Brantley

ENGL 1106 ENGL 1106: Writing from Research

Instructor: Dana Brantley Class: MWF 8:00-8:50am, McBryde 328 Office: 246 Shanks Hall Office hours: Monday 9-11am ; also available by appointment Email: danab37@vt.edu Course Description English 1106 will provide you with the opportunity to develop advanced reading, writing, and research skills by working with sources. We will cover a variety of research techniques (fieldwork, library research, internet research, etc.) and write in several genres (personal narrative, informative reports, visuals, etc.). You will become practiced researchers who can find, read, incorporate, and cite research in your own work. Required Texts Composition at Virginia Tech: Written, Spoken, and Visual Composition, 2011-2012 They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing (2nd Edition) Your Work in This Class Informal writing assignments will be assigned almost every day. These assignments will either be in-class writings, or take home. While in-class writing assignments will be short reflections on the previous nights reading, take home assignments will be typed reflections ranging from a two-paragraph to page long response. All informal writings will be graded on a check scale you will receive a check if you do the journal and do it well, a check minus if you do not actively engage with the subject, and a zero if no effort is present. You will also write three formal papers, which we will discuss in greater detail as their due dates approach. Each paper will include elements of peer review and draft work. Oral presentations are a requirement of all English composition classes. You will be doing one individual presentation with a visual component on a formal paper of your choice. Within the second week of class, you will have an opportunity to sign up for which essay you would like to present. We will cover in class what is expected of your presentation and how to present effectively. Your presentation grade will count as five percent of your final grade. Course Grades 70% graded written assignments and projects 20% informal writing in and out of class 10% participation (class discussion, active class contributions, preparedness) Assignments and Assessment As per the expectations for any ENGL 1106 class, you will complete three major papers written from sources, at least 20 pages of informal writing, and an individual oral presentation over the course of the semester. Personal Narrative 15% (4-6 pages) Fieldwork Proposal 5% (2-3 pages) Fieldwork Essay 15% (5-7 pages)

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ENGL 1106

Annotated Bibliography 10% (3-4 pages) Argumentative Essay 20% (6-8 pages) Oral Presentation and Visual 5%

Individual and group work will be evaluated according to the universitys grading scale: A: 100-94 A-: 93-90 B+: 89-87 B: 86-84 B-: 83-80 C+: 79-77 C: 76-74 C-: 73-70 D+: 69-67 D: 66-64 D-: 63-60 F: 59-0

Attendance: Regular attendance is required in order to pass this class; excessive absences will negatively affect your final grade. Let me know ahead of time if you will have to miss class due to an unavoidable conflict; absences that you inform me about beforehand will be dealt with on a case by case basis. Please note that we will be doing in-class responses two to three times per week that cannot be made up if you are absent. Additionally, peer workshops are a part of your major-paper grade and cannot be made up. Participation: Active participation in class is important to your development as a critical thinker, writer, and researcher. Participation includes (but is not limited to): attendance, contributions to class discussion and small group discussion, active listening, completion of all in-class work, and constructive feedback in peer workshops. Each member of the class has the responsibility of encouraging respectful conversation and providing thoughtful feedback. Tolerance for one anothers points of view and background are essential. Late Paper Policy: All papers and assignments are due on the date listed on the syllabus. I do not accept late papers or informal writing assignments, except with an excuse arranged before the due date. An assignment is considered late if it is not turned in by class meeting time on the day it is due. I will not accept formal assignments that are emailed to me. I expect that you will frequently back up your work; therefore, computer problems will not be considered an emergency. Revision Policy: You have the option to revise the first and second essay. If you choose to revise, you are required to schedule a meeting with me beforehand to discuss your revision strategy. Revision deadlines will be two weeks after your paper is handed back to you, and the grade you receive on your revision will be your final grade for the assignment. Please keep in mind that revision does not guarantee a better grade. Laptop (and other electronic devices) Policy: The majority of our in-class work will not require use of your laptop. Therefore, I expect that your laptop will be closed and in your bag during the class period. The same goes for cell phones and other technological devices. Repeated distractions from your electronic devices will negatively affect your participation grade. ________________________________________________________ Plagiarism Because 1106 is a class with an emphasis on learning how to write with sources, we will pay particular attention on how to avoid plagiarism and will work with techniques and citation styles to avoid this issue. However, it is necessary to note that plagiarism is in direct violation of the Virginia Tech Honor Code.

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ENGL 1106

Therefore, works that have been plagiarized will be dealt with accordingly. You can read more about what constitutes a violation at http://www.english.vt.edu/plagiarism/plagiarism1.html. Virginia Tech Honor Code The Honor Code will be strictly enforced in this course. All assignments submitted shall be considered graded work, unless otherwise noted. All aspects of your coursework are covered by the Honor System as detailed at http://www.honorsystem.vt.edu/. Virginia Techs Principles of Community Virginia Tech is committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world community. Learning from the experiences that shape Virginia Tech as an institution, we acknowledge those aspects of our legacy that reflected bias and exclusion. Therefore, we adopt and practice principles to increase access and inclusion and to create a community that nurtures learning and growth for all of its members. For a detailed explanation of the Principles of Community, please see the inside cover of your textbook Composition at Virginia Tech or visit www.vt.edu. Equal Access If you need adaptations or accommodations because of a disability (learning disability, attention deficit disorder, psychological, physical, etc.), if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please talk to me ASAP. To be eligible for services, documentation of the disability from a qualified professional must be presented to the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) and the instructor must be notified. SSD is located at 150 Henderson Hall or can be contacted at 540-231-3788 or spangle@vt.edu. Help If you are in need of assistance, please contact me after class, during my office hours, or by email and I will be happy to schedule a time to meet with you.