Bridgewater State University

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

English 101E Writing Rhetorically
Fall 2024

Nicole Williams
English Dept. Tillinghast 301
Office Hours: By Appointment
Email: Nicole.williams@bridgew.edu
Website: http://www.nicoleannwilliams.com

By the last day of drop add on Wed 9/11 you must send me an email from your BSU
account stating that you have read and understand the syllabus. From that day
forward you should check your e-mail at least once a day as I may send you important messages
during the semester. E-mail is an easy way to contact me between classes--feel free to e-mail me
about any concerns you have. This email will demonstrate your ability to meet deadlines in a
timely manner -- a vital skill for college as well as your ability to access your email. Every day
the assignment is late, counts a ⅓ of a letter grade off your final reading journal
grade.

Materials:
Notebook, pen, bring laptop/tablet to class, book club book (to be assigned).

Course Description:
This Course is designed to help you become a better reader and writer both in real life as well as in college
life. This section is also designed to introduce you to some of the major disciplines of study and your own
major/career interest so that you can learn about the liberal arts education you are embarking on, a core
of a college education compared to that of a vocational or career training program, as well as begin to
think about your own career possibilities.

To begin, the way you write for your college teachers is different than any way you’ve been asked to write
before. The way you read and wrote in high school will not cut it here. There are, as with most things,
rules to be followed. I will try to help you understand not only what those rules are but the more
important reasons for why we—and by we I mean your professors at college—ask you to follow them as
well.

But just teaching you to write for school, or to be optimistic, to get a good grade is something of a waste of
my time and yours since you’ll only be writing for a grade for a relatively short time from this point on, so
it is important that we look at other reasons to write—and read. Reading and writing can, and I
really believe this, make us better, more thoughtful people. This is because reading and
writing are both ways of making sense of the world around us. They are processes that require
us to use our brains. So reading and writing in this class is like running short training runs in preparation
for a much longer race—the critical work that I will ask you to try to do as we read and write this semester
is practice for the critical thinking and writing you will need to do in real life. By real life I mean your
personal daily activities and your career.

A Note About This Enhanced Section: You are all in this section of ENGL101E because BSU wants
you to succeed in this your first and all subsequent semesters at Bridgewater. I can understand, though,
how you might see it as a sort of punishment to have to participate in all of the extras connected to this
course. Keep in mind that you are getting an extra one credit for your extra work through your enrollment
in ENGL144—take two more gym classes and you’ve got yourself the equivalent of a three credit class.
That’s not a bad deal. In addition, all the various supports and extras are genuinely meant to help you
have the best first semester you could have. And that’s important: it is easier to start strong than it is to try
to make up for a few bad semesters early on in your career. I can promise you that if you put the work in
what you get out of it will be meaningful to your academic career. I say that directly from talking with
students who have graduated and were in your exact shoes.

Course Objectives:
By the end of this course students will be able to:
▪ Develop rhetorical awareness by understanding how to analyze the purpose and audience
for specific writing situations and use this analysis to guide their writing and reading.
▪ Formulate a focused, arguable thesis and support this thesis in an effectively organized
essay with evidence drawn from class readings, class discussions, and their knowledge
and experience.
▪ Compose in a voice appropriate for the genre, goals, and target audience.
▪ Approach writing as a recursive process which involves inventing, composing, revising,
and editing.
▪ Critically read and respond to a variety of texts, including published texts, their peers’
texts, and their own texts.
▪ Use technology to write, revise, and deliver documents.
▪ Demonstrate facility in using the conventions of Standard Written English, including the
conventions of sentence structure, usage, and punctuation.

Course Policies:
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
formal writing assignments. Successful completion of the formal assignments includes
turning in all required drafts and attending workshops and conferences. In addition you
must fulfill the requirements of Engl144, the one credit component that accompanies this
course, including attending and participating in bookclub and meeting with your writing
fellow. You cannot pass ENGL101E without passing ENGL144 and you cannot pass
ENGL144 without passing ENGL101E.

Attendance: What happens in class each day only works if everyone is here to participate as much as
possible; therefore, I suggest you attend class. I can also tell you that those who attend book club and
writing fellow always earn higher grades in 101 because they are more prepared and produce higher
quality writing from working with their facilitators and fellows. Attendance in 101 and 144 is
counted separately.

You have three absences in ENGL101E to use as you wish whether you want a day off to
have fun or because you are sick. That is a week worth of class. However you should plan
wisely. Your final grade will go down ⅓ of a letter grade for every absence over 3. You may
fail the course after 6 absences.

You have three absences in ENGL144 (book club and writing fellow) to use as you wish.
Again, Plan accordingly. Your final grade will go down ⅓ of a letter grade for every absence
over 1. You may fail the course after 3 absences.

