expression and use of Standard Edited American English.” – Chaminade Catalog
English 101 provides an introduction to writing as a process of intellectual discovery and inquiry. The course encourages and nurtures the various aspects of the writing process, from planning, brainstorming, and drafting to revising, editing and proofreading.  

The course also emphasizes the profound relationship between reading and writing. Readings include an anthology of autobiographical writings as well as one book-length autobiography.

The course is organized around careful development of two autobiographical essays and one argumentative essay. In addition, students keep journals and at the end of the course prepare a portfolio of their best work.

This course requires Internet access to the World Wide Web and Email. Additionally, students are expected to engage in active online discussion via the Comp Class course website.
PLEASE NOTE:  Completion of EN 101 with a minimum grade of “C” is prerequisite to EN 102.  
Course Learning Outcomes
•	Demonstrate writing as a process including pre-writing, drafting, revision, editing and proofreading.
•	Use the writing process as a form of inquiry and discovery, with an emphasis on writing suitable for academic purposes.
•	Produce writing that is free of major grammatical and mechanical errors.
•	Evaluate and integrate sources related to a specific academic topic.
Diversity
Chaminade's "Core Beliefs Statement" says, "Students, both traditional and non-traditional, bring a variety of talents, traditions, cultures and abilities. This diversity brings a special opportunity to the Chaminade community, which can then nurture and guide each student to the fullest realization of potential." Consequently, this course encompasses readings that reflect and examine the diversity of our literary, cultural and environmental heritage. Additionally, the course puts special attention on the problems faced by authors seeking to write from unique personal or cultural perspectives to readers who may not share the same perspectives or cultural background.
Texts and Materials
•	CompClass (Student must purchase subscription -- about $40.) 
o	1. Go to http://courses.bfwpub.com/writersref7e.php.
o	2. Click STUDENTS PURCHASE ACCESS TODAY.
o	3. Scroll down to CompClass for A Writer’s Reference, 7th Edition, and click on the link to PURCHASE ACCESS.
o	4. Register for a specific class by selecting your school location (state/province) from the drop-down menu at the bottom of the screen. Subsequent drop-down menus allow you to choose your institution, course title/instructor, and, if applicable, your section.
o	5. Enter an e-mail address, which will serve as your CompClass username. You won’t be able to change your e-mail address after you register, so pick one that will be valid for the duration of the course.
o	6. Create a password. The password must be at least 4 characters long and should be something memorable.
o	7. Provide payment information, including your name as it appears on your credit card, your credit card number and expiration date, and your billing address.
o	8. Click NEXT.
o	9. After confirming your account information, click PLACE YOUR ORDER.
o	10. Once the system has accepted your information, a thank you screen will confirm your name, e-mail address, username, and password. You will also receive a confirmation e-mail.
o	11. If you have trouble purchasing CompClass, contact tech support at 800.936.6899 or techsupport@bfwpub.com. Otherwise, return to www.yourcompclass.com to log in to your CompClass course. 
•	Neihardt, Black Elk Speaks (free electronic text) 
Online Research Sites 
•	eBrary (Chaminade ID and password required) 
•	EBSCO (Chaminade ID and password required)
Online References 
•	Sullivan Library, Chaminade University (web site)
•	Guide to Grammar and Writing (web site)
•	Purdue University OWL (Online Writing Lab)
Requirements
•	Participation in online discussions: 5%
•	Journal: 5% 
•	Quizzes, and miscellaneous other assignments: 10% 
•	Papers 1 and 2, (including graded peer reviews): 20%
•	Portfolio (including revised Papers 1 and 2, Paper 3): 40%
•	Final Exam: 20%
All quizzes and Q&A exercises are given online
The course journal consists of free-form writing, sometimes in fulfillment of specific assignments. A minimum of 400 words per week (approximately two pages) is required. Journals are considered the private workspaces of individual students; credit for completion of the journal requirement is based on mid-term and final journal reports. Log in to CompClass and navigate to the Assignments Tab “About Course Journal” for more information.
This course includes three major papers of approximately 1200 words each. Papers one and two may be revised for a possible grade increase. Papers are submitted via the course management system.
At the end of the course, students submit a portfolio, including revisions of Papers one and two, Paper three, and sample journal entries. As with individual papers, the portfolio is submitted via the Comp Class Writing Tab.  PLEASE NOTE THAT NO LATE FINAL PORTFOLIOS WILL BE ACCEPTED DUE TO INSTRUCTOR GRADING DEADLINE.  Students who submit late Final Portfolios will receive an “I” or Incomplete for the course.
The final exam consists of two parts. The first part consists of "objective" style questions drawn in large part from quizzes, Q&A exercises, and associated study sheets. The second part consists of several paragraph- and short essay-length writing assignments.
Grading Scale for Essay Assignments 
•	‘A’: Outstanding scholarship and an unusual degree of intellectual initiative. (90-100)
•	‘B’: Superior work done in a consistent and intellectual manner.  (80-89)
•	‘C’: Average grade indicating competent grasp of subject matter. (70-79)
•	‘D’: Inferior work, not satisfactory for fulfillment of prerequisite course work. (60-69)
•	‘F’: Failed to grasp minimum subject matter; no credit given.
•	A passing grade for this course is a ‘C.’ 

