English 1 (003) / Spring 2005

Writing

Professor: Sandra Jamieson http://www.depts.drew.edu/engl/sjamieso/
Contact: (email): sjamieso@drew.edu (office): 973.408.3499 (home): 908.757.1051 
Class meetings:  Mon., Wed., &, Fri.  11:15-12:05 p.m. EMB 205
Office: S.W. Bowne 118; Office hours: Mon & Wed., 1:00-2:00, Tues 2:00-5:00 and by appointment
Virtual Office Hours: TBA.   IM screen name: “ProfJamieson”

 Course Description
Other On-line Media
Rules   
 Work & Grades
 Virtual Classroom
 Paper Topics
Mainpage 
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Week 1
Week 3 
Week 4 
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7 
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14 


 The Schedule

You can find a printable version of this schedule (.pdf) here


 

Week 1:

 

Jan. 31 (Mon.):  No class today. Don’t laugh too loud though—there is homework!

Homework: Please write two things and either send them to me as email attachments (sjamieso@drew.edu) or bring them to class on Wednesday.

1) Write a brief essay in which you describe yourself as a writer, include a narrative of your writing process (what you do before and during the time you are working on a paper) and how you feel about writing. Include any changes you experienced in your writing as a result of your first semester in college.

2) In one sentence, describe two aspects of your writing with which you are satisfied, then, in a second sentence, describe two aspects of your writing that you would like to strengthen. Please do this even if you were in my class last semester and even if your goals remain the same.

 

Feb. 2 (Wed.):  Introduction to the course, the focus of the class, the course (k) drive, the on-line syllabus, the New York Times project, and the public discussion board. Sign up for individual appointments.  Summary Writing:  select an article from today’s New York Times and write a summary of it. (This is summary #1. It will not be graded.  I will give it back in our individual meetings next week.)

Homework:  Finish your summary, and read the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/) Wednesday AND Thursday nights.  List a few stories that you find interesting, puzzling, annoying, boring, depressing, or uplifting (yes, this can include the sports section!) and write a second summary of one of them. (Summary #2)

 

Feb. 4 (Fri.): Bring your computers and network cables to class today—PLEASE DO NOT FORGET!).  Summary #1 due in class (save a copy on to your computer hard drive as well). Test of the K:drive. Discussion of summaries, summary writing, and the stories you read the last two evenings.

Reading newspapers on line. Discussion of summary topics and the "following the news" project Short writing workshop of summary #1.

Homework: Read the New York Times on line and select three news stories of interest to you.  Summarize those stories (cited correctly) and then write an explanation of why you consider each story of interest. These are summaries #3, #4, and #5. Write your summary in Word, and save it in your k:drive folder and on your hard drive. Then send me the summary and the article by email (see below). SEND A COPY TO YOURSELF AS WELL!

If you are using Internet Explorer: with the news article open, select "Send" from the "File" menu, then select "Send as Email."  When the email window opens, paste your summary and response AT THE VERY TOP of the message window (so that it shows up above the forwarded page).  Don't forget to send a copy to yourself.

If you are using Mozilla: with the new article open, select "Send page" from the "File" menu.  When the email window opens, paste your summary and response AT THE VERY TOP of the message window (so that it shows up above the forwarded page).  Don't forget to send a copy to yourself.

 

Week 2

 

Feb. 8 (Tue.) and Feb. 9 (Wed.): Meet with Prof. Jamieson in her office (118 S.W. Bowne) on one of these days, to discuss your writing, the homework, and what you want to accomplish in this course. (Times posted on the door in case you forget!)

 

Feb. 7 (Mon.): Bring your computers and network cables to class.   When you get to class, scan the New York Times online (arrive early if you can). Scanning the "front page," selecting stories, understanding the structure of news articles, and effectively summarizing content. Brief introduction to the Writer's Resources peer review guides.  What information must be included in a summary?

Reading and summarizing images: Focus on reading images and text and the ways they comment on each other. Consider the way images, layout, and design influence the way we perceive a text. Summarize an image related to a story you found interesting (Summary #6)

Homework: Read the New York Times between now and Wednesday and decide which topic you'd like to think about for the first half of the semester.  Select topics that produce a story at least every other day if possible.  Send copies of interesting articles to yourself (you may summarize them, too, which will save you time later and provide valuable practice in summary writing).  Summarize at least one story and image (Summary #7). Write a brief response to the way both work together to tell the story.

