COMPOSITION/MAJOR THEMES IN LITERATURE, ENGLISH 210

DR. RODNEY ALLEN

 

OFFICE:       102

HOURS:       MWF: 9:00-11:00; TTR: 9:00-9:30; TR: 2:00-3:00       

PHONE:        357-3174, ex. 177

GUIDED

STUDY:        Tuesday, room 208

TEXTS          The Prentice Hall Guide for College Writers

                      The Harbrace College Handbook

                      The Bedford Introduction to Literature, 6th edition

PURPOSE

OF COURSE: The primary purpose of English 210 is to make you a better writer; its secondary purpose is to introduce you to major literary themes and genres, and to teach you the vocabulary of literary terms scholars use to discuss poetry, fiction, and drama. As the result of this practice in writing, and in reading essays and literature, you will come to a better understanding of our language and how to use it.

GRADING: (Fall semester)

5 major essays (70% of the final grade)

1 final exam on the readings (10%)

shorter writing assignments (10%)

quizzes (10%)
 

Major essays, which must each be 750-1,000 words long, will be due approximately one every two and a half weeks during the semester. I will announce the exact due dates at least a week in advance. These major papers will be based on your readings of editorials from journals or internet sources or of essays in The Prentice Hall Guide.

This is a writing class. Be ready to write often, and to revise your work
in order to make it clearer, more concise, more compelling.
 
FORMAT OF
PAPERS:
Major themes must either be typed or written in blue or black ink on one side of loose-leaf theme paper. Skip every other line as you write, and include a title for each essay on the first page of the paper--not on a separate cover sheet. Hold the
pages together with a paper clip, not a staple or transparent cover. Before turning in your essay, fold it lengthwise and write your name, class time, and theme number on the outside fold. Failure to follow this format will lower your grade.

LATE
PAPERS:
Late essays lower your grade one letter for every class day late. The only valid excuses for late papers are emergencies and sickness, or permission from the instructor at least a week in advance.

ACADEMIC
HONOR:
You must abide by the principles of academic honor set out in the Student Handbook. Do not cheat, and don’t plagiarize, or you risk expulsion from LSMSA.

GRADING
STANDARDS: The LSMSA English faculty grades according to these standards:

D paper: Lacks a unifying thesis, contains faulty logic or several serious mechanical errors, is stylistically awkward, or does not meet the requirements of the particular assignment in terms of subject matter, rhetorical strategy, format, length, etc.

C paper: Has an adequate thesis and organization, may contain a few minor flaws mechanically but is essentially free of major problems in that area, has a serviceable style, and meets the requirements of the particular assignment.

B paper : Has a well-conceived thesis demonstrated by a tightly organized argument, is free of mechanical errors, is stylistically engaging, meets all the requirements of the assignment. (At LSMSA, a B is a good grade.)

A paper: Is striking in its rigorous logic and clear thesis, has no mechanical errors, has a lively and subtle style, and meets or exceeds the requirements of the assignment.

ATTENDANCE: As you are aware, unexcused absences will quickly cause serious problems for you at LSMSA, even up to expulsion. I expect you in class unless you are sick or otherwise excused, and I expect you on time. If you continue being late
after a warning from me, I will report you as absent.