Policies

Introduction to the Course

First-Year Writing courses at FSU teach writing as a recursive and frequently collaborative process of invention, drafting, and revising. Writing is both personal and social, and students should learn how to write for a variety of purposes and audiences. Since writing is a process of making meaning as well as communicating, FYW teachers respond to the content of students' writing as well as to surface errors. Students should expect frequent written and oral response on the content of their writing from both teacher and peers. Classes rely heavily on a workshop format. Instruction emphasizes the connection between writing, reading, and critical thinking; students should give thoughtful, reasoned responses to the readings. Both reading and writing are the subject of class discussions and workshops, and students are expected to be active participants of the classroom community. This course will greatly exceed the Gordon Rule of 7,000 words.

During this semester, you will discover much about yourself as a writer. We will learn more about what it is to be a writer and how to write for different rhetorical situations. Readings and class discussions will expose you to a deeper understanding of writing processes. Each half of the semester, you'll take various topics through early drafting stages and complete one as a major writing assignment.

Know that all writing for this class will be shared with your peers. All writing for this course, except for an occasional in-class writing exercise, will be posted to your weblog on the course website. Sometimes, the instructor might choose to promote your weblog post to the front page. And our course site will be publicly accessible to everyone on the Internet. Consequently, I will share the URL for this site, and you are welcome to as well.

Expect, too, that the assignments, emphasis on learning, and grading in this course, as well as your instructor's style of teaching, will be significantly different from your previous experiences in English.

Students will be responsible for:

• Visiting and typically contributing to the class website on a daily basis.
• Checking email regularly.
• Keeping an online writing journal on their weblog.
• Submitting drafts for writing projects in a timely fashion.
• Keeping up with assigned readings.
• Workshopping drafts with peers
• Contributing to in-class discussions.
• Scheduling and attending two one-on-one conferences with the instructor.

Required Course Materials

• Work in Progress by Lisa Ede, available at Bill's and the FSU Campus Store.
• The Longman Writer's Companion by Anson et. al., available at Bill's and the FSU Campus Store.
• The use of a computer and Internet access for all writing assignments.
• At least one floppy disk (it's a good idea to make backups).
• Paper and pen (which you will bring to class).
• An email account of your own that you will check regularly.

Required Writing Assignments

• Writing Projects -- Each half of the semester, you will complete two Exploratory drafts, with two revisions each, and then select one for further revision and polish as your Portfolio draft.
• Process Memos -- Sometimes, you will write in-class process memos in which you will be asked to reflect on the process of writing one of your drafts. The process memos that you are asked to write outside of class should discuss in what ways you would revise your text for the next draft, address questions/concerns, and comment on the strengths of your draft.
• In-Class Writing Assignments and Exercises -- There will be some in-class writing exercises.
• Two Self-Evaluations -- One at mid-semester; one at the end.
• Reading Responses -- Each reading for a single class period requires a minimum 300 word response (unless the calendar says otherwise) and is typically to be posted no later than 9pm the night before a class meeting. This allows time for each of you to post comments regarding reading response posts. Reading responses should not to be summaries of the readings and must be thoughtful/analytical engagements of the assigned prompts.
• Responses to Class Members -- Reading response posts will typically be followed up a round of commenting on the posts of others. You will also be responsible for giving your group members feedback on drafts.
• Writing Journal Blog Posts -- In addition to other assignments, there is some writing that you will be expected to do on your own. Each week, every student is responsible for posting at least two (2) blog posts to their personal weblog, a minimum of 150 words each. These posts could be meta-reflection on the writing you are doing for this class, responses to something someone else has written in their weblog, an example of good writing that you recently read, etc. These weekly postings are to be completed no later than Friday afternoon, and each should be posted at least 24 hours apart.
• In-Class Notes -- While notes taken during class will not be collected by the teacher, you are responsible for everything covered during class. It would especially be to your advantage to take good notes regarding clarification of assignments. So bring a paper and pen to class everyday.

Revision

First Year Writing advocates a process approach to writing in which revision of writing over multiple drafts is a major component. For each of the Exploratory drafts, you will complete subsequent drafts. After the completion of the first Exploratory draft, the instructor will provide revision assignments which will typically be posted to the course website following the submission deadline of the earlier draft. These revision assignments must be followed and completed on time in order to receive full credit for your work. Know that failure to significantly revise between drafts and/or complete all the drafts for an assignment is grounds for failure for the project.

