ENG106 - Writing Strategies
| Semester | |
| School | |
| Last revision date | 2024-02-21 19:26:22.143 |
| Last review date | 2024-02-21 19:26:22.143 |
Subject Title
Writing Strategies
Subject Description
This course focuses on writing strategies that provide students with the ability to advance solid critical argumentation supported by relevant primary and secondary sources; in addition, students will learn to interpret others' texts, recognize rhetorical strategies, and draft concise and logical critical responses. The course will foster in students the ability to differentiate between fact and opinion and give them the critical tools to evaluate author bias and perspective. In so doing, ENG106 will help students develop transferable writing and argumentation skills necessary for both academic and professional purposes.
Credit Status
ENG106 or its equivalent is a required course in most of Seneca's degree programs.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:
1. Analyze the literary and/or rhetorical strategies of different types of texts, while considering biases across contexts and discourses.
2. Write detailed critical responses to written, visual, and/or aural texts.
3. Create original, informed, and persuasive arguments that are logically consistent and can stimulate further criticism.
4. Integrate relevant and properly cited primary and secondary sources to support arguments and defend positions.
Essential Employability Skills
• Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.
• Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.
• Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.
• Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.
• Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.
• Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.
• Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.
• Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.
• Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.
Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).
Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.
Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.
Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.
Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.
Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.
By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.
Prerequisite(s)
There are no pre-requisites for this course.
Topic Outline
Two interrelated components of ENG106 are writing skills and critical thinking. Students will be asked to explore a variety of writing strategies including but not limited to rhetorical modes, critiques, interpretive and critical analyses and research essays. Being a university level English course, a certain level of proficiency on the part of the student will be assumed; however, the course will also include an overview of recurring grammatical errors to be avoided. In terms of critical thinking, students will be asked to assess material for weaknesses and strengths. An author’s style, arguments and methods of construction will be closely examined to form independent assessments. Combining the two elements writing skills and critical thinking will augment a student’s ability to communicate effectively.
Mode of Instruction
This course may be offered either online or on campus. All courses have a Blackboard course site where information about the course is posted. If the course is offered fully online all of the course information, content, assessments and weekly activities will be accessed through or posted on Blackboard.
Detailed information about this will be in the Professor’s Addendum.
Prescribed Texts
Please see professor's addendum for prescribed texts.
Reference Material
You should possess an appropriate level of English dictionary. All references and bibliographic entries must be cited in either APA or MLA format. The professor will specify which of these formats should be used.
Required Supplies
See Professor’s Addendum
Student Progression and Promotion Policy
http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/student-progression-and-promotion-policy.html
Grading Policyhttp://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/grading-policy.html
| A+ | 90% to 100% |
| A | 80% to 89% |
| B+ | 75% to 79% |
| B | 70% to 74% |
| C+ | 65% to 69% |
| C | 60% to 64% |
| D+ | 55% to 59% |
| D | 50% to 54% |
| F | 0% to 49% (Not a Pass) |
| OR | |
| EXC | Excellent |
| SAT | Satisfactory |
| UNSAT | Unsatisfactory |
For further information, see a copy of the Academic Policy, available online (http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academics-and-student-services.html) or at Seneca's Registrar's Offices.
To be successful in the subject, you must achieve an overall grade of 50% or more.
Modes of Evaluation
75% Term Work
25% Final Exam
EVALUATION OF WORK
Evaluation is based on correct language usage, organization and mastery of the subject at a post secondary level. Students are expected to learn professional standards of performance in the subject areas, and tests and assignments will be graded on that basis. In recognition of the significance of exceptional communication skills in the work place, marks are deducted for language errors on all tests and exams.
Academic Support and Expectations
Missed Tests / Presentations / In-Class Assignments
Students who miss scheduled tests, presentations or in-class assignments will receive a grade of zero. If there are valid reasons for missing the test, presentation or in-class assignment, the student MUST:
a) Contact the professor or student advisor either by phone or by email prior to the start time of the test, presentation or in-class assignment and
b) By the next class, present the professor with appropriate documentation.
At the professor’s discretion, a make-up test/in-class assignment or new date for the presentation may be granted or the value of the test may be added to a subsequent test or final exam. In courses where the grading scheme does not include the lowest test mark, this missed test policy does not apply.
Late Assignments
Any student in need of an extended deadline must negotiate a reasonable extension with the faculty in advance of the published deadline. Only under extenuating circumstances will late assignments be accepted without communication prior to the deadline. Documentation of the extenuating circumstances must be provided by the student upon request. At the discretion of the faculty, deductions may be applied for any late assignment submissions. Student assessment policy is available at Student Assessment Policy website.
See professor's addendum for additional information.