ENGLISH 2030: Core Composition II
University of Colorado-Denver, Spring 2000

 
auraria library | mla guidelines

Course Description
In this course, your goal will be learning how to take a stand effectively in your writing. My purpose will be to acquaint you with various strategies for developing argumentative essays, to guide you through the process of an inquiry casebook, and to encourage you toward a more fluent style of writing. As a result of this course, your ability to research a topic, to read critically, and to express your own ideas persuasively in writing within the rhetorical situation should improve.

Required Texts
Writing Research Papers: A Complete Guide, James D. Lester, 9th ed. ("WRP" henceforth)
Everything’s an Argument, Andrea A. Lunsford, & John J. Ruszkiewicz ("EA" henceforth)

Schedule
Please complete assignments for the days on which they are listed.
 
Week Dates Topic Assignments Due
1 T 1/18 Overview In-Class Writing Sample
  R 1/20 Rhetorical Situation read: EA 3-18
2 T 1/25 Reading & Writing Arguments read: EA 19-39
  R 1/27 More Lines of Argument & Reading Visual Arguments  read: EA 43-76 & 231-238
3 T 2/1 Types of Evidence & Topic Generation read: EA 255-267
  R 2/3 Finding, Evaluating, Citing Sources, & Avoiding Plagiarism  read: EA 287-293 and WRP 83-96
skim: EA 294-318 and WRP 117-122

SA 1 due: Topic List
Bring a typed page with the following information (exclude your name): 

  • The title of your tentative topic.
  • A brief description of why you chose the topic.
  • A list of things you know about your topic already (any surprising facts or statistics, the extent of the problems, important people or institutions involved, key schools of thought on the topic, common misconceptions, observations you've made, important trends, major controversies, etc.)
  • (Spend about 15-20 minutes on this--push yourself on this most important step. Make the list as long as you can; try to see your topic in as many ways as possible.) List questions about your topic that you'd like to answer through your research. 
4 T 2/8 Introduction to Research at Auraria Library  Meet in room 245 of library
  R 2/10 Meet at library for research (meet by first-floor stairs) Look at Research Log Assignment on this schedule (on 3/14) and begin keeping track of your research efforts.
5 T 2/15  Meet at library for research (meet by first-floor stairs) SA 2 due: Type up the publishing information on two sources you’ve found (in correct MLA format). 
  R 2/17  Integrating Sources due: Research Proposal
Write a short (2-page) research proposal that identifies your topic, the specific area/problem you are exploring, your interest in the topic, and what you hope to discover by researching it. In doing this, show how your topic is significant and timely. Include a description of the kinds of materials you’ve found so far and your plans for gathering future materials --> see WRP 15-21 and EA 172-198 for descriptions of research proposals.
6 T 2/22 Summary & Paraphrase read: WRP 112-115
  R 2/24 Article Mapping  SA 3 due: 
  • Paraphrase any sentence from an article you’ve found (use correct documentation)
  • Summarize the same article in one paragraph (use correct format/documentation)
  • Turn in both with copy of article
7 T 2/29 Source List Workshop due: Annotated Source List Draft
Prepare a formal annotated list of the sources you have reviewed, formatted according to MLA guidelines. Include 1-2 sentences summarizing the content AND 1-2 sentences explaining your analysis/conclusion about the usefulness of each source you have reviewedà see WRP 97-99 for an example. You may choose not to use these sources in your final argument, but you should evaluate them here if you’ve looked at them. Ten (10) sources evaluated is the minimum requirement. Restrictions for your source list are as follows:
  • Dictionaries and encyclopedias will NOT count as sources. 
  • At least one source must have been published within the past year; the majority of your sources should have been published within the past ten years. 
  • Web pages can be posted by anyone and can present credibility problems. You must review ten non-web-page sources such as articles in professional journals, appropriate periodicals, or current books. 
  • Full-text articles printed from licensed databases, such as those on Expanded Academic, are acceptable (however, you should note that such articles can exclude charts, graphs, etc. and can have typographical errors, so it is always best to look at the original if possible).
  R 3/2 Position Essay Workshop & Effective Titles due: Position Essay draft
Write a four-page essay taking a stand on an issue raised by your reading of several sources (include paraphrase/quotation evidence, documentation, and source list). Think of this essay as the first part of your argument paper. Your goal is to take a stand on your topic and present evidence to support your specific thesis. Your ideas should be developed and organized; multiple sources should be integrated into your presentation. Be clear on your audience and write for them specifically. Look at the syllabus for essay guidelines. See also WRP 145-154 for revision and editing checklists and WRP 124-126 for a thesis check.
8 T 3/7  Thesis Workshop due: Position Essay in a folder with all materials (articles, drafts, etc.—if you used a book, please copy the page you paraphrase or quote and include it so I can check your documentation).

