ENGL 200 (Section AQ): Expository Writing II
Fall 2000 -- MWF 1:30-2:20 p.m.

 
Schedule of Classes (Revised) | K-State Online
 
 
Professor Karin Westman
108 Denison Hall
Office Hours: M, W 9:00-10:00 a.m. and by app't
Email: westmank@ksu.eduWeb version of syllabus with hyperlinks available at:
 
Course Philosophy and Description
Expository Writing II is the second of two courses required of all students here at Kansas State University. In this writing class, you will study and practice argumentation, so you are prepared for the complex writing tasks that you will do as a college student and later in your workplace and community. We will write five essays, which will be due roughly every three weeks. Your essays will be persuasive pieces that use written argument to explore and persuade others to some new attitude or action.
 
While some of your writing will take place in the classroom, much of what you must satisfactorily complete for the course will require time outside the classroom: reading assignments about aspects of argumentation, writing activities which prepare you for the assignments, generating ideas for drafts, and completing drafts and revisions according to the schedule below.

Texts
Ramage, John D. and John C. Bean, Writing Arguments (4th edition)
Kanning, Sarah L. Expository Writing 200 (2nd edition)
Course Pack (available from Arts & Sciences Copy Center later this semester)
Recommended: Hacker, Diane, Rules for Writers and a college-level dictionary

Supplies
Several letter-sized filing folders for keeping and handing in your work
8 ½ x 11 college-ruled notebook paper
#2 pencils, pens with blue or black ink
Formatted disks dedicated to this course for storing and backing up your computer files

Attendance: Since the University requires that students attend all classes in which they are enrolled, there are no excused absences. If you are absent for more than nine classroom hours (nine class periods), you will fail this class automatically.
 
If you wish to receive a passing grade in this class, attendance is very important. Classroom work or homework assignments missed due to absence cannot be made up. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out from another class member any announcements or assignments. (On those rare occasions when circumstances make it impossible for you attend, please notify me by email or in person in advance so we can discuss the absence.)

Essays: You will write five major assignments for this course. All assigned work is due on the day and time listed below. I do not accept late work. You may arrange for one alternate due date during the semester in advance of the paper's due date; be sure to speak with me in advance, if you need to exercise this option.
 
Drafts and revisions of papers must be typed, double-spaced, with one inch margins (one page = 250 words); the pages should be spell-checked, proof-read, and stapled or paper-clipped together. Your name, my name, the date, and the type of assignment should appear in the upper-left hand corner of the first page. A "Works Cited" page should accompany any assignment that refers to outside sources. Submit the paper in a manila file folder with your name written on the tab. Title pages are not necessary. Do not submit your work in a report cover.



Honor Code and Plagiarism: Be extremely careful in acknowledging the sources that have influenced your work. Should you incorporate the ideas, general phrasing, or exact words of any other source without properly crediting the author, you are guilty of plagiarism and of failure to follow the University's Honor Code. The penalty for plagiarism is severe: you may fail the course and the Dean may be notified of the reason for your failure. If you have any questions about whether you need to cite a source, please see me or consult Hacker's Rules for Writers or Kanning's Expository Writing 200.

Grades: Your grade for the course will be based on your preparation, drafting, and revising of the five writing assignments for the class, as well as your attendance and participation in the class. During the course, I will give you written feedback about your writing, its content, and its effect on your intended audience. I will tell you what's already working well and what still needs work. Some key points:

Portfolio Examination: At the end of week 8 or the beginning of week 9, you will turn in one of your papers to be evaluated for the Midterm Portfolio Examination. A different instructor will read your paper to determine if it meets the minimum requirements for this course. If it passes, it can then be used in the Final Portfolio Examination as a passing paper.

During the last week of class, you will turn in a Final Portfolio that will contain 3 of the five papers you wrote for this class. Again, a different instructor will read your portfolio to determine if it passes. Portfolio readers do not determine your final grade; they just determine if your portfolio passes or fails the course. After I get the results of the Final Portfolio Examination, I will assign you letter grades based on your written work, attendance, and class participation. Please note: it is possible to pass the Portfolio Examination and still fail this course for lack of attendance, excessive lateness, poor class participation, failing to hand work in on time, and plagiarism. For more information about the Portfolio Examination, see the "Instructions to Students for the Portfolio Examination" in Kanning.

