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Course Description

The primary objective of Composition 3121 is to make you a better writer. In this course, you will learn to scrutinize every aspect of your writing, from word choice to audience accommodation. The purpose of Composition 3121 is also to familiarize you with the writing practices common to your future disciplinary and institutional communities. In other words, you will learn writing strategies and tactics considered vital for effective performance in "professional" environments. Throughout the semester we will discuss how to:

• Recognize and apply the discourse features that distinguish your future writing community from others.
• Anticipate and specify the purpose of your writing.
• Develop a range of writing processes for various writing tasks.
• Identify your readers and their characteristics in order to address them effectively.
• Practice different invention strategies.
• Arrange material logically and persuasively.
• Use appropriate formats for different communications.
• Design tables, graphs, and technical illustrations.
• Compose effective sentences.
• Evaluate and revise your own and others' writing.
• Work collaboratively with your peers as a community of writers.

Texts

Kevin J. Harty. Strategies for Business and Technical Writing. 4th ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1999.

You may also be asked to photocopy and/or download additional readings.

In addition, all good writers should have easy access to a decent dictionary (such as Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary), a handbook of usage and grammar (e.g., Strunk and White, The Elements of Style), and an appropriate style guide (e.g., MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, etc.).

Discussion Schedule

Policies

Attendance and timeliness: The effectiveness of a communication course, and especially of workshop formats, is greatly diminished for all by the absence of any members. If you anticipate an absence, contact me in advance to find out what material you will miss, to turn in assignments on time, etc. If you unexpectedly miss class, contact a peer from your section of Composition 3121. This applies in case of sickness, family problems, religious observances, job trips, etc. Also note that announcements and syllabus changes are made at the beginning and end of classes, so arriving late or leaving early may cause you to miss important information. You are responsible for all the material covered in class regardless of whether you are there or not.

Unexcused absences and habitual lateness will be looked upon unfavorably and will cause you to lose grade points (10% of your final grade is based partially on attendance). More than four (4) unexcused absences will adversely affect your final grade, and may constitute grounds for failure.

Format: Consult the assignment sheets and class notes for proper formatting of letters, reports, etc. All college students should be familiar with at least one word processing program, and know how to use it well. Projects must be produced using word processing software such as WordPerfect or Word. Assignments turned in with outrageous margins, inappropriate fonts, or illegibly printed, etc. will not be accepted.

On Computers and Excuses: Computers have changed the way we think, work, and live. While computers have made us more productive, they have also given us plenty of reasons not to do work ("Ah, just one more game of Solitaire") or to turn in work late ("My hard drive crashed," "My disk is unreadable," "My monitor doesn't work," and so on, ad nauseam). Please do not use computer related problems as a high-tech version of "The dog ate my homework." Heed well: save often and always keep a backup of your work.

Readings, projects, drafts, deadlines, make-ups: All readings should be completed by the assigned dates (which will be announced in class). All projects are due on specified dates, unless otherwise announced (deadlines are extended only under unusual circumstances). To be eligible for grading, all drafts of major papers must be edited at least once in class (on draft revision workshop days) and must have all edits attached when handed in. Student papers not meeting edit/draft requirements will not be accepted and will not be considered for re-grading.

NOTE: You must satisfactorily complete all assignments to pass the course.

Draft Revision Workshops: Peer review sessions allow you the opportunity to share your work with others, and both receive and offer criticisms, concerns, etc. These workshop sessions are only successful when every member of the group participates fully. Consequently, on draft revision workshop days you are expected to bring to class a complete draft of your own work, and to comment copiously and intelligently on the work of your peers.

Unexcused absences on peer review days are unacceptable, and will result in severe deductions in the "Attendance" portion of your final grade. If you know you will miss a draft workshop, inform me in advance, and make arrangements with a peer—from our section of Composition 3121—to proof your draft outside of class. Final drafts submitted without peer reviews will not be accepted.

Correctness: Perfection is not just desirable in business writing—it is essential. Spelling errors, typos, etc. are easily avoidable and their presence reflects poorly on the writer. Consequently, any assignment submitted (including memos) that contains more than two significant typographical or grammatical errors will be docked at least one letter grade. I will fail any assignment that contains so many careless errors that it undermines the objectives and effectiveness of the document.

Resubmission Policy: You may submit one major writing project. Resubmitted drafts must demonstrate substantial revision and must be accompanied by all edits and previously graded drafts. Exams, late papers, papers submitted without peer reviews/edits, papers receiving "A" or "A-" grades, and the final project may not be resubmitted. Resubmissions are subject to a one-week time limitation—i.e., resubmissions must be handed in within one week of the return date. The grade on the new final draft will be averaged with the grade on the old final draft to yield the new final grade for that project.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is representing another's work or words as one's own. Don't do it. If you plagiarize, you will almost certainly fail the course. You may also be formally penalized by the school for academic dishonesty. If you are in doubt about what constitutes plagiarism, document your material and sources, using a style guide to assist you.

Grading: I am primarily concerned with the critical thinking reflected in your drafts, and with the completion of task objectives, audience analysis, argument construction, etc. Objectives and criteria upon which grades are based are specified in the project assignment sheets. Late papers are subject to the penalty of one half of one letter grade per day, automatically becoming an "F" after one week.

In-class writing assignments will include quizzes (announced and surprise) and a few exercises. These class pieces do not need to have edits attached, and cannot be resubmitted. I will provide class time for writing these, but I may also request that they be handed in later in typed form, to ensure readability. In-class quizzes and exercises may not be made up if missed.

Weighting of grades is divided as follows:

Office Hours: Think of my office as an extension of the classroom and use my office hours to discuss any aspect of the course: problems, confusions, complaints, suggestions, etc. Please note that in addition to my regular office hours, I am also happy to set up mutually convenient conferences by appointment.

Communication: If during the semester you encounter any problem (physical, intellectual, etc.) that adversely affects your course work, please contact me immediately. Please note that I am almost always accessible via e-mail. Do not wait until several weeks after the fact to inform me of any incapacitating difficulties. I will be less than sympathetic.

Special Needs: Individuals who have any disability (either permanent or temporary) which might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform the instructor at the start of the semester. Adaptation of methods, materials, or testing may be made as required to provide for equitable participation.

Conclusion

Writing is integral to personal and career development and ultimately to career success. Good jobs in the future will go to people with strong communication skills. The very best jobs will go to those who write exceptionally well. Thinking, reading, and planning are critical to effective writing and speaking, and I hope you take the opportunity offered here to practice these skills.