SA 4 due: Thesis (you don’t have to rework your position essay thesis, just type on a page and exclude your name).
  R 3/9 Logical Fallacies/Refutation read: EA 268-280

SA 5 due: Detailed Outline
Your outline will include a brief explanation of your topic, audience, and purpose (what you want to accomplish with this piece of writing), your "working" thesis, and a detailed indication of your essay structure showing the points you cover and the evidence you use to support them. In addition, you should include the opposition's positions and your response/refutation. This should be detailed and reveal your thoughtful reflection on the topicà see WRP 77-81 for a discussion of outlining.
9 T 3/14 Refutation Workshop due: Research Log 
Keep track of your research efforts from Feb. 10 through March 9. Note your activities and your reactions to what you are finding (ideas, thoughts, frustrations, triumphs, etc., on the research process as well as on the materials you are reading). Do this in journal form, with as many entries as you see fit (at least two per week is the minimum). Note: this log should be something you do as you go along, so that for today, you simply turn it in (that’s why I have another assignment for this day). 

due: Refutation Essay draft 
Write a three-page essay in which you identify and address the two or three most relevant oppositions to your position. Refute the objections in a graceful, intelligent way that will convince your audience that you are a fair-minded person who has considered opposing viewpoints carefully.
  R 3/16   due: Refutation Essay in a folder with all drafts.
10 T 3/21 Spring Break!  
  R 3/23 Spring Break!  

2030 Revised Schedule

Week Dates Topic Assignments Due
11 T 3/28   due: Revised Position Essay paperclipped to the Position Essay I put notes on (you may keep your other draft materials and articles for the casebook). For this version, follow the casebook template closely--make sure you have claims and evidence supporting your thesis. Incorporate your graceful refutation of 1-2 compelling points of the opposition. Because you are blending the position essay and the refutation essay together, the resulting essay will be worth 200 points (sum of both essay assignments)--it should be approximately 6 pages long. Check your quotations and paraphrases to be sure they are correct. Follow the standards for grades. Consider your audience carefully (use language that will persuade them)!
  R 3/30 Introductions/Conclusions read: WRP 133-137 and 142-145 
12 T 4/4 Introduction Workshop  SA 6 due: Developed Introduction 

Please bring a typed page with a developed introduction that uses one of the strategies we’ve discussed in class and that leads up to your thesis. What will effectively engage the readers' attention and put them in the frame of mind to seriously consider your main idea (presented concisely in the thesis)?
  R 4/6 Argument (Casebook) Paper Exchange and Group Meeting Bring 2 copies of your Argument Paper to exchange for workshop (this version should be close to final--revised to perfection, developed fully, and edited carefully). You will meet with your group members today and discuss feedback expectations. 
13 T 4/11 Argument Paper Workshop  Bring comments for your group members! You should have at least 8 sentences of thoughtful commentary at the end (use the standards for grades and the revision and editing checklists on WRP 145-154 to guide your commentary) in addition to comments throughout the draft.
  R 4/13 Presentations In a formal ten-minute presentation characterized by good eye contact and an appropriate speaking voice, present the results of your research to the class (we're interested to find out what you discovered!). Use an outline or notecards to organize your content, and a handout or chart should be part of your presentation. All presentations should include the following:
  • engaging introduction,
  • identification of your topic and clear statement of your position, 
  • description of what interested you about the topic (could be part of introduction), 
  • discussion of at least two examples of your most persuasive evidence, 
  • mention of the strongest point of opposition (with refutation), and 
  • conclusion with statement of personal response to your findings.
14 T 4/18 Presentations see guidelines above
  R4/20 Presentations see guidelines above
15 T 4/25 Presentations see guidelines above
  R 4/27 Abstract Workshop due: Abstract Draft (two typed copies)--> see WRP 175-176.
16 T 5/2   due: Final Casebooks 

Casebooks should be spiral-bound. Double- or triple-check to be sure that you have included all necessary parts of the casebook. 

Please remember to highlight and number source materials used (and put them in the order in which they appear in your paper). 

Your final argumentative paper should be documented in MLA style, follow manuscript guidelines, and meet the standards of academic excellence. 

No late casebooks will be accepted!
  R 5/4 TBA  email assignment due (details will be given in class)
TBA     Final Exam Week Meeting: Casebooks Returned

Casebooks will not be stored in the English department. You must attend class to pick up your casebook (and final grade). 

 

Good Thing to Know

The Writing Center, staffed by English instructors, is a valuable resource for you. The Center operates on a walk-in basis, and the instructors can help you develop or revise your writing assignment (note: the Center is not a proofreading service). If you receive an "R" (revision required) on an essay, we will discuss your paper; then you will need to go to the Writing Center with your revised version before re-submitting the essay (have the tutor sign and date your paper when you go in). The center is located in 206 Central Classroom Building; hours are Monday 11-3, Tuesday 11-5, Wednesday 11-3, Thursday 11-3. You can also reach the Writing Center by email (writing_center@carbon.cudenver.edu) or by phone (556-4845) if you just have a quick question.

A visit to the writing center is worth 10 extra credit course points (up to five times). To receive credit,  (1) please ask the writing center tutor to sign his/her name and to note the date and duration of your visit and (2) write "Writing Center Copy" across the draft discussed, then turn it in to me.

Quick Reference Guide