Classroom: H308; email: jmcmahon@elcamino.edu
Website: Breakthrough Writer: http://herculodge.typepad.com/breakthrough_writer/
Required Texts: Acting out Culture, edited by James Miller; Cooked by Louis Jeff Henderson; Rules for Writers by Diana Hacker.
Success in McMahon’s Class Is Predicated on Three Major Components:
One.
Turn in 4 five-page research papers with correct MLA format ON TIME.
Research Papers (all 4 of your essays) have a minimum of 4 sources,
which can include Signs of Life in the USA, my lecture notes,
interviews, and online sources.
Two. Do the reading assignments so
that you can write a one-paragraph response that is cohesive, coherent
and well developed in the five surprise closed-book reading tests.
Three. Show up on time to 90% of the classes. Missing 3 out of 30 classes is 90%.
Grading (based on mandatory 24 pages):
Four Research 5-Page Research Papers: 200 for 800 points, 80% of your grade
Five Surprise Closed-Book Reading Exams that are a 1-page paragraph, 40 each, 200 points, 20% of your grade
Grand Total: 1,000 points.
Policies:
You
cannot make-up surprise closed-book reading exams. If you miss one, you
lose 25 points. The reading tests are designed to encourage consistent
attendance and reading. A class with lousy attendance and “no
readership” is a class low in morale.
Late Papers: Reduce one full grade ; no late papers accepted once new set of essays is due.
Research
Papers should be approximately 1,000 words, 12 font, Times New Roman,
page numbers, name, and essay title in upper right hand corner (headers
in Microsoft View) and Works Cited should have minimum 3 sources and
spacing using MLA format.
Revisions: You may revise one paper for
10-30 pts. depending on the quality of the rewrite. Revision must be
turned in one week after original due date.
If your research paper has no headers, your last name and page number on every page, your essay will be deducted 20 points.
If your research paper has no Works Cited page, you’ll lose 40 points.
Student Learning Objectives:
1. Compose a clear introductory paragraph relevant to the topic.
2. Compose a clearly defined thesis statement that limits and focuses the topic of the essay.
3. Organize information to be used in the development of one's own thesis.
4. Write logically developed, organized paragraphs that support the controlling idea or thesis.
5. Develop and use varied sentence patterns effectively.
6. Use transitional words, phrases, and sentences to provide for coherence between and within paragraphs.
7. Choose and effectively use a rhetorical strategy appropriate to the topic.
8. Develop a conclusion that effectively closes the essay.
9. Paraphrase and summarize referenced material.
10. Incorporate direct quotes into one’s own exposition.
11. Use MLA documentation guidelines.
12. Avoid plagiarism.
13.Write
an out-of-class writing task and find multiple sources related to a
particular topic, write a research report, which shows the ability to
support a thesis using analysis, to synthesize and integrate materials
effectively from a variety of sources, and to cite sources in MLA
format (including a works cited page). The report is organized,
technically correct in paragraph composition, sentence structure,
grammar, spelling and word use, and demonstrates thoughtful treatment
of the topic.
Reading and Writing Schedule
August 31 Introduction. How to Write Successful Paragraphs for the Quizzes
September 2 Cooked 1-39
September 7 Holiday
September 9 Cooked 40-100
September 14 Cooked 101-159
September 16 Cooked 160-end
September 21 Essay 1 due in my office for first half of students
September 23 Essay 1 due in my office for second half of students
September 28 The Big Organic 174-196
September 30 The Wages of Sin 192-203
October 5 Add Cake, Subtract Self-Esteem 217-230
October 7 Unspeakable Conversations 92-108
October 12 Watching Torture in Prime Time 109-113
October 14 Mate de Coca 235-248
October 19 Essay 2 due from second half of students
October 21 Essay 2 due from first half of students
October 26 This Mess 333-341
October 28 AWOL in America 358-367
November 2 War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning 368-379
November 4 Love and War in Cyberspace 380-397
November 9 Return of the Madhouse 419-427
November 11 Baby Genius Edutainment Industry 450-471
November 16 Essay 3 due from first half of students
November 18 Essay 3 due from second half of students
November 23 From Degrading to De-grading 472-483
November 25 Against School 506-514
November 30 Hopelessly Hooked on Help 543-555
December 2 Big World 628-643
December 7 Consultations in my office
December 9 Consultations in my office
December 14 Essay 4 from second half of students
December 16 Essay 4 from first half of students
Writing Assignments
Essay One
In the context of Cooked by Jeff Henderson, write an extended definition of the word “redemption.” Your first page should be a personal anecdote of someone who experienced the Fall followed by redemption.
Your second paragraph should transition your essay to your thesis paragraph in which you define redemption. Your definition should contain a single-sentence definition followed by about 5 distinguishing characteristics, your mapping components or mapping statements. Your body paragraphs will correspond to your mapping components.
Your research sources should include the book Cooked, McMahon’s website The Breakthrough Writer and one other outside source.
Essays Two, Three, and Four will be generated from Acting Out Culture’s appendix material at the end of each selection.
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