Elmore

Engl 102
Fall 2014


The Rhetoric of Fake News
English 102-06: Writing and Rhetoric II (3 credits)

Instructor: Dr. Jonathan Elmore; jelmore@shepherd.edu
Office Hours: TR 7:30-8:00, 12:30-1:30, W 10:00-12:30, 8:40-9:10; and by appointment
Office Info: Knutti 221; ph. 876-5806
Course Meeting Time and Location: W 6:00-8:40 Knutti 206


Course Description: English 102 builds on the work completed in English 101 and focuses on a single,
thematic rhetorical, cultural and/or social issue. This course develops students fluency with a research
process appropriate to various rhetorical tasks, including open, secondary research and, possibly,
primary research methods such as ethnography. Students continue to write in multiple academic and
public genres for different audiences, though these genres may be more complex and may require
greater fluency of rhetoric and its aims. To prepare them for a world of digital communication, students
are exposed to reading and/or composing multimodal texts in this course. As with English 101, students
will not only read the works of published writers but will also read and examine each others writing.

Core Rhetorical Concepts:
While English 101 and 102 are separate courses with different aims, they share a focus on three core
rhetorical concepts: rhetorical knowledge; literacy; and process. Serving as a common language, these
concepts create a clear bridge and a union of purpose between our writing classes and provide students
with a rhetorical toolbox to help them navigate the various discourse communities and writing tasks
they will face as college students and engaged citizens. A description of the core rhetorical concepts
shared by both classes follows:

Core Curriculum and LEAP Information:
This course addresses LEAP Goal No. 2: Intellectual and Practical Skills throughout the Curriculum and is
a part of the First Tier (Initial Inquiry) of the Core Curriculum. It addresses the following competencies:
Critical Thinking, Life-Long Learning, Creative Thinking, Oral Communication, and Written
Communication. Students must earn a C or better in ENGL 101 to move onto ENGL 102.

Core Curriculum Learning Outcomes:
1) an ability to generate thoughtful ideas;
2) an ability to render cogent and focused claims;
3) an ability to analyze the significance of claims made within writing, including ones own;
4) an ability to adhere to generic/ discourse community conventions and audience expectations;
5) an ability to synthesize information from multiple sources;
6) an ability to structure well-developed essays that examine relationships between ideas;
7) an ability to effectively organize essays appropriate for a particular rhetorical task;
8) an ability to think and write about ones own writing and to examine learning progress;
9) an understanding of the relationships between language, knowledge and power.



Elmore
Engl 102
Fall 2014

Texts:
Bullock, Richard and Francine Weinberg. The Little Seagull Handbook. New York: WW Norton &
Company, Inc, 2011. Print. ISBN: 978-0-393-91151-0
Lunsford, Andrea. Et al. Everyones an Author. WW Norton & Company Inc., 2013. Print. ISBN: 978-0-
393-93211-9

*Additional readings will be available on Sakai or other online venues. Please make sure you have access
to a printer and/or money on your Rambler to print out pages in a computer lab. You may use a
tablet or laptop to bring e-copies to class. You may not use a Smartphone for this.


Course Requirements:
1. Reading Assignments: Good writers are good readers. You cannot expect to do well in class if you do
not read the assigned texts. You can expect regular (and very simple) reading quizzes. All quizzes are
open notes not open book. Individuals who take good reading notes will have no trouble doing well on
the daily quizzes. The opposite tends also to be true. Quizzes cannot be made up.

2. Short Assignments/Homework: You will complete many short written assignments throughout the
semester (explanations of essay topics, outlines, short reading responses, etc). These must be handed in
on time.

3. Formal Essays: You will compose three formal pieces: a Biographical Report, an argument Essay, and
an Open Topic Utterance. You will receive assignment sheets on each of these essays, with specific
instructions. You will also be asked to produce various process pieces (topics, thesis statements,
outlines, etc.) as we work on these essays. Late essays will not be accepted. If you fail to turn in an essay,
you will also fail the course.

4. Cover Letters: Each formal essay you turn in must be prefaced by a typed cover letter. This letter
should be included with your hard copy. Approach these letters as seriously as the essays themselves
since they are meant to give you a chance to reflect on your writing. The letters should meaningfully
answer all of the following questions in a comprehensive manner:
1. As you worked on this project, what did you learn about writing and yourself as a writer?
2. What do you want to remember that you will apply to your next writing project? (Be specific:
in terms of rhetoric, discourse community knowledge, subject matter knowledge,
writing process).
3. What do you think is the best part of this essay?
4. What part(s) of this essay still need work?
5. What would you do differently/change if you had more time?
6. Is there anything you want me (Dr. Elmore) to know as I read your paper?

5. Class Participation/Workshop Participation: Bring your books/texts with you to class every day.
Make your voice heard in class: speak up and share what you are thinking. This is one way for me to
know you reading and doing the work. Just remember to be respectful of your classmates opinions.
Before each formal essay is due we will devote class time to reading each others drafts and providing
helpful advice. Do not miss these workshop days and do not show up without a draft. If you fail to
produce a draft on the due date, you cannot turn in a final draft.
Elmore
Engl 102
Fall 2014


6. Conferences: You will meet with me for one-on-one and group conferences during the semester.
Please feel free, however, to see me anytime during the semester if you feel you need some advice or
assistance with course work. A missed conference equals an absence.

Attendance: You MUST attend your classes regularly and engage in the requirements for each class;
otherwise, your financial aid may be revoked either partially or in full. This would result in an amount
due by you to the University immediately. Please refer to shepherd.edu/faoweb for more details.

