MSCC English 1010

Assignments for Friday, April 29, 2011

2011-04-15T05:30:00.001-07:00

Complete classification & division essay (PCW, p. 503, numbers 1-3, 5-8, or 10)

Read "Social Harmony" (vocabulary: exemplar)

Read "One Man, Many Wives, Big Problems"

Read "False Pretense for War in Libya?" (click through to whole article) (vocabulary: dupe, humanitarian, mandate, poignant, pretense, propaganda)

Read "Is Sugar Toxic?" (vocabulary: chronic, correlation, deleterious, erroneous, metabolize, salient)

Turn in your rewritten essay. Remember to include your original, graded and marked essay with your rewrite.

Although we're not meeting next Friday, we can't afford to miss another full week of class, so the readings (especially "Sugar") are longer than usual this time; it's a good idea to pace yourself.

Look forward to seeing you this week

2011-04-14T19:29:00.000-07:00

Despite an error on the tentative course schedule, our class will be meeting this week on Friday, April 15. The good Friday holiday this year is Friday, April 22. I look forward to seeing you in class this week.

Assignments for Friday, April 15, 2011

2011-04-08T07:23:00.000-07:00

Turn in comparison and contrast essay

Read "College Pressures" in Patterns, pp. 462-68; learn vocabulary, p. 469

Read introduction to argumentation in Patterns, pp. 547-55

Read the Declaration of Independence in Patterns, pp. 575-78; learn vocabulary, p. 579

Read "Letter from Birmingham Jail" in Patterns, pp. 588-601; learn vocabulary, p. 602

Assignments for Friday, April 8, 2011

2011-04-01T04:29:00.000-07:00

Complete MLA works cited exercise
Read “Two Ways to Belong in America” (Patterns, p. 411) and learn vocabulary words, pp. 414-15
Read “Swollen Expectations” (p. 422) and learn vocabulary words, p. 430
Read Patterns, pp. 447-59 (Classification & Division)
Read “The Ways We Lie” (p. 485) and learn vocabulary words, p. 493
Read “On the Internet, There’s No Place to Hide” (p. 495) and learn vocabulary words, p. 499
From the topics on p. 445 in Patterns, choose from topics 1-3, 5-8, 10, or 11 for a 500-word comparison & contrast essay due Friday, April 15, 2011. Bring your prewriting and, if applicable, rough draft to class on April 8.

Works cited exercise

2011-04-01T04:23:00.000-07:00

Create a Works Cited page in MLA format for the following articles:

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/17/opinion-cue-the-media-war-on-budget-cuts/
http://pajamasmedia.com/ronradosh/2011/02/16/the-real-face-of-the-muslim-brotherhood/?singlepage=true
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/16/AR2011021606897.html?hpid=topnews
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1987697,00.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherbooker/6679082/Climate-change-this-is-the-worst-scientific-scandal-of-our-generation.html
http://reason.com/archives/2002/11/01/gun-controls-twisted-outcome/singlepage
"Friending" in Patterns
"Grant & Lee" in Patterns
"Guns and Grief" in Patterns
"Getting Coffee is Hard to Do" in Patterns

Assignments for Friday, April 1, 2011

2011-03-25T08:06:00.000-07:00

Turn in cause & effect essay
Learn all vocabulary words on pp. 409 & 434, PCW
Read "Grant & Lee," PCW p. 405
Read "Friending," PCW p. 431
Complete questions on "The Power of Words in Wartime" if not completed in class
PCW Chapt. 11, pp. 383-402 (comparison & contrast)

Assignments for Friday, 3/25/11

2011-03-18T05:17:00.000-07:00

Read PCW, pp. 321-37 (Cause & Effect)
Learn all vocabulary words listed on p. 355 in PCW
Learn these words as well: markedly, stringent, sea change, zealous
Read "Guns and Grief," PCW pp. 350-53
Read "Gun Control's Twisted Outcome"
Complete your prewriting at least through opening paragraph and rough outline for a 500-word cause-and-effect essay, due Friday, 1 April 2011. Choose from topics 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, or 9 on p. 380 of PCW.

In-class readings

2011-03-18T05:13:00.000-07:00

Read and refer to the following essays:

"Japan Does Not Face Another Chernobyl"

"How Worried Should We Be About Radiation from Japan's Nuclear Plant?"

"Ex-Sandia Engineer..."

"Source: Miniscule Fallout Reaches US"

In a one-page essay, answer the following questions:

What caused the current nuclear situation in Japan?

