English 1113: Principles of English Composition I

Fall 2015
Instructor: Taylor Beth Ellis
Email: taylor.b.ellis-1@ou.edu
Office Hours (Gittinger Hall 127):
and by appointment
Sections:
ENGL 1213-076 10:30-11:20 Carson Energy Center 119
ENGL 1213-041 11:30- 12:20 Gittenger Hall 344
What will I learn in this class?
The Office of First Year Composition here at the University of Oklahoma created this
course to help you build skills and knowledge about writing. In this course, you will
conduct interviews and site observations in order to learn about communication issues in
your community, and offer possible solutions to these issues. Throughout the course you
will also learn to recognize how communication failure contributes to pressing problems,
and learn how writing can be used as a tool to address those problems.
Is there a course text for this class?
Yes, but its not a hard copy book. Your section of Composition II will use a different
approach to providing a classroom text by accessing various library and academic
materials (articles, essays, chapters) that will be made available to you via PDF files on our
classs D2L page. You can print or not print at your discretion (unless otherwise requested
by me). In either case, you should make it a habit to have access to assigned readings in
class one way or another.
I recommend that you snap up a copy of The Bedford Handbook, 8th edition by
Hacker and Sommers. While all your major written assignments for this be in MLA
style, it is very likely that you will move on to write in other disciplines that use different
citation styles. This handbook in a good central source that covers not only the major
citation styles but also addresses research, avoiding plagiarism, grammar/mechanics,
writing well in general, and other helpful topics that will can serve you well no matter in
which discipline you find yourself writing.
Other materials needed:
Pen, pencil, paper/notebook for note taking and written activities.
What kind of classroom environment are you planning to have?
A challenging but productive one. I will need your help for this, so come to class
prepared to participate. My courses are a safe space for you to learn, question, and figure
things out. In order for an environment like this to exist, we will afford courtesy and
respect to all people. Part of learning is the challenge of interacting with those who will
undoubtedly be different than you in myriad ways. I encourage you to tolerate and even

embrace those differences. In short, play nice, or you will get to leave.
What general things do I need to know when writing and submitting my
papers?
Papers:
All paper assignments will be turned in on D2L via the dropbox function by the
beginning of class on the due date.
All papers must adhere to MLA requirements for spacing and margins with 12pt.Times
New Roman.
Late Policy:
I do not accept late work on homework assignments. I also do not accept make up work
for any assignments that you miss when absent, unless you have a documented excuse. I
will accept major paper assignments late, but one letter grade will be deducted for each
day (not class period) that the paper is late.
Example: For a paper due on Monday but turned in on Wednesday (two days late), the
highest grade possible for that assignment would be a C.
Note: Should a student turn in a major paper late, that past due submission will negate
the students revision portfolio option for that paper (see below, p. 3-4).
What kind of assignments will I be doing?
The bulk of your grade in this class will be determined by four major writing assignments.
Informal writing, homework, and/or quizzes will make up the rest.
Assignment weights are broken down as follows:
Papers (80%):
Literacy Narrative (LN) 15%
Literacy Profile (LP) 25%
Case Study (CS) 25%
Multimodal Project (MP) 15%
Other (20%):
Informal Writing/Quizzes/Discussion Posts
In this course, we will be utilizing D2L for most homework assignments. These will come
in the form of dropbox assignments and discussion posts. All assignments are to be turned
in by 8pm the day before class unless otherwise noted. For example, if I assign a
discussion post on Monday, it is to be completed by 8pm on Tuesday. If I assign a
discussion post on Friday, it is due by 8pm on Sunday.
We will also do informal writing assignments and quizzes in class. If you are absent for a
writing or quiz, you will receive a zero for the assignment unless you have a documented

excuse. Please see below for what qualifies as an excused absence.

Is it important for me to come to class?
Absolutely. We will be doing a great deal of interactive work in class to help us master
and apply the material and content we will deal with, and if youre not here, youll miss
quite a bit. Being absent only three days will equal missing an entire weeks worth of class
content and discussion.
Per university policy, you are given two days of absence before you feel any negative
effects on your grade. Absence penalties are as follows:
3 absences = loss of 1 letter grade
5 absences = loss of 2 letter grades
7 absences = automatic F
Three tardies = 1 absence
I do separate excused and unexcused absences. Excused absences include emergency
situations, appropriately documented medical reasons, and university/military/civil
reasons as listed below. Excused absences are granted on a case-by-case basis with me
acting as the determining party as to what constitutes sufficient, appropriate
documentation (university notification, signed doctors note, etc.). An email from you
saying you are sick does not meet this requirement. If you know in advance that you will
be absent for an important reason, let me know. No matter the reason for your absence,
you are still responsible for work assigned, assignments due, and content/readings
covered on the days missed.
It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from Provostapproved activities and legally required absences (such as military service and jury duty)
and to provide without penalty for the rescheduling of examinations and additional
required coursework. Should you have to miss class, inform me of the reason for your
absence ahead of time and arrange to complete your coursework in a timely manner.
It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious
observances and to provide without penalty for the rescheduling of examinations and
additional required class work that may fall on religious holidays. Should you plan to
miss class due to the observation of a religious holiday, please notify me as soon as
possible prior to this absence so that we can make appropriate arrangements for your
missed class work or rescheduling of exams.
I plan to ace this class, but say I dont do so swell on a paper. What then?
Youre in luck! I have a revision policy to help with that. If you make a C (79%) or lower
on one of your three papers and all of these papers have been turned by their assigned
due dates, you will have the opportunity to revise ONE (1) of them for a higher grade by
completing a revision portfolio.
In this portfolio (a folder with sturdy pockets is fine) you will provide the following:

-Printed copy of original final draft of paper that you are revising (placed in left pocket)
-A revised copy of your paper (placed in right pocket)
-A reflective letter which A) responds to feedback I left you on your graded final draft and
B) describes the changes you made in your revisions and your reasons for making said
changes (placed on top of revised copy). In the conclusion of this letter, you will argue for
the grade you feel you deserve, giving strong, salient reasons to support your stated grade.
This portfolio is intended for you to show substantive work on and revision of the writing
in question. Minor proofreading or editing changes are not sufficient will not be
accepted. For revision portfolios that meet resubmission requirements, you will not
receive a lower grade than the one you originally received on your pre-revised final draft.
What is your technology policy?
As we all know, technology can be used efficiently, but it can also be a big distraction.
Given that, I ask that you put away your tablets, laptops, and other digital devices during
class, unless I specifically ask you to have your technology out and available for in class
use. There will be times throughout the term that I will set aside some class time for you
to write individually.
When it comes to phones, I ask that you silence, put away, and forget about them while
in class. Were only in here for 90 minutes. Your friends, facebook, Twitter, and/or
Instagram feed can do without you for that long.
Please, do not text in class. It may seem like a little thing, but it is incredibly
distracting to not only you but to those around you as well. Its obvious to me, despite
any attempts you may make to hide your phone in your lap or behind a book or two. Its
also very rude. In all honesty, texting in class is a sign of immaturity. Go to any junior or
senior level class, and you will see that the students do not text. As a Masters student, I
would not dream of texting during class time. If I see you texting, your phone gets to hang
out on my desk for the rest of the class period, and you will receive a zero for any in-class
work credit given that day.
How do you feel about academic integrity/dishonesty?
Academic integrity holds a place of utmost importance for me. Both the University and I
take academic dishonesty very seriously. Honesty and integrity are character traits that
matter and will serve you well in life. This is an opportunity to continue practicing and
embodying them as you enter a new environment. Also, it is important for you to learn
the rules, values, and expectations of the academic community in addition to abiding by
them.
The Provost website (integrity.ou.edu) provides the definitions of academic integrity,
plagiarism, and cheating that are used by all instructors, in all courses at the University of
Oklahoma. You are responsible for reading and abiding by the universitys academic
integrity code.

Violations of the code include but are not limited to:

*Cheating on examinations or assignments
*Improper collaboration (e.g. ranging from getting the answers from another student to
taking ideas from someone else)
*Submitting the same assignment for multiple classes
*Helping someone else to cheat or commit academic misconduct
*Plagiarism
Violating the code of academic integrity carries penalties up to and including expulsion
from the university. Those engaging in misconduct will receive an automatic ZERO (0)
on the project in question and will be reported for misconduct to the Academic Integrity
Panel in the Provosts office.
Note on contesting a report of misconduct: In the event of academic misconduct, I may
charge the student with either an admonition or a violation, dependent upon my
assessment of the context, details, and/or severity of the misconduct. Any student who
receives an admonition or violation has the right to contest it. To do so, the student must
contact the Student Conduct Office within 15 regular class days after receiving the
admonition or 10 class days after receiving notification of a violation. Any student who
receives a charge can deny said charge through an appeals process.
We will discuss ways to write authentically and avoid plagiarism in class. If you have
questions regarding whether something does or does not constitute plagiarism or
academic misconduct, feel free to speak to me about it.
Other Departmental Policies:
Final Exams:
We will meet for our final exam time, as required by the university. The time for your
final for this class is:
ENGL 1213-076 Thursday, May 12th. 8:00am-10:00am. CEC 119
ENGL 1213-041 Tuesday May 10th. 1:30pm- 3:30pm GIH 344
Attendance for this exam time counts like any other class period. Not attending counts as
would any other class absence.
Accessibility Statement
It is important to me that my classroom be an inclusive environment for all learners. If
you have a visible or invisible disability, think you may have one, or even simply know
that certain types of learning/content access work best for you as an individual, please let
me know so we can work together to make a plan for your success in this course.
The Disability Resource Center (DRC) offers support for students with documented
disabilities. You may contact them at drc@ou.edu or 325-3852. Feel free to contact them
without notifying me if you would prefer to keep your disability confidential.