Revision Policy: I require you to attempt revision on any essay which receives a grade of "R"and to keep revising until that essay reaches the acceptable level. If you do not turn in a revision of an essay that received an "R" within a week's time limit, that essay will receive a permanent grade of "R" and will be calculated as an "F." Though I do not require revisions of essays which earn acceptable grades when first submitted, I do allow you the option to revise such an essay once. You may not revise in-class essays for higher grades.
You must also earn the right to revise any of your major papers for this class. In order to earn this right, you must do all the homework, classroom activities, and participate seriously in the peer-review workshops for each assignment. If you are absent on workshop days or for some other reason do not participate in all the activities leading up to a final draft, you will not be allowed to revise for a higher grade. If you do the activities, homework, and participate in all the peer-review opportunities, you will find that your writing will improve over the term.
 
A paper will be considered revised when it demonstrates significant change in global issues such as focus/purpose (Is the paper on one topic? Is the writer's purpose clear?), or arrangement (Is the order of the information logical and easy to follow?), or development (Is there enough detail and support for the reader to clearly understand the issue), or tone (Is the reader addressing the audience appropriately for the purpose and occasion?). Revisions that do not meet this criteria will be returned unread. Simply correcting errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar is not revision but editing.

Remember that a revision does not automatically receive a better grade. If you choose to revise, keep in mind that the whole paper may need revision once you begin to revise one element of its argument and presentation. If you choose to revise a paper and it earns another grade, I will average the grades for that assignment. Before you revise, you must arrange for a conference with a Writing Center Tutor or me to discuss your plans for revise. If you do not seem to be making any improvements on a particular paper, I will advise you to leave it and work on a difference assignment.

Your revision must include the following or it will be returned unread:
1. Underline and explain any additions you make to the text on the new version.
2. Mark any deletions on the old version.
3. Write a summary on a separate page explaining why and how you revised -- for example, why you decided to change the paper's focus or arrangement, why you added or deleted a certain part of the paper, why you rearranged the information, and so forth.
4. With the revision, you must turn in all previous notes and drafts, peer response sheets, and a clear label of which assignment you are revising. Place all these items in a file folder with your name on it.

Computing: Over the course of the semester we will be using a bulletin board or listserv, as well as other technologies--more information coming soon. Our work with computers is designed not only as another forum for practicing argumentation, but as a way for you to sharpen your communication skills for an increasingly technological age.
 
If you do not yet have an email account, I encourage you to activate your KSU account. I highly recommend email as a way of touching base with me about your writing -- a kind of virtual office hours. You can send me queries, your thesis statement for an essay, or anything else that could be handled with a quick exchange of messages. I check my email in the morning before classes, in the afternoon, and in the evening.

Conferences: I want you to succeed in this course, and I am happy to meet with you about your writing and your progress. I encourage you to see me before writing assignments are due, or if you have questions about material we discuss in class. Please feel free to stop by during office hours (M, W 9- 10 am), or contact me by phone or email to arrange a more convenient time to meet.

Note: If you have any condition such as a physical or learning disability that will make it difficult for you to carry out the work as I have outlined it or which will require academic accommodations, please notify me in the first two weeks of the semester.



Schedule of Classes (subject to change)

Evaluating an Argument
   

 (Preparation for class)
  

 (In class activities)
 Week 1

Aug

21

1

--
Introduction to Course Policies and Goals
Introduce in-class writing assignment for 8/23.

Aug

23

2
Prepare in-class writing assignment according to directions.
Do in-class writing assignment.

Aug

25

3
Read Chapter 1 (3-23) in Writing Arguments (WA).
Read pages 286-93 in WA.
Do exercise on page 293.
What is a good argument?
Discuss exercise on p.293.
Introduce Evaluation Essay Assignment.
Week 2

Aug

28

4
Read pp.442-4 in WA.
Do Task 1, p.443.

Evaluation is a Criteria Match.

Review responses to Task 1, p.443.

Do Task 2, p.444 in class.

Aug

30

5 Do Task 3, pp.444-50 in WA

Do Task 4, p.450 in class.

Develop and defend criteria for good argumentation.

Sep

1

6

Read Chapter 2 (24-35) in WA.