What, in layman's terms, is happening in the reactors?

What are the biggest dangers from this situation?

How dangerous is this situation for the public in Japan and elsewhere (e.g., the U.S.)?

Include a works cited page (provided below) at the end of your essay. Format the works cited page according to the format on p. 716 of LBH.

Works Cited

2011-03-18T05:11:00.000-07:00

Jahn, George. "Source: Miniscule Fallout Reaches US." Associated Press. The Associated Press, 18 Mar. 2011. Web. 18 Mar. 2011.

Koski, Elizabeth. “How Worried Should We Be About Radiation from Japan’s Nuclear Plant?” Popular Mechanics. Hearst Communications, 16 Mar. 2011. Web. 18 Mar. 2011.

Munger, Frank. “Ex-Sandia Engineer Talks About Some of the Worst Things That Could Happen in Japan.” Knoxnews.com. Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group, 16 Mar. 2011. Web. 18 Mar. 2011.

Tucker, William. “Japan Does Not Face Another Chernobyl.” The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Co., 14 Mar. 2011. Web. 18 Mar. 2011.

Assignments for Friday, March 4, 2011

2011-02-25T05:55:00.000-08:00

Learn vocabulary, PCW, pp. 285, 302
Read "My First Conk," PCW, p. 282
Read "Get it Right," PCW 299
Choose a topic on p. 319 for a 500-word process essay due 3/18/11 (Don't use topics 2 or 6)
Write opening paragraph and outline of process essay and bring to class for workshopping
Finish parallelism worksheet if not completed in class

Reading on thesis statements

2011-02-18T08:26:00.000-08:00

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/

Assignment for Friday, February 25, 2011

2011-02-18T06:59:00.000-08:00

Complete your exemplification essay
Read PCW, pp. 263-79
Learn vocabulary words, pp. 289 & 309
Read "Getting Coffee is Hard to Do" (PCW 287)
Read "The Embalming of Mr. Jones" (PCW 304)

Assignments for Friday, February 18, 2011

2011-02-10T18:11:00.001-08:00

Read PCW, ch. 8 (pp. 199-213)
Learn all vocabulary words, PCW, pp. 221, 246
Read "The Peter Principle" (PCW, p. 216)
Read "Fatwa City” (PCW, p. 242)
Choose a topic from PCW, p. 261, nos. 1, 2, 6, 7-10, for a 500-word exemplification essay
Bring the first paragraph and outline of your exemplification essay to class 2/18/11; final essay is due 2/25/11

Update: I've corrected the spelling of fatwa.

Assignments for Friday, February 11, 2011

2011-02-03T19:25:00.001-08:00

Complete narrative essay (PCW, pp. 141-42, no. 1, 5, 8, or 11)
Vocabulary: accoutrement, acumen, ad nauseam, assail, constancy, contumely, cosmopolitan, devoid, dynamism, elitism, embodiment, evangelical, evince, inclination, manic, nuance, parlance, populism, pretense, pundit, retrograde, status quo, stemwinder, visceral (as always, it helps to learn the words before reading the essay)
"The Meaning of Sarah Palin"
"Keep it simple" handout

Assignments for Friday, February 4, 2011

2011-01-28T08:13:00.000-08:00

"Narration,” PCW, 83-94
Vocabulary, p. 124
“Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder,” PCW, 120
Vocabulary, p. 133
“Shooting an Elephant,” PCW, 126

Note for this week and next

2011-01-20T21:13:00.000-08:00

Class is cancelled for Friday, January 21, 2011.

We can't really afford to miss an entire week of class, so in addition to the assignments for January 21, please read the following essay:

"Politics and the English Language."

Your quiz on January 28 will be over this essay, along with the readings and other assignments for January 21. Please note that "Politics and the English Language" is an older, British essay, and it may be a stretch to follow all of Orwell's prose. It is a classic essay, however, that should repay the hard work of reading and studying.

I hope you enjoy the break and come to class ready to work hard on January 28.

