English 1121: Spring 2022 – Weekly Guide

This weekly guide (or overview of the class) provides a list of each class meeting, what we will cover and discuss or do in class, your homework assignments and your major projects and their due dates. 

It is VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE that this weekly guide might change! Any changes made will be announced on OpenLab. It is your responsibility to keep up with all announced changes. What that means is, do not look ahead and do all the assignments this weekend! Wait until they are due! However, it also means that there ARE DUE DATES and reasons for these due dates. The work is cumulative. Each assignment has a purpose and much of the work is very connected. If you miss one assignment, you will not be able to actively participate in class and you will have trouble completing the next assignment. Thus, make sure not to fall behind. Speak to me if you are worried about keeping up. 

Most importantly, though! This is supposed to be an interesting, fun and academically rigorous experience. I want it to challenge you, make you think, make you learn and make you into stronger and more effective writers! 

Major Projects and Assignments

We have 3 Units this semester! In each of these units, you will complete one major writing project that will build toward your final portfolio. In Unit 1, you will explore the concept of Discourse Communities and write about one of your Discourse Communities. In Unit 2, you will begin a research and inquiry process exploring an issue related to a Discourse Community that you are a member of or are interested in that will span Units 2 and 3. In Unit 2, you will analyze and evaluate your sources and you will then write an article using the 4 sources. In Unit 3, you will create a multimodal project using your research. At the end of the semester, you will create a portfolio using the texts you created during the semester. 

Unit 1: Discourse Communities

In Unit 1, you will explore the concept of Discourse Communities and identify one DC that you are a part of. You will research the discourse community, find an important artifact to the DC and finally write an essay about the DC. 

*Project 1: Discourse Communities

You will write a 1000 word essay about your Discourse Community introducing it to an outsider.

Unit  2: Finding Your Beat: Writing a Feature Article

You will begin a research and inquiry process that will span Units 2 and 3. 

*Project 2: Finding Your Beat: Writing a Feature Article

You will research an issue of great interest to you! You will find “your beat!” You will prepare a short oral presentation on your research, analyze and evaluate your 4 sources and then write a feature article on the topic of your choosing that is between 1400-1600 words.

Unit 3: Multimodal Repurposing

In Unit 3, you will repurpose the research you compiled in Unit 2 and create a multimodal project using the genre/ medium to best reach your intended audience.

*Project 3: Multimodal Repurposing

Using your research from Unit 2, you will create a multimodal piece in a genre that you feel best reaches your intended audience. You will also write an accompanying artist’s statement. Together, the two pieces will be at least 1,500 words.

Final Portfolio

For your final portfolio you will compile a revised and edited version of all of your projects and your Units 1 and 2 Reflections. You will also write a 500 word final reflection that looks back on your writing experience over the course. 

PROJECT DUE DATES

PROJECT 1: Discourse Community Analysis

  • Project 1 DRAFT Due March 7th 
  • Project 1 FINAL Due MARCH 14th
  • Unit 1 Reflection Due MARCH 14th

PROJECT 2: Article

  • Oral presentation Due March 30th
  • Rhetorical Analysis and Evaluation Worksheet Due March 30th
  • Project 2 Draft Due April 25th
  • Project 2 Final Due May 2nd
  • Unit 2 Reflection Due May 2nd

PROJECT 3: Multimodal Text and Artist’s Statement

  • Project 3 Proposal May 4th
  • Project 3 Final Due May 16th

FINAL PORTFOLIO

  • Final Portfolio (with Final Reflection) Due May 23rd

INTRODUCTION 

INTRO, Day 1: Monday, Jan. 31st

In Class

  • Visit and Join Class Website
  • Practice Using the Class Website
  • Review the Course Syllabus
  • Review the Course Weekly Assignments and Projects
  • PowerPoint

Homework

  • WRITE: an introductory post on OpenLab 
    • Use the questions / prompts on the OpenLab as a guide. Introduce yourself to us! 
    • Check back in on the class website and see what other people are saying, and to receive full credit reply to a couple of people. It’s nice to know we’re not alone!

INTRO, Day 2: Wednesday, Feb. 2nd

In Class

  • PowerPoint
  • Discuss our Introductory Post
  • Take a quick Technology Survey!
  • Listen to “(Un)learning My Name” by Mohamed Hassan and discuss
  • Read “Zayn Malik and the Songs that Bring Us to Prayer” by Hanif Willis-Abdurraqi and discuss
  • Write a brief response to the two in-class texts! 

Homework

INTRO, Day 3: Monday, Feb. 7th

In Class

Homework

INTRO, Day 4: Wednesday, Feb. 9th

In Class

Homework

  • Read “Understanding Discourse Communities” by Dan Melzer and write a response to the questions about the reading on OpenLab. Be prepared to discuss the reading in class. 
  • Respond to at LEAST ONE Classmate! 

 UNIT 1 (Discourse Communities)

Unit 1, Day 1: Monday, Feb. 14th

In Class

  • PowerPoint
  • Introduction to Unit 1: Discourse Communities
  • Review diagnostic essay
  • Review and discuss “Understanding Discourse Communities” by Dan Melzer
  • Brainstorm lists of our DCs
  • Introduce Project 1
  • Choose a DC!

