UWRT 1101: Writing & Inquiry in Academic Contexts I

022: MW 12:30-1:45 in Cameron 119

029: MW 2:00-3:15 in Cameron 157
070: TR 2:00-3:15 in Cameron 153
074: TR 3:30-4:45 in Cameron 109

Ms. Suzanne Ingram
Office-Cameron 137
Phone-704.687.1913
e-mail-singram@uncc.edu
Office Hours: Thursday 12:30-1:30 & 5:00-5:30
And by appointment

Some critics will write Maya Angelou is a natural writer which is right after
being a natural heart surgeon. -Maya Angelou

Mm;;;;m
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Central Inquiry Questions:
Who am I, the writer?
What kind of writer was I in high school, and what kind of writer am I in college?
What are my writing rituals?
What is my writing process?
What are my strengths as a writer?
What are my challenges as a writer?
What writing goals do I have for myself?
How do I think about writing?
How do I talk about writing?
What are my favorite genres to write in?
What qualities do I most appreciate in other writers?
Course Description: 3 credit hours - In UWRT 1101, writing is both the primary subject of inquiry
and the primary activity. Students write, revise, edit and reflect on their writing with the support of
the teacher and peers. Students also engage critically with the opinions and voices of others, as they
are encouraged to understand how their writing can have an effect on themselves and their
environments. As the primary subject of readings and discussion, writing is explored as it relates to
different contexts, discourses, cultures and textual media. As students inquire into literacy, they
understand their own writing and development with heightened awareness. Grades are derived
primarily from portfolios that include work generated throughout the term.

Key concepts:
+ critical thinking + the writing process & revision
+ independent inquiry + providing & receiving feedback
+ responsibility for your own learning + making connections
+ curiosity + intellectual growth & maturity
+ getting out of your comfort zone

Required Texts & Materials:
The Subject is Writing: Essays by Teachers and Students, Ed. Wendy Bishop & James Strickland, 4
th

Edition.
Writers Notebook: A binder with loose-leaf paper to write in and to keep all your course materials in.
A thorough writers notebook is necessary to your success in the course. Please bring it to every class.
Various readings will be assigned via Moodle2 & the class Weebly.
While much of your writing will be posted online, you will bring hard copies to class for workshops and
to submit for feedback. Please prepare by learning where/how to print on campus , or, if you have your
own printer, by stocking up on printer paper and ink. Not having hard copies when they are required
will impact your grade (see Late Work section below).

Attendance & Participation: First-Year Writing Programs Policy states that Students may have three
absences without a penalty to their final grade. Subsequent absences will result in a ten point grade
deduction to their final course grade for every class missed thereafter. I will uphold this policy and will
not excuse any absences. Three tardies or early departures will result in one absence. Cell phones, laptops,
and other devices are only permitted during appropriate times. If you sleep through any part of class you
will be marked absent. If you have to miss class, you are still responsible for the work missed; I keep a
running log of class activities on our Moodle2 page, so when youre absent you can see what you missed,
and, if necessary, you should follow up with me or with classmates. Late Work: I do not accept e-mailed
submissions of work when hard copies are due. You will automatically receive a zero for late work, but you
can receive feedback on late drafts by (a.) workshopping your draft with me during my office hours
(please make an appointment), or (b.) workshopping your draft with a writing tutor at the Writing
Resources Center. Make an appointment in Cameron 125 or at http://writing.uncc.edu/writing-resources-
center.
Major Assignments: Since this class focuses on process writing and inquiry, you will write multiple
drafts of each major assignment. Our 4 major assignments are
a Literacy Narrative,
a Portrait of a Writer essay,
a Final Portfolio Essay (FPE),
a blog on your Weebly site, which will include multiple posts and a midterm.

*Failure to complete a major assignment will result in automatic failure of the course (See e-Portfolio
Grade Scale below).

Other Assignments include reading assignments from our textbook and from our Moodle2 and class
Weebly site, reader response letters, daily in- and out-of-class writing activities completed in your writers
notebook, and peer workshopping.

Evaluation: You will build your Weebly site into your e-PORTFOLIO, which will comprise 70% of
your grade. It will include selected daily entries from your writers notebook, selected process work (drafts,
reflections, brainstorming notes, etc.), selected feedback that youve given and received, your blog, and
polished final drafts. Since this is a portfolio course, I will not grade your major assignments throughout
the semester. Rather, you will receive feedback from your peers and meand you will engage in various
reflective and analytical activitiesto help you take control of your writing and to improve it throughout
the course. You will receive a midterm grade that will serve as a heads-up about how youre doing in the
course.
















































