FRESHMAN RHETORIC 101 FALL   2005 

 

Class: Rhetoric 101

Instructor: Lee R. McGinnis

Office: L102 H

Phone: (708) 456-0300 ext. 3237

E-mail: lmcginni@triton.edu

 

Text: The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing. 7th ed.  Axelrod & Cooper

Additional material: 3 ˝” blank computer disk for work done in the computer lab

 

The purpose of this course is for you to become confident in writing different kinds of nonfiction prose appropriate for your audience and purpose, practice the conventions of standard written English, and engage in the kinds of thinking, reading, and writing that college-level work demands. This course is primarily discussion and writing, which means you will read and write frequently, share your oral and written responses with your classmates, and comment on their work as well.

 

Assignments:

  1. Write four to six essays, including rough drafts of each.
  2. Read all assigned essays in the textbook.
  3. Take several quizzes on various aspects of grammar, style, and short stories.
  4. Participate in class discussions, and in-class writing assignments.
  5. Quizzes: 4-6 (come prepared to each class)

 

Attendance:

      Students are expected to attend every class. Repeated absences will affect your grade. If you miss more than 2 times, you MAY be terminated from the course. If there are extenuating circumstances, you must reach an agreement with me about fulfilling your classroom responsibilities.

      Coming to class on time is important. If you are later than five minutes, a tardy will be marked, and 3 tardies will equal an absence. If you come in late, it is your responsibility to check to make sure that you were marked present.

 

Evaluation:

      You must hand in all assignments in order to complete the course. No late work will be accepted. For final versions of essays, the general criteria are: appropriateness of expression to purpose and audience; thought; development; coherence; organization; style; and care in proofreading. These concepts will be explained in class.

 

 

 

Grading:

Research Paper 20%
Essays                      40% 
Quizzes                  20% 
Attend./Part. 10%
Final Exam 10%  
Final Grade  100% 

 

A 100 point grading scale is used
A =90-100 
B =80-89
C =70-79
D =60-69
F =59 and below

 

     

Because of the quantity of assignments, there is no opportunity for extra-credit work. Therefore, spend time on all assignments to assure success in the course.

 

Other class policies:

a)      Be attentive, curious and mature. Ask questions, participate, and show that you have completed your homework. Do not talk while I am taking the roll or while I am giving information to the class.

b)      No beepers/pagers or phones should be used in class.

 

Note:

a)      All drafts of essays must be word processed or typed, double spaced, and must follow the MLA format. No essays will be accepted without copies of all sources used (only copies, no books)

 

b)      All students are held to a code of academic honesty, as described in the student handbook

 

c)      All student conference dates and times that are scheduled must be fulfilled

 

RHT 101  /   SPRING 2005

            WEEK 1

            Introduction to the course: Writing Assessment : In class Essay

            HW:  Read 83-135

 

            WEEK 2

Discussion of Ch. 3: begin invention

            HW: Read pages 109-118 doing italicized invention on those pages

                    Review for quiz on the stories assigned

            Quiz: Chapter 3 stories

           

WEEK 3

 

Discuss Ch. 6 and 19

            HW:  Read 261-293 and 677-692

WEEK 4

             Essay #1 due on Remembering People

Quiz : Chapter 6 and 19 stories

 

 

WEEK 5 - 6

            Discuss the Research Paper and all of its components

            Handout to accompany research section

            MLA Internal Citations

            HW:  Read 747-790 Chapter 22

            Discussion: ongoing in class preparation

 

            WEEK 7

            Discuss Ch. 7   Proposing a solution

            HW: Read 329-389

           

            Class 8

Essay #2 due on Arguing a Position

            Quiz: Chapter 7 stories

 

            WEEK 9

            Outside assignment: Narrative Essay – Topic of your choice

            Essay #3 due on Proposing a Solution (on return to class)

 

            WEEK 10

           

Chapter 8

HW: 391-447

Spring Recess - no Classes

 

 

WEEK 11

Research Paper Due – Must meet the criteria discussed in class

NO LATE PAPERS ARE ACCEPTED!

 

WEEK 12

Essay #4 Narrative Essay Due

 

WEEK 13

Quiz: Chapter 8 stories

 

WEEK 14

Conferences

 

WEEKS 15-16

Discussion: Chapter 10 Interpreting Stories

            HW: 507-564

Final Exam: Stories in Chapter 10   Pages 509-537

 

NOTE: This syllabus and day-by-day class schedule may be altered/adjusted at the discretion of the instructor.