The purpose of English 1002, the College Essay, is to teach you how to write clear, correct and effective paragraphs and essays; to provide practice in careful, analytical reading; and to provide intensive study of the conventions of written English, including sentence structure and punctuation.
At the end of the course students will be able to:
write complete and clear sentences.
In-class essay #1
In-class exercises 10% Workbook exercises
15% Narrative/Memoir
5% Descriptive essay
5% Cause and Effect 10% Compare and Contrast 10% How-to essay 10% Definition
10% Interview
10% Editorial or Review
15% The Writing Competence Checklist
A description of college-level writing standards.
All writing assignments must be typed or word-processed in Times Roman, 12-point type, double-spaced, with print on one side of the paper. Papers (accompanied by all the related pre-writing, drafts, and workshop evaluations) must be paper-clipped and handed in on the due date in a folder. Although they will be typed, I do want you to make last-minute changes and corrections in pen as you re-read your essay before handing it in. Papers handed in after 2:50 on the due date will not be accepted.
Submitting papers that have been plagiarized will result in a failing grade for the course; likewise, a failure to hand in any of the eight papers will result in a failing grade for the course.
Abortion is a taboo paper topic.
Consistent attendance is essential to succeed in this course. Students who miss more than 6 classes or conferences—for whatever reason—will be asked to withdraw from the class; students who miss a seventh class after the withdrawal date will receive a failing grade for the course.
Timely preparation of assignments is necessary to ensure that class periods are interesting and productive. If you have not posted your drafts on the discussion board on the scheduled days, you will be asked to leave—it will be recorded as an absence and will severely affect your grade.
Since much of the class will be discussion-based, it is essential that you participate—this includes careful reading, perceptive comments, attentive listening, and timely postings.
You must bring both texts to class every day and you must bring to our conferences whatever is necessary to ensure that they are productive (e.g. all drafts and pre-writing, completed and corrected exercises).
Finally, a note about classroom etiquette: Cell phones and noisy and stinky food are forbidden.
Tutors are also available on a walk-in basis in The Writing Center whenever the Center is open and can be scheduled through Ms. Lisa Breslin at extension 4240.
You are also welcome to drop by my office or schedule an appointment to discuss your essays and your individual writing foibles.
Adherence to the letter and spirit of the honor code is required.
The McDaniel College Honor Code: The McDaniel Honor Code encourages academic integrity among individuals and fosters accountability within the community as a whole. What does this mean? It means: a) the work you submit must be your own, and, b) if others are damaging the values of the community, you have a responsibility to speak up about it. Please copy and sign the pledge on every formal assignment. It is not necessary to write it on drafts or discussion board posts.
About Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of another's words or ideas. In short, it's the theft of someone else's intellectual property and a serious violation of college policy and academic ethics. The easy availability of materials on the Internet makes it tempting to use other people's work (or incorporate it into your own) without asking permission or citing sources. However, you are responsible to give credit where credit is due. If you submit a plagiarized paper, you will likely receive an F for the course. If you submit a paper or part of a paper that you have downloaded from the Internet, you will fail the course.
The McDaniel College Honor Pledge: The following pledge is to be written out and signed on all exams and papers, “I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this piece of work, nor have I knowingly tolerated any violation of the Honor Code.”
ADA/504
McDaniel College, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973/Section 504, will provide reasonable accommodations for eligible students with disabilities. If you require special assistance, please see me privately and/or you may seek assistance directly from the office of Student Academic Support Services in Room 213 in Winslow Hall (410-857-2504 or e-mail at asc@mcdaniel.edu.).
Office: Hill Hall 214, x2426
Office hours: MF 10-20-11:30, after 1:40, and by appointment
(I am usually in my office on TTH from 10-2 and am happy to meet before my 9:10 class on MWF)
e-mail: mbendels@mcdaniel.edu
* * You must retain all writing associated with this class until the semester ends * *
