Instructor: Dr. Paul M. Rogers

Course Syllabus | English 489
Advanced Nonfiction Writing
Fall 2008 | Aug 25, 2008 - Dec 17, 2008
Wednesday 7:20-10:00 pm
Class Location: Robinson Hall B202
Office Location: Science and Tech 1 Room 113
Office Hours: Wednesdays from 5:00-7:00 or by appointment
Office Phone: 703-993-9124 | Cell Phone: 805-729-6427
                     The best way to contact me is via email: progers2@gmu.edu

Course Description

English 489 is a workshop course, which includes intensive practice in advanced nonfiction writing, and emphasizes writing for publication.  As a follow up to English 309 or 399, this class aims to increase expertise in analysis and writing, emphasizing rhetorical techniques and strategies, knowledge of forms and genres, writing processes, and research.  As part of a portfolio of writing, participants will work to develop a paper suitable for submission.  Toward that end, we will read and analyze published work, examine research on professional writing, study principles of rhetoric and style, practice collaboration and peer review, and engage in intensive revision and editing. 

Texts

Required:

1. Silvia, Paul.  How to Write a Lot. 2007, American Psychological Association, ISBN 978-1591477433.
2. Williams, Joseph.  Style: The Basics of Clarity and Grace (3nd Edition).  2008, Longman, ISBN 978-0321330857.
3. Articles will be posted on Ereserves or distributed in class.

 Major Activities

This course is about writing non-fiction work with an eye towards publication; you should be prepared to work through the various stages of the writing process, especially revision and editing.  It will be important for you to bring the latest draft of your writing to each class, as we’ll frequently work on these pieces in class.

1. Publication assessment.  In this assignment, you will study and report on the magazine, newspaper, journal, or other venue where you hope to submit your finished work.
2. Author investigation. This assignment asks you to investigate the writing processes and writing style of an author whose work inspires you.  You will report to the class about the author’s work, focusing primarily on their work at the level of the whole discourse, the paragraph, and the sentence.
3. Responding to others’ work.  Each week you will be responsible for reading and responding to the work of one or more classmates; these responses will be discussed in class.  A protocol for responding will be provided.
4. Drafting articles for publication. Your final portfolio will include pieces in various stages of the writing process, focusing on at least one major piece, which you will be sending out for publication.  Naturally, this will involve idea generation, planning, pre-writing, and composing.  You will be required to write:
1. A query letter
2. A review article
3. An op-ed piece
4. A major manuscript suitable for publication e.g., a news or feature story.
5. (You may negotiate alternative assignments with me.)
5. Revising your own writing.  We will engage in several in-class workshops to help you do this.  These will include strategies for analyzing and revising your own draft, including work on audience, structure, clarity, and style.  You will submit drafts and revisions along with reflective notes on changes you’ve made in your portfolio and with drafts.
6. Writing journal. Throughout the semester you will keep a writing journal in which you will record reflections on your writing activities.  Your journal will include a variety of entries including a chart, narrative reflections, and other organizational tools e.g. schedule, goals, and progress log.

Grading

Writing is hard work, and you will receive a grade based on your efforts in this class, rather than whether or not you have your writing published.  If you attend all of the sessions, participate fully, and complete all of the course activities satisfactorily I am confident you will receive a good grade in this class.  Outstanding effort will result in a higher grade, in particular thoughtfulness in responding to the work of others, which comprises the main activity of the course.  Please arrive prepared and on time with substantive comments prepared using our protocols.  In doing so you are extending the collegial courtesy to others that you would want us (or professional reviewers) to extend to you.

Your final portfolio will include all of the writing should include all of the writing you do for this course, including your writing journal, smaller assignments, like the review assignments, in class writing, etc... Yes, I want it all!                              
        

Students with Disabilities

The George Mason University Office of Disability Services (ODS)<http://ods.gmu.edu> provides a wide array of academic support services to eligible students with documented disabilities.  If you have a disability and would like to discuss accommodations, please contact them directly at 703-993-2474 or via email, and/or talk to me as soon as possible.

Academic Integrity

Students at George Mason are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic conduct. Plagiarism, cheating, or falsification of any work will not be tolerated. It is expected that students attending George Mason University understand and subscribe to the ideal of academic integrity, and are willing to bear individual responsibility for their work. Any work (written or otherwise) submitted to fulfill an academic requirement must represent a student's original work. Any act of academic dishonesty such as cheating or plagiarism, will subject a person to University disciplinary action. Using or attempting to use materials, information, study aids, or commercial "research'' services not authorized by the instructor of the course constitutes cheating. Representing the words, ideas, or concepts of another person without appropriate attribution is plagiarism. Whenever another person's written work is utilized, whether it be a single phrase or longer, quotation marks must be used and sources cited. Paraphrasing another's work, i.e., borrowing the ideas or concepts and putting them into one's "own'' words, must also be acknowledged. Although a person's state of mind and intention will be considered in determining the University response to an act of academic dishonesty, this in no way lessens the responsibility of the student.

Tentative Schedule (subject to change)

Late Work

I do not accept late work.  Meeting deadlines is a key element of professional publication. 

A Final Word