Nicole Williams

English 1105
Office: Shanks 440
Office Phone:
Office Hours: MW 1:00-2:30
Online Hours: F 1:00-2:30
Email: Nicoleaw@vt.edu
Please Note: I will not respond to e-mail after 9pm M-F or on Sat and Sun.
Website: http://www.nicoleannwilliams.com

Text Required:
Composition at Virginia Tech: Written, Spoken, and Visual Composition. Diana George.
Pearson Custom Publishing 2009. (ISBN 10: 0-558-19908-9)

Other Materials: flash drive or other device for storing files recommended

Course Description- From Composition at Virginia Tech

“In first year composition, we see writing, visual communication, and speaking as three
important aspects of strong communication, communication which will be useful to you
both as a student and as a graduate of Virginia Tech.”

English 1105 is an introduction to college level composition. In this course you will be
introduced to composition’s rhetorical dimensions. That is to say, you will be asked to
consider the purpose, audience, occasion, and genre a writing, speaking, or visual
assignment calls for.

You will be asked to brainstorm topics, to write drafts, and to take revision seriously.
You will be asked to read each others’ papers and give feedback—an important step in
learning to respond to a reader’s concerns.

You will be asked to read challenging articles, essays, and prose and to consider
paintings, films, or other visuals. College composition begins from the assumption that
written, visual, and spoken texts can be in conversation with each other. Thus, you will
be assigned readings as a jumping off point for your own arguments and analysis, as
well as models of either good or poor composition.

Instructors Note:
As individuals in this society, you are constantly surrounded by and participate in
popular culture. This course will center around the theme of popular culture including
how you interact with it and how it shapes your life. We will examine this theme through
various reading and composing of texts throughout the semester.

University Composition Requirement

The aim of this course is to teach effective written, spoken, and visual communication
practices that go beyond much of the writing you did in high school.

Course Objectives
1. Gain knowledge of composition’s rhetorical dimensions.
2. Use writing as a tool for critical thinking.
3. Practice writing as a process via using multiple brainstorming, invention, revision,
and argument skills.
4. Write in several genres that utilize analysis, reflection, narrative, critique, and
argument skills.
5. Practice using the conventions of written, spoken, and visual composition.

Course Policies
Successful Completion: In order to successfully pass this course you
must attend class, participate in class discussions, complete in class
writings, outside readings, homework, and complete all four formal
writing assignments. Successful completion of the four formal
assignments includes turning in all required drafts and attending
workshops and conferences.

Electronic Note: In an effort to do our part to help the environment, all course work
will be electronic based. Assignments will be posted online, all work will be handed in
electronically through Blackboard, workshops will be conducted electronically, and
grades will be kept electronically. Additionally, we will go over how to use all the
technologies required for class. Together we can save hundreds of pounds of paper this
semester and, essentially, a lot of trees. I don’t know about you, but I happen to like
trees. Also, remember that computers do require electricity and use of fossil fuels, so
turn your computer off in and outside of class when it is not being used.

Attendance: What happens in class each day only works if everyone is here to
participate as much as possible; therefore, attendance is mandatory. You are allowed
three absences for the semester free and clear. I don’t need to know where you were or
what you were doing. However, each absence over three will automatically
lower your participation grade by 10%.

Tardiness: I value the time we have together in class to accomplish our goals for the
semester. I do not appreciate students that interrupt class by habitually coming in late.
It is distracting to me and to your peers. Please come to class on time.

Participation: This course depends heavily on your readiness and willingness to

contribute to class discussions and activities daily. I expect each of you to work with me
and each other to make this a real community of learners. Therefore, you must
come to class each day fully prepared, having done all assigned readings
and work, and ready to participate in class. A portion of your grade depends
upon class participation. Additionally, class activities are designed to build off of outside
work; therefore, I will know if you are unprepared and your grade will reflect it.

In addition keep in mind:

1 Being absent is not an excuse for turning in late work. All
assignments are expected to be turned in the class period they are due. If
you are not going to be in class e-mail your work to me by the beginning of
class time. Late assignments will be penalized half a letter grade
for each day they are late. For example, a B paper will go down to a
C+. Late work will no longer be accepted a week after the due
date.