Assignments for Friday, January 21, 2011

2011-01-14T05:34:00.000-08:00

For your edification

Patterns, chapter 1
LBH, Glossary of Usage, pp. 865-81

For the quiz

Know the class motto & slogan
Patterns, pp. 766-69
LBH, pp. 626-35, including exercise 44.1
"The Perpetual Adolescent"

Course syllabus

2011-01-14T05:29:00.000-08:00

ENGL 1010–ENGLISH COMPOSITION I
MOTLOW STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE – SPRING 2011
Instructor: Milton Stanley, M.F.A.W., M.Div.
Office hours: By appointment

Required Materials
Patterns for College Writing: A Rhetorical Reader and Guide, Eleventh Edition
The Little, Brown Handbook, Eleventh Edition
College dictionary

Course Description
English 1010 is an introduction to college writing. This course is intended to equip you not only in the forms of writing, but in critical reading and methods of organizing and presenting ideas. During the semester you will write six graded essays and will be quizzed over assigned readings. You will also write a number of in-class essays graded pass-fail. For a comprehensive list of course objectives, see the ENGL 1010 weblog.

Class Requirements
· Do all assigned readings in time for quizzes and class discussions.
· Always come to class ready to write.
· Participate in class discussions.
· Complete and turn in all writing assignments on time.
· Do all in-class assignments in dark ink on wide-ruled paper.
· Turn in both printed and electronic copies of out-of-class assignments (please talk to me if you do not have access to word processing and printing services).

Essays
To complete this course, you will write six graded papers:
Essay 1 Narration/description
Essay 2 Example
Essay 3 Process
Essay 4 Cause & effect
Essay 5 Comparison & contrast
Essay 6 Classification
You will also be writing many essays for a grade of pass or fail.

Grading
Grades in this course will be assigned according to the following scale:

A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 0-59

Remember that according to academic convention a C is an average grade. The grade of B indicates above-average work, and an A is given only for outstanding performance. I want you to make the best grade you honestly can. I’m willing to work individually with you through the semester to help you improve your grade. I urge you also to take advantage of a wide range of services offered by Motlow State. Late-term begging, however, is a very bad idea.

Your final grade will be determined according to the following formula:

Out-of-class essays, 60%
Exams, 10%
Quizzes, 15%
In-class writing, 10%
Class participation, 5%

In short, at least 40 percent of your final grade is determined by what you do in class. No matter what your other averages may be, however, you must have an average of D or better on your out-of-class essays to pass this course.

Essay Format
For all out-of-class papers, use a 12-point standard font (preferably Times New Roman). Double space your essays on plain white paper with one-inch margins. See The Little, Brown Handbook for manuscript guidelines. Please follow MLA format.

Major Error Policy
At the beginning of this course you will be reminded how to eliminate these major grammatical errors:

Fused sentence (fs)
Dangling or misplaced modifier (dm, mm)
Comma splice (cs)
Lack of subject-verb agreement (agr, sva)
Sentence fragment (frag)

After each error has been covered in this course, each instance of one of the errors in an essay will result in a one-half letter grade penalty.

Attendance Policy
You are expected to attend classes regularly, and attendance is sometimes critical for mastering the skills developed in this class. Please remember that quizzes and in-class writing assignments will be given almost every day and cannot be made up.

Classroom Deportment
Please keep in mind we’re all adults here. Texting, talking on the telephone, or web browsing during class is simply rude and shows disrespect for your teacher, your fellow students, and yourself.

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is copying someone else's work without giving proper credit to the author. It's cheating and can cause you to fail the course if you're caught. Even inadvertent plagiarism, such as failing to cite a source, is a serious academic offense. Make sure you avoid plagiarism with everything you write. If you're not sure what plagiarism is or how to avoid it, review your Little, Brown Handbook. I am available to help you in person or by e-mail, provided you come to me before turning in your paper.

Weblog
Assignments, helpful information, and special notices will be posted each day on the course weblog: http://mscc-engl-1010.blogspot.com/. Be sure to check the site frequently for important information about the course. Please see me if regular Internet access is a problem for you.

SmarThinking
You also have the benefit of online tutorial help from the SmarThinking service at http://mscc.edu/smartthinking.html. Please take advantage of it.

Other Information
I accept late work only in unusual circumstances. In no circumstance will I give make-ups for daily quizzes or in-class writing assignments. Late work will be lowered at least one letter grade. I do not accept very late work (e.g., saving all your essays till the end of the semester).
In most cases, in-class essays will be graded pass/fail. For the in-class average, every passing essay will be averaged as a grade of 100 and every failing essay as a 50. A missed assignment is averaged as a 0. That said, the vicissitudes of life are sometimes outside our control, so I'll cut you a generous amount of slack. I will drop your three lowest quiz grades and your three lowest pass-fail essay grades. You will also be given the option of rewriting one graded paper. For rewrites, I will accept only papers that have already been graded and returned, and you must turn in your original, graded paper along with your new version.
Please see me if you need special accommodations in keeping with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Disclaimer
This syllabus hits only the high points and cannot include everything you need to know during the semester. Stay tuned for more.

