ESL 114: Introduction to Academic Writing
Fall 2010
Class: ESL-114-G Instructor: Ryan Boyd
Time: 3:00 -3:50 MWF Office: FLB 3050
Website: http://www.esl114g.blogspot.com/ Office hours: 10:00 – 11:00 TW
Course Objectives
The purpose of ESL 114 is to introduce general principles and strategies for American academic writing. In this course, you will learn how to organize your thoughts in writing and to present them in a manner that is appropriate for an English-speaking, academic audience.
Students will be expected to:
- use and practice the more common patterns of rhetorical organization
- learn the process and skills necessary for writing a mini-research paper using pre-selected topics and supporting materials.
Reflective Assignments:
You will write three reflective assignments which serve two purposes. First, it is a means of personal communication between you and me, student and teacher. Second, it will help you to understand yourself as a writer, your progress and your needs.
Grading:
Your grade will be made up of the following components:
3 major papers (essay revision, compare/contrast or cause/effect essay, argumentative essay) 30%
Final mini research paper 20%
Oral presentation of research paper 10%
Participation (homework, in-class activities) 15%
Reflective Assignments 10%
Attendance 15%
More Course Notes:
There will be no final exam for this course. Your written assignments will be graded on organization, content, conventions and vocabulary/style.
All writing assignments are due at the assigned time, and late papers will be penalized. We will employ a process method for completing papers, and you can expect to revise your drafts one or more times before it is considered “done” and ready to be graded. Once the final draft has been turned in, however, no further revisions may be made.
During the semester, the students will be required to write four essays on assigned topics. All essays must be typed and double-spaced using standard 12 point font. They must be written according to the APA style, which will be discussed this semester in class.
All essays will be sent electronically on the due date by 11:59 p.m. through Dropbox. The files will be named your NETID_name of assignment and a number indicating the draft. For example, rdboyd2_diagnostic1, rdboyd2 _diagnostic2, etc.
Homework and reading assignments may be given daily. Students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss homework and readings. Participation in class discussions and activities is expected and will contribute to the final grade—this includes encouraging the participation of others. A grade of zero will be given to all work missed due to an unexcused absence. Late homework may not be accepted or will be marked down.
Attendance Policy for the ESL Writing Service Courses:
Students are required to attend all classes. If, for some reason, you must be absent, please contact the instructor before class. IF YOU ARE ABSENT, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL NOTES AND ASSIGNMENTS. Two tardies (times late) count as one absence, no matter if it's 1 minute or 10. If you are tardy more than 30 minutes, it counts as an absence. After three absences, you will receive a verbal warning from the instructor. After four absences, the ESL Coordinator will be notified. Students who are chronically absent or late are in danger of failing the course at the coordinator’s discretion.
Plagiarism Policy for the ESL Writing Service Courses:
Another one of our objectives in this course is to teach you how to avoid plagiarism. As you know, the consequences of plagiarism are serious. The University of Illinois’ handbook, Code on Campus Affairs and Regulations Applying to All Students, defines plagiarism as “intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own in any academic exercise.” Plagiarism is one type of academic dishonesty which may result in a student’s suspension or dismissal from the University. At the very least, it will result in a failing grade in the course at the coordinator’s discretion. Therefore, the work you turn in for this class MUST BE YOUR OWN.
Finally:
Communication and understanding are important elements of this class. If at any time you have questions about the course content or about your papers, please ask in class, communicate with me by email, or make an appointment to see me. I will do my best to be available and responsive.
To obtain disability-related academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the course instructor and the Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) as soon as possible. To contact DRES you may visit 1207 S. Oak St., Champaign, call 333-4603 (V/TDD), or e-mail a message to disability@uiuc.edu
