Dr. Dennis Young

The syllabus is subject to change. We'll revise and fill in the details as we progress.

If there is a change in the syllabus on a day you are absent, you are responsible for finding out what the assignment is and for the day's activities. Because this is a collaborative class, absences are a problem and prevent you from becoming an organic, functioning member of the class.

Be sure to bring your text and Course Packet to every class, for we will often engage in activities listed at the end of chapters.

Papers must be turned into me in class the day they are due. Please contact me at "dyoung6@gmu.edu" or call 993-2783 if you are having trouble meeting a deadline before the paper is due.

Drafts not ready on peer review days will be reduced one letter grade. Drafts should be typed, well-worked, thoughtful pieces--not first/rough drafts.

Wed, May 30
Hello and introductions. What is this course about?
Exploring your writing. What is writing and why do it? Think about the kind of writing you have done both in and out of school.

Homework: Read John L.Munschauer, "Writing Resumes and Letters in the Language of Employers"--303; Marcia R. Fox, "The Style and Appearance of the Cover Letter"--351; Richard H. Beatty, "The Functional Resume"--356. (These chapters include sample resumes and letters of application to help your as you writer your own..)
Find a job opening in your field by looking in the Sunday Washington Post or elsewhere, cut out the advertisement and write a letter of application and include a resume.

Mon, June 4
Letter/resume due for peer review (please attach the job advertisement).
The nature of composition. What is Good Writing?

Homework: Read John Keenan, "Using PAFEO Planning"--3; Michael E. Adelstein, "The Writing Process--12; Peter Elbow, "The Direct Writing Process"--18.

Wed, June 6
Letter and resume due.
Writing out a plan for the course.
Discussion of Explaining an Idea or Procedure paper and prewriting.

Homework: Read Stuart Chase, "Gobbledygook"--62; J.C. Mathes & Dwight W. Stevenson, "Audience Analysis: The Problem and a Solution"--198.

Mon, June 11 Peer review of "Explaining paper."
Editing and revising. The art of revision and style. Collaborative activities.
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Homework: Revise Explaining paper.
Read William Zinsser, "Writing in Your Job"--70; Alan Siegel, "The Plain English Revolution"--78.

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Mon, June 18
Conferences (sign-up sheet to be given). At this conference I will meet individual with
each student to discuss Letter/Resume and "Explaining paper"; we do not meet as a class.

Homework: Malcolm Forbes, "How to Write a Business Letter"--108; David V. Lewis, "Making Your Correspondence Get Results"--112. Read essays in Course Packet as examples of Professional Concerns Paper.

Wed, June 20
The art of persuasion. Working with assumptions.
Letter of proposal due for in-class peer review.
Homework: Darrell Huff, "How to Lie with Statistics"--264; David W. Ewing, "Strategies of Persuasion"--272; Philip C. Kolin, "Proposals"--284.

Mon, June 25
Begin discussion of "Professional Concerns Paper."
A look at student writing (see Course Packet essays).

Wed, June 27
Letter of proposal due.
Researching: Using the Web and other resources.

Mon, July 2
Conferences. We will discuss letter of proposal and professional concerns paper.

Mon, July 16
Draft due of Final Review Paper for Peer Review.
Individual presentations of Final Review Paper

Final in-class writing assignment: Retrospective essay---reflecting on yourself as a writer and learner.