A Final Note
Don't let all these dos and don'ts get you down. If you've made it this far, you probably have what it takes to make it through this course. I want you to do as well as you can, and I'll do my best to help you. But remember that you're the one in charge of your education, so take the initiative in doing the work, asking questions, and seeking help when you need it.

About your instructor

2011-01-14T05:27:00.000-08:00

I'm honored to be your teacher this semester. In case you're interested, you can find out more about me here:

Curriculum vitae
Essays
Short essays
Full list of publications
Shorter list of publications

Once again, I look forward to working with you this semester to help you improve your writing, reading, and thinking skills.

Welcome!

2011-01-14T05:26:00.000-08:00

This weblog is for Motlow State Community College students in Milton Stanley's Composition 1 class. Be sure to check back here daily for important course information. Please keep in touch, both in-person and electronically. You can contact me electronically either through the comments section on this blog or through my MSCC email. I look forward to working with you in the days ahead to help you enjoy a fruitful, rewarding, and enriching semester.

Final exam rescheduled for Friday

2010-12-12T20:49:00.000-08:00

In case you didn't get the message, this post is to let you know that Monday's final exam has been rescheduled for Friday at the same time, same place. If you're wondering what to study now that I've actually finished writing the exam, I would recommend the following.

Vocabulary words
Readings
Writing process
Plagiarism
MLA Works Cited entries
Critical errors
Class motto

Reminder on rewrites

2010-12-01T07:08:00.000-08:00

Rewrites are due at the beginning of class Monday, December 6, 2010. Because I don't remember announcing this deadline in class, I'll accept them through Wednesday, December 8.

Assignment for Monday, December 6, 2010

2010-11-30T15:11:00.000-08:00

Learn these vocabulary words: arbitrary, bolster, conformity, disseminate, empirical, gestate, ideology, mutilate, patent (adj.)
Read "Just the Facts, Ma'am"
Read "A Marriage Tail"

Assignment for Wednesday, December 1, 2010

2010-11-29T06:38:00.000-08:00

Learn vocabulary words, Patterns, p. 499
Read "On the Internet, There's No Place to Hide," Patterns, p. 495

Comparison & contrast essay options

2010-11-17T04:14:00.000-08:00

Choose one of the following topics for a 500-word comparison and contrast essay.

Patterns, p. 445, numbers 1-3, 4-8, 10, 11

Your essay is due at the beginning of class Wednesday, November 24, 2010.

Cause & effect essay options

2010-11-05T14:12:00.001-07:00

In case you missed it in-class the other day, here are your options for your cause and effect essay.

Choose one of the following topics: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, or 9 on p. 380 of Patterns.

Again, your essay should be around 500 words. We'll go over your draft essays in class Monday.

Assignments for Monday, November 8, 2010

2010-11-03T06:45:00.000-07:00

Vocabulary words on p. 355, Patterns for College Writing (As always, it helps to understand meanings before doing the following reading)
"Guns and Grief," Patterns for College Writing, pp. 350-53
"Gun Control's Twisted Outcome"
Bring your cause & effect essay to review with me and your peers in a classroom workshop

Assignments for Wednesday, 11/3/10

2010-11-01T04:43:00.000-07:00

"Cause & Effect" Patterns, pp. 321-37
Vocabulary, p. 366
"The Power of Words in Wartime," Patterns, pp. 363-65

Important announcement

2010-10-26T18:52:00.000-07:00

Your process essays are still due Monday, 1 November 2010. I'm sick, however, and so we won't be having class Wednesday. I regret that I won't be at school to help you with your essay, but if you'd like me to give it a look you can email me a copy with the message title, "FOR REVIEW." I'll try to send you comments as soon as I'm feeling better.

Assignments for Monday, October 25, 2010

2010-10-20T06:39:00.000-07:00

Learn vocabulary words on pp. 289 & 309 in Patterns
Read pages 263-78, 287-90, and 304-08 in Patterns

Exemplification essay assignment

2010-10-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

Your exemplification essays are due at the beginning of class Wednesday, 10/13/10. Choose one of the following writings topics as listed on p. 261 of Patterns: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, or 10. Your essay should follow the format as described on the syllabus and be roughly 500 words long. We'll have a little time at the end of class Monday to go over your rough drafts.