Read pp. 295-6 in WA.

How "Says and Does"helps you understand what you read.

Do exercise on p.34 in class.

Week 3

Sep

4

7

--
 No Class -- Labor Day

Sep

6

8
Read "Marijuana for Medical Purposes" in Expository Writing 200 (EW 200), pp. 167-8.
Write "says" and "does" statements for each paragraph. (Your goal: to understand the argument's major claims and how it is put together.)
Understanding the How and What of an Argument.
Discussion of essay and "says" and "does" statements.

Sep

8

9
Read EW200, pp.93-99, 102-105.
Write "says" and "does" for one of the sample essays.
Review Student Samples (EW200).
Organization of Evaluation Essays.
Evidence in Evaluation Essays: Quoting from your source.
Week 4

Sep

11

10
Read WA, pp.435-42.
Complete "Organizing Your Evaluation Essay" in EW200, pp.95-7.
Reminder: First draft due 9/13.
More on evidence in Evaluation Essays.
Learning about Peer Review and linking review comments to grading/passing criteria.

Sep

13

11
Bring three copies of first draft for Peer Review.
Peer Review Session.
More on linking review comments to Grading/Passing Criteria.
Leave with a revision plan.
Sep 15 12
Bring three copies of second draft for Peer Review.
Peer Review Session.
Leave with a revision plan.


Components of Argument
Week 5

Sep

18

13
Read Chapter 4 (81-94) in WA.
Do exercises on pp.84-5, pp.87-8.
Evaluation Essay due by 4pm to DE108.
Transition to a detailed understanding of arguments.
Exercise on p.91 in class.

Sep

20

14
Read Chapter 5 (95-112) in WA
Do exercise on p.98, #1-6, in WA.
Structure of Argument: Claims, Stated Reasons, Grounds, Warrants, Backing, Rebuttals, and Qualifiers.
Review exercise on p.98 in WA.

Sep

22

15
Do exercise on p.106 of WA, choosing 2 of the remaining 9 enthymemic arguments.
More on Structure of Argument.
Review responses to exercise on p.106.


Proposal Arguments: How to Change Reality
Week 6

Sep

25

16
Read Chapter 14 (304-38) in WA.
Introduce Proposal Essay assignment.
Proposals: We should/should no do X.
Rhetorical situations.
Practical vs. Policy Proposals.

Sep

27

17
Bring three possible topics written out to hand in. Have one that you are fairly sure about and two for back-up.
Finding an issue for a proposal.
Who is your rhetorical audience?
Do exercise on p.317 in class.

Sep

29

18
Read Chapter 7 (145-65) in WA.
Do exercises on pp.148-9 and p.164.
Audience-Based Reasons.
Discuss responses to exercises on pp.148-9 and p.164.
Do exercise on p. 151 in class.
Week 7

Oct

2

19
With your topic for your proposal essay in mind, write out answers to questions about "Audience-Based Reasons" on pp.149-50 of WA and write out answers to "Stock Issues" on pp.314-5 of WA.
More on Audience-Based Reasons.

Oct

4

20
Read pp.143-46 in EW200.
Do "says and does" for the two essays.
How Proposals are presented and organized.

Oct

6

21
Bring three copies of first draft for Peer Review.
Peer Review Session.
Linking Review comments to grading/passing criteria.
Leave with a Revision Plan.
Week 8

Oct

9

22
Bring three copies of second draft for Peer Review.
Peer Review Session.
Determine readings for next assignments.
Leave with a Revision Plan.

Oct

11

23
Proposal due by 4pm to DE 108.
Introduce Researched Debate Essay.

Oct

13

24
Topic: "Sexual Harassment: When is Offensiveness a Civil Offense?"
Read Riger, "Gender Dilemmas in Sexual Harassment Policies and Procedures" (WA 581-595) and Chamallas, "Universal Truth and Multiple Perspectives: Controversies on Sexual Harassment" (WA 607-611).
 
Do exercise on p.455 ("Questions for Analyzing and Evaluating a Conversation") for the two essays.
Discuss Riger and Chamallas.
 
Review responses to exercise on p.455.

