ENGL 1550 - Writing 1
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 34, CRN 40416,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Jeffrey Buchanan
Email: jmbuchanan@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, 6th edition |
This is a First Day Ready textbook, which means that it should already be available to you in Blackboard.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue | 8/25 | Introduction to the Course | ||
| Thu | 8/27 | NFG pp.11-16; “Man of Steel” | Reading | RR#1 DUE |
| Tue | 9/1 | NFG pp.329-341 | Writing: Prewriting | |
| Thu | 9/3 | “Man of Steel” | Reading | RR#2 DUE |
| Tue | 9/8 | NFG pp.59-73 | Writing: Openings/Beginnings | |
| Thu | 9/10 | Peer Workshop | ||
| Tue | 9/15 | Reflection | Paper#1 Due; RR#3 (in class) | |
| Thu | 9/17 | NFG pp.46-52 | Writing: Exploration | RR#4 DUE |
| Tue | 9/22 | “The Work You Do” | Reading | RR#5 DUE |
| Thu | 9/24 | Writing: Exploration | ||
| Tue | 9/29 | Writing: Support | ||
| Thu | 10/1 | “The Work You Do” | Reading | RR#6 DUE |
| Tue | 10/6 | Peer Workshop | ||
| Thu | 10/8 | Reflection | Paper#2 DUE; RR#7 (in class) | |
| Tue | 10/13 | NYTimes Student Essays | Reading | RR#8 DUE |
| Thu | 10/15 | NYTimes Student Essays | Reading | |
| Tue | 10/20 | “Entering the Conversation” | Reading | RR#9 DUE |
| Thu | 10/22 | “Entering the Conversation” | Reading | |
| Tue | 10/27 | Writing: So What? | ||
| Thu | 10/29 | Writing: So What? | ||
| Tue | 11/3 | Peer Workshop | ||
| Thu | 11/5 | Reflection | Paper#3 DUE; RR#10 (in class) | |
| Tue | 11/10 | “The Loss of the Creature” | Reading | |
| Thu | 11/12 | Writing: Editing/Proofreading | ||
| Tue | 11/17 | “The Loss of the Creature” | Reading | |
| Thu | 11/19 | Peer Workshop | ||
| Tue | 11/24 | CLASS CANCELLED | ||
| Thu | 11/26 | UNIVERSITY CLOSED THANKSGIVING | ||
| Tue | 12/1 | CLASS CANCELLED | ||
| Thu | 12/3 | Reflection | Paper #4 DUE | |
| Tue | 12/8 | NO CLASS--Exam Week | ||
| Thu | 12/10 | NO CLASS--Exam 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.