ABOUT ENGL144 AS IT RELATES TO THE ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR 101: As mentioned

earlier, you’ve been given placement in ENGL144, a one-credit support course for this and your other
classes. ENGL144 consists of work done weekly in Book Club and meetings with a writing fellow attached
to this course. Attendance at these weekly activities is mandatory for passing ENGL144 and failure to do
so will adversely affect your success in ENGL101. I will receive weekly attendance and progress reports on
both activities. Thus:
● The attendance policy described above applies to the writing conferences you will schedule with
your Writing Fellow: missing a writing conference counts as missing a class.
● The attendance policy applies to the book club meetings scheduled directly after this class:
missing book club counts as missing a class.
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 ready to participate in class. 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:

● Being absent is not an excuse for turning in late work. All assignments are
expected to be turned in at the beginning of the class period they are due, (not emailed
after class). If you are not going to be in class e-mail your work to me by the beginning
of class time. Late assignments will not be accepted unless prior arrangements
have been made with me. I will not accept any journals after we have already
discussed the reading in class.
● In class work cannot be made up so it would be wise to come to class prepared each day.

Email Etiquette: I will respond to emails within 24 hours. I check email between the hours of 9-5
Monday through Friday. When emailing me please include your class and section in the subject line, a
greeting, and your name. This is extremely important. Check out this article about writing proper emails.

Format for Assignments: All formal writing (except multimodal compositions) should be:
● Computer generated/typed
● Double-spaced in a 12 point readable font
● Documented using MLA or APA Style

Classroom Behaviors:
● 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.
● We live in a world of electronic devices. While I will not prohibit you from having your
phones and computers out during class to assist in class related work, I expect you to
stay off of sites that do not pertain to our class material that day. Remember the
education you are getting is costing you money- make sure you earn every cent of it by
paying attention in class. If being on electronics becomes a distraction to myself or your
classmates I will ask you to leave 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. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, but everyone is allowed
a chance to express that opinion.

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. If you are ever unsure of whether or not you are
committing academic dishonesty please come speak to me, and I will be happy to assist. I take academic
honesty and integrity very seriously and will follow all steps outlined by Bridgewater State University if I
find a student plagiarizing. This could result in a meeting with the Dean and possible expulsion from the
University.

Departmental Writing Committee’s Academic Honesty Policy (Approved Spring 2010)

Academic Honesty: Academic Honesty refers both to plagiarism and misrepresenting your work in other
ways. Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s words or ideas without acknowledging the original source.
Acts of academic dishonesty include the following:
● Turning in another students essay as your own
● Turning the same essay (that you wrote) in for credit in two different classes. (Note: It is fine to
write about the same idea in two courses, to branch off of a project to create a new one, or to push
an idea that you’ve started developing in one paper significantly further in another, but it is
academically dishonest to turn in the same writing project in two courses.)
● Including information or ideas from a print or online source in your essay without including a
citation to indicate the origin of the words
● Including phrases or sentences from a print or online source in your essay without using
quotation marks to mark the words as coming from an outside source (even if you include a
citation)

If you have a question about whether you need to cite a course, ask your instructor or writing studio
consultant or simply take the safe route and cite the source.The consequences of plagiarism are
serious. The entire university Academic Integrity policy, which you should familiarize yourself with,
can be found on the updated university website here http://www.bridgew.edu/academic-integrity.

AI Policy: In recent years the use of Artificial Intelligence tools has become more prominent. AI is a great
resource and tool when used properly in an academic setting. As you can imagine, the use of AI in a
writing course can be tempting. My AI policies for this course is as follows:

● You may use AI to clarify course concepts.

● You may use AI to brainstorm ideas.
● You may use AI to research as long as you cite it as a source.
● You may not use AI to generate text to copy/paste to any assignments in the class, in part or
whole including formal and informal assignments.
● You may not submit course assignments to AI tools.
● You may not assume all material from AI tools is accurate.

Course Requirements

Padlet: We will be using Padlet for in class writing in response to prompts I post. It will be a space to
generate discussion and ideas to assist in your formal writing.

Formal Essays: For this class you will write three essays that range between 3-6 pages 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. Assignments are due at the beginning of class as stated on the course schedule.

Reading Journals: Each week, as marked on the schedule, you will be required to write a journal in
response to a reading for that class. Your journals each week should discuss 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.

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. 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 provide a self-evaluation of your writing. These
portfolios will be returned with formal letter grades attached that evaluate the work in the portfolio as well
as your success in the class.

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 conferencing with myself and your writing group for your formal essays three
times throughout the semester to receive more individualized feedback and a grade from me. I will cancel
class to accommodate these conferences. Missing your conference or showing up unprepared
without your essay will result in an absence and a zero on your essay. I WILL NOT ACCEPT
ESSAYS NOT SUBMITTED DURING YOUR CONFERENCE APPOINTMENT. YOU WILL
FAIL THE ESSAY IF YOUR ARE NOT PRESENT TO TURN IT IN.

Book Club: A little known truth about college is that you have to read differently than you do, say a
magazine or a trashy novel. And you certainly have to read differently than you did for high school.
Reading for college is much more independent and requires a lot more thinking work on our part. And I
know that some of you don’t read much at all. People also don’t realize that you can practice reading in
order to become a better reader—it works like writing that way.