e-Portfolio Grade Scale
A - 100-90 exemplary:
e-Portfolio is complete, thoughtfully arranged and easily navigable.
In the Final Portfolio Essay (FPE), the author explains and illustrates how all work is completed to
the best of his/her ability.
In the FPE, the author thoroughly illustrates his/her growth as a writer by quoting and analyzing
pieces of his/her writing from the course.
In the FPE, the author can thoughtfully and thoroughly discuss his/her engagement with at least
three key concepts.
In the FPE, the author quotes from at least 5 texts from the course (by other authors) to illustrate
his/her engagement with course materials and to highlight what was most meaningful to his/her
learning.
The e-Portfolio leaves no unanswered questions for the reader/teacher about that authors work and
engagement in the course.
B - 89-80 above average:
e-Portfolio is complete, thoughtfully arranged and navigable.
In the FPE, the author explains and illustrates how all work is completed to the best of his/her
ability.
In the FPE, the author can somewhat illustrate his/her growth as a writer by quoting and analyzing
pieces of his/her writing from the course but may lack detail and explanation.
In the FPE, the author discusses his/her engagement with at least two key concepts.
In the FPE, the author quotes from 3-4 texts from the course (by other authors) to illustrate his/her
engagement with course materials and to highlight what was most meaningful to his/her learning.
The e-Portfolio may leave an unanswered question for the reader/teacher about that authors work
and engagement in the course.
C 79-70 - average:
All major assignments are included but some other components may be missing.
The e-Portfolio may not be thoughtfully arranged or navigable.
In the FPE, the writer somewhat explains how all work is completed to the best of his/her ability but
lacks detail.
In the FPE, the author explains his/her growth as a writer but fails to illustrate that growth by
quoting from and analyzing his/her writing from the course.
In the FPE, the author explains his/her engagement with 1-2 key concepts
In the FPE, the author quotes from 1-2 texts from the course (by other authors) to illustrate his/her
engagement with course materials and to highlight what was most meaningful to his/her learning,
but explanations are lacking.
The e-Portfolio may leave 2-3 unanswered questions for the reader/teacher about that authors work
and engagement in the course.
D 69-60 - below average:
All major assignments are included but some do not fulfill assignment requirements.
In the FPE, the author cannot articulate his/her growth as a writer or his/her engagement with key
concepts.
The author does not quote and analyze his/her writing from the course, nor does he/she quote from
other course texts.
The e-Portfolio leaves the reader/teacher with too many unanswered questions for him/her to
develop an understanding of that authors work and engagement in the course.
F below 60 - does not meet expectations:
E-Portfolio is not complete and major assignments are missing.

Your PARTICIPATION will determine the remaining 30% of your grade. I will take grades dailywith
or without noticeon draft completion, reader responses letters, blogs, in- and out-of class writers
notebook assignments, and quizzes. You will also receive two participation grades for your e-Portfolio
Presentation on exam day. Participation grade scale: + = 100 | = 80 | - = 60 | 0

Your e-Portfolio grade + your Participation grade = your final course grade. For this, we use the
University Grade Scale: A 100-90 = exemplary | B 89-80 = above average | C 79-70 = average | D 69-60
= below average | F below 60 = does not meet expectations

Disabilities Statement: Students who have a disability or condition which may impair their ability to
complete assignments or otherwise satisfy course criteria should meet with me to identify, discuss and
document any feasible instructional modifications or accommodations. Please inform me as soon as
possible after a disability or condition is diagnosed. For information and auxiliary assistance, contact the
Disabilities Resource Center.

Religious Observance Policy: The UNC system allows students with a minimum of two excused
absences each academic year for religious observances required by the faith of a student. If you have days
you will miss this semester due to religious observances, please let me know those dates early in the
semester, in writing, so that those absences will not count as part of regularly missed days. The form to
submit can be found here.

Academic Integrity: All students are required to read and abide by the Code of Student Academic
Integrity. Violations of the Code of Student Academic Integrity, including plagiarism, will result in
disciplinary action as provided in the Code. Definitions and examples of plagiarism are set forth in the
Code. The Code is available from the Dean of Students Office or online. Faculty may ask students to
produce identification at examinations and may require students to demonstrate that graded assignments
completed outside of class are their own work.

Withdrawal Policy: After the Add/Drop period ends, the only way to drop one course, multiple courses,
or all courses is to withdraw. If you withdraw from a course, it will show on your transcript with the grade
of W but will not count toward your GPA. Beginning Fall 2014, there is a limit of 16 credits of W
allowed for all undergraduate students. Withdrawals must happen by the deadline indicated in the
Academic Calendar. After that deadline, exceptions may be requested, but only in cases where extenuating
circumstances such as serious illness can be demonstrated. Unsatisfactory academic performance itself is
not an extenuating circumstance. Students should be cautious about the impact of withdrawing from one
or more courses on time-to-degree, financial aid eligibility, and cost to the student.

