English 1105: Introduction to College Composition:

Critical Reading, Writing, and Thinking

Fall 2014
Miss Lindsey Macdonald
Email: lmacdon@vt.edu
Office: Shanks 250
Mailbox: 152
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:30-3:00 pm, or by appointment

Course Description
English 1105 lays the foundation for college composition by introducing you to the rhetorical situation
as well as writing as a process. You will consider rhetorical concepts such as exigence, audience, and
constraints when reading and analyzing intellectually rigorous and complex essays and when creating
your own work. Additionally, through brainstorming, drafting, and revising, you will experience different
steps of the writing process and figure out which tactics work best for you.
This class will not have a specific theme; rather, we will discuss a variety of topics affecting the world
around us. We will read diverse points of view on technology, education, race, gender, health, etc., and
you will be expected to think critically about these issues and engage in conversation with your
classmates and the readings themselves.

Course Goals (also found in Chapter 1 of Writing at Virginia Tech)

By completing this course, you will

Gain knowledge of compositions rhetorical dimensions

Use writing as a tool for critical thinking and reflection
Practice writing as a process via using multiple brainstorming, invention, revision, and editing
strategies
Write in several genres that use analysis, reflection, narrative, critique, and argument
Practice using the conventions of written, spoken, and visual composition
Practice writing and creating in digital environments

Required Texts & Course Materials

Writing at Virginia Tech (2014-2015) ISBN-10: 1-269-86408-4

Readings for Writing at Virginia Tech ISBN-10: 1-269-69996-2
You must own or have reliable access to a printer and a stapler.

Major Writing Assignments

Personal Narrative Essay
At the beginning of this course, we will focus on writing conventions and the writing process. This
first essay will allow you to practice writing as a process by writing about something you already
knowyourself! You will explore the issue of identity by writing a personal narrative about an
aspect of your personal or family heritage. To prepare for this first assignment, we will read several
personal narratives concerning identity and family in Readings for Writing at Virginia Tech and discuss
the strategies these authors used to convey their purpose.
MLA Format; 4-5 pages, double-spaced
Advertisement Analysis Essay
Next, we will study the rhetorical situation, and you will be expected to apply the rhetorical concepts
we discuss to different modes of communication, both written and visual. For this essay you will
focus on the visual by rhetorically analyzing a magazine ad of your choice. You must choose a
thought-provoking ad with diverse possibilities for interpretation, and one where you can
thoroughly apply relevant rhetorical concepts.
MLA Format; 5-6 pages, double-spaced
Persuasive Essay
For this final essay assignment, you will use the rhetorical situation to argue a position for a topic we
have read about or discussed in class. Once you have established your topic and position, you will
think about both the evidence you can use to support your claims as well as the counterarguments
that go against your position. You will use relevant essays in Readings for Writing at Virginia Tech, class
discussion, and personal experience to support your ideas.
MLA Format; 5-6 pages, double-spaced

Other Assignments
Journals/Informal Writing Assignments
You will be expected to turn in a journal most class periods. These journals will be in the form of a
short in-class writing assignment or a take-home writing assignment. In both cases, using a given
prompt, you will reflect on issues and ideas brought up in the reading for that class period. Takehome writing assignments must be typed and turned in the class period they are due. You will also
be required to turn in drafts of all your major papers along with peer review sheets. These drafts and
peer review sheets will count as informal writing assignments
All journals and informal writing assignments will be graded on a check scaleyou receive a check
if you do the journal and do it well, a check minus if you half-heartedly complete the journal, and a
zero if no effort at all is present in your journal. These checks translate to an eight-point scale: a check
is worth eight points, and a check minus is worth four points.
Take-home journals: 1-2 pages, double-spaced

Presentations
At the end of the semester, you will give a group presentation with visual aids. This presentation will
focus on one of the topics that we have discussed in class (health, gender, race, etc.). These
presentations should last 15-20 minutes.