With all this in mind, you will practice reading for college as part of a book club. You’ll read the book on
your own, write an in-class journal in meetings which will be submitted electronically, and discuss the
book. Finally, you’ll complete a project at the end of the semester. .

You will be evaluated on your attendance and effort during book club meetings, the quality of your
journals, and your final presentations. On or about the first day of class I’ll ask you to pick what book you
want (I use the term “pick” loosely) from a list of descriptions (of the titles I list under TEXTS above).
You’ll meet with your book club leader for the first time during the first few weeks of class and from then
on out every other week. Participation in book club is one of the ways you will earn your one credit in
ENGL144. See the attendance policy outlined above for how failure to show for book club will affect your
grade. Details for the book club and other assignments are available on the website for this course.

Meetings with your Writing Fellow: These meetings will be scheduled during the first weeks of
classes around yours and your writing fellow’s respective schedules and will occur once a week for 30
minutes.. You need to come to the meeting prepared to work on whatever formal writing assignment is
due next. Meeting with your fellow is part of how you will earn your one credit for ENGL144. See the
attendance policy outlined above for how failing to meet with your fellow will affect your grade.

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 be graded holistically. This means I will evaluate your work overall throughout the
semester holistically. I look for revision and growth in your writing. 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. While you will receive tentative letter grades on essay
drafts, you will also 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. The essay drafts are not
worth as much as the portfolios and ARE EXPECTED TO BE REVISED. Portfolio 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.

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.

Reading journals 10%

Book Club w/presentation 10%

Formal Writing Assignments-

3 essay Drafts (10% each) 30%

Final Portfolio w/exam 50%

*Each assignment is worth equal weight except the portfolio which is worth half your grade.

Additional Resources:

Course Adaptations: In accordance with BSU policy, I am available to discuss appropriate

accommodations that you may require as a student with a disability. Requests for accommodations should
be made during the drop/add period so that proper arrangements can be made. Students should register
with the Student Accessibility Services in the AAC for disability verification and determination of
reasonable academic accommodations.

Writing Studio: The BSU is a valuable source that you should take advantage of throughout the
semester for all your courses and as you continue your studies at BSU. The Writing Studio is located in the
Academic Achievement Center on the ground floor of Maxwell Library. You can make an appointment by
stopping by the Writing Studio in person, calling 531-2053, or via email writingcenter@bridgew.edu. To
learn more about The Writing Studio visit their website at http://www.bridgew.edu/WritingStudio/

Tutoring for Multilingual Students: Are you a multi-lingual student? Would you like a second pair
of eyes looking over your assignments? Tutoring for Multilingual Students in the Academic Achievement
Center helps students become better readers and writers. Come see us today:
https://my.bridgew.edu/departments/SecondLanguage/SitePages/Home.aspx
Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) and Adrian Tinsley Program: The OUR and ATP
provide BSU students with the opportunity to do scholarly research by funding projects, providing
presentation forums through research symposiums, and publishing opportunities in the Undergraduate
Review. The OUR is located in 200 Maxwell Library. To learn more about the OUR visit their website at
www.bridgew.edu/our. On a personal note, I cannot speak highly enough of the opportunities the OUR
and ATP provide to BSU students for enhancing your education while at BSU and providing you with
skills that will make you competitive in both the job market and in graduate school.

Publication Opportunities: The Undergraduate Review- Published annually by the Office of

Undergraduate Research, showcases student research and creative work done as part of a class or under
the mentorship of Bridgewater Faculty.

The Bridge- A Creative journal that published by the English Department annually that showcases poetry,
prose, and fine art.

Study Abroad Office: Assists students with a variety of travel programs including semester long and
shortened trips to a variety of countries around the globe.
https://my.bridgew.edu/departments/StudyAbroad/SitePages/Home.aspx#_ga=2.50152614.102495352
3.1534786572-1351288215.1527112497

Internships: The internship office can assist you in getting credit and, in some cases, pay for interning
at a variety of companies.

Resources in Support of Excellence (RISE): Providing Resources for Students Experiencing

Economic Stress. At BSU, we understand the impact that stressors outside of the classroom can have on
your student success. We also understand the significant cost of higher education and the overall impact
attending college can have on your availability to work and cover the basics.
https://my.bridgew.edu/departments/SSD/RISE/SitePages/Home.aspx

Other Resources on Campus: There are a wide variety of services available on our campus that you
might want to know about but also might just be too inundated with information to remember you have
access to, so I'm including links to a variety of places on campus that I think you might want to know
about. First and foremost is probably the counseling center and the wellness center. Other places
you can go if you want to connect with folks: the Lewis & Gaines Center for Inclusion and Equity
the Pride Center, the campus food bank, Academic Coaching, and Commuter Services. Making a
connection to this campus is the number one way you'll get from day one to graduation.