Assignment for Monday, 10/4/10

2010-09-28T18:26:00.000-07:00

Rinish the Keep it Simple worksheet.

Read "The Meaning of Sarah Palin" (.pdf file).

Write a journal entry on the Sarah Palin article including at least one sentence answering each of these questions:
1. What is the main idea?
2. Where does the author state the main idea?
3. What evidence does the author give to support the main idea?

Assignments for Monday, 9/27/10

2010-09-22T07:27:00.000-07:00

Read "The Perpetual Adolescent" [link fixed] (You can also find the same article here.)
Write a journal entry including one sentence answering each of these questions:
1. What is the main idea?
2. Where does the author state the main idea?
3. What evidence does the author give to support the main idea?

About your instructor

2010-09-22T07:26:00.000-07:00

Avoiding plagiarism

2010-09-22T07:24:00.000-07:00

In addition to the readings in your textbook, you may find these resources helpful for getting a firm grasp on plagiarism and how to avoid it.

Avoiding Plagiarism.This article is from The Writing Place at Northwestern University.
Is it Plagiarism? This guide comes from Purdue University's Online Writing Lab.
Avoiding Plagiarism exercise. This excercise is also from the Purdue OWL.
Citing Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism. This one comes from Duke University Libraries. It's short but not very comprehensive.
PowerPoint presentation on plagiarism. This comes from the MSCC Languages Department.

Help with critical errors

2010-09-22T07:22:00.000-07:00

Here are a few links for guidance on overcoming the critical errors we'll be discussing in class:

Fused sentence or comma splice,
Sentence fragment,
Dangling modifier,
Subject-verb agreement error.

I hope these are helpful. If you'd like more help with these, then let me know. I'll be happy to work with you.

Update: Here are a few more resources to help you with run-on sentences (fs or cs):

Read this article from Literacy Education Online.
Take these self-guided quizzes: Exercise 1 and Exercise 2.
Read this article on run-on sentences and take the quizzes.

Course syllabus

2010-09-22T07:17:00.001-07:00

ENGL 1010–ENGLISH COMPOSITION I
MOTLOW STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE – FALL 2010
Instructor: Milton Stanley, M.F.A.W., M.Div.
Office hours: By appointment
E-mail: mstanley@mscc.edu

Required Materials
Patterns for College Writing: A Rhetorical Reader and Guide, Eleventh Edition
College dictionary
Notebook for journal writing, written responses, and quizzes

Course Description
English 1010 is an introduction to college writing. This course is intended to equip you not only in the forms of writing, but in critical reading and methods of organizing and presenting ideas. During the semester you will write five graded essays and do journal writings over assigned readings. You will also write a number of in-class essays graded pass-fail. .

Class Requirements
· Do all assigned readings in time for journal assignments and class discussions.
· Always come to class ready to write.
· Participate in class discussions.
· Complete and turn in all writing assignments on time.
· Do all in-class assignments in dark ink on wide-ruled paper.
· Turn in both printed and electronic copies of out-of-class assignments (please talk to me if you do not have access to word processing and printing services).

Essays
To complete this course, you will write five graded papers:
Essay 1 Description
Essay 2 Example
Essay 3 Process
Essay 4 Cause & effect
Essay 5 Comparison & contrast
You will also be writing many essays for a grade of pass or fail.

Grading
Grades in this course will be assigned according to the following scale:
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 0-59
Remember that according to academic convention a C is an average grade. The grade of B indicates above-average work, and an A is given only for outstanding performance. I want you to make the best grade you honestly can. I’m willing to work individually with you through the semester to help you improve your grade. I urge you also to take advantage of a wide range of services offered by Motlow State. Late-term begging, however, is a very bad idea.

Your final grade will be determined according to the following formula:
Essay 1 10%
Essay 2 15%
Essay 3 15%
Essay 4 15%
Essay 5 15%
Journal & in-class writing 15%
Quizzes & class participation 10%
Final exam 5%
No matter what your other averages may be, you must have an average of D or better on your graded essays to pass this course.

Essay Format
For all out-of-class papers, use a 12-point standard font. Double space your essays on plain white paper with one-inch margins. Please follow MLA format.

Major Error Policy
At the beginning of this course you will be reminded how to eliminate these major grammatical errors:
Fused sentence (fs)
Comma splice (cs)
Sentence fragment (frag)
Dangling or misplaced modifier (dm, mm)
Lack of subject-verb agreement (sva)
After each error has been covered in this course, each instance of one of the errors in an essay will result in a one-half letter grade penalty.

