This document provides an overview of an English writing course. It outlines the course requirements including assignments, materials, grading, and policies. Students are expected to write essays, participate in discussions, and complete regular posts to the class website. The syllabus reviews important dates and due dates. Academic integrity is stressed, and students are warned about plagiarism. Homework includes creating online accounts, outlining an argumentative essay, and bringing supplies for an in-class writing exam on the first day.

1. EWRT 1A: Class 1
Welcome!

2. Adding the Class
 If you are not registered or on the waiting list, you are
welcome to stay, but I cannot guarantee a spot in the
class. I will give out add codes after the class settles,
and then, only if there is room.
 As we go over the syllabus, consider whether you want
to be in the class. If you want out, please let me know,
so I can offer your seat to another student.

3. The Syllabus
 Course Requirements
 Assignments and
values
 Participation
 Required Materials
 Books
 Computer Access
 Class Policies
 Plagiarism
 Conduct and Courtesy
 The Class Website
 How to sign up for an
account
 How to post your
homework.

4. Texts and Required Materials:
 Rise B. Axelrod and Charles R.
Cooper, The St. Martin’s Guide
to Writing 8th Edition
 Suzanne Collins. The Hunger
Games.
 Two large blue books for in-
class essays.
 An email account that you will
be willing to share via
Wordpress and Turnitin

5. Requirements:
 Active participation in class discussions and regular
attendance. You will earn real points for your
participation in activities
 Keeping up-to-date on the assignments and reading
 Formal writing: Two in-class essays, three out-of-class
essays, one oral presentation
 Several tests
 Regular written posts to the class website
 Reading quizzes and in-class assignments

6. Grading System
Grades for this course will be based on a 1000-point scale divided as follows:
Essay #1 (in-class, 2-3 pages __________/75 points
Essay #2 (out of class, 3-5 pages) __________/100 points
Essay #3 (out of class, 3-5 pages) __________/100 points
Essay #4 (out of class, 4-6 pages) __________/150 points
Essay #5 (in-class presentation, 2-3 pages) __________/100 points
Website Posts (20 posts, 10 points each) __________/200 points
Tests (5 tests, 25 points each) __________/125 points
Participation/Quizzes/Misc. Activities __________/150 points
Total __________/1000 points

7. Class Policies

8. Writing Submissions
 In class essays are hand written in a Blue Book
 Out of class essays (2, 4, and 5) are due by the
start of class on the day they are due
 Out of class essays are submitted through
Turnitin.com
 All blog entries are posted to the course site

9. Attendance:
Success in this course depends on regular attendance
and active participation. Participation points will be part of
our daily activities. If you are not in class, you cannot earn
these points. You should save absences for emergencies,
work conflicts, weddings, jury duty, or any other issues
that might arise in your life.
It is your responsibility to talk to me about your absences
or other conflicts. Work done in class cannot be made up.
Also, please arrive on time, as you will not be able to
make up work completed before you arrive, including
quizzes.

10.  Exams:
 We will have five tests during the quarter. The dates of
these exams are in the schedule.
Late Work
 Work done in class cannot be made up.
 Out of class essays must be submitted by the start of class
on the date they are due (6:30 p.m.) to receive full credit.
 Out of class essays submitted after the deadline but before
the next class meeting will deducted one letter grade
(10%).
 No essays will be accepted more than one class period
after the due date.
 Blog entries must be posted by the start of class on the
date they are due to earn credit.

11. Classroom Discussion
1. Be present
2. Have an open mind
3. Disagreement is ok; disrespect is not
4. Listen
5. Wait until the other speaker finishes
before speaking
6. Avoid side conversations
7. Ask questions
8. Reconsider your point of view
9. It’s okay to be wrong
10.Appreciate the opportunity to learn
from your peers
11.Take a break if you need to
12.Have a caring, positive attitude

12. Courtesy and Respect
 Courtesy includes but is not limited to politely listening to
others when they contribute to class discussions or while
they give presentations, not slamming the classroom door or
walking in front of classmates giving presentations if you do
arrive late, and maintaining a positive learning environment
for your fellow classmates.
 To help maintain a positive learning environment, please
focus on the work assigned, turn off all cell phones before
class, and do not text-message in class.
 Consider how your actions impact the rest of the class.

13.  Your work is a reflection of your
integrity and character; make sure
it is the best reflection possible.
 Plagiarism includes quoting or
paraphrasing material without
documentation and copying from
other students or professionals.
 Academic dishonesty may result in
a failing grade for the paper or the
course and possible administrative
action.
Academic Integrity

14. The Syllabus

15. Syllabus and Schedule
 The syllabus and schedule are important guides.
 They are subject to revision during the quarter.
 Use the schedule to determine how to prepare for
class.
 If changes are made to the schedule, they will be
announced in class.