Course Schedule (subject to change):
Date Whats Due Today Class Agenda
M 8/18
T 8/19
N/A Syllabus | introductions | Letter
to Ms. Ingram
W 8/20
R 8/21
1. Have read over the class Weebly site. Intro to Moodle2 | Intro to
Weebly | Reading & Writing
Territories
M 8/25
T 8/26
1. Have your Weebly Site created and the URL
posted in your sections Moodle forum
2. Blog Post #1 due (prior to class)
3. Have your textbook with you
Check Weebly sites | Peer Groups
| Textbook Intro Activities
NOTE: Wednesday 8/27 is the last day of Add/Drop N/A
W 8/27
R 8/28
1. Reading: That isnt What We Did in High School:
Big Changes in the Teaching of Writing by
McAndrew, pg. 219
2. Reader Response Letter (RRL) #1
Intro to Literacy Narrative |
Brainstorming
M 9/1 Happy Labor Day No Class N/A
T 9/2 1. Bring a laptop to class. If you dont have one, you
can check one out from Atkins or the Student
Union.
Writing Day
W 9/3
R 9/4
1. Reading: RespondingReally Respondingto
Other Students Writing by Straub, pg. 187
2. RRL #2
Reading Discussion & Workshop
Prep
M 9/8
T 9/9
1. Draft 1, Literacy Narrative (have hard copies for
everyone in your group, OR have shared an
electronic copy prior to class)
Peer Workshop
W 9/10
R 9/11
1. Blog Post #2 due (prior to class)
2. Bring your laptops/devices to class
Blog Discussion | Students Right
to Their Own Language
M 9/15
T 9/16
1. Draft 2, Literacy Narrative (have hard copies for
everyone in your group, OR have shared an
electronic copy prior to class)
Peer Workshop
W 9/17
R 9/18
1. Reading: TBD
2. RRL #3
Reading Activities
M 9/22
T 9/23
1. Draft 3, Literacy Narrative (1 hard copy to submit) Whole-Class Swap workshop | Go
over midterm assignment
W 9/24
R 9/25
1. Blog Post #3 due (prior to class) Rhetorically analyze Sample e-
Portfolios | Intro 5 Modes
M 9/29
T 9/30
1. Be Working on your Midterm Rhetorical Analysis practice
W 10/1
R 10/2
Midterms due (embedded in blog prior to class) Midterm activities | peer group
switch
M 10/6
T 10/7
FALL BREAK NO CLASS

N/A
W 10/8
R 10/9
N/A Intro to Portrait Essay | Add
Questions?
M 10/13
T 10/14
1. Reading: TBD
2. RRL #4
Reading Activities
W 10/15
R 10/16
1. Draft 1, Portrait essay (have hard copies for
everyone in your group, OR have shared an
electronic copy prior to class)
Peer Workshop
NOTE: Monday 10/20 is the last day to withdraw N/A
M 10/20
T 10/21
1. Blog Post #4 due (prior to class)
2. Bring your laptops/devices to class
Blog discussion
W 10/22
R 10/23
1. Draft 2, Portrait Essay (have hard copies for
everyone in your group, OR have shared an
electronic copy prior to class)
Peer Workshop
M 10/27
T 10/28
1. Reading: TBD
2. RRL #5
Reading Activities
W 10/29
R 10/30
1. Draft 3, Portrait Essay (1 hard copy to submit) Whole-Class Swap workshop |
Start Going Over e-Portfolio &
Final Portfolio Essay (FPE)
Assignments
M 11/3
T 11/4
1. Blog Post #5 due (prior to class)
2. Bring your laptops/devices to class
Continue discussion of e-
Portfolios & FPEs
W 11/5
R 11/6
1. Draft 1, FPE (have hard copies for everyone in
your group, OR have shared an electronic copy
prior to class)
Peer Workshop
M 11/10
T 11/11
1. Bring a laptop to class. If you dont have one, you
can check one out from Atkins or the Student
Union. 11/11-HAPPY VETERANS DAY!
Writing Day & Teacher
Conferences
W 11/12
R 11/13
1. Bring a laptop to class. If you dont have one, you
can check one out from Atkins or the Student
Union.
Writing Day & Teacher
Conferences
M 11/17
T 11/18
1. Draft 2, FPE (have hard copies for everyone in
your group, OR have shared an electronic copy
prior to class)
Peer Workshop
W 11/19
R 11/20
1. Have your e-Portfolio ready to workshop
2. Bring a laptop to class. If you dont have one, you
can check one out from Atkins or the Student
Union.
e-Portfolio review | Q&A
M 11/24
T 11/25
Draft 3, FPE (1 hard copy for Whole-Class Swap
Workshop)
Whole-Class Swap workshop | Go
over presentation assignment
W 11/26
R 11/27
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! NO CLASS N/A
M 12/1 1. Bring a laptop to class. If you dont have one, you
can check one out from Atkins or the Student
Union.
Writing Day & Teacher
Conferences
T 12/2
W 12/3
Last Day of Class: e-Portfolios due (ready to
be graded prior to class)
Begin Presentations
Reading Day is Thursday 12/4
During your sections exam time, we will finish presentations and you will receive your
final course grade.

Exam Times:
022: Wed 10/10, 11:00-1:30
029: Mon 10/8, 2:00-4:30
070: Tues 10/9, 2:00-4:30
074: Thurs 12/11, 2:00-4:30