ENGL 1551 - Writing 2
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 09, CRN 40429,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Jessica Wheeler
Email: jlwheeler01@ysu.edu
Course Description
This course builds upon students’ knowledge of the writing process and rhetorical concepts as they conduct scholarly inquiry on a specific topic using academic research. The course emphasizes the process of investigation including identifying problems to explore with research, collecting data from primary and/or secondary sources, synthesizing source material, and clearly presenting the results of these inquiries in a research-based argument. Students write a minimum of 5,000 words (approximately 20 double-spaced pages) cumulatively across the major assignments. Grading is ABCDF. English 1551 is three semester hours. Prereq.: ENGL 1549 with a grade of "C" or better or ENGL 1550 with a grade of "C" or better or ACT/SAT scores 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 | Bullock, R., Bertsch, D., Goggin, M.D. |
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 | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Textbook: Norton Chapter 5, "Writing and Learning Online" (MO 1) Resources: Maag Library Research Guide (MO 4, MO 5) Video: "Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset" (MLO 2) Video: "Pathway Transformation Initiative (Growth Mindset)" (MLO 2) Video: "4 Steps to Developing a Growth Mindset" (MLO 2) Website: Learning Styles Inventory (MLO 2) |
Access to Norton Guide eBook and be familiar with its navigation and features (CO 3) Complete Blackboard Orientation to master course navigation (CO 3) Access Blackboard to create a Discussion Board thread in Forum 1 to introduce yourself to the class and respond to at least two classmates' introductions (CO 3) Read Maag Library Research Guide to gain familiarity with online academic research (CO 3) Establish a preliminary time frame for research projects (CO 2) |
Writing Sample Discussion: Introduce Yourself (MLO 3) Quiz: Chapter 5, "Writing and Learning Online" (MLO 1) |
| 8/31 | Textbook: Norton Part 7, "Doing Research" Chapter 47, "Getting a Start on Research" (MLO 1) Textbook: Norton Chapter 38, "Arguing" (MLO 1) Video: "Choosing and Narrowing Research Topics for APA Papers" (MO 1) Video: "Selecting a Research Paper Topic" (MLO 1) |
MLO 1: Identify a research paper topic by discovering and using invention strategies then posting and responding to posts in Discussion Forum 2 (CO 2, 3) | Discussion: Brainstorming: Potential Topics Quiz: Chapter 47 Quiz: Chapter 38 |
| 9/7 | Textbook: Norton Chapter 6, "Writing with Generative AI" (MLO 2, MLO 3) Instructor Handout: Writing Assignment 1 - Research Proposal (MLO 3) |
MLO 1: Apply AI collaboration strategies to demonstrate effective interaction with an AI (CLO 1.2, CLO 3.2) MLO 2: Identify effective methods of ethical AI collaboration (CLO 2.1) MLO 3: Compose and submit a research paper proposal (CO 2, 3) |
Discussion: AI Collaboration (MLO 1) Course Project Milestone: Writing Assignment 1 - Research Proposal (MLO 3) Quiz: Chapter 6 (MLO 1, MLO 2) |
| 9/14 | Textbook: Norton 48, "Finding Sources" Textbook: Norton 63, "Arguments," "Black Mamas' Lives Matter: The Severe Disparity in Maternal Mortality Rates" pp. 773-778 Website: Chapter 48, "How to Find Articles - Getting Started" |
MLO 1: Identify a minimum of ten potential sources. MLO 2: Read and respond to specific questions regarding authors' adaptation to key academic writing concepts. |
Course Project Milestone: Reading Response 1 (MLO 2) Quiz: Chapter 48, "Finding Sources" (MLO 1) |
| 9/21 | Textbook: Norton Chapter 63, "Arguments," "Poor Shaming - but This Time in the School Cafeteria" p. 813 (MLO 2) | MLO 1: Identify a minimum of ten potential sources. MLO 2: Read and respond to specific questions regarding the authors' adaptation to key academic writing concepts. |
Assignment: Reading Response 2, Opposing Views (MLO 2) |
| 9/28 | Textbook: Chapter 49, "Evaluating Sources" (MLO 1) Textbook: Chapter 16, "Annotated Bibliographies" (MLO 2) |
