English 1121 provides extended practice in critical reading, writing, and thinking. Course content includes the writing process, essential composition skills, and critical reasoning in various rhetorical situations. This course will help you to write logical, coherent, and supported essays, as well as a longer, documented argumentative research paper. We will concentrate on basic research methodology with an emphasis on finding, evaluating, and synthesizing various sources of information. In addition, we will explore ways to sharpen your critical thinking skills so that you learn how to develop and present your own ideas.

At the completion of this course, you should be able to:

• read critically to understand a writer’s purpose, audience, evidence, and development

• recognize an audience and address that audience with a clear purpose

• locate, evaluate, and synthesize material from diverse sources and points of view

• write analytically to discern, dissect, and discuss what you have read and thought

• apply proper diction, syntax, and usage for both academic and professional writing

1. Students are expected to keep up with the course schedule. To help you maintain that engagement, I have allotted 50 points (5%) of your grade for this. Everyone starts out with an empty value of zero but as you contribute, I will add points to your attendance and participation category. Contributions are made by offering a post in the online discussion boards that I will create all semester long (see "Communications" on our course's main page on D2L and click on "Discussions.") Each thoughtful post earns five points. Make 10 helpful comments or questions during the semester and you will earn the full 50 points (and 100% for this category).

   Failure to make a contribution for three weeks straight will produce an email warning about a lack of participation. Four straight weeks with no participation (including no assignments turned in) will result in a letter grade drop. Each succeeding week with no contact will drop a letter grade until an F is earned. Last day to withdraw from the course to avoid an F is November 25th.

2. Have all reading and writing assignments completed by the dates specified. Late penalties can have devastating consequences on papers and these will be enforced.
   
   
3. Plagiarized work is unacceptable. Please understand what this means and do not attempt to pass off the work of someone else as your own. If there is any question, I will ask you to produce proof that the writing is original. Here is a quick overview:

   The concept of plagiarism can be confusing, and there is a difference between deliberate and accidental plagiarism. However, both will be treated the same in this course. Plagiarism "includes the copying of the language, structure, ideas, and/or thoughts of another and passing off some as one's own, original work, or attempts thereof." (from Virginia Tech Honor System Constitution, February 1998).

   If plagiarized work is suspected and proven, the student will receive a zero for the assignment and is subject to sanctions outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. Avoid plagiarism by proper citation of your sources. Writing tutors are also available in the Academic Support Center (and online) to help you with citing sources.

Assignments:

Students must submit their own work that has been written specifically for this class. In addition, work must be submitted on time. Essays are due within a date range I will provide for each assignment. Essays turned in late will be penalized five points from the grade for each day late. No assignment will be accepted if it is more than one week late. 

Schedule of Classes and Assignments

Consult this syllabus website to be sure you're up-to-date.

Schedule of classes and assignments for Fall 2020