Homework

  • Read “Don’t Eat Before Reading This” by Anthony Bourdain and write a response on OpenLab. Make sure to respond to at least one classmate! 
  • Make sure you choose a Discourse Community! Begin to think about how/ why it meets the criteria of a Discourse Community! 
  • Make sure you added your Discourse Community to the class list here. Check back and make sure that Prof. Coleman approved the DC! Here is the link. 

UNIT 1, Day 2: Wednesday, Feb. 16th

In Class

Homework

UNIT 1, Day 3: Wed. Feb. 23rd

In Class

  • PowerPoint
  • Review Navigating Genres by Kerry Dirk in Small Groups! 
  • Project 1: Task 3: Analyze an Artifact  
  • Choose an artifact and analyze it! 

Homework

  • Find one artifact from your Discourse Community. The artifact might provide information about the DC’s way to communicate, values or goals, specific lexis, etc.
    • The artifact should provide information about the Discourse Community or be meaningful to the community. 
    • Examples of artifacts: an interview with a member of the community, a song, a speech, an example of the DCs publications (brochure, newsletter), letters, a poem, a book, biography/ autobiography, a tattoo, memes) 
  • Fill out the Discourse Community Artifact Analysis worksheet. OpenLab Link | Google Docs Link 

UNIT 1, Day 4: Mon. Feb. 28th

In Class

  • PowerPoint
  • In small groups, we will review each of your Artifact Analysis sheets
  • Project 1: Task 4: Write about It!
  • Dig into the Elements of an Analysis (as a genre)
  • Strategies for getting started!

Homework

  • Project 1 DRAFT DUE Mon. March 7th! Cannot be late if you want me to comment/ review your draft!
  • Link for submitting draft. Please submit via Google Docs. Title the document: YOURNAME.Project1Draft

UNIT 1, Day 5: Wed. March 2nd 

In Class

  • PowerPoint
  • Review the elements of an analytical essay
  • Draft essay 

Homework

  • Project 1 DRAFT DUE Mon. March 7th! Cannot be late if you want me to comment/ review your draft!
  • Link for submitting draft. Please submit via Google Docs. Title the document: YOURNAME.Project1Draft

UNIT 1, Day 6: Mon. March 7th

In Class

Homework

  • Project 1 Final Draft Due Mon. March 14th. Here is the link for submitting. 
  • Unit 1 Reflection Due Mon. March 14th

UNIT 1, Day 7: Wed. March 9th

In Class

  • PowerPoint
  • Wrapping Up, Sharing and Celebration of Project 1! 
  • Finish revising and editing in class
  • Small group check-in sessions

Homework

  • Project 1 Final Draft Due Mon. March 14th
  • Unit 1 Reflection Due Mon. March 14th

UNIT 2 (Finding Your Beat: Writing a Feature Article)

UNIT 2, Day 1: Mon. March 14th

In Class

  • PowerPoint
  • Introduction to Unit 2: Finding Your Beat: Writing a Feature Article
  • Introduction to Project 2
  • Read “Freewriting Exercises” by Peter Elbow and discuss

Homework

  • Choose a TOPIC for Project 2. Record your topic on OpenLab. Check to see if Prof. C approved the topic! 
  • Free write on your topic. Write a 100-250 word free write on your topic. You do not have to do any research, just write what comes to mind! Here are the two questions you should use to drive your writing: What do you know about the topic? What would you like to learn about the topic? Post your response on OpenLab.

 

UNIT 2, Day 2: Wed. March 16th

In Class

  • PowerPoint
  • Develop research questions and create a KWL chart on our topics
  • Discuss Genre, Rhetorical Situation (Audience, Purpose) and Rhetorical Appeals (ethos, pathos and logos) 
  • Discuss the elements of the genre of a feature article
  • Look at closely at an example of a feature article – “American Never Wanted the Tired, Poor Huddled Masses” by Caitlin Dickerson

Homework

  • Read “American Never Wanted the Tired, Poor Huddled Masses” by Caitlin Dickerson and write a response on OpenLab. (Due Wed)
  • Create a KWL Chart about Your BEAT! What do you already know about your beat? What would you like to know more about? Make sure to think about what we discussed about crafting research questions when writing the W column!

 

UNIT 2, Day 3: Mon., March 21st

In Class

  • Library Visit! 
  • Share out about library visit

Homework

 

UNIT 2, Day 4: Wed. March 23rd

In Class

Homework

  • Find 3 additional sources for your project. 
  • For EACH source write down:
    1. The title and author of your source
    2. The genre of your sources (be VERY specific) 
    3. The proper MLA citation of your source
    4. The reason you think this source might be helpful–explain WHAT research question it answers or what piece of information it provides that might be useful. THINK fact, statistic, data, story, etc. .