Attendance Policy
You are expected to attend classes regularly, and attendance is sometimes critical for mastering the skills developed in this class. Please remember that quizzes and in-class writing assignments will be given almost every day and cannot be made up.

Classroom Deportment
Please keep in mind we’re all adults here. Texting, talking on the telephone, or web browsing during class is simply rude and shows disrespect for your teacher, your fellow students, and yourself.

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is copying someone else's work without giving proper credit to the author. It's cheating and can cause you to fail the course if you're caught. Even inadvertent plagiarism, such as failing to cite a source, is a serious academic offense. Make sure you avoid plagiarism with everything you write. If you're not sure what plagiarism is or how to avoid it, review your Little, Brown Handbook. I am available to help you in person or by e-mail, provided you come to me before turning in your paper.

Weblog
Assignments, helpful information, and special notices will be posted each day on the course weblog: http://mscc-engl-1010.blogspot.com/. Be sure to check the site frequently for important information about the course. Please see me if regular Internet access is a problem for you.

SmartThinking
You also have the benefit of online tutorial help from the SmartThinking service at http://www.mscc.edu/smartthinking.html. Please take advantage of it.

Other Information
I accept late work only in unusual circumstances. In no circumstance will I give make-ups for daily quizzes or in-class writing assignments. Late work will be lowered at least one letter grade. I do not accept very late work (e.g., saving all your essays till the end of the semester).
In most cases, in-class essays will be graded pass/fail. For the in-class average, every passing essay will be averaged as a grade of 100 and every failing essay as a 50. A missed assignment is averaged as a 0. That said, the vicissitudes of life are sometimes outside our control, so I'll cut you a generous amount of slack. I will drop your three lowest quiz grades and your three lowest pass-fail essay grades. You will also be given the option of rewriting one graded paper. For rewrites, I will accept only papers that have already been graded and returned, and you must turn in your original, graded paper along with your new version.
Please see me if you need special accommodations in keeping with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Disclaimer
This syllabus hits only the high points and cannot include everything you need to know during the semester. Stay tuned for more.

A Final Note
Don't let all these dos and don'ts get you down. If you've made it this far, you probably have what it takes to make it through this course. I want you to do as well as you can, and I'll do my best to help you. But remember that you're the one in charge of your education, so take the initiative in doing the work, asking questions, and seeking help when you need it.

Welcome!

2010-08-30T05:21:00.000-07:00

This weblog is for Motlow State Community College students in Milton Stanley's Composition 1 class. Be sure to check back here daily for important course information. Please keep in touch, both in-person and electronically. You can contact me electronically either through the comments section on this blog or by email. I look forward to working with you in the days ahead to help you enjoy a fruitful, rewarding, and enriching semester.

Good work, scholars!

2009-12-15T14:59:00.000-08:00

In case you check this blog again, I want to let all of you know what a delight it's been to work with you in ENGL 1010. I'm also delighted that half of you have already registered for one of the Comp 2 courses I'll be teaching next semester. I look forward to working with each one of you again, and I'm counting on you not only to continue your excellent work, but to set the pace for your classmates in ENGL 1020. I'm praying that you'll be blessed during the Christmas holiday.

Vocabulary for Tuesday, 10/27/09

2009-10-22T07:06:00.002-07:00

deploy
dissuade
emaciated
inherent
intractable
jaundiced (not the medical meaning)
loath
nondescript
recurrent
reticence
rudimentary
stipple

In-class reading for Thursday, 10/22/09

2009-10-22T07:06:00.001-07:00

"Life Coaches Are the Root of All Evil"

What to expect Thursday

2009-10-07T17:39:00.001-07:00

In addition to going over your essays, you'll have a quiz over "The Perpetual Adolescent," "The Meaning of Sarah Palin," and the vocabulary words for each. We'll also be talking about fused sentences and comma splices.

No class Tuesday

2009-10-05T15:03:00.001-07:00

I think I have flu and will not be in class Tuesday. I had thought about giving you an online assignment. But I need rest, and why don't you get some rest, too? I expect to be well and to see you again Thursday.

