Materials

1. Freshman Common Reading: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Americanah (required)
2. Course Packet (required): https://libguides.brooklyn.cuny.edu/freshmancomposition/roe_erica
3. Grammar Handbook (required): https://libguides.brooklyn.cuny.edu/freshmancomposition/roe_erica

Grading Breakdown:

Attendance & Participation: 10%

This includes attendance, promptness, participation in class discussions and group work, etc.

Essays: 60%

Personal Narrative: 10 %

Summaries: 10%         

Argumentative Essay: 15%     

Compare and Contrast: 15%

In-Class Compare and Contrast 10%  

Other Assignments: 10%

This includes take-home assignments, in-class writing, and quizzes.

Final Exam: 20%

Class Participation: Our classroom is a place for discussion, which requires each student to be present, on time, and actively engaged in each class session. You are allowed 3 unexcused absences. Use them wisely and understand that your grade is docked 5% for every subsequently missed class. In extreme circumstances and religious holidays, contact me before your missed class to ensure your grade does not suffer. Arriving 15+ minutes late to class is considered excessive tardiness; being excessively tardy three times results in an absence. NOTE: Cellphones must be silenced and put away during class. The use of cellphones and other electronics is not permitted in the classroom, except under exceptional circumstances. Please inform me about these circumstances ahead of time.

Essays: You will be assigned a personal narrative (750-1000 words), two summaries (250-500 words each), an argumentative essay (1000-1250 words), a compare and contrast essay (1000-1250 words).  You will revise each of these essays.  These essays must be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point font, and formatted with one-inch margins.   In addition, you will have an in-class compare and contrast essay.  

In Class Writing Assignments: I will sporadically ask you to write in short answer or paragraph form for the first 10-15 minutes of class. These writings can vary from journals, responding to a reading, or free write.

Final Exam: English 1010 students must take a final exam. The exam is based on responses to two pieces of writing: one 5-7 page essay, distributed one week before the end of the term, and a second 1-2 page piece, distributed along with the question on the day of the exam. The exam will count for 20% of the final grade for the class. The instructor will discuss the test format in class.

LOOP workshop: All students in English 1010 will complete the required Brooklyn College library orientation, which will introduce you to the services and resources of the library, including access to and ethical use of its print and electronic resources. This workshop must be done by October 4^th.

Grading and Friendly Reminders: Essay grading is done holistically and takes into account your personal growth as a writer. I will mark off for excessive grammatical errors; however, showing that you can think critically and analyze a text is far more important to me. Be yourself and develop a writing style that is true to you as an individual. Remember; although I am grading your papers, you are not writing for me. Choose topics you are interested in. Raise questions, explore your options, and say what’s on your mind. This class is intended to give you the tools to write your best. If you are confident in your voice and passionate about your writing – you will go far!

NOTE: Essays turned in late will be penalized half a letter grade for each class meeting they are late. Late work will not be accepted after one week has passed from the original due date.  If you are unable to attend class on the date an essay is due, you are still responsible for submitting (e-mailing) the essay on the same day AND bringing a hard copy of it the next time you attend class.