2 In class work cannot be made up so it would be wise to come to class

prepared each day.

Format for Assignments:

All formal writing (except multimodal compositions) should be:
1 Computer generated/typed
2 Double-spaced in 12 point Times New Roman font
3 1 inch margins on all sides
4 Name, date, course, and instructor should be listed on the top left, double-
spaced.
5 Multiple pages should be stapled
6 Do not double space between paragraphs
7 Do not include cover sheets unless specified
8 Documented using MLA Style

Classroom Behaviors:
1 Each of you will come to class daily with a laptop, which may pose several
distractions. Checking e-mail and surfing the web during class time is
both rude and inappropriate. This behavior will not be tolerated and will
affect your participation grade.
2 Please remember to turn off all cell phones, ipods, mp3 players, and other
communication devices that pose a distraction to our class. If your
phone rings, vibrates, sings, or makes any other noise during
class I get to answer it. In return, should my cell phone ever
ring in class you get to answer it. Failure to follow the policy will
affect your participation grade.
3 Class time is not a time for private discussions amongst each other. Such
behavior is rude and disruptive to the class. Please save such
conversations for after class.

Respect: Respect for others in our classroom is non-negotiable. We will be discussing

many ideas and concepts that may challenge your current thinking. This is the fun of
college! Have respect for one another and be open to new ideas.
Virginia Tech Honor Code: The Honor Code will be strictly enforced in this
course in so far as it does not interfere with collaborative development and
mutual learning. All assignments submitted shall be considered graded
work, unless otherwise noted. All aspects of your coursework are covered
by the Honor System. Any suspected violations of the Honor Code will be
promptly reported to the Honor System. Honesty in your academic work
will develop into professional integrity. The faculty and students of Virginia
tech will not tolerate any form of academic dishonesty.

Plagiarism of any work from a current or former student in this course is

considered to be an honor code violation. Through the use of peer
evaluations and collaborative development, and the use of the WWW, there
is a strong possibility that you will be exposed to concepts and ideas that
you can use in your own work. Getting permission to use those ideas and
concepts from the originator (except when it is already in the public domain
such as on the Web, or in print) and giving appropriate acknowledgement
in your own work circumvents a charge of plagiarism.

Presentation of someone else’s work as your own is dishonest and unacceptable. If I

find out that you have plagiarized you will receive a zero for the assignment
and, possibly, fail the course. Be assured that I will find out if you have plagiarized,
therefore it would be wise for you to do your own work and cite any and all material you
take from other sources. Plain and simple-if it isn’t your own words or idea than tell me
where you found it.

Principles of Community: The Virginia Tech community honors and upholds

distinct principles. You can find these Principles of Community printed on the inside
cover of your VT Composition text book.

Course Adaptations: If you are a student with special needs or circumstances, if you
have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special
arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with
me as soon as possible during my office hours.

Writing Center: You are encouraged to take advantage of the Writing Center. The
Writing Center offers free one-to-one assistance on all your writing projects for all of
your classes. The Writing Center is located in 340 Shanks Hall. It is open Monday to
Friday 9-5. You may schedule an appointment by calling 231-5436.
www.composition.english.vt.edu/wc

Course Requirements

Formal Essays: For this class you will write four essays that are 3-4 pages each
outside of class. Each essay will require a draft that will be responded to by me and your
peers. Assignments will be discussed throughout the semester as the time for each
approaches. Detailed assignment sheets can be located on my website. All formal essays,
unless other wise stated, should be typed and double-spaced in Times New Roman or
similar font with one inch margins. In the top right corner place your name, instructors
name, course and section number, and date on four separate lines double-spaced.
Assignments are due at the beginning of class as stated on the course schedule. All
assignments will be turned in electronically through blackboard.

Blogs: You will be required to create and maintain a blog throughout the semester. We
will create the blogs together in class. Each week you will be required to write at least
one blog post on your own blog and at least one post on a classmates blog. Your blog
entries each week should discusses your thoughts and ideas on any of the assigned
reading for that class week and how they may relate to your own writing. This is your
chance to reflect on the reading and writing you do each week. We will discuss the
conventions of blog writing in class. Your blog can be thought of as your electronic
journal to track your learning and progress during the semester. It is also a tool to
communicate and share ideas with your peers, myself, and the world.