 

Feb. 9 (Wed.): Bring your computers and network cables to class.  When you get to class, open the on-line syllabus, check the assignment for the day, and then scan the New York Times online (arrive early if you can).

List topics students found interesting. Students select five or six stories that will be tracked for the next two weeks, divide into groups of three or four based on their interest in those topics, and prepare brief presentations to update the rest of the class on the progress of the story. Post the updates on the class discussion list for that topic.

The writer’s stance: What is the position (or stance) of the newspaper on each topic?  How can you tell that?  Do the authors all seem to take the same position?  How can you tell?  How did your position influence the way you wrote your summaries?  Write a brief summary of your position on the topic you are following (summary #8). 

Homework: Review of the Writer's Resources peer review guide on summary-writing.  What should a summary accomplish?  How can it best do that?  Are yours as good as they can be?

Read the New York Times and look for articles on your topic. Look at other national and international newspapers to see how they cover your story.  (Many on-line newspapers and media sources are listed on the "Media Page")  Write a 150 word summary of an article from today's New York Times (or other on-line newspaper) on your topic (summary #9), and write another on Thursday on the same topic (Summary #10).  Paste these summaries into the discussion board for your project (see below). If you cannot post them, bring both to class Friday, along with a printout of the articles you summarized. (You may want to work with others also following your topic and each look at one source and post a summary from there).  [For more information on summary writing, see the class on-line resources.] 

 

      First Public Journal assignment:  Write a brief annotation of each of the articles you have read on your topic and post it on the “Discussion Board” for your topic [<https://forums.drew.edu>] including a link to the article. Your purpose here is both to update your group and also to keep the rest of the class informed.  You’ll draw from these public postings to make a brief presentation in class on Monday.

 

Feb.  11 (Fri.): Bring your computers and network cables to class for the rest of the semester.  When you get to class, open the on-line syllabus, check the assignment for the day, and then scan the New York Times online. Do the News Quiz (and tell me your score!) Quick update on stories being covered and discussion of topics and  how to expand them. In class writing and workshop of summaries

Homework: Read the New York Times and continue to look for articles on your topic and summarize any you find (you may want to work with others and each look at one source and post a summary from there). All summaries written so far (and all drafts) are due in class on Monday in a folder entitled “Summaries” (or in the k:/drive in the “Summaries” folder in your inbox. (There should be at least 10 summaries in this folder!)

 

First weekly e-dialogue (due by noon on Sunday): In this class you’ll be reading the newspaper and following the news. What do you think about that? Why? Try to explain your answer as fully as possible. Try not to be boring!

 

Week 3

 

Feb.  14 (Mon.): Summary Portfolio due. All summaries due today in a folder entitled “Summaries” (or in the k:/drive in the “Summaries” folder in your inbox). Students work together to generate brief reports of how each news story is going: What has happened since last week? Introduction to synthesis writing and paper #1, due Wednesday, Feb 23. [For more information on synthesis writing, see the class on-line resources or the Writer’s Resources at: <www.users.drew.edu/~sjamieso/Synthesis.htm>]

Homework:  Continue to follow the stories that interest you in the New York Times between now and Wednesday and send copies of relevant articles to yourself and write summaries and responses to save yourself time later.

 

      Second Public Journal assignment: Write a brief annotation of each of the articles you have read on your topic this week and post it on the “Discussion Board” for your topic [<https://forums.drew.edu>] including a link to the article. Your purpose here is both to update your group and also to keep the rest of the class informed.  You’ll draw from these public postings to make a brief presentation in class on Tuesday.

 

Feb. 16 (Wed.): Check the syllabus and on-line assignments, then scan the New York Times .

Synthesis writing: We will discuss synthesis within articles (quotations, sources, etc.), and narrative, informative, and background syntheses of several articles in college-level papers. Write a brief synthesis using articles on the topic you have already summarized.

Homework: Write a very rough draft of your synthesis paper (Paper #1). Whatever you have is due in class Friday. Continue to follow the stories that interest you in the New York Times between now and Friday and send copies of relevant articles to yourself and write summaries and responses to save yourself time later (The more summaries you have, the easier your synthesis will be).

 

Feb. 18 (Fri.): Draft #1 of Paper #1 due in the k:drive and in class today. Sign up for an appointment with me if you’re stuck. Check the syllabus and on-line assignments, then scan the New York Times .  Find a story on your topic in the New York Times or another on-line newspaper that synthesizes sources (using quotations, reports, "experts," etc.) and analyze whether it uses those sources to "simply" report or whether it takes a stand. Save the article to your K:/drive folder, and make notes on how objective the coverage is.  note: save these notes, they will be very useful later. 