Researched Debate
Week 9

Oct

16

25
Read Jong, "Fear of Flirting" (WA 599-602), Morgenson, "Watch That Leer, Stifle That Joke" (WA 602-5), and Crawford, "A Wink Here, a Leer There: It's Costly" (WA 606-7).
 
Do exercise on pp.455-6 ("Questions for Analyzing and Evaluating an Individual Argument") for one of the three essays.
 
Submit essay for Midterm Portfolio Review.
Discuss Jong, Morgenson, and Crawford.
 
Review responses to exercise on pp.455-6.
 
Determine several "issue questions" for debate topic.

Oct

18

26
Read pp.380-414 in WA.
 
Do exercise on p.394.
Review of main claims of five essays on sexual harassment.
 
Using sources effectively and avoiding plagiarism.
 
Review of exercise on p.394.

Oct

20

27
--
 FALL BREAK -- No Classes
Week 10

Oct

23

28
Read pp.115-17 and pp.123-26 in EW200.
 
Begin drafting your outline for your debate essay using theflow chart on p.116 or the outline on p.117.
Review student samples on pp.123-26 of EW200.

Oct

25

29
Bring three copies of your debate essay flow chart/outline to class for peer review.
Peer Review Session.
Leave with a Revision Plan.

Oct

27

30
Bring three copies of your draft of your debate essay for Peer Review.
Peer Review Session.
Leave with a Revision Plan.

Persuasive Research Paper
Week 11

Oct

30

31
Researched Debate due by 4pm to DE108.
Introduce Persuasive Research Paper.

Nov

1

32
Read pp.63-70 in WA.
 
Choose your topic for your research paper and the position you will take on that topic. Write both out on separate paper to turn in. Begin to look for your 4-6 sources.
Organizational patterns for research reports; review p. 65 in WA.

Nov

3

33
Read two sample student research essays on pp.26-32 in Prairie Lights 2000.
Review sample research essays.
Week 12

Nov

6

34
Bring three copies of first draft for Peer Review Session.
Peer Review Session.
Linking Review Comments to grading/passing criteria.

Nov

8

35
Bring three copies of second draft for Peer Review Session.
Peer Review Session.

Nov

10

36
Work on final draft of Persuasive Research Paper.
No Class

 

Are You Persuaded?: Some Controversial Argumentative Strategies
Week 13

Nov

13

37
Bring copy of revised draft to class.
 
Persuasive Research Paper due by 4pm Tuesday to DE108.
General workshop on integrating and citing sources and other questions.

Nov

15

38
Read Lyman, "The Fraternal Bond As Joking Relationship" and Kimmel, "Clarence, William, Iron Mike, Tailhook, Senator Packwood, Spur Posse, Magic ...and Us" in the Course Pack [CP].
Discuss Lyman and Kimmel.

Nov

17

39
Read Palac, "How Dirty Pictures Changed My Life" [CP].
Discuss Palac.

Week 14

Nov

20

40
Read Vazquez, "Appearances" [CP] and "Of Microbes and Manhood" [CP]
Discuss Vazquez and "Of Microbes and Manhood."

Nov

22

-- --
NO CLASS

Nov

24

--

--
THANKSGIVING BREAK
Week 15

Nov

27

41
Read Brail, "The Price of Admission: Harassment and Free Speech in the Wild, Wild West" [CP] and Gleik, "This Is Safe Sex?" (WA 527-29)
Discuss Brail and Gleik.

Nov

29

42
Prepare for in-class essay on Controversial Argumentative Strategies.
Write in-class essay on
Controversial Argumentative
Strategies.

Dec

1

43
Read p.175 in EW200.
Introduction to "Letter to Portfolio
Reader"
Review Student Samples:Common
Organizational Patterns and Details
to Support Claims.
Week 16

Dec

4

44
Prepare a written thesis statement and outline for your letter for review in class.
Planning session for Letter and
Gathering Evidence.

Dec

6

45
Revise outline and lists of examples in preparation for in-class writing.
Write "Letter to Portfolio Reader"
in class.

Dec

8

46
Prepare revisions to existing drafts in preparation for Final Portfolio Review.
Draft workshop, assignment of your choice.
Finals Week

Mon

Dec

11

10-12:00 noon, Final Portfolios due to DE108.
 
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Email: westmank@ksu.edu
Last updated 8 November 2000