Grading

You will receive grades twice during this semester: one mid-semester mid-semester after completing your first writing portfolio and one at the end after completing the second. Grades will be calculated on a 4.0 scale. Each time you receive a grade, you'll actually get two grades -- one grade based on the final product, your Final Portfolio draft; one grade that combines everything else -- blogging, class participation, process memos, revision, peer review, etc.
• Final Portfolio draft in 1st portfolio: 20%
• Blogging, class participation, drafting, etc. for the first half of the semester: 30%
• Final Portfolio draft in 2nd portfolio: 20%
• Blogging, class participation, drafting, etc. for the second half of the semester: 30%
You must participate fully in each of the following aspects of the course in order to pass this class:
• Maintaining an individual blog site.
• Working with group members, both in-class and by posting comments to their blogs.
• Completing all assigned drafts and revisions contributing to your writing portfolios.
Timely completion of all the minimum requirements for the course entitles you to a C. To make an A in the course, you must go above and beyond the minimum requirements. For example,
• Taking the initiative to post more frequently to your individual blog site.
• Posting additional comments to your group members' blogs.
• Contributing frequently to in-class discussions.
• Striving for increased quality in blogging and commenting.
• Producing the best writing projects in the class.
We will stick closely to the Calendar -- it is important that you keep up. In most circumstances, you may certainly complete your assignments for this class earlier, but it's important that you complete them on time. Much of what you do for this class quickly leads to another assignment. And often, your postings and comments are part of a larger discussion that will not wait for you. Consequently, late assignments will receive little or no credit, except in the case of an extreme emergency--such as serious illness or the death of a close family member (you may be asked to provide documentation). Assignments must also meet the minimum word count to receive credit. For example, you will be asked to write an exploratory draft of at least 500 words. You may certainly write much more, but less will receive little or no credit.

Attendance

Attendance is not suggested, it is required. The First Year Writing program states that absences in excess of four are grounds for failure. Serious illness or extreme family emergencies may be excused with the proper documentation. Since peer criticism and discussion are an intricate part of this class, expect that I will adhere to these rules. I suggest that you notify me prior to any expected absences and complete your work ahead of time. Excessive absenteeism will result in an F for this course. If you are absent from class, you are responsible for contacting group members to find out what was missed or if any changes have been made to assignments.

Computers and Technology

Undoubtedly, everyone in this class will have some kind of computer problem(s) during the semester. Sometimes the Internet will be down. Your computer might break. The dog might eat your floppy disk. Because problems with technology are a given and to be expected, always start and complete assignments early to leave yourself a buffer zone for dealing with unforeseen difficulties.

That being said, problems with computers will not be an excuse for failing to complete work on time for this course. If your Internet goes down, use another computer. If your computer breaks, use another computer. If your computer gets a virus, use another computer. In other words, find a way to complete the assignments on time.

If you are in section B4, during class time, use of the computers is restricted to the work of the class. So while you are certainly welcome to check your email and chat with a friend on IM before or after class, do not do so during class unless asked to do so by the teacher. If you complete an in-class computer assignment early, you are always welcome to spend free time working on a blog post or reading through what others have written on the class site.

Do Not Plagiarize

Plagiarism is grounds for suspension from the university as well as for failure in this course. It will not be tolerated. Any instance of plagiarism will be reported to the Director of First-Year Writing and the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Plagiarism is a counterproductive, non-writing behavior that is unacceptable in a course intended to aid the growth of individual writers. Plagiarism is included among the violations defined in the Academic Honor Code, section b), paragraph 2, as follows: "Regarding academic assignments, violations of the Academic Honor Code shall include representing another's work or any part thereof, be it published or unpublished, as one's own." A plagiarism education assignment that further explains this issue will be administered in all First-Year Writing courses.

The Reading and Writing Center

One-to-one assistance is available to students free of charge at the Reading/Writing Center, located in WMS 222C. The Center is staffed by teaching assistants who are trained to help you with your writing, whether you have a problem with your writing or just wish to improve your writing. Appointments are made in person at the Reading/Writing Center or by calling 644-6495. It may be helpful if you take a copy of your current assignment and/or a draft with you to your appointment. On-line assistance with your writing is also available through the Reading/Writing Center. Please see me or visit/call the Center for more information.

ADA

During the first week of class, students needing academic accommodations should register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Center (SDRC) and bring a letter to the me from SDRC indicating the need. This and all other class materials are available in alternative format upon request.