Reading for Tuesday, 10/6/09

2009-10-01T11:33:00.000-07:00

"The Meaning of Sarah Palin"

Vocabulary for Thursday, 10/1/09

2009-09-28T14:56:00.001-07:00

For maximum benefit, please familiarize yourself with the meaning of these words before reading the web assignment for Thursday:

anomaly
benign
chanteuse
coarsen
credo
debacle
decorum
inexorable
perpetuity
paucity
pretension
juvenilia
tenet
niche
transcendent
Sturm und Drang

Reading of Thursday, 10/1/09

2009-09-28T14:53:00.001-07:00

"The Perpetual Adolescent"

Vocabulary words for Tuesday, 9/29/09

2009-09-24T13:20:00.000-07:00

aesthetic
betoken
ludic
ostentatious
sesquipedalian
sordid
suffice
truculent

Vocabulary words for Thursday, 9/17/09

2009-09-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

aghast
banal
defenestrate
founder
flout
penultimate
repugnant

Vocabulary words for 9/15/09

2009-09-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

Be prepared Tuesday to define each of the following in your own words and to use each word in an illustrative sentence.

curt
diatribe
dilettante
posit
succinct
terse
tyro

Online reading assignment for 9/15/09

2009-09-10T11:08:00.000-07:00

"Politics and the English Language"

Commenting is now easier

2009-09-08T11:14:00.000-07:00

Starting this afternoon it's easier to comment on this blog. If you've had trouble leaving a comment in the past, it should be easier now.

Problem with comments

2009-09-05T07:05:00.000-07:00

For some reason I'm not able to respond to your comments on this weblog. If you're having the same trouble and have been trying to contact me, please let me know by sending an email to the address listed on your printed syllabus.

Contest announcement

2009-09-03T12:11:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned briefly in class Thursday, "class motto" is probably not the best term for the little sentence we memorize in order to avoid common usage errors. In short, the sentence may be helpful, but "motto" is an inaccurate term. Here's the challenge: come up with a more descriptive term for "Accept it; you're all right a lot." Here's the reward: a blue star for the student who suggests the winning description. Please leave your suggestions in the comments section.

Assignments for Tuesday, September 8

2009-09-03T12:06:00.001-07:00

1. Familiarize yourself with the Glossary of Usage in LBH (865-81). You won't be quizzed over this section, but it contains a lot of relevant information for avoiding common mistakes in writing.

2. Read chapter 1 in Patterns (pp. 1-13).

3. Read "A Loss for Words." Be ready to discuss the essay in class Tuesday.

4. Be prepared for a quiz on your readings.

Help with critical errors

2009-09-03T12:04:00.000-07:00

Here are a few links for guidance on overcoming the critical errors we'll be discussing in class over the next few days:

Fused sentence or comma splice,
Sentence fragment,
Dangling modifier,
Subject-verb agreement error.

I hope these are helpful. If you'd like more help with these, I'll be happy to work with you.

Link to upcoming web reading

2009-09-02T15:45:00.000-07:00

"A Loss for Words"

About your instructor

2009-09-01T16:29:00.000-07:00

Class motto

2009-09-01T13:59:00.001-07:00

Accept it; you're all right a lot.

Syllabus

2009-09-01T12:59:00.001-07:00

As we discussed in class today, please note the changes in how your final grade will be determined.

ENGL 1010–ENGLISH COMPOSITION I
MOTLOW STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE – FALL 2009
Instructor: Milton Stanley, M.F.A.W., M.Div.
Office hours: TR 8:30-9:20, TR 1:00-1:50, and by appointment

Required Materials
* Patterns for College Writing: A Rhetorical Reader and Guide, Eleventh Edition
* The Little, Brown Handbook, Eleventh Edition
* College dictionary
* Composition folder
* Notebook for freewriting, written responses, and quizzes

Course Description
English 1010 is an introduction to college writing. This course is intended to equip you not only in the forms of writing, but in critical thinking and methods of organizing and presenting ideas. During the semester you will write six out-of-class essays and will be quizzed over assigned readings. You will also write a number of in-class essays. For a comprehensive list of course objectives, see the ENGL 1010 Weblog.

Class Requirements
• Do all assigned readings in time for quizzes and class discussions.
• Always come to class ready to write.
• Participate in class discussions.
• Complete and turn in all writing assignments on time.
• Do all in-class assignments in dark ink on wide-ruled paper.
• Turn in both printed and electronic copies of out-of-class assignments (please talk to me if you do not have access to word processing and printing services).

Essays
To complete this course, you will write six out-of-class papers:
* Essay 1 Narration/description
* Essay 2 Example
* Essay 3 Process
* Essay 4 Cause & effect
* Essay 5 Comparison & contrast
* Essay 6 Classification
Several of your in-class papers may also receive a letter grade.