In-class Writing: During class time you will be asked to write on a variety of issues,
ideas, and prompts that relate to readings and class material. These writings will assist
in class discussion and serve as a tool for both of us to reflect on the work you are doing.
These will be completed on Scholar during class time. You will find that each of you has
your own section on the discussion board where you will produce these assignments.
This will allow you to view them all in one place when it comes time to put together your
portfolio.

Portfolios: The best way I have found to help students understand and appreciate
what it means when I say “writing is a process” is to include a portfolio component in
my writing classes. Twice this semester, once at midterm and once at the end of the
semester, you will be responsible for collecting and revising the work you’ve done in and
outside class. You will turn in both formal and informal writing, some of it revised,
some of it not. You will also include an introduction that discusses what you’ve learned
and provides a self-evaluation of your writing. These portfolios will be returned with a
formal letter grades attached that evaluate the work in the portfolio as well as your
success in the class. These portfolios will be electronic web texts.

Group Project: Once this semester you will get together with a group of your peers to
deliver a power point presentation. A detailed assignment sheet will be handed out and
posted on my website.

Readings: Outside readings will be assigned for each class period. They are listed on
the schedule. It is vital to your grade that you complete all readings and come to class
prepared to discuss them.

Conferences: You will be responsible for meeting with me twice during the semester
outside of class. One conference will be at midterm to talk about the progress of
your portfolio revisions. The meetings will be about fifteen minutes long and I will
cancel class for the week to accommodate these conferences. I will tell you very
specifically what you should bring to the meeting at the time we schedule it. Failure to
come to these conferences and/or failure to come to these conferences prepared with a
draft to work on will count as one week of absences-furthermore, do not waste my
time or your own by not showing up or showing up unprepared. I am just as busy as you
are, but if you are prepared to invest time in your writing then I am too. A sign up sheet
will be passed around as time the time approaches for conferences. It is your
responsibility to schedule a second conference with me at the end of the
semester as you prepare your final portfolio. Failure to schedule and attend will
result in an absence. Additionally, feel free to come to my office hours at any time during
the semester.

Note: All writing you do in this class-drafts, revisions, in-class writing, journals-should
be saved so you have a wide selection to choose from when putting together your
portfolio. It is imperative that you save all your writing so you can see how you have
developed as a writer throughout the course of the semester.

Evaluation and Grading Policies

In this course you will not receive letter grades on individual drafts and assignments. I
know many of you are probably thinking that I am completely crazy for doing this. I
also know not receiving a letter grade on each paper will make some of you nuts
however, it really is for the best. Using this portfolio system of evaluation allows me the
opportunity to give you credit for the things that grading individual papers does not:
such as effort and revision and improvement. Although you will not receive individual
letter grades on each draft you turn in, you will receive extensive comments and
feedback from me that will help you understand the quality of the work you are doing as
well as assist you in improving your writing. You will receive a letter grade at mid-term
and at the end of the semester when you turn in your portfolio. These two grades will be
based on the following criteria:
1 Meeting all of the requirements described above.
2 The quality of your written work, including how successful your revision
work is.
3 The quality of your effort in class, in workshops, in discussion, in groups,
in conferences, and in general.
4 Your demonstration of a willingness to try new things, think in new ways,
and explore different perspectives as both a reader and a writer.
My comments should provide you with a clear understanding of your progress in the
class; if you ever feel as though you are unsure, come see me and we will discuss it.

Grading Percentage Breakdowns

Different assignments in this course require different levels of effort. The following
breakdowns should provide you with an idea of the amount of time and energy needed
for each.
1 Blogs 10%
2 Group Project 10%
3 Participation- this includes attending class having completed all outside
 reading and assignments, participating in class discussion, completing in-
class writing assignments, coming to conferences, and participating in
other class activities.
10%
4 Formal Writing Assignments
4 essay Drafts (5% each) 20%
5 Portfolio (mid-term 25% and final 25%) 50%