Engl 1010, Spring 2008 O'Donnell, Critical Reading and Expository Writing

English 1010, Spring 2008, O'Donnell

SYLLABUS
Last update: January 2008

Instructor and Course Information
English 1010 Critical Reading and Expository Writing, MW 1:40-3pm, Burleson 304
Dr. Kevin O'Donnell, instructor: www.etsu.edu/writing/odonnell/, odonnell@etsu.edu 423 439-6679
Office Hours: T 1-3pm; W 12:40-1:30 and 3:10-4:30pm; F 12:40-2:40pm

Final Grade Breakdown

- Five essays, approx. 1,000 words each (the lowest grade, excepting Fs, will be dropped): 40%

- Best essay revised: 20%

- Notebook: 20%

- Miscellaneous ungraded assignments: 10%

- Participation (including draft points): 10%

Five Essay Assignments

(Click on "Readings," at the top of this page, to see examples of each of these types of writing. Click on "Calendar" to see due dates.)

- Essays 1 and 2: Narrative/ Writing from Experience and Observation

- Essay 3: Review / Criticism

- Essay 4: Academic Writing/ Writing from Sources

- Essay 5: Expository/ Explanatory Writing ("How-to")

Required Materials
1. Access to the world wide web.
2. A 3-hole punch and 3-hole binder, for your readings.
3. A standard composition notebook (stitched, 9.75"x7.5", 100 sheets).
4. Hodges' Harbrace Handbook, any edition since the 11th.
5. Any college dictionary that includes etymologies.

Readings on the Web
Aside from your handbook and dictionary, no textbook will be used in this course. Instead, readings are posted on the world wide web. (Click on "Calendar," at the top of this page, for specific reading assignments and dates.) Please talk to me individually, during the first week of class, if you expect to have trouble getting access to the internet.

Attendance, Due Dates
Attendance: The official English department attendance policy says that if you have more than 6 absences you fail the course. In addition, I've set the following policies: 1) You may miss two classes free, no questions asked. 2) No absences will be excused, so use your freebies wisely! 3) If you miss between two and six classes, I reserve the right to lower your grade, incrementally, up to one full letter grade.
Due Dates: I do not accept late work. If you must miss class on a due date, email your work as an attachment to odonnell@etsu.edu, or put it in the U.S. Mail, addressed to me at the ETSU English department, Johnson City 37614.