EWRT 1A: Class 1

Welcome!

Adding the Class

If you are not registered or on the waiting list, you are welcome to stay, but I cannot guarantee a spot in the class. I will give out add codes after the class settles, and then, only if there is room.

As we go over the syllabus, consider whether you want to be in the class. If you want out, please let me know, so I can offer your seat to another student.

The SyllabusCourse

RequirementsAssignments and

valuesParticipation

Required MaterialsBooksComputer Access

Class PoliciesPlagiarismConduct and

Courtesy

The Class WebsiteHow to sign up for

an accountHow to post your

homework.

Texts and Required Materials:

Rise B. Axelrod and Charles R. Cooper, The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing 8th Edition

Suzanne Collins. The Hunger Games.

Two large blue books for in-class essays.

An email account that you will be willing to share via Wordpress and Turnitin

Requirements: Active participation in class discussions and

regular attendance. You will earn real points for your participation in activities

Keeping up-to-date on the assignments and reading

Formal writing: Two in-class essays, three out-of-class essays, one oral presentation

Several testsRegular written posts to the class websiteReading quizzes and in-class assignments

Grading System

Grades for this course will be based on a 1000-point scale divided as follows: Essay #1 (in-class, 2-3 pages __________/75 pointsEssay #2 (out of class, 3-5 pages) __________/100 pointsEssay #3 (out of class, 3-5 pages) __________/100 points Essay #4 (out of class, 4-6 pages) __________/150 pointsEssay #5 (in-class presentation, 2-3 pages) __________/100 pointsWebsite Posts (20 posts, 10 points each) __________/200 pointsTests (5 tests, 25 points each) __________/125 pointsParticipation/Quizzes/Misc. Activities __________/150 pointsTotal __________/1000 points

Class Policies

Writing SubmissionsIn class essays are hand written in a Blue Book

Out of class essays (2, 4, and 5) are due by the start of class on the day they are due

Out of class essays are submitted through Turnitin.com

All blog entries are posted to the course site

Attendance:Success in this course depends on regular

attendance and active participation. Participation points will be part of our daily activities. If you are not in class, you cannot earn these points. You should save absences for emergencies, work conflicts, weddings, jury duty, or any other issues that might arise in your life.

It is your responsibility to talk to me about your absences or other conflicts. Work done in class cannot be made up. Also, please arrive on time, as you will not be able to make up work completed before you arrive, including quizzes.

Exams: We will have five tests during the quarter. The dates of

these exams are in the schedule.Late Work

Work done in class cannot be made up. Out of class essays must be submitted by the start of

class on the date they are due (6:30 p.m.) to receive full credit.

Out of class essays submitted after the deadline but before the next class meeting will deducted one letter grade (10%).

No essays will be accepted more than one class period after the due date.

Blog entries must be posted by the start of class on the date they are due to earn credit.

Classroom Discussion1. Be present2. Have an open mind3. Disagreement is ok; disrespect is

not4. Listen5. Wait until the other speaker

finishes before speaking6. Avoid side conversations7. Ask questions8. Reconsider your point of view9. It’s okay to be wrong10.Appreciate the opportunity to

learn from your peers11.Take a break if you need to12.Have a caring, positive attitude

Courtesy and Respect Courtesy includes but is not limited to politely listening

to others when they contribute to class discussions or while they give presentations, not slamming the classroom door or walking in front of classmates giving presentations if you do arrive late, and maintaining a positive learning environment for your fellow classmates.

To help maintain a positive learning environment, please focus on the work assigned, turn off all cell phones before class, and do not text-message in class.

Consider how your actions impact the rest of the class.

Your work is a reflection of your integrity and character; make sure it is the best reflection possible.

Plagiarism includes quoting or paraphrasing material without documentation and copying from other students or professionals.

Academic dishonesty may result in a failing grade for the paper or the course and possible administrative action.

Academic Integrity

The Syllabus

Syllabus and Schedule

The syllabus and schedule are important guides. They are subject to revision during the quarter.Use the schedule to determine how to prepare

for class. If changes are made to the schedule, they will

be announced in class.

