ENGL 1551 - Writing 2
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 15, CRN 40432,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Nicole Ericksen
Email: nrericksen@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 | Norton Field Guide to Writing with Readings and Handbook 7E | Bullock, Bertsch, and Daly Goggin | 978-1-324-08763-2 |
| Required | Report on The Normalization of Book Banning | PEN America | https://pen.org/report/the-normalization-of-book-banning/ |
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 | Norton Chapter 5 | Welcome | Aug 24 - 30 Module 1: Introductions and Orientation 1. Access Norton Guide ebook and be familiar with its navigation and features (CO 3) 2. Complete Blackboard Orientation to master course navigation (CO 3) 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) 4. Read Maag Library research guide to gain familiarity with online academic research (CO3) 5. Establish a preliminary time frame for research projects (CO 2) |
| 8/31 | Norton Pen America Report |
Research | Aug 31 – Sep 6 Module 2: Selecting a Research Topic • 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) Textbook: • Norton Part 7, "Doing Research" Ch 47 “Getting a Start on Research” (MLO1) • Norton Ch 38 "Arguing" (MLO 1) Videos: • “Choosing and Narrowing Research Topics for APA papers” (MO 1) • “Selecting a Research Paper Topic” (MO 1) |
| 9/7 | Norton | Research | Sep 7- 13 Module 3: Research Proposal and Writing Ethically with AI • 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) Instructor Handout • Writing Assignment 1 – Research Proposal (MLO 3) |
| 9/14 | Norton | Research | Sep 14 - 20 Module 4-5: Finding Sources – Doing the Research and Reading Responses 1 and 2 • MLO 1: Identify a minimum of ten potential sources • MLO 2: Read and respond to specific questions regarding authors' adaptation to key academic writing concept Textbook • Norton Chapter 48, “Finding Sources” • Norton Chapter 63, “Arguments” ‘Black Mamas Lives Matter: The Severe Disparity in Maternal Mortality Rates’ pp 773-778 Website Link • “How to Find Articles – Getting Started” Course Project Milestone • Reading Response 1 (MLO 2) Quiz • CH 48 “Finding Sources” (MLO 1) |
| 9/21 | Norton | Research | Sep 21-27 Module 4-5: Continued • 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. Textbook • Norton Chapter 63, “Arguments” ‘Poor-Shaming – but This Time in the School Cafeteria’, p 813 (MLO 2) Assignment • Reading Response 2: Opposing Views (MLO 2) |
| 9/28 | Norton | Research | Sep 28 – Oct 4 Module 6: Evaluating Sources • MLO 1: Evaluate sources for research credibility and applicability • MLO 2: Identify elements of APA Annotated Bibliography Textbook • Chapter 49 “Evaluating Sources (MLO 1) • Chapter 16 “Annotated Bibliographies”(MLO 2) Quizzes: • Norton Ch 49 “Evaluating Sources” (MLO 1) • Norton Ch 16 “Annotated Bibliographies” (MLO 2) |
| 10/5 | Norton | Research | Oct 5 - 11 Module 7: Annotated Bibliography and APA Style • MLO 1: Compile APA-formatted Annotated Bibliography • MLO 2: Submit Writing Assignment 2 - Annotated Bibliography Videos • “Creating an Annotated Bibliography” • "APA 7th Edition Format & Citations" |
| 10/12 | Norton | Research | Oct 12 - 18 Module 8: Outline and Reading Response 3 • MLO 1: Organize notes into a preliminary outline (CO 2) • MLO 2: Provide peer feedback (CO 2, 3) • MLO 3: Use feedback to revise and submit final outline (CO 2, 3 Textbook • Norton, Ch 63 “Arguments” ‘Black Mamas’ Lives Matter … (773-778) Video • “How to Use Sources in Your APA or MLA Essay: Outlining with Sources” (MLO 1) Other Resources Instructor Handouts • Writing Assignment 3: Research Paper Outline (MLO 1) Discussion • 4 – Preliminary Outline (MLO 2) Course Project Milestones • Research Paper Outline (MLO 3) |
| 10/19 | Norton | Research | Oct 19 - 25 Module 9: Argument, Synthesizing Sources and Reading Response 4 • 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. Textbook • Norton, Ch 15 “Key Features of Arguments’, “A Guide to Writing Arguments” (MLO 1) • Norton, Ch 38 “Arguing” (MLO 1) • Norton Ch 63 “Arguments” ‘the Fast and the Fashionable’ (763 #2) (MLO 3) |
| 10/26 | Norton | Research | Oct 26 – Nov 1 Module 10: Synthesizing, Quoting, Formatting APA • MLO 1: Respond correctly to test questions re: incorporating outside material into academic writing • MLO 2:Review APA style elements Textbook • Norton, Ch 50 “Synthesizing Ideas” (MLO 1) • Norton, Ch 51 “Quoting, Paraphrasing and Summarizing” (MLO 1) Other Resources Instructor Handouts (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. • Writing Assignment- This assignment description presents the requirements and reminders for the upcoming drafts of your research paper. Videos (MLO 2) • "APA Formatting” • “APA Quoting” • “APA Citations” • “APA References” Quiz • Ch 50-51 (MLO 1, MLO 2) |
| 11/2 | Norton | Revision | Nov 2 - 15 Module 11-12: Writing Assignment 4 – 1st Draft, Consultation • MLO 1: Review editing and revision strategies • MLO 2: Employ all research, integration strategies to compose and submit 1st draft Textbook (MLO 1) • Norton, Ch 31 "Drafting" • Norton, Ch 33 “Getting Response and Revising” • Norton, Ch 34 “Editing and Proofreading” |
| 11/9 | Norton | Revision | Nov 2 - 15 Module 11-12: Writing Assignment 4 – 1st Draft, Consultation • MLO 1: Review editing and revision strategies • MLO 2: Employ all research, integration strategies to compose and submit 1st draft Textbook (MLO 1) • Norton, Ch 31 "Drafting" • Norton, Ch 33 “Getting Response and Revising” • Norton, Ch 34 “Editing and Proofreading” |
| 11/16 | Norton | Revision | Nov 16 - 22 Module 13 • 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 |
| 11/23 | Norton | Research and Revision | Nov 23 - 29 Module 14: Revision |
| 11/30 | Norton | Research and Revision | Nov 30 – Dec 5 Module 15: Final Essay due |
| 12/7 | Norton | No Final Exam | No Final Exam |
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.