Grading
Grades in this course will be assigned according to the following scale:
* A = 90-100
* B = 80-89
* C = 70-79
* D = 60-69
* F = 0-59
Remember that, according to academic convention, a C is an average grade. The grade of B indicates above-average work, and an A is given only for outstanding performance. I want you to make the best grade you honestly can. I’m willing to work individually with you through the semester to help you improve your grade. I urge you also to take advantage of a wide range of services offered by Motlow State. Late-term begging, however, is a very bad idea.

Your final grade will be determined according to the following formula:
* Out-of-class essays, 60%
* Exams 10%
* Quizzes 15%
* In-class writing 10%
* Class participation 5%
In short, 40 percent of your final grade is determined by what you do in class. No matter what your other averages may be, however, you must have an average of D or better on your out-of-class essays to pass this course.

Essay Format
For all out-of-class papers, use a 12-point standard font. Double space your essays on plain white paper with one-inch margins. See The Little, Brown Handbook for manuscript guidelines. Please follow MLA format.

Major Error Policy
At the beginning of this course you will be reminded how to eliminate these major grammatical errors:
* Fused sentence (FS)
* Dangling modifier (DM)
* Comma splice (CS)
* Lack of subject-verb agreement (SVA)
* Sentence fragment (Frag)
After each error has been covered in this course, each instance of one of the errors in an essay will result in a one-half letter grade penalty.

Attendance Policy
You are expected to attend classes regularly, and attendance is sometimes critical for mastering the skills developed in this class. Please remember that quizzes and in-class writing assignments will be given almost every day and cannot be made up.

Classroom Deportment
Please keep in mind we’re all adults here. Texting, talking on the telphone, or web browsing during class is simply rude and shows disrespect for your teacher, your fellow students, and yourself.

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is copying someone else's work without giving proper credit to the author. It's cheating and can cause you to fail the course if you're caught. Even inadvertent plagiarism, such as failing to cite a source, is a serious academic offense. Make sure you avoid plagiarism with everything you write. If you're not sure what plagiarism is or how to avoid it, review your Little, Brown Handbook. Use other resources as well, such as the Writing Center and the Turnitin online service. I am available to help you in person or by e-mail, provided you come to me before turning in your paper.

Weblog
Assignments, helpful information, and special notices will be posted each day on the course weblog: http://mscc engl 1010.blogspot.com/. Be sure to check the site frequently for important information about the course. Please see me if regular Internet access is a problem for you.

Writing Centers and SmarThinking
You can get one-on-one help with your writing at one of the MSCC writing centers. The McMinnville Writing Center is located in MC 191. The center is open Mondays and Wednesdays noon-4:15 and Fridays 9-10 and 1-2. You also have the benefit of online tutorial help from the SmarThinking service at http://mscc.edu/smartthinking.html. Please take advantage of both.

Other Information
I accept late work only in unusual circumstances. In no circumstance will I give make-ups for daily quizzes or in-class writing assignments. Late work will be lowered at least one letter grade. I do not accept very late work (e.g., saving all your essays till the end of the semester).

In most cases, in-class essays will be graded pass/fail. For the in-class average, every passing essay will be averaged as a grade of 100 and every failing essay as a 50. A missed assignment is averaged as a 0. That said, the vicissitudes of life are sometimes outside our control, so I'll cut you some slack. I will drop your three lowest quiz grades and your three lowest in-class essay grades. You will also be given the option of rewriting one out-of-class paper. For rewrites, I will accept only papers that have already been graded and returned.

Please see me if you need special accommodations in keeping with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

You’ve paid money for this course, and I want you to get what you’ve paid for. Should the McMinnville campus be closed due to a Swine Flu or other pandemic, we will, if possible, soldier on using the course weblog and other online resources.

Disclaimer
This syllabus hits only the high points and cannot include everything you need to know during the semester. Stay tuned for more.

A Final Note
Don't let all these dos and don'ts get you down. If you've made it this far, you probably have what it takes to make it through this course. I want you to do as well as you can, and I'll do my best to help you. But remember that you're the one in charge of your education, so take the initiative in doing the work, asking questions, and seeking help when you need it.

Welcome

2009-08-12T08:46:00.001-07:00

This weblog is for Motlow State Community College students in Milton Stanley's ENGL 1010 class, meeting in McMinnville. Once the semester begins, be sure to check back here daily for important course information. Please keep in touch. I look forward to working with you in the days ahead to help you enjoy a fruitful, rewarding, and enriching semester.