In lieu of a textbook, I have selected readings for the class that are available on Canvas. You are required to print hard copies of these readings — preferably bound together — and bring them to class on the day they are assigned. See:

• Folder for class material.
• Pen and paper (bring every class session).

Written Communication - Upon successful completion of the General Education Written Communication requirement, students will have met the following learning outcomes:

• Sources and Evidence: Locate, evaluate, and integrate credible and relevant sources to achieve various writing purposes.
• Genre Awareness: Demonstrate critical and conceptual awareness of genre in reading and writing—including organization, content, presentation, formatting, and stylistic choices.
• Context and Purpose: Analyze rhetorical situations and adapt to the audience, purpose, modalities, and the circumstances surrounding a range of reading and writing tasks.
• Language Awareness and Usage: Recognize and make intentional, critical, and contextually-informed language choices across a range of rhetorical contexts/situations.
• Recursive Writing Processes: Develop flexible, iterative, and reflective processes for invention, drafting, workshopping, and revision.

Major Projects

You will be required to complete the following major assignments for this class. If you fail to submit a final draft for any of the three major papers, it will count as an automatic failure in the class.

• Rhetorical Analysis (Final Draft: 150 points, 15%)
• Research Argument (Final Draft: 250 points, 25%)
• Personal Narrative Essay (Final Draft: 100 points, 10%)

Preparatory Assignments

Rough Drafts and Research Assignments (225 points, 25%): You will complete a number of preparatory assignments to help you meet the course learning objectives and complete the main projects. Preparatory papers include rough drafts, revisions, research assignments, etc.

Readings / Reading Quizzes (100 points, 10%): You are required to complete the assigned readings and bring them to class on the day they are due. Be ready to respond to and discuss the readings in class. Readings must be completed before class on the day they are due. For most readings, you will complete a brief reading response to prepare you to participate in class.

Peer Reviews (50 points, 5%): Revision and collaboration are important elements of the writing process. You will participate in a mandatory peer review for each major assignment. These peer reviews will assist you in revising and perfecting your work and will give you the opportunity to assist your classmates along the way. You must be present and prepared to receive credit for the peer reviews.

Participation (50 points, 5%): This course is designed around your active participation. First, you should prepare for class by completing the readings carefully (well enough that you can easily recall and discuss information from the material). Because the concepts we discuss in class are directly connected to assignments, you must also take notes to help you complete assignments successfully.

In addition to preparing for class and taking notes, you are required to participate regularly in discussions and other class activities, like group work and in-class writing. Remaining attentive and asking questions also help show your engagement in class. Demonstrate respect for others by listening when other people are speaking. Avoid distracting, disruptive behaviors such as doing outside work, sleeping, and improper technology usage (see technology policy below). Also, note that a low attendance grade will negatively impact participation.

Attendance (5%): Attendance counts as five percent of your final grade, with the attendance grade dropping for every class missed.

I may adjust assignments and point totals, but I will announce any changes in class and make corresponding adjustments on Canvas.

Grading Scale: A=93 to 100%; A-=92.9 to 90%; B+=87 to 89.9%; B=83 to 86.9%; B-=80 to 82.9%; C+=77 to 79.9%; C=73 to 76.9%; C-= 70 to 72.9%; D+=67 to 69.9%; D=63 to 66.9%; D-=60 to 62.9%; F=0 to 59.

• Week 1: Course Intro and Intro to Rhetoric
• Week 2: Rhetorical Situations and Appeals
• Week 3: Rhetorical Appeals and Paragraph Development
• Week 4: Rhetorical Analysis Paper — Writing and Revision
• Week 5: Introduction to Persuasive Writing and Research
• Week 6: Evaluating Sources and MLA Format
• Week 7: Creating an Argument
• Week 8: Paper Development — Thesis Statements, Introductions, and Paragraph Development
• Week 9: Integrating Source Material
• Week 10: Drafting and Revision
• Week 11: Writing Quality
• Week 12: Intro to Narrative and Storytelling
• Week 13: Rhetorical Devices and Imagery
• Week 14: Peer Review and Writing Style

Late Work: Late work may be submitted up to two weeks after the original assignment due date; however, they will receive a 20% deduction. After two weeks, assignments will be locked. If you are struggling or experiencing extenuating circumstances and need an extension on a particular assignment (including DRC accommodations), contact me before the assignment is due and we will set an alternate deadline. Also, note that I do not give feedback on late assignments.