Homework:  Continue to work on Paper #1, checking to make sure you remain objective. Good draft of Paper #1 due in class Monday.

 

Second weekly e-dialogue (due by noon on Sunday): What is the most amazing story you saw in this week’s media? What made it amazing? Try to explain your answer as fully as possible. Try not to be boring!

 

Week 4

 

Feb. 21 (Mon.): TODAY IS A SNOW DAY! Drew is closed.  Draft #2 of Paper #1 STILL due in the k:drive and in class today. If you would like specific feedback, please send it to me as an email attachemnt and ask specific qwuestions in your email message. I will return it to you with comments and suggestions for revision. I will also be reading Instant Messages for most of the day ("ProfJamieson")

Homework:  Continue to work on your synthesis, using the feedback generated in class today. Final paper due in class on Wednesday.

 

Feb. 23 (Wed.): A better draft of the synthesis paper should appear in the k:drive folder today. When you get to class, check the syllabus, then scan the New York Times. Work on paper #1 in class. The art of introductions. How does one introduce and organize a synthesis? In class collaboration workshops.  Students will work with group members on perfecting each other's drafts.  Look at peer review questions.  What must a synthesis achieve?  Do these syntheses do that?  Why?  Does the organizational pattern selected work?  Why?  What else do you need to know?  How might the topic sentences work more effectively?

Paper #2: explanation of the assignment and examples of papers students might write. Due Mon., March 7. Prewriting suggestions.
Homework: Think about Paper #2. Brainstorm a few ideas and bring them with you to class Friday. .Write focusing questions: what aspect of the story you’ve been covering needs further explanation? List three or four questions, then think about which option for assignment #2 will best allow you to answer these questions. Select one question to answer and brainstorm ways to do it.
AIM office hours Thursday evening in case you’re stuck.

 

Feb. 25 (Fri.): Synthesis paper #1 due in class today (or in the K:drive “paper #1” folder in your in-box). Your portfolios should include the final draft of the paper, all earlier drafts, notes, summaries, AIM transcripts, etc.When you get to class, check the syllabus, then scan the New York Times .A bit of Boolean logic to help you find sources. Find five or more sources to help you write a background synthesis on your topic. Make an annotated list (correct citation and one sentence summary). Discussion of reliability of web resources. Find a good background source on your topic and a bad one. Evaluation of on-line sources What makes one bad and the other good?

Homework: Work on paper #2. Conduct research or think about how you can use material from another class to help you explain your topic. Bring notes, drafts, questions, etc. to class on Monday.

 

 

Week 5 


A brief introduction to the library component of this class.
Sign up for library appointments for next week.

 

Feb. 28 (Mon.): When you get to class, check the syllabus, then scan the New York Times. Work on paper #2 in class. Sign up to meet with me if you are stuck.

Homework:  Keep working on Paper #2. Working draft due in class on Wednesday.

 

Mar. 2 (Wed.): Rough draft of Paper #2 due in the k:drive by the beginning of class today (draft #1). When you get to class, check the syllabus, then scan the New York Times. Work on paper #2 in class. In class workshop on organization and argument.

Homework:  Keep working on Paper #2. Pretty good draft due in class on Friday.

 

Mar. 4 (Fri.): Better draft of Paper #2 due in the k:drive by the beginning of class today (draft #2). When you get to class, check the syllabus, then scan the New York Times . Work on paper #2 in class. In class workshop on use of sources and sentence-level editing.

Homework:  Keep working on Paper #2. Due on Monday, March 7.

 

Week 6 


Library appointment this week.
Don’t forget to go!  Even if you are writing option #2 you’ll need this information for papers #3, 4, and 5! Look for contemporary sources you can use for paper #3.

 

Mar. 7 (Mon.): Paper #2 due in class today (or in the K:drive “paper #2” folder in your in-box). Your portfolios should include the final draft of the paper, all earlier drafts, notes, summaries, AIM transcripts, etc. When you get to class, check the syllabus, then scan the New York Times .

