ENGL 1550 - Writing 1
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 21, CRN 40414,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Alexander Abruzzi
Email: aaabruzzi@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, Seventh Edition | Richard Bullock, Deborah Bertsch, Maureen Daly Goggin | 1324087633 |
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 | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Introductions and Growth Mindset | Due 8/30 before 11:59:55pm: Discussion: Introduce Yourself - Post by Wednesday, Respond by Sunday - Reply Due 8/30 at 11:59pm: Writing Sample Assignment: Please read and follow directions carefully Syllabus/Schedule Test Quiz #1: Ch 5 |
| 8/31 | Effective Emails; Chapters 1,2,4 – Academic Literacies | Due 9/6 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 1,2 and 4 Five Emails |
| 9/7 | The Rhetorical Situation | Due 9/13 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 7-10 Adapting to the Rhetorical Situation Due 9/13 before 11:59:58pm: Discussion: Hamilton and the Rhetorical Situation - Reply |
| 9/14 | The Writing Process and Major Assignment 1 – Reflective Analysis | Due 9/20 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 27-28-29 Due 9/20 before 11:59:46pm: Early assessment: are you nomophobic? - Reply |
| 9/21 | Writing Ethically with AI | Due 9/25 at 11:59pm: AI Collaboration Practice: Note Friday due date Due 9/27 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 6 Writing with Generative AI AI Usage Evaluation Reflection |
| 9/28 | MA1 Pre-Writing | Due 10/4 at 11:59pm: MA1 Reflective Analysis: Pre-Writing |
| 10/5 | MA1 1st Draft and Peer Review, Feedback Journal | Due 10/9 before 11:59:48pm: Collaborative Review of Clark's Use of Speculation, Specifics and Structure - Reply Due 10/11 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 30, 31 |
| 10/12 | Effective Feedback, MA1 – Peer Review | Due 10/14 before 11:59:31pm: Discussion: Peer Review Practice - Reply |
| 10/19 | MA1 2nd Draft | Due 10/25 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 32, 33, 34 MA1: Reflective Analysis 2nd Draft |
| 10/26 | MA2 Textual Analysis – Introduction and Pre-Writing | Due 10/28 at 11:59pm: Journal: MA2 Ad/Sponsor/Topic Confirmation. Due by Wednesday. |
| 11/2 | MA2 1st Draft and Peer Review | Due 11/1 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 13 MA2 Pre-Writing |
| 11/9 | MA2 Review | Due 11/11 before 11:59:44pm: Collaborative Review for MA2 Key Features: Post by Wed - Reply by Fri - Reply |
| 11/16 | MA2 2nd Draft | Due 11/15 at 11:59pm: MA2 2nd Draft |
| 11/23 | MA3 – Compare and Contrast Semester Wrap-up | Due 11/22 at 11:59pm: MA 3 Compare and Contrast (you vs AI) Due 11/23 before 11:59:19pm: Feedback Journal: Exercise your metacognition (and is that a new vocab word?) Due 11/22 before 11:59:59pm: MA3 Daily Journal: Extra Credit up to 20 points Due 11/22 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 40 "Comparing and Contrasting" Due 11/28 at 11:59pm: Final Reflective Essay Due 11/28 before 11:59:59pm: Vocabulary Journal: Activate your intellectual curiosity Due 11/28 at 11:59pm: Writing 1 Key Principles: Test |
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.