Grading Rubric for Essay Assignments 

Grade	
Integration of Sources	
Clarity and Rhetoric	
Organizational Development 	
Grammar and Mechanics	

A	
Accurate assessment (summary and paraphrase) of source information.  The sources are introduced using a concise summary and the sources are integrated logically and effectively into the paper. The validity of the source information has been tested and documented in the paper.  	
The goal of the paper is clear.  The language and rhetorical  techniques used in the paper are clear and effective for the audience provided.   	
The paper displays a clear organizational structure which includes an introduction, thesis, topic sentences, examples, transitions, and a conclusion, and the research clearly supports the thesis.	
The paper uses correct MLA documentation and contains few errors in grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.	

B	
Same as above, however the summary introduction of the text is accurate but not as concise.	
Rhetorical techniques are applied correctly throughout the paper, but it may not be effective for the audience provided.	
The paper has a clear organizational structure, but further research may be needed for conclusive development.	
The paper may contain several errors in grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.	

C	
The summary introduction or the paraphrase of the source may be less than accurate.  	
The rhetorical techniques may present less than a logical application.  Or additional techniques should have been used in the paper.	
The organizational structure is not always clear making it difficult to follow the writers points at all time, or further research is needed for sufficient support..	
The paper contains a few minor documentation errors or numerous errors in grammar and punctuation that do not hinder a general reading.	

D
  	
There is no summary introduction of the texts, and the text is not integrated into the paper.	
Same as above.	
The paper lacks a clear organizational structure (topic sentences and transitions)., or the research does not appear to support the thesis.	
The “works cited” page is not in MLA format.	

F	
It is unclear what additional texts are being used and for what purpose.	
It is unclear what techniques are being used	
The purpose of the paper/thesis is unclear and/or not support is given.	
No “works cited” page  was included in the paper.	

Late Assignments

Accepting of late assignments is the discretion of the instructor.  Students must contact their instructor prior to the due date if they wish to have an assignment considered for late submission. However, due to the Peer Review Component of the course, Peer Review assignments cannot be submitted late.  
Academic Honesty and Plagiarism
Please carefully review the definition and examples of plagiarism in your Chaminade student handbook.  
All material submitted in fulfillment of course requirements must be written by the registered student. While students are strongly encouraged to consult sources outside the required reading of the course, they are also responsible for clearly stating the nature of their sources. Statements of "common knowledge" are generally exempt from this scholarly requirement. 
Plagiarism is defined as the presentation of someone else's ideas as your own. Plagiarism in this course will result in a grade of "0" for the assignment and possible failure for the course. 
If the instructor suspects plagiarism, the burden of proof of the originality of the writing lies with the student. Evidence of originality would include copies of early drafts of the writing, research and interview notes, as well as the ability to discuss the themes of the writing with the instructor. Students should consider their instructor's vigilance in such matters a normal part of the academic process and should be prepared to present evidence of originality if requested. 
Students are strongly advised to save files of early drafts of essays, along with outlines, research notes and other supporting documentation, as the instructor may at any time require that they be presented. 
Tentative Course Outline 
Weeks 1 and 2 (Important: See CompClass for specific due dates and times)
•	Buy CompClass subscription; become familiar with the site.
•	Take Smarter Measure assessment via our CompClass course website under the assignments tab
•	Post a short statement about yourself to the "Introductions" discussion topic. Go to Week 1 in the course management system. Read (via CompClass): A Writer's Reference e-Handbook, "Composing and Revising," "Introduction" through "Writing Paragraphs" (Sections C1 through C4). Click on the "eBook" tab at the top of the CompClass home page.
•	Personal Essays Assignment- Read and Post your response to the Personal Essays Discussion Forum via CompClass
•	Take “Diagnostic Quiz, Basic Grammar” in CompClass.
•	Under the Comp Class Course Materials Tab, Read and do practice quizzes on Guide to Grammar and Writing site.
o	Subject-Verb Agreement, Verbs and Verbals
o	Writing with a Sense of Purpose
•	Pay special attention to the page "The Thesis Statement" 
o	Free writing and Clustering
o	Writers’ Block
o	Outlining

