Overview:

The course is designed to help you develop critical reading, thinking, and writing skills—skills that are vital to success at college and in the workplace and skills that will help you find and build meaning in all aspects of life. Throughout the course we will focus on the process of writing--inventing, focusing, organizing, drafting, revising, and editing--and not merely the finished product. You will write six essays about different kinds of literature; produce a writing portfolio consisting of your essays and revisions; write an evaluation of your portfolio as part of your final exam;  participate in an on-line discussion group about the course readings; take periodic reading quizzes; review peers’ essays; and participate in class discussions.

Objectives:

• develop a reliable writing process which you can use in college and the "real world"

• develop analytical and critical thinking skills in order to draw insights from personal experience and literary texts

• hone the above skills, so you can write college-level arguments characterized by unity, organization, and support; appropriate word choice and diction; and standard usage, spelling, and mechanics

• collaborate with classmates to mutually improve your writing and critical thinking

• understand and use the vocabulary and conventions of literary analysis

• take responsibility for improving your writing by setting personal goals for each assignment

Materials:   

• Diyanni, Robert. Literature: Reading Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and the Essay. Fourth Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1998.

• Hacker, Diana. The Bedford Handbook. Sixth Edition. Boston: Bedford, 2002. (RED COVER)

• A college level dictionary (American Heritage is a good one)

• A two-pocket folder in which to submit writing portfolios

• $7-10 to photocopy your drafts for peer review

Attendance Policy

Attendance for this class is like attendance in the workplace.  If you miss work or arrive late repeatedly, you will lose your job; similarly, if you miss class or arrive late repeatedly, you will fail this class. Attendance and punctuality are mandatory because the class follows a workshop format, and the success of the class depends on everyone’s participation. You are expected to attend all classes. Your four absences are to be used for the inevitable doctor’s visits, illnesses, sports events, court appointments, and funerals that may come up during the semester.  Extraordinary circumstances will be dealt with on a one-to-one basis.  If you must miss because of extreme illness or some other emergency, please call my office and leave a message.  If you plan to be absent, you should submit work ahead of time. I do not accept late work.  Peer review absences result in severe penalties for essay grades (see assignments). When I cancel class to hold student conferences, a missed conference equals one absence. If you are late for a quiz, you may not make it up.