Retention of Graded Papers

The English Department requires me to collect all graded major writing assignments by
the end of each semester, and keep them until the grade challenge period for that
semester passes.
Campus Resources:
The Writing Center
Most universities have a writing center, a place for students, faculty, and staff to meet and
talk about writing. The Writing Center here at OU is a resource I encourage you to use.
Experienced writers, including myself, seek feedback from many different readers as we
develop our ideas and texts. The writing consultants at the writing center are able to talk
with you about your writing--at any stage in the process and for any course you are
taking. I use the writing center as a place to work on my own professional writing, to
consult with peers about my drafts, and to find community with other writers.You can
make an appointment (online or by phone 325-2936) and you can drop in whenever they
are open (Wagner Hall, Room 280). I urge you to visit the web site for more information:
www.ou.edu/writingcenter.
Goddard Health Center 325-4611 http://goddard.ou.edu/
OU Counseling Services 325-2911 http://goddard.ou.edu/counselingservices.html
First-Year Composition Office 325-5927 Gittinger Hall, Room 122, fyc@ou.edu
Important Dates:
September 7
Labor Day Holiday
November 25-29 Thanksgiving Holiday
December 14-18 Final Exams Week
Release Statement:
The policies and schedule of this class are subject to change at the instructors discretion
and according to the needs of the class.

First Year Composition Policy Sheet

Attendance
Students are allowed three (3) unexcused absences per semester in a course that meets
three times a week, or two (2) in a course that meets twice a week. The penalties for
missing more than that are:

Three (3) unexcused tardies= 1 unexcused absence

Student Athletes and others engaged in Provost-approved activities must notify the
instructor should you have to miss class. You must inform the instructor of the reason for
the absence ahead of time and arrange to complete all coursework in a timely fashion.
Accessibility Statement
Disabilities can be visible and invisible, and I am dedicated to creating an inclusive
classroom environment. If you have a disability, or think you may have a disability, I
encourage you to contact me so we can work together to develop strategies for your
success. The Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides support for students with
documented disabilities, and you can contact them at drc@ou.edu or 325-3852. You may
contact DRC without notifying me if you would prefer to keep your disability
confidential.
The Writing Center
Most universities have a writing center, a place for students, faculty, and staff to meet and
talk about writing. The Writing Center here at OU is a resource I encourage you to use.
As a writer you will want to seek feedback from many different readers. The writing
consultants at the writing center are able to talk with you about your writing--at any stage
in the process and for any course you are taking. They can coach and guide you as you
brainstorm, outline or draft your writing assignments.
You can make an appointment (online or by phone) and you can drop in whenever they
are open. I urge you to visit the web site for more information: http://write.ou.edu.

Meeting for Final Examinations

All First-Year Composition courses must meet for their final examination periods.

Retention of Graded Papers

The English Department requires instructors to collect all graded major writing
assignments by the end of each semester, and keep them until the grade challenge period
for that semester has passed.

Academic Integrity

The Provosts website (integrity.ou.edu) provides the definitions of academic integrity,

plagiarism, collusion, and cheating that are used by all instructors, in all courses at the
University of Oklahoma. Each student is individually responsible for accessing, reading,
and understanding these definitions, and for conducting him- or herself in accordance
with the highest standards of academic integrity. Any concepts you do not fully
understand need to be cleared up with your instructor before you submit any work for a
grade.
The most common violation of academic integrity in First-Year Composition courses is
plagiarism, which the Provost has defined as:
1. Copying words and presenting them as your own writing.
2. Copying words (even if you give the source) without indicating that they are a direct
quotation by enclosing them in quotation marks.
3. Copying words and then changing them slightly or substituting synonyms (even if you
give the source).
4. Presenting someone elses ideas as your own, even if you change the wording.
It is also a violation of academic integrity to submit the same work for more than one
course, unless you have the express permission of both instructors.
Violations of academic integrity carry penalties up to and including expulsion from the
university.
Important note regarding contestation of misconduct: In the event of plagiarism, the
instructor may charge the student with either an admonition or an academic misconduct
charge. Any student who receives an admonition can contest it. To do so, the student
must contact the Student Conduct Office within 15 regular class days after receiving the
admonition. Any student who receives the charge can deny the charge through an
appeals process.

Campus Resources
OU Writing Center
http://www.ou.edu/writingcenter/
325-2936
Disability Resource Center
http://www.ou.edu/drc/home.html
325-3852
Goddard Health Center
http://goddard.ou.edu/
325-4611
OU Health Services:

Counseling Services
http://goddard.ou.edu/counselingservices.html
325-2911
First-Year Composition Office
www.ou.edu/fyc
Gittinger Hall, Room 122
325-5927
OU Cares
325-0841
oucares@ou.edu