•	Assignment 1
o	Post Assignment 1, Step 4 to the "Childhood Recalled" discussion topic on CompClass. 
o	Post Assignment 1, Step 7 to the "Childhood Extended" discussion topic on CompClass.
o	Submit Assignment 1 (1200 Word Essay) via Writing Tab in CompClass
Weeks 3 and 4
•	Peer review classmates’ Assignment 1 
•	Begin Assignment 2
•	Take Current Week’s Diagnostic Grammar Quiz via CompClass Assn Tab
•	Reading and practice quizzes on Guide to Grammar and Writing site
o	Editing and rewriting
o	Paragraph development
o	Modifier placement 
•	Read (via CompClass): A Writer's Reference e-Handbook, "Sentence Style," "Introduction" through "Sentence Variety" (Sections S1 through S7). Click on the "eBook" tab at the top of the CompClass home page. 
Weeks 5 and 6
•	Read (via CompClass): A Writer's Reference e-Handbook, "Word Choice ," "Introduction" through "The Dictionary and Thesaurus" (Sections W1 through W6). Click on the "eBook" tab at the top of the CompClass home page. 
•	Reading and practice quizzes on Guide to Grammar and Writing site: 
o	Plural noun forms
o	Possessives
o	Articles
o	Introductions
o	Conclusions
•	Read: Black Elk Speaks via link under Course Materials
•	Read (via CompClass): A Writer's Reference e-Handbook, "Grammatical Sentences," "Introduction" through "Run-on Sentences" (Sections G1 through G6). Click on the "eBook" tab at the top of the CompClass home page. 
•	Reading and practice quizzes on Guide to Grammar and Writing site: 
o	Transitions and coherence
o	Pronouns and pronoun-antecedent agreement
o	Run-on sentences and comma splices
o	Sentence variety 
o	Sentence combining

•	Take Current Week’s Diagnostic Grammar Quiz via CompClass Assn Tab
•	Submit Essay 2 via Writing Tab in CompClass. 
Weeks 7 and 8
•	Read (via CompClass): A Writer's Reference e-Handbook, "Punctuation," "Introduction" through "Other Marks " (Sections P1 through P7). Click on the "eBook" tab at the top of the CompClass home page. 
•	Begin Assignment 3
•	Reading and practice quizzes on Guide to Grammar and Writing site: 
o	Punctuation
o	Quotation marks
o	Ellipses
o	Abbreviations
o	Numbers and lists
o	Italics and underlining
o	Capitalization

•	Take Current Week’s Diagnostic Grammar Quiz via CompClass Assn Tab
•	Read (via CompClass): A Writer's Reference e-Handbook, "Mechanics," "Introduction" through "Italics" (Sections M1 through M6). Click on the "eBook" tab at the top of the CompClass home page.
•	Read: Black Elk Speaks, to the end
Weeks 9 and 10
•	Review for Final Exam
•	Submit Final Portfolio, including the following, per instruction from your instructor. 
o	Assignment 3
o	revised Assignment 1 
o	revised Assignment 2
•	Read the Final Exam Instructions via Comp Class Assignments and decide whether you will take the exam online utilizing ProctorU (there is a cost associated with this option) or via proctor at Chaminade University or at another authorized location either in your community or on base.
•	Download and Review the Final Exam Study Guide.
•	Take the Final Exam (Closed Book, Absolutely No Notes allowed) by the posted Due Date in Comp Class Assignments Tab.