This document outlines the syllabus for an EWRT 1A college writing class. It provides information about class policies, assignments, grading, and required materials. The class will focus on developing writing skills through formal papers, in-class essays, online posts, tests, and quizzes. Students will be expected to actively participate in class discussions and regularly submit assignments. The document reviews expectations for attendance, late work, academic honesty, and conduct. It also introduces the class website that students will use to access course materials and submit homework.

1. EWRT 1A: Class 1

2. Adding the Class
 I will only take 30 students
 If you are on the waiting list, you can stay. I won’t hand
out add codes until the class settles, and then, only if
there is room.
 As we go over the syllabus, consider whether you will
stay in the class. If you want out, please let me
know, so I can offer your seat to another student.
 If you are not on the waiting list, it is very unlikely you
will get into the class unless we have a mass exodus
after the syllabus!

3. Requirements:
 Active participation in class discussions and regular
attendance.
 Keeping up-to-date on the assignments and reading.
 Five formal papers, two of which will be written in
class, one which will be delivered as a speech.
 A series of posts to the class
 Tests, quizzes, and in-class assignments.

4. The Green Sheet:
What you will find here
 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.

5. 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.
 A stapler, loose-leaf paper or a
notebook for note-taking, and
pens or pencils

6. 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 essay, two out of class
essays, one speech.
 Several tests
 A series of homework posts to the class website
 Reading quizzes, and in-class assignments.

7. Grading

8. Class Policies
Writing Submissions:
 All out of class work to be submitted to me
electronically before the class period in which it is
due. Work must be submitted as an attachment in
Microsoft word. No other saved forms are acceptable. If
you do not have Microsoft Word software
available, leave yourself time to save and send your
work from a library computer. All work must be in MLA
format. I will read and return work, in the order I
receive it, with comments both in the text and in the
margins.

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 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. I extend the
opportunity to re-take or make-up one test late in the
quarter.
Late Work
 I do not routinely accept late work. I will entertain
accepting late work a case by case. Your reasons must be
compelling as we have so little time to work through these
essays in summer.

11. Conduct, Courtesy, and Electronic Devices:
 In this class, we will regularly engage in the discussion of topics that
may stir passionate debates. Please speak freely and candidly;
however, while your thoughts and ideas are important to me and to the
dynamics of the class, you must also respect others and their opinions.
Courtesy will allow each person to have the opportunity to express his or
her ideas in a comfortable environment.
 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 and Ipods before class, and do not text-message in class. If your
behavior becomes disruptive to the learning environment of the
class, you may be asked to leave and/or be marked absent.

12.  Academic Dishonesty:
Plagiarism includes quoting or paraphrasing material
without documentation and copying from other students
or professionals. Intentional plagiarism is a grave
offense; the resulting response will be distasteful.
Depending upon the severity, instances of plagiarism
may result in a failing grade for the paper or the course
and possible administrative action. All assignments will
be scanned and scrutinized for academic dishonesty.
Please refer to your handbook for more information
regarding plagiarism.

13. Syllabus
 The syllabus is a tentative schedule of agenda.
 It may be revised during the quarter.
 Use it to determine how to prepare for class.
Week and
Days
 
What we
will do 
in class 
Homework due
before the next
class  

14. Website:
 Our class website is http://palmoreewrt1as.wordpress.com. In
order to do the homework, you must establish an account. To
make your own FREE Word Press account, go to wordpress.com
and click on the large, orange button that says, “Get started here.”
The system will walk you through a series of steps that will allow
you to set up your own user-friendly Word Press blog, sign up for
just a user name, or sign in with your Facebook account. Make
sure you sign in with YOUR Word Press username before you
post on our class page so you get credit for your work.
 If you prefer not to use your own name, you may use a
pseudonym. Please email me your username if it is significantly
different from your real name.
 If you cannot establish your website and username, please come
to my office hours as soon as possible, and I will help you with the
process. Much of our work will take place online, so establishing
this connection is mandatory.

15. On the Website
 Essay Assignments
 Some Reading Assignments
 The Green Sheet
 The Syllabus (The Daily Plan)
• Writing Tips
• Helpful Links
• Your Daily Homework Assignment
(which is where you post your
homework.)

16. Posting Homework
 On the front page of the website, you will find the
homework post after each class.
 Below that post on the right, are the words “Leave a
comment.”
 Copy and paste your homework into the box.
 Click there and a comment box will open. Post your
homework in the comment box and click “Post
Comment.”

17. Homework
There is writing homework
everyday in this class. This is both
to help you think about your
reading and to help you produce
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.

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

20. 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.

21.  Group 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)
 Group 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)

22.  Group 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)
 Group 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)

23.  After you finish choosing your items, get into groups of
three or four and discuss your choices. Explain your
reasons for choosing your supplies to the other people
in your group. It will behoove you to argue vigorously
so you all understand the benefits of each item. When
you have all settled on your final lists, make a list for
yourself of what each person in your group is taking
with him or her.

24. 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: an in-
class writing exam

25. 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 __________________________.”

26. 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

27. 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.

28. Conclusion:
 If your adventure is over, describe how your 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?

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