ENGL 1551 - Writing 2
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 28, CRN 40438,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Melissa McKenney
Email: msmckenney@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. | 9781324087632 |
- Chapters as assigned in Blackboard and listed in the Schedule
- Note: Your Ebook access is included and is already paid for in your course fees. You need to opt out of the ebook by the date shown in Blackboard in order to avoid the fee.
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 Ch 5 "Writing and Learning Online" | 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) | Due 8/27 at 11:59am: Week 1 Discussion - Getting to Know You Due 8/30 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Chapter 5 "Writing and Learning Online" |
| 8/31 | • Norton Part 7, "Doing Research" Ch 47 “Getting a Start on Research” (MLO1) • Norton Ch 38 "Arguing" (MLO 1) | 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) | Due 9/6 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 47 "Getting a Start on Research" Quiz: Ch 38 "Arguing" |
| 9/7 | • Norton Chapter 6 “Writing with Generative AI” (MLO 2, MLO 3) | 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) | Due 9/13 at 11:59pm: Writing Assignment 1: Research Proposal Quiz: Ch 6 Writing with Generative AI |
| 9/14 | • Norton Chapter 48, “Finding Sources” • Norton Chapter 63, “Arguments” ‘Black Mamas Lives Matter: The Severe Disparity in Maternal Mortality Rates’ pp 773-778 | 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 concepts. | Due 9/20 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 48 "Finding Sources" Reading Response 1: Supporting an Argument |
| 9/21 | • Norton Chapter 63, “Arguments” ‘Poor-Shaming – but This Time in the School Cafeteria’, p 813 (MLO 2) Videos: Maag Library Research Databases |
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. | Due 9/27 at 11:59pm: Reading Response 2: Opposing Views |
| 9/28 | • Chapter 49 “Evaluating Sources (MLO 1) • Chapter 16 “Annotated Bibliographies”(MLO 2) | Module 6: Evaluating Sources • MLO 1: Evaluate sources for research credibility and applicability • MLO 2: Identify elements of APA Annotated Bibliography | Due 10/4 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 49 "Evaluating Sources" and Ch 16 "Annotated Bibliographies ..." |
| 10/5 | Videos: • “Creating an Annotated Bibliography” • "APA 7th Edition Format & Citations" Instructor Handouts • Writing Assignment 2 – Annotated Bibliography ((MLO 1, MLO 2) |
Module 7: Annotated Bibliography and APA Style • MLO 1: Compile APA-formatted Annotated Bibliography • MLO 2: Submit Writing Assignment 2 - Annotated Bibliography | Due 10/11 at 11:59pm: Assignment - Writing Assignment 2: Annotated Bibliography |
| 10/12 | • Norton, Ch 63 “Arguments” ‘Black Mamas’ Lives Matter … (773-778) Instructor Handouts • Writing Assignment 3: Research Paper Outline (MLO 1) |
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) 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) 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) • Group argumentative and persuasive presentation on selected top (CO 1, 2, 4) |
Due 10/18 at 11:59pm: Reading Response 3: Audience Writing Assignment 3: Research Paper Outline |
| 10/19 | • 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) | 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. | Due 10/20 at 11:59am: Group Project - University Budget Proposal Due 10/25 at 11:59pm: Reading Response 4: Argument Quiz: Ch 15 "Arguing a Position" (184-196) |
| 10/26 | • Norton, Ch 50 “Synthesizing Ideas” (MLO 1) • Norton, Ch 51 “Quoting, Paraphrasing and Summarizing” (MLO 1) Instructor Handouts: • Sample APA Research Paper : This sample APA paper is annotated and color-coded and should serve as a guide for formatting and content. • Writing Assignments 4 and 5: 1st Draft and 2nd Draft - This assignment description presents the requirements and reminders for the upcoming drafts of your research paper. |
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 | |
| 11/2 | Norton, Ch 31 "Drafting" • Norton, Ch 33 “Getting Response and Revising” • Norton, Ch 34 “Editing and Proofreading” Instructor Handouts: • Writing Assignment 4: 1st Draft (MLO2) |
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 | Due 11/1 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 50 "Synthesizing Ideas" and Ch 51 "Quoting, Paraphrasing ..." |
| 11/9 | See week 11/2 | See week 11/2 | Due 11/8 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 33 "Getting Response and Revising" and Ch 34 "Editing and Proofreading" |
| 11/16 | Module 13: Individual argument on selected argument employing all tool developed over the semester in research and argumentation (CO 1, 2, 4) | Due 11/15 at 11:59pm: Writing Assignment 4: 1st Draft Due 11/19 at 11:59am: Pop Culture Research Assignment (Presentation or Written Assignment Option) |
|
| 11/23 | Instructor Handout: Peer Reviews | Due 11/24 at 11:59pm: Discussion 5 - 1st Draft Peer Review |
|
| 11/30 | Module 15: 2nd Draft | Due 11/29 before 11:59:39pm: Discussion 5 - 1st Draft Peer Review - Reply |
|
| 12/7 | Due 12/6 at 11:59pm: Writing Assignment 5: 2nd Draft |
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.