ENGL 1550 - Writing 1
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 04, CRN 40407,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Courtney Poullas
Email: cmpoullas01@ysu.edu
Course Description
1550. Writing 1. This course develops an awareness of writing processes and provides strategies for generating ideas, drafting, giving and receiving feedback, revising, and editing. Students analyze texts in light of specific audiences, purposes, and contexts and develop critical skills in reading, thinking, and writing. Students write a minimum of 5,000 words (approximately 20 double-spaced pages) cumulatively across the major assignments and incorporate sources into their writing. English 1550 is the first of two required composition courses in the general education core. Grading is ABCDF but must earn a "C" or better to satisfy the General Education requirement and continue to ENGL 1551 or ENGL 1551H. English 1550 is three semester hours. Prereq.: Placement by ACT/SAT test results OR Composition Placement Test results. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | The Norton Field Guide to Writing with Readings and Handbook, 7e | Multiple | 978-1324087632 |
The ebook version of your required text is included in your course fees. Please do not attempt to purchase otherwise until after the first day of class. The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
The following readings from your course text are required. It is strongly recommended that you choose a novel of at least 250 pages to read throughout the semester, but this is not required.
- Week 1: Chapter 5
- Week 2: Chapters 1, 2, 4
- Week 3: Chapters 7-10
- Week 4: Chapters 27-29
- Week 5: Chapter 6
- Week 7: Chapters 30 and 31
- Week 9: Chapters 32-34
- Week 10: Chapter 13
- Week 13: Chapter 40
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Norton Field Guide Chapter 5 | Introductions (course, instructor, materials, processes, each other) and growth mindset |
Due 8/26 at 10am: InQuizitive for Writers: How to Use InQuizitive Due 8/30 at 11:59pm: Syllabus/Schedule Test Quiz #1: Ch 5 |
| 8/31 | Norton Field Guide Chapter 1 Norton Field Guide Chapter 2 Norton Field Guide Chapter 4 |
Effective emails, academic literacy | Due 9/6 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 1,2 and 4 Five Emails |
| 9/7 | Norton Field Guide Chapter 7 Norton Field Guide Chapter 8 Norton Field Guide Chapter 9 Norton Field Guide Chapter 10 |
The rhetorical situtation | Due 9/13 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 7-10 Adapting to the Rhetorical Situation |
| 9/14 | Norton Field Guide Chapter 27 Norton Field Guide Chapter 28 Norton Field Guide Chapter 29 |
The writing process and major assignment 1 introduction: reflective analysis | Due 9/20 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 27-28-29 |
| 9/21 | Norton Field Guide Chapter 6 | Writing ethically with AI | Due 9/25 at 11:59pm: AI Collaboration Practice: Note Friday due date Due 9/27 at 11:59pm: AI Usage Evaluation Reflection Quiz: Ch 6 Writing with Generative AI |
| 9/28 | Major assignment 1 pre-writing | Due 10/4 at 11:59pm: MA1 Reflective Analysis: Pre-Writing |
|
| 10/5 | Norton Field Guide Chapter 30 Norton Field Guide Chapter 31 |
Reflective analysis first draft, peer review, feedback journal entry 1 | Due 10/11 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 30, 31 |
| 10/12 | Effective feedback, major assignment 1 peer review | ||
| 10/19 | Norton Field Guide Chapter 32 Norton Field Guide Chapter 33 Norton Field Guide Chapter 34 |
Major assignment one second draft | Due 10/25 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 32, 33, 34 MA1: Reflective Analysis 2nd Draft |
| 10/26 | Norton Field Guide Chapter 13 | Introduction and pre-writing for major assignment 2: textual analysis | Due 10/28 at 11:59pm: Journal: MA2 Ad/Sponsor/Topic Confirmation. Due by Wednesday. |
| 11/2 | Major assignment 2 first draft and peer review | Due 11/1 at 11:59pm: MA2 Pre-Writing Quiz: Ch 13 |
|
| 11/9 | Major assignment 2 second draft | ||
| 11/16 | Norton Field Guide Chapter 40 | Major assignment 2: compare and contract | Due 11/15 at 11:59pm: MA2 2nd Draft |
| 11/23 | Student/instructor conferences -- we do not meet as a class this week | Due 11/22 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 40 "Comparing and Contrasting" Due 11/23 before 11:59:19pm: Feedback Journal: Exercise your metacognition (and is that a new vocab word?) Due 11/22 at 11:59pm: MA 3 Compare and Contrast (you vs AI) Due 11/22 before 11:59:59pm: MA3 Daily Journal: Extra Credit up to 20 points Due 11/28 before 11:59:59pm: Vocabulary Journal: Activate your intellectual curiosity |
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| 11/30 | Semester wrap-up | Due 11/29 at 11:59pm: Complete: Final Reflection Slideshow |
|
| 12/7 | Finals week - we do not meet as a class and no work is due! | Due 12/6 at 11:59pm: Writing 1 Key Principles: Test Final Reflective Essay |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.