Comparison Writing:  We will discuss comparison and the different stances we see in various news articles from The National Review, The New Republic, and Newsweek. Work with your group to describe and analyze the stance of the contemporary sources you found when you went to the library (or since then).  You should have thorough notes and the beginning of a comparison of each by the end of today's class.  Brief discussion of the paper topic.  (This is Paper #3,  due on Monday, March 21)

    [For more information on comparison writing, see your handbook and the Writer’s Resources page at <www.users.drew.edu/~sjamieso/Comparison.htm>]

Homework:  Write a very rough draft of Paper #3, a paper in which you compare the different stances people in the media take on your topic, bring a draft to class on Wednesday and save a copy to the k:drive folder named “Paper #3.” 

 

Mar. 9 (Wed.): Rough draft of Paper #3 due in the k:drive by the beginning of class today (draft #1). When you get to class, check the syllabus, then scan the New York Times . Work on paper #3 in class.

Homework:  Work on Paper #3. A decent draft is due in class on Friday.

 

Mar. 11 (Fri): Better draft of Paper #3 due in the k:drive by the beginning of class today (draft #1). When you get to class, check the syllabus, then scan the New York Times .

Revising Outlines:  Discussion of the perfect comparison essay--organization, style, audience, etc.  Working with the guidelines on the Web Resources page [<www.users.drew.edu/~sjamieso/Comparison.htm>], we will compare different strategies for comparison paper outlines and revision outlines and review editing questions.  How well does each present the information?  How might different organization change the way you read the piece?  How does the writer's stance influence the way he or she organizes an article?  How do we introduce comparisons?  Topic sentences, etc.  Students will work together to revise each other’s papers using the guidelines in the Writer’s Resources (students can work online using the copy saved to Blackboard, or work with paper copies if they prefer).

Homework:  Work on paper #3. A final draft is due in class on Monday March 21.

 

Week 7 

 

Spring break--have a good break! 
                Rest
                          sleep
                                  come back to Drew refreshed and ready to WRITE!

 

Week 8

 

Mar. 21 (Mon.): Paper #3 due in class. Your portfolios should include the final draft of the paper, all earlier drafts, notes, summaries, AIM transcripts, etc.

When you get to class, check the syllabus, then scan the New York Times.  Discussion of mid-term portfolio, evaluation, and introductory essay.  Brief discussion about which two papers you will select and about editing for correct source use.  (The portfolio is due Friday 25th at 5pm.)  

Homework:  Decide which two papers you will revise for the mid-term portfolio and begin work on one of them.

 

Mar. 23 (Wed.): When you get to class, check the syllabus, then scan the New York Times. Work on papers for the portfolios (I will return paper #3).

Homework:  Work on the papers for your mid-term portfolio (don't forget that the Writing Center can help you – call x3617 for an appointment). When you have finished revising the papers, write a preface that introduces your work, discusses what you decided to include and why, explains why you did not include other work, and generally reflects upon your writing skills and what you have learned so far in the semester. (See assignment page for full details.)

 

Mar. 25 (Fri): When you get to class, check the syllabus, then scan the New York Times. Work on perfecting the mid-term portfolio including on the introductory preface. Sign up for meetings next week to get your portfolio back.

Homework: Perfect that portfolio, then get some sleep!

 

Friday Mar 25: Mid-term portfolio due by 5pm to the English department office (109 S.W.Bowne)

 

Week  9

 

Mar. 28 (Mon.): No class today:  Meetings with me to discuss your mid-term portfolio and your overall mid-term grade and progress in the course so far.


 

Week  10

 

To come--be patient!

 

Week  11

 

To come--be patient!

April. 13 (Wed.): Work on Paper #4 (the perfection of the thesis). Studdents will work on the paper in class
Homework: Work on paper #4 and make it beautiful for Friday.

April 15  (Fri): Paper #4 due in class. Your folder should include the final draft of the paper, all earlier drafts, notes, summaries, AIM transcripts, etc.
Homework: Think about your topic for paper #5. The same as paper #4? or paper 1, 2, or 3? Make a liast of possible topics based on what you have already learned.

 

Week 12

 

April. 18 (Mon.): Research proposals--see the online guide and the handout in the k:drive ("Paper 5" folder)

Homework:  Perfect your research proposal and start looking for sources.


April. 19 (Tues.): Office hours to discuss papers and problems, delights, fascinating facts, etc.

 

April. 20 (Wed.): When you get to class, check the syllabus, then scan the New York Times. Discussion of focus and the single research question
Homework
: Work on exploring and annotating sources for Paper #5  You need four annotations on Friday. Aim for sources that provide background information and help you to get a beter sense of the topic. We will talk about sources, background, the thesis, and any other issues that you need to discuss. Students will work on their annotations and findng additional sources and I will talk with individual students as needed.

