BIRZEIT UNIVERSITY

Department of English Language and Literature

ENGL233 Writing I
Fall Semester 2014/2015
COURSE OUTLINE
Instructor: XXXXXXX
ENGL 233 - Section XX
Class time XX and Room XX

Office: English Department XXX

Office Hours: XXXX

Course description
Writing I is a general, core academic writing course. It emphasizes writing skills
needed in the study of literature and language, with attention to basic grammatical
structures and rhetorical modes. Close reading and critical analysis are used to
generate ideas and logical organization.
Course objectives
By the end of the course, students will be expected to:
o Read and identify the basic characteristics of common essay genres
o Understand and use a variety of rhetorical methods for developing ideasto
develop their ideas
o Develop and organize ideas effectively and logically in paragraphs and
essays
o Develop effective, logical,well-structured and well-supported arguments
o Strengthen paragraphs and essaystheir writing through a process of
continuous revision
o Demonstrate progress in writing Write paragraphs and essays free of
common grammatical errors and basic stylistic weaknesses
o Understand academic requirements related to documentation and avoiding
plagiarism
Textbook
Compiled material (to be bought at the bookstore).
Handouts and materials distributed in class and/or on Ritaj.
Course basics
Development of writing skills will be pursued through a series of progressive inclass and homework writing assignments working from the paragraph to various
essay forms, culminating with a final argumentative essay involving literary
analysis. Writing assignments will be designed to engage students in personal
reflection and close reading of selected texts. Revision and peer review will also
contribute to strengthening student writing. The final course project will allow
students to explore the full writing process from drafting to revising and editing.
This course will depend heavily on your participation; all students are expected to
actively engage in class discussions and activities. Make sure you always read and
1

BIRZEIT UNIVERSITY

Department of English Language and Literature

think about the material assigned for each session, do your assignments, and
prepare yourself fully for a class that combines the theoretical aspects of regarding
the act of writing and a consequent corresponding application and practice.
Throughout the term all students are expected to read and write English on a daily
basis both inside and outside of class; each student is required to keep a daily
journal.
Academic integrity and plagiarism
Even though you all probably know this, a reminder is necessary: plagiarism is
commonly defined as copying, without the use of a proper form of academic
documentation, the ideas or words of another.

There are essentially two kinds of plagiarism; deliberate plagiarism and accidental
plagiarism. One may sound more acceptable than the other, but the fact is that
both are equally serious academic offences. In this class, accidental and deliberate
plagiarism will be treated the same. You will be given a 0 for the first assignment
found to contain plagiarism. A second offence will result in a failing grade for the
course.
The most common acts of deliberate plagiarism involve copying another person's
work and passing it as your own. The most common acts of accidental plagiarism
involve failing to place quotation marks around another writer's words and failing
to provide the proper citation when you rely on another person's ideas.
Ritaj (Birzeit Academic Portal)
Class updates, assignments and handouts will be posted to Ritaj on a regular basis;
students should check Ritaj daily to be sure that they are keeping up with course
assignments and requirements. Students can also communicate with the instructor
through Ritaj.
Attendance
It is crucial that you attend all classes. University policy stipulates that any student
with absences double the number of weekly class sessions risks failing the course.
If you must be absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed in terms
of notes and handouts, as well as what you need to prepare for the next class. This
can be done through the aid of a classmate or by paying a short visit to my office
for information. In all cases, do not allow yourself to lose track of course work (both
in and out of class) as this will hinder your learning progress and, consequently,
your ability to succeed in the course.
Late work and make-up work
All course work should be submitted on time; late work will not generally be
accepted for this class. That said, when absolutely necessary and in accordance
with university policy, arrangements for late work and make-up exams will be
made on an individual basis. Responsibility for arrangements lies with the student.
All late work will be downgraded.
Format for papers
All outside of class assignments/essays must be typed and submitted in hard copy.
Save each essay/rough draft electronically before you print. It is your responsibility
to foresee the possibility of computer problems and formulate a plan before
disaster overtakes you.
Information obtained from all sources (on-line as well as printed) must be
cited using MLA format as instructed.

Assessment of learning
Grades are an evaluation tool used to help you gage your academic progress. As
such, they are essentially a tool for helping you to learn better. Grades are not
given by the instructor; they are earned by the student. Assessment for this course
will be based on the following guidelines:
Participation & assignments

10%

Writers journal & writers portfolio (demonstrated improvement - 5% + 5%)

10%
Student writings (descriptive paragraph, expository essay I, expository essay II,
argumentative essay)
70%
Final project
10%

Tentative Course Schedule

Weeks 1-2: Introduction to course
The writing and reading processes
Student baseline writing
Paragraph structure
Grammar check
Weeks 3-4: Descriptive and narrative essays
Subjective and objective description
Direction and support
Form and structure (objects, places, characters, events, stories)
Student writing 1
Introducing revision and peer review
Grammar check
Weeks 5-6: Comparison and contrast essayExpository essays I
From paragraph to essay
Unity and coherence
Form and structure (process, definition, example, classification)
Supporting details
Response paper 2Student writing 2
Revision and peer review
Grammar check
Weeks 7-8: Expository essays II
Using outside sources
Form and structure (comparison and contrast, cause and effect)
Student writing 3
Revision and peer review
Grammar check
4

Weeks 7-8-9-109-12: Persuasive and argumentative essays

Critical positionIdentifying and critiquing arguments and counter-arguments
Developing, supporting and refuting arguments
Form and structure (persuasion, academic argument, literary analysis?)
Forms and structure
Response paper 3
Revision and peer review
Grammar check
Weeks 11-12-13: Analytical essay
Critical reading and writing
Critical theory
Response paperStudent writing 4
Revision and peer review
Grammar check
Weeks 13-14: Final project
Final writers project
Portfolio editing and assembly
NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to change topics or the order in
which they are listed in the course outline at her discretion.