ENGL 1551 42: Writing 2 < Youngstown State University

ENGL 1551 - Writing 2

Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 42, CRN 40456,
Credit hours: 3

Course Meeting Times

Instructor

Erica Gushard

Public Instructor Information

Instructor Title: Adjunct Instructor
Instructor Professional Qualifications: Master's, English Education, Grand Canyon University, Bachelor's, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Kent State University
Instructor Office Location: Online
Instructor Office Phone: (330)941-3000

Private Instructor Information

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 and Handbook, 7th Edition	Richard Bullock, Deborah Bertsch, and Maureen Daly Goggin
Required	Maag Library Research Guide	Youngstown State University Maag Library

Assigned textbook readings include Chapters 5, 6, 15, 16, 31, 33, 34, 38, 47, 48, 49, 50, and 51, as well as assigned selections from Chapter 63. Chapter 63 selections include “Black Mamas’ Lives Matter: The Severe Disparity in Maternal Mortality Rates,” “Poor-Shaming—but This Time in the School Cafeteria,” and “The Fast and the Fashionable.” Additional readings and instructional materials are provided in the corresponding Blackboard modules. Ebook access is included through the course.

The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.

Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives/Goals

How to Succeed in This Course

Attendance Expectations

Late Work Submission Policy

Additional Course Expectations

Artificial Intelligence Policy Statement

Assignments/Assessments

Grading and Grading Scale

University Policies

Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Week of	Proposed Topic	Due/To Prepare for Class
8/24	Introductions, Course Orientation, and Online Learning	Due 8/30 at 11:59pm: Writing Sample Assignment: Please read and follow directions carefully Discussion - Introductions - Reply Quiz: Chapter 5 "Writing and Learning Online"
8/31	Selecting and Narrowing a Research Topic	Due 9/6 at 11:59pm: Discussion - Research Topic - Reply Quiz: Ch 47 "Getting a Start on Research"
9/7	Research Proposals and Writing Ethically with AI	Due 9/13 at 11:59pm: Writing Assignment 1: Research Proposal Quiz: Ch 6 Writing with Generative AI Discussion: AI Collaboration Practice
9/14	Finding and Using Academic Sources	Due 9/20 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 48 "Finding Sources" Reading Response 1: Supporting an Argument
9/21	Research and Responding to Opposing Viewpoints	Due 9/27 at 11:59pm: Reading Response 2: Opposing Views
9/28	Evaluating Sources for Credibility	Due 10/4 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 49 "Evaluating Sources" and Ch 16 "Annotated Bibliographies ..."
10/5	Annotated Bibliographies and APA Style	Due 10/11 at 11:59pm: Assignment - Writing Assignment 2: Annotated Bibliography
10/12	Organizing a Research Paper and Creating an Outline	Due 10/18 at 11:59pm: Reading Response 3: Audience Due 10/18 before 11:59:36pm: Discussion 4 - Preliminary Outline - Reply Due 10/18 at 11:59pm: Writing Assignment 3: Research Paper Outline
10/19	Argumentation, Logical Fallacies, and Synthesizing Sources
10/26	Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarizing, and APA Formatting
11/2	Drafting the Research Paper	Due 11/1 at 11:59pm: Reading Response 4: Argument Quiz: Ch 15 "Arguing a Position" (184-196)
11/9	First Draft and Instructor Consultation	Due 11/8 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 50 "Synthesizing Ideas" and Ch 51 "Quoting, Paraphrasing ..."
11/16	Peer Review, Editing, and Revision	Due 11/15 at 11:59pm: Quiz: Ch 33 "Getting Response and Revising" and Ch 34 "Editing and Proofreading"
11/23	Writing Conferences and Final Revision	Due 11/22 at 11:59pm: Writing Assignment 4: 1st Draft Discussion 5 - 1st Draft Peer Review
11/30	Final Research Paper Submission and Course Reflection	Due 11/29 before 11:59:39pm: Discussion 5 - 1st Draft Peer Review - Reply
12/7	Final	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.

ENGL 1551 42: Writing 2