 

April. 21 (Fri): When you get to class, check the syllabus, then scan the New York Times. Four annotations/summaries due in class today (don't worry if you end up not using all of them, they are still helpful and you will still get credit for them!). Aim for sources that provide background information and help you to get a beter sense of the topic. We will talk about sources, background, the thesis, and any other issues that you need to discuss. Students will work on their annotations and findng additional sources and I will talk with individual students as needed.

Homework: Work on exploring and annotating sources for Paper #5  You need four more annotations on Monday.

 

Week  13

 

April. 25 (Mon.): Four more annotations/summaries due in class today (that is a total of eight--don't worry if you end up not using all of them, they are still helpful and you will still get credit for them!). We will talk about sources, background, the thesis, and any other issues that you need to discuss. Students will work on their annotations and findng additional sources and I will talk with individual students as needed.

Homework:  Work on Paper #5  A sloppy draft is due on Wednesday (aim for 4 pages!)  Don't forget that the Writing Center can help you – call x3617 for an appointment. The library can be very helpful as well. As can my office hours!


April. 26 (Tues.): Office hours to discuss papers and problems, delights, fascinating facts, etc.

 

April. 27 (Wed.): When you get to class, check the syllabus, then scan the New York Times. A sloppy draft of paper #5 is due in the "A sloppy draft" folder inside "Paper#5" in the k:drive by 11:15 today. Aim for four pages and try to work on the background to the project, synthesis, summary, and if relevant a discussion of the questions or issues people argue about when they discuss your topic We will talk about revision in the class and I will work with individual students as needed.
Homework
: Work on Paper #5  A much better draft is due on Friday (aim for 8 pages!)  Don't forget that the Writing Center can help you – call x3617 for an appointment.


April. 28 (Thurs.): Office hours to discuss papers and problems, delights, fascinating facts, etc.

 

April. 29 (Fri): When you get to class, check the syllabus, then scan the New York Times. A better draft of paper #5 is due in the "A better draft" folder inside "Paper#5" in the k:drive by 11:15 today. Aim for eight pages! We will talk about revision in the class and I will work with individual students as needed.

Homework: Work on Paper #5  Aim for a very decent draft on Monday

Week 14

 

May. 2 (Mon.): Decent draft of paper #5 is due in the "A very decent draft" folder inside "Paper#5" in the k:drive by 11:15 today. Aim for perfection! In class we will discuss how you can do something with your new and improved knowledge. Think about how you will put this knowledge to use--this is the final project. A website? A brochure? A letter to the newspaper? A proposal for the Dean? A letter to your mayor?  A powerpoint presentation? A poster session? A wikipedia entry? Who is your audience? Why might they want to know about this topic? How can your knowledge improve life for someone else? This is serious business. Think about it

Homework:  Work on Paper #5 or your project.

 

May 4 (Wed.): Perfecting the paper--final check for source use, works cited list, introductions, topic sentences, all that good stuff!

Homework: Work on paper #5. A final draft is due in class on Friday

 

May 6 (Fri): Paper #5 due in class. Your folder should include the final draft of the paper, all earlier drafts, notes, summaries, annotated bibliography, research proposal, list of questions, AIM transcripts, etc.

HomeworkWork on the papers for your mid-term portfolio (don't forget that the Writing Center can help you – call x3617 for an appointment). When you have finished revising the papers, write a preface that introduces your work, discusses what you decided to include and why, explains why you did not include other work, and generally reflects upon your writing skills and what you have learned so far in the semester. (See assignment page for full details.)

 

Week  15

 


May 9 (Mon.): Fianl class. Evaluations of the class, final revision guidelines, portfolio guidelines, last minute questions and panics.

Homework:  Perfect the papers for your final portfolio (don't forget that the Writing Center can help you – call x3617 for an appointment). When you have finished revising the papers, write a preface that introduces your work, discusses what you decided to include and why, explains why you did not include other work, and generally reflects upon your writing skills and what you have learned so far in the semester.
I WILL HAVE IM OFFICE HOURS TONIGHT AND TOMORROW. FIND ME AT "PROFJAMIESON"

 

May 11 (Wed.): Final portfolio due to the box outside SWBowne 115 by 6:00PM tonight.

Homework:  Work on your final project (due Friday 13th), then get some sleep!

 

May 13 (Fri): Final project due aklong with ALL of the work yuou have done this semester for this class (midterm and final), due at my office by 6:00PM

Homework: sleep . . . Have a GREAT summer!