Our class website is http://rayewrt1a.wordpress.com/ In order to post the homework, you must establish a FREE

account at WordPress.com. If you prefer not to use your own name, you may use a

pseudonym. Please email me your username once you have

established which account you shall use for the quarter.Sign in with your own username/account before posting to the

course WordPress site. If you are unable to establish your website and username,

please come to my office hours as soon as possible, and I will help you with the process.

http://rayewrt1a.wordpress.com/

Some Reading Assignments The Syllabus and Schedule Essay Assignments• Writing Tips• Helpful Links• Homework

Turnitin.comIf you do not have a Turnitin account:1. Go to Turnitin.com.2. Click on the "Create Account” link to the upper right, and choose to create a

new "Student" account.3. Follow the profile creation wizard.4. Within the wizard, you will be asked for the Class ID (10752671) and class

enrollment password (identity).5. You will add your account information (first and last name, email, password,

secret question).

Posting Homework

• On the front page of the website, you will find the homework post after each class.

• Click on the, “Leave a Comment,” button, and a comment box will open.

• Copy and paste your homework into the box and click, “Post Comment.”

HomeworkThere is writing homework everyday in this class. This is both to help you think about your reading and to help you develop ideas for your essays. In order to earn an A on your homework, you must do the following:• Complete all of the posts.• Post them on time.• Be thoughtful in your

responses.

This class is going to be so easy!Is this class too hard?

Is this classHistory 10?

Will I be the teacher’s favorite?

Questions?

Let’s get ready to write!

You are headed into the woods for several weeks. The possibility that you will encounter carnivores, giardiasis (from bad water), rough terrain, weather, insects, and poison ivy is very real. You are wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes. You have an empty daypack. From the lists on the next slides, choose which additional items you would take with you on your trip. Note in detail why you would choose these items.

Into the Wild…

Item List 3 (Choose 1) Bow & Arrows (6) Small Knife (6” blade) A large heavy sword (2.5 feet, 10 lbs.) A hammer (common household type) A fishing line & hook (100 feet of line and 3

hooks)

Item List 4 (Choose 1) A box of crackers (16 oz.) A package of beef jerky (16 oz.) A bottle of water (one gallon) A package of cheese (16 oz.) A bag of apples (10 small apples)

Item List 1 (Choose 2) Blanket (one wool double) Sleeping Bag (one single, nylon and down) Two extra pair of socks (wool) A rain coat (yellow) Reflective heat jacket Hiking boots (water proof)

Item List 2 (Choose 1) Waterproof matches (one box of 20) An empty container/bottle (One gallon-

plastic) Rope (25 feet) Tarp (8x10) Iodine Tablets (one jar of 20)

After you finish choosing your items, discuss your choices in your group

Explain your reasons for your choices and defend them vigorously

Consider and suggest potential drawbacks to each person’s choices

Finalize your choices and make a list of what each person in your group is taking with him or her

Group Activity

Write an essay arguing for the supplies you have chosen to take with you into the wild. Present the issue to readers, and develop an argument for the purpose of confirming, challenging, or changing your readers’ views on which supplies are the most important for survival. Your final essay should be around 500 words. You don’t need outside sources for this essay.

Essay #1: The Argument Essay

In-Class Writing Exam

Introduction and Thesis

Focus your presentation of the issue: Your introduction should explain to the reader both the situation you face and why you have limited resources.

Thesis: Compose a thesis that makes your position unambiguous, appropriately qualified, and clearly arguable. (Your thesis will likely be near the end of your introduction).

Your working thesis might be similar to one of these: “To survive in the wilderness, I will take __________________,” or “For this trip, I plan to bring __________________________.”

Body Paragraphs

Paragraph one: topic sentence supporting your first item.Give reasons for your choice and support them with

examples, scenarios, or anecdotes. Paragraph two: topic sentence supporting your second

item. Give reasons for your choice and support them with

examples, scenarios, or anecdotes.Additional Paragraphs: Repeat using the same or similar

strategies

Counterargument: Write a counterargument that addresses why you wouldn’t

take the items the other people in your group think are very important. You should address specific tools others in your group chose to take. You may do this in each body paragraph as you argue for your choice, or you may do it as a separate paragraph after you finish arguing for your tools.

For example, you might start by writing, “while some people might prefer a sleeping bag, I found it to be a poor choice compared to the blanket.” Then you can explain why.

Conclusion:

If your adventure is over, describe how it ended and how you have recovered, suffered, or benefitted from it.

OR

If the adventure is ongoing, consider predicting your future in the wild. What are you chances of success?What do you see as your biggest challenge?How might you fail?

Homework Buy/Order: The Hunger Games and

The St Martin’s Guide to Writing.

Make your Word Press Website username

Create Turnitin.com username and sign into class.

Post #1: Your essay outline with a thesis

Bring a hard copy of your outline, a pen, and a blue book to class and be prepared to take in-class essay test #1.