ENGL 1550 - Writing 1
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 23, CRN 40415,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
Log in to view more
Instructor
Beesan Odeh
Email: bodeh@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, 7E | Richard Bullock, Deborah Bertsch, Maureen Daly Goggin | 978-1-324-08763-2 |
| Required | Alexander Hamilton. | Ron Chernow | |
| Required | Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence. | Elon University | |
| Required | Track Your Time for 30 Days. What You Learn Might Surprise You. | Dorie Clark | |
| Required | Have We Ever Done a Good Job Teaching Writing? | William Hart-Davidson | |
| Required | 60 Powerful Social Issue Ads That'll Make You Stop and Notice. | Digital Synopsis |
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
Log in to view more
Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Chapter 5 “Writing and Learning Online” “Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset” “Pathway Transformation Initiative (Growth Mindset)” “4 Steps to Developing a Growth Mindset” Learning Styles Inventory |
Module 1: Introductions and Growth Mindset Identify best practices for being successful and gaining assistance in a YSU online course. |
Due 8/30 before 11:59:55pm: Discussion: Introduce Yourself - Post by Wednesday, Respond by Sunday - Reply Due 8/30 at 11:59pm: Course Information/Schedule Test Quiz #1: Ch 5 |
| 8/31 | Chapter 1 "Writing in Academic Contexts" Chapter 2 "Reading in Academic Contexts" Chapter 4 “Academic Habits of Mind” "Email Etiquette Tips" Email Best Practices PowerPoint |
Module 2: Effective Emails; Academic Literacies Compose effective and efficient emails. Recognize strategies for thinking, reading, and writing in academic contexts. |
Due 9/6 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 1,2 and 4 Five Emails |
| 9/7 | Chapter 7 "Purpose" Chapter 8 "Audience" Chapter 9 "Genre" Chapter 10 "Stance" “Hamilton - The Battle of Yorktown” Video: “Hamilton at the 2016 Tonys” |
Module 3: The Rhetorical Situation Discuss the elements of the rhetorical situation. Apply selected and appropriate elements of rhetorical situation in writing. |
Due 9/13 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 7-10 Due 9/13 before 11:59:58pm: Discussion: Hamilton and the Rhetorical Situation - Reply Due 9/13 at 11:59pm: Adapting to the Rhetorical Situation |
| 9/14 | Chapters 27 "Processes of Writing" Cyberslacking Activity Log “How Smartphones Sabotage Your Brain's Ability to Focus” “Nomophobia / facts of cell addiction” “Nomophobia: A mobile Phone Addiction” Chapter 29 "Generating Ideas and Text" |
Module 4: The Writing Process and Major Assignment #1 – Reflective Analysis Recognize the components of the writing process. Evaluate secondary research materials (visual texts) for their applicability to a writing task. |
Due 9/20 before 11:59:46pm: Discussion: Early assessment - are you nomophobic? - Reply Due 9/20 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 27-28-29 |
| 9/21 | Chapter 6 " Writing with Generative AI" AIU Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence Using AI |
Module 5: Writing Ethically with AI Apply AI collaboration strategies for effective interaction with an AI. Evaluate the efficacy of AI as a study tool. |
Due 9/27 at 11:59pm: AI Usage Evaluation Quiz: Ch 6 Writing with Generative AI |
| 9/28 | Review Chapters 27-29 Reflective Analysis Pre-Writing to Essay Guide |
Module 6: MA#1 Pre-Writing Demonstrate generating ideas as a first step in the writing process. |
Due 10/4 at 11:59pm: MA1 Reflective Analysis: Pre-Writing |
| 10/5 | Chapter 30 "Organizing Your Writing, Guiding Your Readers" “Track Your Time for 30 Days. What You Learn Might Surprise You.” Chapter 31 "Drafting" Chapter 33 "Getting Response and Revising" |
Module 7: MA#1 1st Draft and Peer Review Identify genre features in a secondary source collaboratively. Compose a first draft that adapts to the rhetorical situation. Use feedback to initiate a revision plan. |
Due 10/9 before 11:59:48pm: Discussion: Collaborative Review of Clark's Use of Speculation, Specifics and Structure - Reply Due 10/11 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 30, 31 |
| 10/12 | Eli Review “Describe - Evaluate – Suggest: Giving Helpful Feedback” 2015 Peer Review Guidance |
Module 8: Effective Feedback, MA#1 – Peer Review Collaborate with their peers electronically on feedback delivery practice. |
Due 10/14 before 11:59:31pm: Discussion: Peer Review Practice - Reply |
| 10/19 | Chapter 32 "Assessing Your Own Writing" Chapter 33 "Getting Response and Revising" Chapter 34 "Editing and Proofreading" |
Module 9: Revision – MA#1 2nd Draft Compose a 2nd draft reflective analysis that includes revision, editing, and proofreading. |
Due 10/25 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 32, 33, 34 MA1: Reflective Analysis Final Draft |
| 10/26 | Chapter 13 "Analyzing Texts" "60 Powerful Social Issue Ads That'll Make You Stop and Notice" MA#2 Pre-Writing to Essay Guide |
Module 10: MA#2 Textual Analysis – Introduction and Pre-Writing Recognize the key features of a new genre. Evaluate secondary research materials for their application to a writing task. |
Due 10/31 at 11:59pm: MA2 Pre-Writing Quiz: Ch 13 |
| 11/2 | Review Peer Review Process | Module 11: MA#2 1st Draft and Peer Review Collaboratively identify genre features in a secondary source. Compose a first draft for adaptation to the rhetorical situation. |
Due 11/4 before 11:59:44pm: Discussion: Collaborative Review for MA2 Key Features: Post by Wed - Reply by Fri - Reply MA2 1st Draft and Peer Review |
| 11/9 | Revisit resources from Module 11 | Module 12: MA#2 Final Draft Initiate a 2nd draft revision plan based on feedback. |
Due 11/14 at 11:59pm: MA2 Final Draft |
| 11/16 | Chapter 40 "Comparing and Contrasting" | Module 13: MA#3 – Compare and Contrast Recognize the features of comparison and contrast. Generate an AI essay that meets assignment criteria. |
Due 11/21 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 40 "Comparing and Contrasting" |
| 11/23 | Key Principles Final Essay-Reflection on Writing |
Module 14: Semester Wrap-up Review for test and finish up MA#3. |
Due 11/28 at 11:59pm: MA 3 Compare and Contrast (you vs AI) Writing 1 Key Principles: Test |
| 11/30 | End of Semester: Last Submissions | Due 11/30 at 11:59pm: Final Reflection |
|
| 12/7 | Finals Week |
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.