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Phil Druker/Department of English/ University of Idaho |
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ADVANCED PROSE WRITING
COURSE GUIDELINES: Text:
309 Course Pamphlet, Fall 2004. (Required) Available at UI
Bookstore. On-line articles: These are available through the 309 Course Web Site and UI Library reserve desk. Go to http://www.class.uidaho.edu/druker/ap309.htm. Click on “Articles.” A list will appear. Click on the article you want to read. To open the article use this Username: eng30901 and this Password: RV4d+b (these are case sensitive) Course Goals: English 309 gives students experience with researching an issue with which they have personal experience and writing an extended essay on that research. Through the course, students will develop research skills, develop writing skills, develop their own voice in writing, and gain expertise in a topic of their own choice. Each student will produce a reasonably sophisticated, extended, creative non-fiction research essay as a final product for the course.
Course Grade: Your grade will be based on these assignments:
To pass the course, you must submit an acceptable final research essay. The final essay will be composed of assignments 2 through 5 plus one new section. The final essay and the other assignments need to be based on ideas you present in your proposal. When assignments require secondary research (assignments 3,4,5,6), you will want to rely on sophisticated sources; thus, you will not want to rely on information from popular magazines such as Time, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, People, Reader's Digest, the internet, etc. *Teacher points: These points will be awarded for participation in class, promptness, progress, and involvement with the course. During the course, we will be discussing issues and ideas from the text and from your research. Your participation will be necessary for this course to work. **Leader of class discussion: You will receive credit for presenting a part of your draft to the class. To do this, you will need to make a single-spaced one page photocopy of a section of your work to present to each class member.
Basic criteria for evaluating written work (note that various assignments will have specific criteria that apply specifically to creative non-fiction): I will use three main criteria for evaluating your work: (1) content (2) organization, and (3) style. Demonstrates excellent (better than good) (A): The document accomplishes the reader's and writer's purposes efficiently and effectively by providing useful, understandable, and well thought-out information that is accurate and complete. The paper cogently (clearly and forcefully) develops one central idea (stated in a thesis sentence) that is thoroughly supported by relevant details. The author engages the audience by using creative non-fiction techniques. The text is organized clearly and logically so that the main points are emphasized. Transitions give the paragraphs a logical flow, and each paragraph has a specific purpose. The format is correct and emphasizes the main ideas. The style (grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization) is perfect. Diction (word choice) is mature. The writing is concise. Demonstrates above average / outstanding work (very good) (B): The document accomplishes the reader's and writer's purposes. The writer develops one central idea (thesis), which is clearly stated and supported by useful, accurate, relevant details by using creative non-fiction techniques. The organization of the text is generally logical, and the main points are adequately emphasized. Each paragraph has a specific purpose. The format is correct. The style is usually correct, but the text might contain some awkward sentences. There are no basic grammar or punctuation errors, but there might be a few errors in complicated sentences. The text might contain a few errors in punctuation, spelling, or capitalization. Diction is effective, and the sentences are usually concise. Demonstrates average / OK work / acceptable (C): This document accomplishes the writer's purposes more than the reader's purposes. The paper does not fully or carefully develop one central idea, or that idea might not be clearly stated. The central idea is supported with some details, but the document leaves the reader with many questions. Some ideas or details are irrelevant. The author uses creative non-fiction techniques. The organization of the text is logical, but jumps in thought might confuse the reader. The document contains paragraphs, but some paragraphs lack a specific purpose. The format is acceptable. The style contains a few basic errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Sentences are awkward; some are unclear. Diction is incorrect or not effective. Sentences are wordy. Below average / minimally acceptable (D) Unacceptable (F) GENERAL GUIDELINES: A. All papers must be turned in on the scheduled due date. Papers turned in late will not receive full credit unless you submit in advance of the due date a short note explaining the situation and stating when you plan to submit the paper. The note, with the instructor's written endorsement must be turned in with the paper. You must turn in the final paper by the assigned due date to pass the course. B. Revision is an important part of producing good writing and an important part of this course. The rough drafts need not be typed, but please make them legible so other students and the instructor can edit them. Having rough drafts on the due date will affect your grade. C. The proposal and rough drafts for each paper must be submitted with the final draft. Please, turn in this work in a folder that has your name and section number on it. D. Assignments must be typed and double spaced (unless specified otherwise). Use the correct format. Be sure to leave sufficient margins (1 inch) on each side of the page. Your name, English 309 and the date should appear on the cover page or upper right-hand or left-hand corner of the first page. Number each page. Turn off the right margin adjust. Formatting is important. Incorrectly formatted work will not be acceptable. E. Please, organize and maintain your secondary sources so that the instructor can see them. You will need to turn in a copy of your sources with each paper. F. Keep all your class work in a folder. At the end of the semester, you will turn in all of your class work. This will ensure that your instructor has entered all your grades correctly, and it will enable him to evaluate the progress you made during the semester. G. All papers must be written solely by the person submitting the paper. Papers must be written during this semester. Papers should not have been previously submitted to or edited by other instructors or advisors. H. The grade of incomplete will be given only following university guidelines. I. This is a workshop course; therefore 1. Attendance is required. Four or more absences will adversely affect your grade. (No exceptions!) No absences are permitted during oral reports. 2. Class participation constitutes part of your grade. 3. Please be familiar with the assigned readings for each class. 4. Come to class prepared to write. OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday 9- 10, 3:30-4; Wednesday: 9-12; Thursday 9-10 and at other times by appointment. Please feel free to see me at any time to discuss any problems you may be encountering in the course. Office: Brink 204 |