VU Composition 101 I N T E R P R E T I N G T H E E X C E S S I V E L Y L O N G S Y L L A B U S
Upon completion of Comp 101, you will be able to understand how writing is a process of working through multiple reflective and refining steps. understand the assignment limit the topic to a main idea 1. develop supporting content draft revise drafts credit sources without plagiarizing 2. submit a final draft in the appropriate format
Upon completion of Comp 101, you will be able to read and write critically reflective papers. comprehend and analyze others’ writing come to 1. conclusions, while avoiding logical fallacies construct counter-arguments and refutations
Your textbooks (from most-used to least-used) The Longman Reader (LR) 1. The Vincennes University Writers’ Handbook (Wadsworth) 2. English Composition 1 Workbook (you will not own this; I will 3. photocopy and/or scan and submit to the website any materials you need from this handbook) I will use several other professional sources to guide you through this course as well, including (but not limited to): William Zinsser’s On Writing Well Kelly Gallagher’s Teaching Adolescent Writers Linda Christensen’s Teaching for Joy and Justice Arthur Plotnik’s Spunk & Bite Carol Jago’s Cohesive Writing Claire Cook’s Line by Line: How to Edit Your Own Writing
The curriculum Diagnostic/assessment essay (this will be used again in the last two weeks of class to write a final essay assessing your growth throughout the semester; the final essay will be worth 10% of your grade) Critical reading and short writings (in the form of paragraph writing, research reporting, and writing from sources) Library research, including the use of electronic databases Five additional essays totaling 5,000 words or more Narration essay Analysis essay Essay test Argumentation/persuasion essay (using APA) One other essay (TBA)
How do you get an “A” on a VU essay? An “A” essay: • explores the subject in depth • provides a clear thesis that is well supported by specific examples and concrete details • has an effective pattern of organization • has fully developed paragraphs and well constructed sentences • contains no fragments or major errors in grammar and contains few if any minor errors in grammar • meets the Minimum Writing Standards and all requirements of the assignment
How do you get a “C” on a VU essay? A “C” essay: • examines the subject acceptably but lacks depth • has a thesis but does not support the thesis with sufficient examples and details, depending heavily on unsupported generalizations • shows a skeletal overall organization • contains inadequately developed paragraphs and occasionally awkward sentences and may lack necessary transitions • may contain one major error in grammar and several minor errors • meets the Minimum Writing Standards and all requirements of the assignment
How do you get an “F” on a VU essay? An “F” essay: • fails to examine the subject in any depth • lacks thesis, supporting details, or examples • lacks any coherent organization • contains undeveloped paragraphs and faulty sentence structure that make the essay incoherent • contains major errors in grammar and repeated minor errors • does not meet the Minimum Writing Standards or the requirements of the assignment
What are the minimum writing standards? Standards Addressing Content Failure to meet any one of the following standards will result in failure of the paper: • The essay must be the original work of the student whose name appears on the paper. All uses of outside sources must be correctly documented or the paper will not be recognized as the work of the student. • The essay must complete the assignment as assigned by the instructor. • The essay must have a thesis and a definite organization. • The thesis must be supported by relevant examples and illustrations presented in well constructed and sufficiently developed paragraphs.
What are the minimum writing standards? Standards Addressing Form • The essay must not contain an excessive number of fragments that obscure meaning. • The essay must not have multiple comma splices and/or fused sentences that distract attention. • The essay must not have more than three misspelled words. • The essay must not contain repeated errors in agreement. • The essay must not include repeated errors in grammar. • The essay must reflect knowledge of correct documentation forms
VU grading scale for essays A+ = 100 A = 95 A- = 92 B+ = 88 B = 85 B- = 82 C+ = 78 C = 75 C- = 72 D+ = 68 D = 65 D- = 62 F = 50 (if paper is completed) F = 0 (if paper is not completed)
VU grade breakdown Quizzes/Homework/Exercises 10% Critical Reading and Short Writings 10% Revision and Reflection Activities 10% Narrative Essay 10% Analysis Essay 15% Argumentation Essay 15% Essay Test 10% Exemplification Business Letter 10% Assessment Essay 10%
VU grading scale for final course grades A = 93 - 100 A- = 90 - 92 B+ = 87 - 89 B = 83 - 86 B- = 80 - 82 C+ = 77 - 79 C = 70 - 76 notice: there is no C-; C or above for college credit D = 60 - 69 F = 59 and below
VU make-up work policy: IMPORTANT! It is the student’s responsibility to hand in work on time and to be sure each essay meets the Minimum Writing Standards required for the assignment. If any essay is not completed, the final grade for the course will be dropped one letter grade. (In addition to the zero that is already in the grade book for that assignment.) A paper that is late will be lowered one letter grade for each day that it is late. (4+ days late = automatic 50% F) NO late papers will be accepted without instructor permission. NO paper will be accepted after the last day of class.
VU essay rewrite policy You may rewrite any essay that receives a D or an 1. F. Rewriting an essay means revising content and style along with grammar and spelling. Simple editing for grammar and spelling alone will not raise the original grade. 2. Rewrites cannot achieve any grade higher than a “B” No rewrites will be accepted for papers that are 3. late, plagiarized, or written on unapproved topics.
Last (and least): Preparation of manuscripts All papers written outside the classroom must be 1. written on a word processor. 2. 12-point size Times New Roman font must be used on all formal essays. Any variations must be approved by the instructor. 3. Questions?
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