ENGL 1550 - Writing 1
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 16, CRN 40412,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Frank Bell
Email: fpbell@student.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 + Handbook (7th edition, included with your course fees) |
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
| Day | Date | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 8/24 | None | Syllabus and Introductions Introduce Semester Goals Assignment |
None |
| Wed | 8/26 | Chapter 27: Process of Writing | In Class Assignment Discussion about Ch 27 Introduce Major Assignment 1 |
None |
| Fri | 8/28 | Chapter 29: Generating Ideas and Text | Brainstorming activity for Major Assignment 1 Discussion on the reading PowerPoint/Discussion on literacy Narratives |
Semester Goal Assignment Due before class on Monday the 31st Brainstorming Assignment due before class on Monday the 31st |
| Mon | 8/31 | Chapter 4: Developing Academic Habits of Mind | Discussion on the reading Discuss Idea draft for MA1 |
Assignments from last week due before class Idea Draft due before class on Wednesday 9/9 |
| Wed | 9/2 | Chapter 45: Narrating | Discuss the reading Time to work on Idea drafts |
None |
| Fri | 9/4 | "My First Language" (682-684) "Sometimes the 'Tough Teen' Is Quietly Writing Stories" (674-676) |
Discussion on Norton literacy narratives Work on Drafts for MA 1 |
None Drafts for MA 1 are due next Friday the 11th |
| Mon | 9/7 | No Class | ||
| Wed | 9/9 | Chapters 7-9: Purpose, Audience, and Genre | PowerPoint on these chapters and discussion Time to work on drafts for MA 1 |
Idea Draft due before class today |
| Fri | 9/11 | None | Discussion about Peer Review Discussion about the writing center and library Time to ask questions about your papers |
First Drafts Due before class (500 words) |
| Mon | 9/14 | None | Peer Review! | None |
| Wed | 9/16 | Chapter 33: Getting Response and Revising | Discussion on Feedback Peer Review Questions about Instructor Feedback Introduce Feedback Reflection |
None |
| Fri | 9/18 | Chapter 34 Editing and Proofreading | Discuss feedback and peer review Look over your feedback Time to work on Drafts |
Peer Reviews Due Peer Review Feedback due before class on 9/21 |
| Mon | 9/21 | None | Revisions discussion Work on Papers Ask me questions! |
Major Assignment 1 is due on Wednesday! |
| Wed | 9/23 | None | Survey on Major Assignment 1 Introduce MA 2 |
Major Assignment 1 is due at 11:59 |
| Fri | 9/25 | Chapter 13: Analyzing Texts | Discussion on the reading In Class assignment |
In Class Assignment due by the end of class |
| Mon | 9/28 | None | "What Does My Headscarf Mean to You” Ted Talk Discussion on Ted Talk Go over Idea Draft for MA 2 |
None |
| Wed | 9/30 | Chapter 50: Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing | Discussion on chapters In class assignment |
In class assignment due by midnight Idea draft due by class Friday 10/2 |
| Fri | 10/2 | None | Discussion on Summary vs Analysis | Idea Draft before Class |
| Mon | 10/5 | Chapter 30: Organizing Your Writing, Guiding Your Readers | Discussion on reading In class assignment Time to work on Draft for MA 2 |
In class assignment due by midnight |
| Wed | 10/7 | None | How to organize your rhetorical analysis Go over peer review Mid semester survey |
None |
| Fri | 10/9 | None | Peer review | Draft due before class for peer review |
| Mon | 10/12 | None | Peer review | None |
| Wed | 10/14 | None | Peer review and instructor feedback | Mone |
| Fri | 10/16 | Chapter 32: Assessing Your Own Writing | Time to work on paper Discussion on the chapter |
Peer review responses due before class |
| Mon | 10/19 | Chapter 51: Acknowledging Sources, Avoiding Plagiarism | Discuss chapter Revision time |
Feedback reflection due before class MA 2 due on Wednesday |
| Wed | 10/21 | None | Look at upcoming schedule Introduce synthesis paper Writing Center assignment Preview Clusters/Articles |
MA 2 due by midnight! |
| Fri | 10/23 | Chapter 50: Synthesizing Ideas | Discussion of Chapter In class activity and assignment |
In class assignment due by midnight Cluster Assignment due by class on Monday the 26th |
| Mon | 10/26 | Read the first text in the cluster you have chosen to write about for Paper 3 | Collaborative activity within cluster groups. Students will use their short assignments to find arguments/evidence for the first text | Cluster 2 assignment due before class on Wednesday 28th |
| Wed | 10/28 | Read the second text in the cluster you have chosen to write about for Paper 3 | Collaborative activity within cluster groups. Students will use their short assignments to find arguments/evidence for the first text | Short assignment due before class Friday 30th |
| Fri | 10/30 | Make Connections When Synthesizing in Your Writing (Video) | Discuss the video | None |
| Mon | 11/2 | None | Activity based on example Look at sample synthesis paper |
None |
| Wed | 11/4 | None | Review of MLA Citation Activity Work time for citations |
First draft due before class |
| Fri | 11/6 | None | Peer review | None |
| Mon | 11/9 | None | Peer review Instructor feedback |
None |
| Wed | 11/11 | No Class | ||
| Fri | 11/13 | None | Look at feedback Feedback reflections Revisions |
Peer review due before class |
| Mon | 11/16 | None | Revisions | Feedback reflections due before class |
| Wed | 11/18 | None | Introduce Reflection Assignment Introduce revision assignment Time to brainstorm |
MA 3 Due by midnight! |
| Fri | 11/20 | Chapter 36: Reflecting on Your Writing | Discussion of reading Discussion on short assignment |
Short assignment due before class |
| Mon | 11/23 | Chapter 1: Writing in Academic Contexts | Discuss CH 1 short assignment Discussion on organization Work time for paper |
CH 1 Short assignment due before class |
| Wed | 11/25 | None | Look at sample paper Work time |
None |
| Fri | 11/27 | None | Peer review | Draft due before class |
| Mon | 11/30 | None | Peer review Instructor feedback |
Mone |
| Wed | 12/2 | None | Look at feedback Work on papers |
Peer reviews due |
| Fri | 12/4 | None | Work on Paper Final survey Discussion about the class |
Paper is due on Monday 12/7 at midnight! |
| Mon | 12/7 | No Class | ||
| Wed | 12/9 | No Class | ||
| Fri | 12/11 | No Class |
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.