16.  Our class website is http://rayewrt1a.wordpress.com/
 In order to post the homework, you must establish a FREE
account at WordPress.com.
 If you prefer not to use your own name, you may use a
pseudonym.
 Please email me your username once you have established
which account you shall use for the quarter.
 Sign in with your own username/account before posting to the
course WordPress site.
 If you are unable to establish your website and username, please
come to my office hours as soon as possible, and I will help you
with the process.
http://rayewrt1a.wordpress.com/

17.  Some Reading Assignments
 The Syllabus and Schedule
 Essay Assignments
• Writing Tips
• Helpful Links
• Homework

18. Turnitin.com
If you do not have a Turnitin account:
1. Go to Turnitin.com.
2. Click on the "Create Account” link to the upper right, and choose to create a
new "Student" account.
3. Follow the profile creation wizard.
4. Within the wizard, you will be asked for the Class ID (10752671) and class
enrollment password (identity).
5. You will add your account information (first and last name, email, password,
secret question).

19. Posting
Homework
• On the front page of the
website, you will find the
homework post after each
class.
• Click on the, “Leave a
Comment,” button, and a
comment box will open.
• Copy and paste your homework
into the box and click, “Post
Comment.”

20. Homework
There is writing homework
everyday in this class. This is
both to help you think about your
reading and to help you develop
ideas for your essays.
In order to earn an A on your
homework, you must do the
following:
• Complete all of the posts.
• Post them on time.
• Be thoughtful in your
responses.

21. Is this class
too hard?
Is this class
History 10?
Will I be the
teacher’s
favorite?

23. You are headed into the woods for several weeks. The possibility that you
will encounter carnivores, giardiasis (from bad water), rough terrain,
weather, insects, and poison ivy is very real. You are wearing jeans, a t-
shirt, and tennis shoes. You have an empty daypack.
From the lists on the next slides, choose which additional items you would
take with you on your trip. Note in detail why you would choose these
items.
Into the Wild…

24. Item List 3 (Choose 1)
 Bow & Arrows (6)
 Small Knife (6” blade)
 A large heavy sword (2.5 feet, 10 lbs.)
 A hammer (common household type)
 A fishing line & hook (100 feet of line and 3 hooks)
Item List 4 (Choose 1)
 A box of crackers (16 oz.)
 A package of beef jerky (16 oz.)
 A bottle of water (one gallon)
 A package of cheese (16 oz.)
 A bag of apples (10 small apples)
Item List 1 (Choose 2)
 Blanket (one wool double)
 Sleeping Bag (one single, nylon and down)
 Two extra pair of socks (wool)
 A rain coat (yellow)
 Reflective heat jacket
 Hiking boots (water proof)
Item List 2 (Choose 1)
 Waterproof matches (one box of 20)
 An empty container/bottle (One gallon-plastic)
 Rope (25 feet)
 Tarp (8x10)
 Iodine Tablets (one jar of 20)

25.  After you finish choosing your items, discuss your choices in
your group
 Explain your reasons for your choices and defend them
vigorously
 Consider and suggest potential drawbacks to each person’s
choices
 Finalize your choices and make a list of what each person in
your group is taking with him or her
Group Activity

26. Write an essay arguing for the supplies you have
chosen to take with you into the wild. Present the
issue to readers, and develop an argument for the
purpose of confirming, challenging, or changing
your readers’ views on which supplies are the most
important for survival.
Your final essay should be around 500 words. You
don’t need outside sources for this essay.
Essay #1: The Argument Essay
In-Class Writing Exam

27. Introduction and
Thesis
 Focus your presentation of the issue: Your introduction should
explain to the reader both the situation you face and why you
have limited resources.
 Thesis: Compose a thesis that makes your position
unambiguous, appropriately qualified, and clearly arguable.
(Your thesis will likely be near the end of your introduction).
 Your working thesis might be similar to one of these:
 “To survive in the wilderness, I will take __________________,” or
 “For this trip, I plan to bring __________________________.”

28. Body Paragraphs
 Paragraph one: topic sentence supporting your first item.
 Give reasons for your choice and support them with examples,
scenarios, or anecdotes.
 Paragraph two: topic sentence supporting your second item.
 Give reasons for your choice and support them with
examples, scenarios, or anecdotes.
 Additional Paragraphs: Repeat using the same or similar
strategies

29. Counterargument:
 Write a counterargument that addresses why you wouldn’t take the
items the other people in your group think are very important. You
should address specific tools others in your group chose to take. You
may do this in each body paragraph as you argue for your choice, or
you may do it as a separate paragraph after you finish arguing for
your tools.
 For example, you might start by writing, “while some people might
prefer a sleeping bag, I found it to be a poor choice compared to the
blanket.” Then you can explain why.

30. Conclusion:
 If your adventure is over, describe how it ended and how
you have recovered, suffered, or benefitted from it.
OR
 If the adventure is ongoing, consider predicting your future
in the wild.
 What are you chances of success?
 What do you see as your biggest challenge?
 How might you fail?

31. Homework
 Buy/Order: The Hunger Games and
The St Martin’s Guide to Writing.
 Make your Word Press Website
username
 Create Turnitin.com username and
sign into class.
 Post #1: Your essay outline with a
thesis
 Bring a hard copy of your outline, a
pen, and a blue book to class and
be prepared to take in-class essay
test #1.