UNIT 2, Day 5: Mon. March 28th

In Class

  • PowerPoint
  • Discuss how to analyze and evaluate your 4 sources and practice with model text
  • Discuss how to prepare brief oral/ written Presentation of your research for Wednesday

Homework

  • Complete the Source Evaluation and Analysis Sheet for AT LEAST 2 of your 4 sources (preferably all 4!!). You can either post on OpenLab. Here is the link.  OR Complete the sheet in Google Docs and share with me. Here is the link to a Google Doc template.
  • Be prepared to present your research to the class on Wednesday.

UNIT 2, Day 6: Wed. March 30th

In Class

  • PowerPoint
  • Share / Present Research with the class 
  • Discuss how to integrate information from multiple sources (summarize, paraphrase, quote)

Homework

  • Complete the Source Evaluation and Analysis Sheet for ALL 4 of your sources . You can either post on OpenLab. Here is the link. OR Complete the sheet in Google Docs and share with me. Here is the link to a Google Doc template. 
  • Begin to synthesize information from your 4 sources by paraphrasing, summarizing and selecting quotes from your 4 sources to answer your research questions.

UNIT 2, Day 7: WED April 6th

In Class

  • In Class
    • PowerPoint
    • Discuss how to merge information from multiple sources by : quoting, paraphrasing and summarizing from your sources!
    • Discuss how to choose a mentor article and model publication and how to use the mentor article as a guide for writing
    • Plan for Drafting: Prepare and organize research!

    Homework

    • Read “Using Sources Ethically” by Marcia Muth write a response on OpenLab
    • Synthesize information from your 4 sources by paraphrasing, summarizing and selecting quotes from your 4 sources to answer your research questions Record your findings on OpenLab. 
    • Choose a Mentor Article to use as a guide when writing your own article and also record it on OpenLab and choose a model publication for your article. 

UNIT 2: Day 8: Mon. April 11th

In Class

  • PowerPoint
  • Discuss  “Using Sources Ethically” by Marcia Muth 
  • Discuss elements of a “Nut Graf” paragraph 
  • Begin to draft feature article

Homework

  • Draft Due April 25th || Final Due May 2nd

UNIT 2, Day 9: Wed. April 13th

In Class

Homework

  • Draft Due April 25th || Final Due May 2nd

 

**SPRING BREAK**

Unit 2, Day 10: Mon. April 25th

In Class

  • PowerPoint
  • Revise and Edit Feature Article
  • Plan for Unit 2 Reflection

Homework

  • DUE MONDAY May 2nd:
    • Project 2 : Step 3 – Source Analysis and Evaluation. HERE is the link to where you submitted on OpenLab
    • Final Version of Project 3: Your FEATURE ARTICLE! (1400-1600 words
    • Unit 3 Reflection (250 Words)
    • Link to submit source analysis and evaluation,  unit 2 reflection and Project 3. REMEMBER To title each YOURNAME.FILENAME (for example: RebekahColeman.SourceAnalysisandEvaluation)

UNIT 3: New Audience- New Genre

UNIT 3, Day 1: Wed. April 27th

In Class

  • PowerPoint
  • Introduction to Unit 3
  • Introduction to Project 3
  • Define and discuss and explore different Multimodal Texts

Homework

  • DUE MONDAY May 2nd:
    • Project 2 : Step 3 – Source Analysis and Evaluation. HERE is the link to where you submitted on OpenLab
    • Final Version of Project 3: Your FEATURE ARTICLE! (1400-1600 words
    • Unit 3 Reflection (250 Words)
    • Link to submit source analysis and evaluation,  unit 2 reflection and Project 3. REMEMBER To title each YOURNAME.FILENAME (for example: RebekahColeman.SourceAnalysisandEvaluation)

UNIT 3, Day 2: Mon. May 2nd

In Class

  • PowerPoint
  • Review and Analyze Additional Examples of Multimodal Texts
  • Introduce the Project 3 Proposal

Homework

  • Write the Project 3 Proposal 

UNIT 3, Day 3: Wed. May 4th

In Class

  • PowerPoint
  • Explore additional Multimodal Texts
  • Talk about the ELEMENTS to include in a multimodal text 
  • Discuss HOW / the TOOLS to add digital and audio and visual  and spacal features
  • Discuss HOW to add rhetorical appeals
  • Begin STEP 2 of Project 3: Drafting!!

Homework

  • Draft Multimodal Text

UNIT 3, Day 4: Mon. May 9th

In Class

Homework

  • DRAFT your multimodal text! 

UNIT 3, Day 5: Wed. May 11th

In Class

Homework

  • FINAL PROJECT 3 (Multimodal and Artist’s / Author’s Statement) DUE May 11th

 

FINAL PORTFOLIO

FINAL PORTFOLIO: Mon. May 16th

In Class

  • PowerPoint
  • What is a portfolio?
  • What do I include in my portfolio? 
  • How do I submit my portfolio?
  • Final Reflection – Overview

Homework

  • Final Portfolio Due May 23rd 

 

FINAL PORTFOLIO: Wed. May 18th

In Class

  • Time for questions / Individual check- ins
  • Portfolio revisions and edits
  • Crafting a final reflection

Homework

  • Final Portfolio Due May 23rd 

 

FINAL PORTFOLIO: Mon. May 23rd

In Class

  • Sharing and celebrating!