WRD 103 Composition and Rhetoric I

Section 110

Professor Scott Markwell MW 2;40-4:10pm

Office Hours: MW 1:20-2:20pm; F 12pm-1pm

Course Description: WRD 103 is the first part of a two-course sequence in college writing.
During this quarter, we will examine and participate in the three-way relationship between writer,
reader, and the written text. We will read model essays and, along with your own work,
investigate analysis and argument. We will learn to formulate a central point that controls the
writers overall discussion and use various rhetorical structures to help support the point.
Students also should be prepared to share their own writing with peers and participate in drafting,
editing, and revision processes. As writers, we will engage texts recursively and self-reflectively.

Required Texts: Goshgarian, Gary. Exploring Language, 12th ed.

Lunsford, Andrea A. The St. Martins Handbook, 6th ed.

Papers: There will be four papers, approximately 3-4 pages long. Papers must be double spaced
with one inch margins, and they must be typed in Times (Roman) font. We will learn the basics
of MLA format for all our typed assignments. Drafts for workshop must be completed in order
to receive each final paper grade. All papers are due at the beginning of class. Digication
format will be different. Stay tuned

Writers Notebook: Students will keep an informal Notebook which will include responses to
all the readings, peer critiques, any questions or comments about class discussions, possible on-
line exercises, and any other observations about writing issues. Please bring this 3-ring notebook
to every class and be prepared to read aloud your responses to readings or other assignments. Be
prepared to show work at any time.
Workshop and Peer Editing Sessions: Part of the writing process will entail your participation
in class workshops as well as one on one peer editing sessions. Coming prepared with necessary
copies of drafts and facilitating discussion in your group will be factored into your grade.

Grading: Paper #1 10%

Paper #2 15%

Paper #3 15%

Portfolio 50% (Reflective essay25%, revision

25%)

Crucial other 10% Includes notebook writings, peer reviews, quizzes, not attendance
which is mandatory

Portfolio: We will be participating in Digication, an online portfolio platform. At the end of the
quarter, you will submit a portfolio through this system. However, you can build this portfolio
throughout the quarter, experimenting with a presentation that will work the most effectively.
Your portfolio will include a complete revision of a formal paper (one we decide together),
reading responses, in-class writing, and a design that presents your involvement in 103. You
will also include a Reflective essay that demonstrates how your writing (and materials in
portfolio) meets the learning outcomes of WRD 103.

Login access: http://depaul.digication.com/

Conferencing: At some point during the quarter, you will need to set up at least one
appointment with me for a one-to-one conference. You are more than welcome to see me more
than that, but one meeting is required. I encourage you to check in with me at any time for about
5 to 10 minutes. You will need to schedule this time with me during office hours or another
agreed upon time.

Attendance: Students who miss more than two complete weeks of class (four classes) are
subject to failure. All assignments, rewrites and reviews will be extensively discussed during
class. This class should operate as a group effort; you will cheat and shortchange yourself and
others by missing class. The same is true for habitual tardiness. Students who have not attended
class by the first regular class meeting after the last day to add will not be admitted.

Missed Work: If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what work we covered in
class (Get phone #s!). Additionally, it is your responsibility to keep and update your syllabus.

Quizzes: We may have reading quizzes from time to time. These quizzes will cover primarily
the content of our readings. Our discussions involving the readings rhetorical concerns will
stem from the questions in quiz. Quizzes will carry a small point value which will be a part of
your crucial other percentage.

D2L: You can access our course from the D2L link on www.depaul.edu. This site will provide
our class with the course syllabus, all essay assignments, and announcements necessary prior to a
class meeting. Please check the D2L site frequently to ensure updates and system access.

Late Papers: In order to keep the playing field fair, all papers are due at the same time for all
students. Because deadlines are demanding, late papers will be dropped one letter grade for each
class they are late (for example, a paper due on Monday, but turned in on Wednesday can receive
only a B as its maximum grade).

Plagiarism: Academic integrity is expected of each student. In keeping with DePauls

Academic Integrity Policy, any papers which are discovered to be plagiarized will receive a
failing grade and may result in an F for the course. Please click on link at http://oll.depaul.edu
for the integrity policy.