Grading
Points
250
250
250
50
200
1000

Assignment
Personal Narrative
Advertisement Analysis
Persuasive Essay
Group Presentation
Journals/Informal Writing Assignments
Course Total

Letter Grades:

A (94-100, 935-1000 points); A- (90-93, 895-934 points)

B+ (87-89, 865-894 points); B (84-86, 835-864 points); B- (80-83, 795-834 points)
C+(77-79, 765-794 points); C (74-76, 735-764 points); C- (70-73, 695-734 points)
D+ (67-69, 665-694 points); D (64-66, 635-664 points); D- (60-63, 595-634 points)
F (59 or below, 594 or fewer points)

Course Policies

Questions: Never hesitate to ask me questions if you are confused or need clarification. No
question is stupid! Let me know if you cannot make it to my scheduled office hours, and well
set up another time where we can meet.
Cell Phones and Laptops: You will not be allowed to use your cell phones or laptops during
class time, unless I specify otherwise. Before class starts, make sure you turn your phones to
SILENT. Phones ringing or vibrating during class are a distraction to both me and your peers. If
you are expecting an important phone call, then please let me know before class starts.
Attendance: Class participation is key, so your regular attendance in class will enhance class
discussion and foster a collaborative environment. Although I do not have an attendance policy,
a take-home journal or in-class journal will be due almost every class period, and you will not be
able to make these up or turn them in late unless you are sick or have a family emergency.
Late Work: No late work will be accepted unless you are ill or have a family emergency. Please
come and speak with me if you feel like you wont be able to complete a project on time. Ill
work with you and see how we can address the issue.
Revision Policy: Since the writing process is an integral component to English 1105, revision
will be built into each assignment. Therefore, once you turn in your final draft you cannot revise
for a better grade.

Scholar: You will also be required to use Scholar in this course (http://scholar.vt.edu). On
Scholar, I will post our class syllabus, as well as your major assignments and handouts
throughout the semester; your course grades will also be recorded on Scholar throughout the
semester. I will always announce, however, any work that will be due and posted on Scholar.
Documentation: You must also be able to use correct documentation and format that meets
the standards of college and professional writing (such as the standards of the Modern Language
Association). All submitted pieces of writing should be typed, double-spaced, in Times New
Roman font size 12 with margins of one inch, or I will deduct points from your work. You also
must staple your essay in the top left corner. Further, if you have any citations in your paper you
must have a Works Cited page. You must also have in-text citations. It is important to give
credit to the sources you are using, and having correct documentation is also helpful in avoiding
the issue of plagiarism.
Course Changes: I reserve the right to change the syllabus and schedule as needed. I will notify
you of any changes either in class or through Scholar.
Principles of Community: In this course, we will always emulate the Virginia Tech's Principles
of Community. If you have any questions, please ask me or consult the Principles of Community
web site at http://www.diversity.vt.edu/principles-of-community/principles.html. A copy of
the Principles can also be found in the inside cover of Writing at Virginia Tech.
Honor Code: Academic integrity should always be the utmost priority in all the course work
that you complete. Therefore, the Virginia Tech Honor Code will be enforced. You may find the
complete Honor Code here, under Constitution: www.honorsystem.vt.edu

Students with Disabilities

If you need adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, have emergency

medical information to share with me, or need special arrangements in case the
building must be evacuated, do not be afraid to talk with me. I am more than happy
to work with you on arranging the best accommodations for your particular needs.
You should also visit the Services for Students with Disabilities office. More
information may be found at the SSD website: http://www.ssd.vt.edu.

VT Writing Center

Take advantage of the VT Writing Center, which is now located on Newman Librarys
second floor. Any student who visits the Writing Center will receive a one-class
extension on your assignment (provided you fill out a Client Release Form to show
you successfully completed your appointment). You can schedule an appointment or
walk-in. For more information, visit the Writing Center website, or call 540 231 5436.
This is a valuable, free service. More information can be found at the Writing Center
website: www.composition.english.vt.edu/writing-center/index.html