This is the SP 23 ENGL 20803 course website. Here, you will find most of the information and course material for our course including: syllabus, schedule, assignment descriptions, assessment information and tool, course material, and media (lecture presentations). I recommend bookmarking this site, because we will refer to it throughout the entire course. Please read all of the information on this site carefully and attentively.
This course is designed to provide students with practical tools for argument and writing that extend beyond the bounds of this classroom. Throughout the semester, we will focus on analysis, audience, and invention. Our goal is to understand how to construct original arguments for specific rhetorical goals that appeal to specific audiences. To achieve this goal, we will evaluate problems on and around our TCU campus and develop solutions to these problems. There will be frequent writing workshops throughout the semester and students are expected to revise their two major projects based on peer-review and instructor feedback.
Office: Reed
Office hours: T/th 11:30-12:00 and by appt.
Phone: 512-810-1178
Email: ryan.wheeler@tcu.edu
Composition
rhetoric
rhetorical goal
argument (claim/evidence)
Kairos
appeals
stasis
identification/consubstantiality
Positionality/intersectionality
audience
critical imagination
rhetorical situation
exigence
acknowledgement, accommodation, refutation
analysis/synthesis
paradigm
enthymeme
probability
relevancy
resistance
invention
Access to an internet-enabled device (laptop, tablet, smartphone, computer) and a word processor (Microsoft Word, Google Docs, etc.)
Access to a printer and scanner (available through the TCU Library)
Note: If these materials are not available to you, especially in the case that you or all of us are completing this course in a distance-learning format, it is critical that you communicate with me. We will collaborate to find alternate solutions.
Students' grades will be based on both completion and evaluation of their writing. Students will collaborate with me to evaluate all major assignments (Paper 1, P1 revision, Paper 2, and P2 revision.) The grading system is based on critical paper elements, engagement, key concepts, and meeting assignment parameters. I will assess smaller assignments based on timeliness of the submission, completion, and meeting assignment parameters. For more details, see the assignments tab.
Please note the descriptions below are an overview of the coursework we will complete. For detailed descriptions (see assignments).
Projects. Students will complete two major projects in this course.
Reading. Students will be responsible for preparing for class by reading the assigned material. These readings and course material are designed to guide our class discussions and activities. All reading for the course should be completed by Monday to inform our course discussions and zoom sessions.
Course Engagement Activities. To support your learning in the course and demonstrate that you are engaging with the course materials, you will submit a short activity each week (except when major assignments are due) by Monday. Occasionally, this may change. Always follow the syllabus. These are short, low-stakes assignments that provide space for you to think deeply about the course material.
Please note that we will be using Google Forms and other Google tools throughout this course. Please read the following notes carefully.
The form may ask for an email address. Please use your TCU email address. This will allow Google Forms to send you the answers you provided on the form so that you have a record of your responses.
All forms are supposed to autosave your responses so that you can exit the form and come back to complete it. However, this does not always happen. I highly recommend composing or copy/pasting your responses into a document and saving it. I am not responsible for lost answers. If you do lose your answers, you will have to retake the form.
Total point available: 1000 pts
Projects = 900 pts
Project 1 Rhetorical Analysis = 300
Project 2 Argumentative Paper = 300
Project 3 Remix= 300
Ongoing work = 100
CEAs = 100
10 each worth 10 pts`
Important note: All assessment forms are part of the assignment. Failure to complete the assessment form on any major assignment will automatically result in the student receiving 25% of the points for that assignment. Students who complete the form after the assignment deadline are only eligible for 70% of the points of the project.
Be sure to look at the grading and assessment policies on the General Syllabus Policies page.
"If I knew someone taking this course in the future, one piece of advice I would give them about this course to help them succeed in it would be to be as detailed as possible in the assessment forms. I would give them this piece of advice because it is critical to be detailed on these assignments so you can effectively grade collaboratively with the instructor. Without being detailed, it is hard to explain your thought process and why you may have done what you did in your paper."
"Read the materials before class. Ask questions as the concept seems to be easily i understandable in mind but can be tricky to apply them or point out where they are used. One needs to soak a lot in to understand."
"I would say that communication is key. Talking to Ryan and other members of your class will help provide clarity more often than not and result in success. Be a good participant also."
"Be sure to stay engaged during class time as it will make things a lot easier outside of class. Also, don't wait until the night before to start cea's or projects."
"to always check in with the teacher and make sure you are asking questions about the content and course schedule just to make sure you are staying on top of things"
"Read the assignments, always read the website, be punctual to class, be prepared to participate in class, and always take notes on the exercises we do in class."
"I would say make sure you go to class and turn in your assignments on time. I believe attending class greatly contributed to my overall grade in this course."
"MAKE SURE TO BE PRESENT AND PARTICIPATE in class. Come in with a creative mindset and ask questions if you are confused, especially about major assignments."
"I would just advise them to do the readings and to take good notes in class as they come in handy when doing the big projects."
"I would tell them to do the CEA's right after or before each class because they will get the best of you if you don't remember."
"Pay attention to how Ryan applies course concepts to real life examples, because you'll be doing the same in your project."
"Make sure you engage with material in the course, and if you are confused ask for clarification before it's too late."
"I would tell them to attend class, work hard on the big assignments, and spend a lot of time on the assessment form."
"Go to class. Do the readings. Turn your work in on time. Be sure to ask questions if you don't understand."
"I would say- do the readings, pay attention in class, go to workshops and review powerpoint slides."
"Keep track of due dates and do not wait until the last minute to get things done."
"Stay on top of the course website. Budget out a lot of time for the assessments."
"Be vulnerable and if you do the work which is not hard, you will be fine."
"always pick your topic very early"