MLO 1: Evaluate sources for research credibility and applicability. MLO 2: Identify elements of APA Annotated Bibliography. |
Quiz: Norton Chapter 49, "Evaluating Sources" (MLO 1) Quiz: Norton Chapter 16, "Annotated Bibliographies" (MLO 2) |
| 10/5 | Video: "Creating an Annotated Bibliography" Video: "APA 7th Edition Format & Citations" Instructor Handouts: Writing Assignment 2, Annotated Bibliography (MLO 1, MLO 2) |
MLO 1: Compile APA-formatted Annotated Bibliography MLO 2: Submit Writing Assignment 2, Annotated Bibliography |
Course Project Milestone: Writing Assignment 2, Annotated Bibliography (MLO 1, MLO 2) |
| 10/12 | Textbook: Norton Chapter 63, "Arguments," "Black Mamas' Lives Matter..." pp. 773-778 Video: "How to Use Sources in Your APA or MLA Essay: Outlining with Sources" (MLO 1) Instructor Handouts: Writing Assignment 3, Research Paper Outline (MLO 1) |
MLO 1: Organize notes into a preliminary outline (CO2) MLO 2: Provide peer feedback (CO 2, 3) MLO 3: Use feedback to revise and submit final outline (CO 2, 3) |
Discussion: Preliminary Outline (MLO 2) Course Project Milestones: Writing Assignment 3, Research Paper Outline (MLO 3) |
| 10/19 | Textbook: Norton Chapter 15, "Key Features of Arguments," "A Guide to Writing Arguments" (MLO 1) Textbook: Norton Chapter 38, "Arguments" (MLO 1) Textbook: Norton Chapter 63, "Arguments," "The Fast and the Fashionable" p. 763, prompt #2 (MLO 3) Video: "Top Ten Logical Fallacies" (MLO 2) |
MLO 1: Examine and analyze types of arguments MLO 2: Identify logical fallacies MLO 3: Read and respond to specific questions regarding authors' adaptation to key academic writing concepts |
Course Project Milestones: Reading Response 4 (MLO 3) Quiz: Chapter 15 (MLO 1, MLO 2) |
| 10/26 | Textbook: Norton Chapter 50, "Synthesizing Ideas" (MLO 1) Textbook: Norton Chapter 51, "Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing" (MLO 1) Instructor Handout (provided as preview): Sample APA Research Paper. This sample APA paper is annotated and color-coded and should serve as a guide for formatting and content. Instructor Handout (provided as preview): Writing Assignments 4 and 5, 1st and 2nd Draft. This assignment description presents the requirements and reminders for the upcoming drafts of your research paper. Video: "APA Formatting" (MLO 2) Video: "APA Quoting" (MLO 2) Video: "APA Citations" (MLO 2) Video: "APA References" (MLO 2) |
MLO 1: Respond correctly to test questions regarding incorporating outside material into academic writing. MLO 2: Review APA style elements. |
Quiz: Chapters 50 + 51 (MLO 1, MLO 2) |
| 11/2 | Textbook: Norton Chapter 31, "Drafting" (MLO 1) Textbook: Norton Chapter 33, "Getting Response and Revising" (MLO 1) Textbook: Norton Chapter 34, "Editing and Proofreading" (MLO 1) Instructor Handouts: Writing Assignment 4, 1st Draft (MLO 2) |
MLO 1: Review editing and revision strategies. MLO 2: Employ all research, integration strategies to compose, and submit 1st draft. |
Quiz: Chapters 33 + 34 (MLO 1) Course Project Milestone: Writing Assignment 4, 1st Draft (MLO 2) |
| 11/9 | Textbook: Norton Chapter 31, "Drafting" (MLO 1) Textbook: Norton Chapter 33, "Getting Response and Revising" (MLO 1) Textbook: Norton Chapter 34, "Editing and Proofreading" (MLO 1) Instructor Handout: Writing Assignment 4, 1st Draft (MLO 2) |
MLO 1: Review editing and revision strategies. MLO 2: Employ all research, integration strategies to compose, and submit 1st Draft. |
Quiz: Chapters 33 + 34 (MLO 1) Course Project Milestone: Writing Assignment 4, 1st Draft (MLO 2) |
| 11/16 | MLO 1: Hone revision practices. MLO 2: Collaborate to improve revising and editing skills. MLO 3: Revise thoroughly to correct upper and lower level errors. |
Discussion: 1st Draft Peer Review | |
| 11/23 | MLO 1: Hone revision practices. MLO 2: Collaborate to improve revising and editing skills. MLO 3: Revise thoroughly to correct upper and lower level errors. |
Conferences + Revisions | |
| 11/30 | Course Project Milestone: Writing Assignment 5, 2nd Draft | ||
| 12/7 | University Finals Week: Not applicable. |
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.