Attendance

Attendance (5%): Attendance counts as five percent of your final grade, with the attendance grade dropping for every class missed. Official University-excused absences for academic events are the only exceptions to this. Academic events include competitions (related to a major or an academic department), fine arts performances, course-related field trips, and conferences associated with professional organizations and honor societies. If you want your absences "excused," I need to be notified directly from your coach or advisor prior to your absence(s).

Arriving late to class will negatively impact your attendance grade, counting as 80% of a regular attendance point. Also note that being over 20 minutes late counts as an absence.

NOTE: If your attendance is below 60%, you will fail the class; in other words, you cannot stop coming to class and expect to still pass by continuing to submit assignments.

NOTE: You will receive five "free" absences, which will be applied at the end of the semester.

Missing Class

Missing Class: To answer your question in advance, yes, we did something important while you were absent!

If you are absent for any reason, you are still responsible for the material covered and assignments due during those missed classes. Arrange to get notes from a classmate to fill you in on any information you missed. If you have questions about the class material after getting notes from a classmate, email me or stop by during office hours.

If you are experiencing a major conflict preventing you from attending class regularly, like extended illness or family obligations, please keep me informed and updated. Also be aware that you should not take classes that conflict with your work schedule, this one included.

Technology

As previously mentioned, you must bring a pen and paper to class with you every day for note taking. Devices like laptops and tablets will be allowed for in-class writing and research; however, during small group and whole class discussions I will often ask that laptops be closed. Other devices, like cell phones, headphones, and earbuds are not welcome in class and should stay in your bag. Consistent technological disruptions will negatively affect your overall participation grade.

Formatting

Every paper and assignment submitted for this course must be typed with 1-inch margins in Times New Roman 12-point font, double-spaced. They must also adhere to current MLA (Modern Language Association) style guidelines.

Page Length Requirements

Each paper you turn in for this class will have a required page length, a requirement that refers to full pages, not sheets of paper. For example, a four-page assignment must be four full pages, not three and a half pages.

Schedule

The course schedule is available on Canvas, including all readings, assignments, and discussions. You are responsible for keeping up to date on reading and assignment due dates / times. If I make changes to the schedule, I will announce the changes in class and make the changes to the Canvas schedule.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

Use of Artificial Intelligence: Within this course, all submitted assignments should be written, developed, created, or inspired by you. If any work is created by artificial intelligence (AI) it will be considered plagiarized work and a violation of . This could result in a failing grade to disciplinary action through the Dean of Students’ Office. AI is an evolving technology and will impact our academic, professional, and personal lives. It is important that as part of your education, you learn to critically think, create, and evaluate products/assignments.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT and BingAI, are not allowed to be used in this class. Although the use of these types of tools may be allowed in other classes or are used professionally, this class will focus on learning foundations without the aid of generative AI. Any perceived use of generative AI will be investigated for possible submission to the university as cheating. As such, the consequences are the same as plagiarizing: Students who submit AI-generated assignments as their own work will receive a zero for the assignment and, in some cases, for the entire class. Extreme or repeated violations will be reported to administration (as stated in SUU's Academic Honesty policy 6.33).

I run every assignment through AI detection software and look for common AI markers. If any of your assignments is flagged as AI generated, we will meet to discuss the assignment. I recommend downloading the Google Chrome extension to use alongside Google Docs, which shows revision history and can help provide proof that you completed the assignment without using AI.

Campus Resources

Writing Center: Writing Center tutors guide students through the process of tackling the unique challenge of each writing situation by creating a safe space to practice, experiment, make mistakes, and find a voice. Visit the website for information on scheduling appointments:

SUU Mental Health: Mental health is essential for a student's academic success. SUU provides resources, support, and services to address mental health issues at every level of concern. Visit the website to learn more:

Other campus resources:

Assignment-to-Outcome Alignment