In this class, attendance is crucial and missed class time cannot be made up. There are no excused
absences. Of course things come up (sickness, family emergencies, etc.) Therefore, you are allowed
ONE absence; any more will reduce your grade by one half letter. More than Three absences and you
will fail the class.

Additionally, being late to class is rude and disruptive. Dont do it. Repeated tardiness will cause you to
fail the course. Finally, if you miss class it is your responsibility to contact me or a classmate to find out
what you have missed before the next class meeting. An absence is not an excuse for being unprepared
for the next class.

Cell phones: Turn them OFF and put them away during class. If I see them on your desk, Ill ask you to
put them away. If I see you using them at all, Ill ask you to leave and mark you absent for the day.
Tablets and laptops are permitted as e-readers only. Other use of technology in class will result in you
being marked absent for the day.

Food and drink: Drinks in covered containers and reasonable snacks (granola bar, crackers, chips etc.)
are permitted in class. Hot food or meals are not permitted in class.

Email/Internet Access: Activate your Shepherd email account as soon as possible and make sure you
can get onto the internet. Email is usually the best way to get into contact with meand I will use your
Shepherd address. You will also need to be able to access Sakai. When you do email me, please consider
the way you present yourself in your messages. Include a salutation and a closing. Be sure to proofread
your messages and make sure you use both proper grammar and punctuation. You are expected to
check email daily and are responsible for any announcements sent via email.

Conferences/Office Hours: Remember that I am available during my office hours (and alternative times,
if necessary) if you have questions about the course or your status in it.

Academic Honor: Each student in this course is expected to abide by the Academic Integrity Procedures
found in the Shepherd University Student Handbook
(www.shepherd.edu/students/studenthandbook.pdf). Plagiarism (passing someone elses work off as
your own or failing to correctly cite someone elses work) and cheating will not be tolerated. All
violations of the Student Conduct Code will be reported. Some simple advice: if you have any questions
or are unsure about citing something, see me.

Elmore
Engl 102
Fall 2014

The Academic Support Center: Take advantage of this great resource, located in the library. You can
(and should) schedule appointments with friendly and capable tutors in advance. Tutors can help you at
any stage of an assignment, from planning early drafts to revising final copies.

Disability Support Services: Disability Support Services at Shepherd University believes that every
student should succeed, and works closely with students to meet their needs. Students requesting any
disability related accommodation should contact the Disability Coordinator at 304-876-5453. This
includes students with learning disabilities needing classroom accommodations, students requesting
specific housing accommodations for health-related reasons, and all other disability accommodations.
Accommodations need to be documented and provided to instructors. Please see
www.shepherd.edu/mcssweb/dss/default.html for more information.

Grading Breakdown:
20%: Biographical Report
25%: Argument Essay
25%: Open Topic Utterance
15%: Quizzes
15%: Short Assignments and Homework




























Elmore
Engl 102
Fall 2014

Course Schedule
Schedule is subject to revision as needed. Reading assignments should be completed before class on the
date indicated. Paper copies of writing assignments are due at the start of class and must be typed.


W 8/27: Introduction to the Course, Syllabus, Expectations



W 9/3: Introduction to the textbook and to The Rhetoric of Fake News.
Reading: Lunsford et al. 1-28 and 182-228 and 1-23 of Program Handbook (Sakai)
Writing: A one page description of your experiences in English 101, focusing on the writing
process you developed throughout that course. Additionally, print and sign the signature page
at the end of the handbook


W 9/10: Annotated Bibliography (Heavy Reading Week)
Reading: Lunsford et al. 325-380 and Sample Biography (Sakai)
Writing: Annotated Bibliography (bring three (3) hard copies to class)


W 9/17: Peer Review Week (BRING YOUR LITTLE SEAGULL HANDBOOK TO CLASS)
Writing: Complete Rough Draft. Bring three (3) hard copies to class. (You cannot turn in a final
draft, if you fail to turn in a rough draft)


W 9/24: NO CLASSIndividual Conferences. Final Drafts due in Conference


W 10/1: Argument Essay
Reading: Lunsford et al. 57-100 and 381-400
Writing: Well work on Topic Proposals for Argument Essays in class

W 10/8: Annotated Bibliography
Reading: Lunsford et al 401-407 and 538-550
Writing: Annotated Bibliography (bring 3 hard copies to class)


W 10/15: Peer Review Week (BRING YOUR LITTLE SEAGULL HANDBOOK TO CLASS)
Writing: Complete Rough Draft. Bring three (3) hard copies to class. (You cannot turn in a final
draft, if you fail to turn in a rough draft)


W 10/22: NO CLASSIndividual Conferences. Final Drafts due in Conference

Elmore
Engl 102
Fall 2014


W 10/29: The Open Topic Utterance
Reading: Lunsford et al 269-304 and 515-536
Writing: Well work on our topic proposals in class

W 11/5: No Class (MSA)


W 11/12: The Open Topic Utterance
Reading: Lunsford et al. 570-590
Writing: Annotated Bibliography (bring 3 copies to class)


W 11/19: No class Conference (Well discuss your Open Topic Utterance)

W 11/26: Thanksgiving Break

W 12/3: Peer Review Week (BRING YOUR LITTLE SEAGULL HANDBOOK TO CLASS)
Writing: Complete Rough Draft. Bring two (2) copies to class. (You cannot turn in a final draft,
if you fail to turn in a rough draft)


FINAL EXAM: Wednesday December 10
th
6:00-8:40