This document outlines the agenda and policies for an English writing class. It discusses adding students to the class, the syllabus and required materials, class policies around attendance, assignments, grading, academic dishonesty, and establishing accounts on the class website to post homework. Students are assigned to read The Hunger Games book and buy a writing guidebook. For homework, they must submit a list of survival items they would bring into the woods and explain their choices, as well as post a journal entry on aspects of outdoor survival.

1. EWRT 1A: Class 1

2. Agenda
Adding the Class
Syllabus/Green Sheet
Website
In-class writing

3. 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 Monday of next week, 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!

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.
 Keeping up-to-date on the assignments and reading.
 Five formal papers, one of which will be written in class,
and one which will be delivered as a speech.
 A series of posts to the class website
 Tests, 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.  Tests:
We will have five vocabulary tests during the quarter. There
are no make-ups. One day, near the end of the quarter, I will
offer every student the opportunity to take or re-take one test.
 Late Work:
I do not accept late work. I do, however, extend an
opportunity to revise essay #2 or #3 for a better grade.

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  Project Title

14. Website:
 Our class website is http://palmore1a.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. If you don't want a blog,
you can sign up for just a username. Or, you can sign in with your
Facebook account. Make sure you sign in with YOUR 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
 Some Reading Assignments
 Essay 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 due before
each meeting. 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
(Regulates temperature by
reflecting and retaining body
warmth while dissipating
moisture and excess heat to
keep you comfortable.)
 Hiking boots (water proof)
 Group 2 (Choose 1)
 Waterproof matches (one box
of 20)
 An empty container/bottle (One
gallon-glass)
 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. Homework
 Buy: The Hunger Games and The St. Martin’s Guide to
Writing.
 Make your Word Press Website or establish your user
name
 Post #1 Your finished list. Make sure you note in detail
why you chose these items.
 Post #2: Journal: If you had to survive out on your own,
what would be the easiest part for you and what would be
some of the more difficult aspects of surviving outdoors on
your own?
 Bring a hard copy of your list and reasons to class.