Spring 2022 ENG 1121
OUTLINE of major UNIT assignments with goals (subject to revision)

UNIT 1: “Language and Literacy” 

  1. A higher-level consciousness of how you previously, and currently, use language as a means of communication
  2. Awareness of with whom you are using language – “different kinds of English”; “discourse communities”
  3. Translating a self state or an external issue into linguistic communication

Capstone Assignment: “Locating YourSelf by Your Name” a 1,000-word paper which creates an awareness of discourse community and how we find ourselves centered in various linguistic locations.

Weekly Assignments: Readings in writing theory, writing pedagogy, and discourse community; responses to writing prompts on a weekly basis that generate new pathways for language use and encourage vocabulary development; short quizzes and in-class activities that create dialogue and lay the basis for a safe community of writers and responders. Length range: various (app. 150–400 words each)

UNIT 2: “Research, Reliability, and Audience”

  1. Students become fluent in the concept of the Discourse Community and understand and can articulate the concept to themselves, each other.
  2. Students gain Online research skills and an awareness of speaker and agenda
  3. Students become fluent in lateral reading and other COR (Civic Online Reasoning) skills
  4. Students reach a larger audience with an arguable issue in their discourse community

Capstone Assignment: “Op-Ed Guest Essay.” 1,200 words, minimum. This assignment explores an arguable issue within the student’s discourse community, and brings it to a larger audience; augmented with a Works Cited page with short annotation. Due date: April 7. 

Weekly Assignments: Readings in writing theory and videos and reading on discourse community; responses to writing prompts on a weekly basis; breakout room and group activities in research that engage COR standards. Length range: various (app. 150–400 words each)

UNIT 3: Reaching a New Audience: A Multi-Modal Composition

  1. Students gain an understanding of how to reach a new audience
  2. Students understand what it means to compose in a new genre
  3. Modal Composition

Examples of mulit-modal genres include: Podcast, travel video, colorful and illustrated brochure or poster, original song, rap, …the list is almost endless, but does NOT include PowerPoint.

Capstone Assignment: Word limit is N/A with regards to the actual project; students must submit an “Artist Statement” along with the project of 750 words. Due date: May 6.

Weekly Assignments: Readings in writing theory and videos on multi-modal composition; responses to writing prompts on a weekly basis that will increase genre awareness; breakout room and group activities. Note: there is more independent student work in this Unit. “Lab” time may be given during class periods. Length range: various (app. 150–400 words each)

UNIT 4: Final Portfolio and Reflection

  1. Student looks back on their journey as a learner
  2. Student revises their major assignments, and shows their most professional effort of the year
  3. Student explains their challenges and how they faced them

Capstone Assignment: A Final Portfolio including all 3 Capstone Assignments, along with an additional written Final Reflection of 1,000 words.

The final reflection is integrated into the Final Portfolio, all of which is due: May 15 at 5PM.

All the above can be found in this printable document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Gn-Pc37ozDuGbuG5bdxvPTuL3O-o0MaOoYskzI7oTTU/edit#