ENGL 1551: Writing 2 (rev. 04/04) Course Writing 2 focuses on the processes of investigation, exploration of topics, formulation of tentative theses, collection of data from suitable primary and secondary sources (from both the library and the Internet, and the clear and appropriate presentation of the results of these inquiries. In Writing 2, students receive regular classroom instruction as well as computer lab instruction. 3 s.h. Entrance Placement from the Composition and Reading Placement Test (CRPT) or successful completion of Writing 1. Requirement (English 1550). A grade of NC in 1550 does not satisfy this requirement. Fees The University assesses students in Writing 2 a materials fee that is used to service and replace equipment and software, to provide tutorial assistance and to purchase supplies. Course Texts Required: (1) The Little, Brown Compact Handbook. (2) Instructors may require students in Writing 2 to use one of the following texts: Author Title Publisher Crusius Aims of Argument: A Brief Rhetoric Mayfield Goshgarian Dialogues Harper/Collins Lunsford, Ruszkiewicz Everything’s an Argument St. Martin’s Miller Informed Argument Harper/Brace/Jovanovich Rottenberg Elements of Argument St. Martin’s General Education Requirement Goals Writing 2 fulfills a portion of YSU’s General Education Writing Requirement (see http://www.cc.ysu.edu/ger/genedg.html for more information). Specifically, Writing 2 addresses these GER goals: Goal 1: Write and speak effectively. Students demonstrate communication skills necessary to function in society and to compete in the global marketplace. Goal 2: Acquire, process, and present quantitative and qualitative information using the most appropriate technologies, including computers. Students demonstrate the ability to select and use effectively the most appropriate technologies for gathering, analyzing and manipulating, transmitting, storing and presenting information. Goal 3: Reason critically, both individually and collaboratively, draw sound conclusions from information, ideas, and interpretations gathered from various sources and disciplines, and apply those conclusions to one’s life and society. Students will demonstrate the ability to reason critically, to distinguish among forms of argumentation, and to derive justified conclusions. This course will help students to: • Extend the critical reading and thinking skills and abilities you developed in Writing 1 Critical thinking is required at every step of the writing process. It is particularly important when collecting data through research, analyzing its validity and usefulness, and presenting it to a discerning audience, as students will in Writing 2. • Continue practicing the writing process that you learned in Writing 1 Writing is a complex activity that involves several steps: generating ideas, drafting, revising, getting feedback, and editing. Writing 2 adds the element of original research, which must also be incorporated into the writing process. • Locate a variety of research sources through the library and the World Wide Web We live in an electronic age, and computer technology has affected the entire communication process, including the writing process. Students in Writing 2 will frequently meet in a computer lab, and they will have the opportunity to learn to use the World Wide Web as a research tool. In addition, students will have access to the resources of a modern library (Maag) with its traditional print sources, as well as the resources of OhioLINK, electronic databases, and online journals. • Evaluate the reliability, importance, and relevance of research sources Evaluation of the reliability, importance, and relevance of sources is an important exercise of critical reading and thinking. This process has become especially important in the electronic information age, when we have witnessed a proliferation of information distributed in electronic form. • Shape an argument to appeal to a specific audience for a specific purpose Information, carefully gathered, evaluated, and selected, becomes useful when marshaled to persuade an audience. Questions about which information should be gathered, which information is most persuasive, and which presentation style is most effective will be addressed. • Select and use a document style (e.g. APA, CBE, MLA, Chicago) appropriate to their chosen field of study. Instructors will introduce students to more than one style of citation and reference. ENGL 1551: Writing 2 (rev. 04/04) Reading Assignments Writing 2 instructors will provide reading assignments on the class syllabus. Instructors may also assign readings from the Little, Brown handbook. Writing Assignments Students will write at least 5000 words in this course, a total that may include in-class writing, informal homework, and formal essay projects, with drafts and revisions. At least one of the formal projects will require extensive use of sources, properly cited and documented. Grades Final grades for Writing 2 are A, B, C, and NC (no credit). Students who earn a grade of A or B have fulfilled course requirements at an outstanding or higher than average level; a C indicates satisfactory performance in the course. Instructors may use an A/B/C/NC system or an A/B/C/D/F system for grading individual assignments. Students with a final average of less than a C will receive a grade of NC for the course. An NC doesn’t affect the student’s overall grade point average, but it does appear on his/her transcript. Any Writing 2 student who receives an NC must repeat Writing 2. You may retake it only once without the approval of the dean of your college. YSU Policy on Incomplete grades The instructor may assign a grade of Incomplete (I) only if the following conditions are met: • the student has requested the incomplete ahead of time • all course work prior to this request has been satisfactorily completed • the student documents that the circumstances leading to the request are beyond his/her control • the instructor considers the incomplete justifiable and agrees to it If the instructor does not specify a shorter time frame, the student has up to one year to complete an incomplete. If no formal grade change occurs within one year, the “I” automatically reverts to an “NC.” Audit Policy Students who register to audit a composition course should consult with the instructor about minimum attendance requirements. Plagiarism All writers must distinguish between the words and ideas which are their own and those they have borrowed from another. Source materials must be accurately copied and enclosed in quotation marks; paraphrased statements must accurately reflect the ideas of their sources, and all sources must be given credit. If a student-writer borrows anyone else’s idea without giving credit, he or she is plagiarizing. Plagiarism also includes allowing others to write, revise, or edit one’s course writing. Plagiarism is a serious offense in the university. An instructor who determines that a student’s writing contains plagiarism may issue an NC to the student for the assignment and/or for the entire course, and the university may take further action. Students with questions about plagiarism should consult their instructors for additional information and also see the section on “Academic Honesty” in the YSU Bulletin. Students with Disabilities In accordance with University procedures, if students have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course they should contact the instructor privately, at the beginning of the course, to discuss their specific needs. Students seeking accommodation for disabilities must be registered with the Disability Services Office in Beeghly Hall (room 3310 [330] 941-1372) and they must provide to their instructors a letter of accommodations to verify their eligibility. Writing Center and Other Resources Students in Writing 2 may seek additional one-on-one assistance at the Writing Center by calling (330) 941-3055 to make an appointment with a tutor at a convenient time. The Writing Center has hours between Monday and Friday whenever classes are in session. Students can also visit The YSU Writing Center’s website at: http://www.as.ysu.edu/%7Eenglish/wcmain.html. After a tutorial session with a student, the Writing Center tutor sends a progress report to the Writing 2 instructor, who may make suggestions for additional classroom workshops or tutorial sessions. In addition, YSU students may receive assistance at the Reading and Study Skills Lab (330) 941-3099 and/or the Center for Student Progress (330) 941- 3538. Both facilities offer individualized assistance with a variety of subjects and study skills. General Information Students who need additional information about Writing 2 or the YSU Composition Program should consult their instructor or a Director(s) of Composition in the English Department (DeBartolo Hall [330] 941-3414). Transfer students who have had a college course in composition elsewhere should have that course evaluated by the Composition Program Director before beginning the writing sequence at YSU.