Course Description:
Writing College Papers is a course designed to teach effective writing at the college level. You will learn composition and organization skills that will enable you to write better and more confidently. Effective writing is a process that requires thought and practice beyond the classroom. For successful achievement in this course, you must actively participate in your own instruction.

Course Objectives:

• To become better and more confident writers.
• To develop greater control of the writing process (invention, drafting, revision, & proofing).
• To learn critical thinking, analysis, and argumentation skills.
• To work productively in peer revision groups.
• To develop skills in computer-assisted writing and research.
• To learn research and documentation skills.
• To develop a better understanding of the conventions of standard American English (spelling, punctuation, grammar, capitalization, etc.).

Requirements/Grading:

• Major Essays (60%)
• Assignments / Presentations / Peer Review /In-class Exercises and Discussion/Final Exam (40%)

100% - 93%  =  A                     77%  -  73%  =  C
92%  - 90% =  A-                      72%  -  70%  =  C-
89%  - 88%  =  B+                     69%  -  68%  =  D+
87%  - 83% =  B                        67%  -  63%  =  D
82%  - 80% =  B-                       62%  -  60%  =  D-
79%  - 78% =  C+                      Below 60%   =  F

Tardy Addendum:
Terminology
Tardy: You arrive late for class but less than five minutes late for class.
Absent: You don't show-up for class, or you show-up five minutes (or longer) late for class.  (See Student Handbook for Absence Policy.)

Policy
If you arrive after the bell rings, you will be counted tardy.  If you accumulate three tardies, you will lower your final grade by 3%.  For every tardy after the first three, your grade is lowered an additional 3%.

For example, if you were earning 83% (B) and you were late three times, you would lower your grade to 80% (B-).  If you were late one more time, you would lower your grade to 77%, which is a C.

Late Papers:
Situations sometimes arise when you are unable to turn in your out-of-class papers on time. This is not good. Your paper is lowered one letter grade for every day it is late (unless an acceptable excuse is provided). You should notify me that your paper will be late as soon as possible.

All Assignments:
All assignments should be typed and double-spaced. All final drafts for essays must be printed on a laser quality printer. And, of course, all assignments must be handed in on time. I don't accept late assignments. Please see my late paper policy above.

Academic Dishonesty Policy:
Individuals are expected to show honesty in meeting their academic obligations. Examples of violating conduct include cheating on assignments or examinations and plagiarizing. Probable sanction: course sanctions, probation, suspension, or expulsion. Students must provide evidence of significant invention and revision if requested to do so.

Special Learning Needs:
Every attempt will be made to accommodate qualified students with disabilities. If you are a student with a documented disability, please see me as early in the term as possible to discuss necessary accommodations.