ENGL 1550 - Writing 1
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 35, CRN 40417,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
Log in to view more
Instructor
Megan Donelson
Email: mdonelson@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 | Norton Field Guide to Writing with Readings and Handbook, 7th Edition | Richard Bullock, Deborah Bertsch, and Maureen Daly Goggin | 1324087633 |
Ebook is available in Blackboard course shell; this is covered by students' First Day Access payment.
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 | Textbook Ch. 5 Videos on Blackboard Website - Learning Styles Inventory |
Introductions and Growth Mindset | Discussion - Introduce Yourself Syllabus Test Ch. 5 Quiz |
| 8/31 | Textbook Ch. 1, 2, 4 Videos on Blackboard Website - Email Best Practices |
Effective Emails and Academic Literacies | Five Emails assignment Quiz on Chs. 1, 2, 4 |
| 9/7 | Textbook Chs. 7-10 Hamilton handout on Blackboard Video on Blackboard |
The Rhetorical Situation | Hamilton and the Rhetorical Situation Adapting to the Rhetorical Situation Quiz on Chs. 7-10 |
| 9/14 | Textbook Chs. 27-29 Writing 1 MA1 Assignment Sheet Writing 1 MA1 Pre-Writing Template Cyberslacking Activity Log Cyberslacking Activity Log Sample Videos on Blackboard |
The Writing Process and MA1 Reflective Analysis | Early Assessment: Are you nomophobic? Quiz on Chs. 27-29 |
| 9/21 | Textbook Ch. 6 AIU Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence Instructor Handout - Using AI |
Writing Ethically with AI | AI Collaboration Practice AI Usage Evaluation Reflection Quiz on Ch. 6 |
| 9/28 | Textbook Chs. 27-29 Writing 1 Reflective Analysis Pre-Writing Writing 1 Reflective Analysis Assignment Sheet |
MA1 Pre-Writing | MA1 - What opportunity to learn does it offer? MA1 Pre-Writing |
| 10/5 | Chs. 30-31, 33 "Track your time for 30 days" article Writing 1 Reflective Analysis Pre-Writing to Essay Guide Writing 1 Reflective Analysis Assignment Sheet |
MA1 1st Draft and Peer Review, Feedback Journal | Discussion: Collaborative Review of Clark's Use of Speculation, Specifics, and Structure Feedback Journal Entry #1 MA1 1st Draft Quiz on Chs 30-31 |
| 10/12 | Videos on Blackboard Writing 1 Peer Review Guidance Peer Review Practice |
Effective Feedback, MA1 Peer Review | Discussion: Peer Review Practice MA1 Peer Review |
| 10/19 | Chs. 32-34 |
Revision, MA1 2nd draft |
Feedback Journal Entry #2 MA1 2nd draft Quiz on Chs. 32-34 |
| 10/26 | Ch. 13 MA2 Textual Analysis Assignment Sheet Website: "60 Powerful Social Issue Ads That'll Make You Stop and Notice" MA2 Prewriting template |
MA2 Textual Analysis - Intro and Prewriting |
Journal: Ad Selection/Sponsor/Topic Confirmation Feedback Journal Entry #3 MA2 Prewriting Quiz Ch. 13 |
| 11/2 | Writing 1 MA2 Textual Analysis Assignment Sheet Writing 1 MA2 Prewriting to Essay Guide Writing 1 MA2 Student Sample |
MA2 1st draft and peer review | Collaborate Review for MA2 Key Features MA2 1st draft and Peer Review |
| 11/9 | Writing 1 MA2 Textual Analysis Assignment Sheet Writing 1 MA2 Prewriting to Essay Guide Writing 1 MA2 Student Sample |
MA2 2nd Draft | MA2 2nd draft |
| 11/16 | Ch. 40 Writing 1 MA3 Compare and Contrast Assignment Sheet |
MA3 - Compare and Contrast | Quiz Ch. 40 MA3 Daily Journal MA3 Compare and Contrast Essay |
| 11/23 | Writing 1 Key Principles Writing 1 Final Essay - Reflection on Writing |
Semester Wrap Up | Writing 1 Key Principles Test Final Reflective Essay Optional: MA1/MA2 Revisions |
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.