English 273Specal Topics: The Essay Fall 2014, Hendrix College

Professor: Jessica Jacobs

Professor Email: jacobs@hendrix.edu
Office: Fausett Hall, 201 B
Office Phone: (501) 336-5057
Office Hours: By appointment. I will be on
campus MW 12-2, and afternoons
on TTH.
Class Schedule: T/TH 2:45-4:00
Coursesite: jjacobscourses.wordpress.com
Readings Page Password: essay

Writing is one way of self-making.Phillip Lopate
How do I know what I think until I see what I say?E.M. Forster

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course invites you into an intensive study of the essayas a literary object, a communicative device, and a
source of intellectual and aesthetic enjoyment. Together, we will work to develop your understanding of how good
essays work, from their conception in an authors experience of the world through the hard work of their
development and the pleasure of their transmission to others. In the process, we will devote sustained attention to
your writing, working to cultivate your distinct perspective and to strengthen your ability to engage, interest, and
persuade your audiences.

As a member of this workshop, you will be part of a close creative community. Just as in every community, respect
for others is essential. You will be expected to respond to essayseven those with which you might not be comfortable
in terms of their subject matter, political views, or religious beliefsin a mature, thoughtful, and supportive manner.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
To learn that writing is pleasurable, hard work.
To learn to write a number of different kinds of essays.
To develop an interesting and arresting writing style.

REQUIRED TEXTS
Occasions for Hendrix, Eds. Robert DiYanni and Pat C. Hoy II.
You will frequently need to print files from the coursesite
A binder to house and organize these essays and your writing (we will often refer back to previously
discussed essays, which means it will be helpful to have them all in one place)

**Unless an electronic text is needed for a disability accommodation, students are required to have physical
copies of these texts (as opposed to eBook versions or PDFs, etc.). This will allow you to more actively interact
with the texts through marking favorite (or least favorite) passages, and talking back to the text through your
marginaliaall of which will help you in both class discussions and when you return to the texts to write your
required critical essay. All books are available at Village Books and at a steeply discounted price online. Rental
books can be written in.

CONFERENCES
I will provide plenty of written commentary on your work, and we will also schedule conferences throughout the
semester. At a minimum, you and I will schedule at least three required conferences during the semester. These will
count as class meetings. I may ask you to meet with me if I think you need additional help. Feel welcome to visit me
during my office hours.


English 273Specal Topics: The Essay, Fall 2014 Jessica Jacobs

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MAJOR WRITING REQUIREMENTS
You can expect to write for every class, either formally or informally. I encourage you to think of this work as
practice, the same kind of practice youve already done if youve played a sport, learned a musical instrument, or
studied a foreign language. The best way to become a better writer is to write. Throughout the course, I will help
you learn to write effectively; you can also expect a great deal of help from your classmates.

ASSIGNMENTS
Careful reading and re-reading of essays by professional and student writers.
A series of peer-and-instructor evaluated writing exercises, due on most days of the semester. Length will
be specified on each assignment sheet.
Three peer-evaluated and instructor-graded essays. Length will be specified on each assignment sheet.
Other occasional small/informal writing assignments as needed.

STANDARDS
All final essays must:
Explore and develop an idea in a coherent, engaging way.
Have a thoughtful beginning, middle, and end.
Be grammatically correct and thoroughly proofread.
Have a tone appropriate for the intended audience.

GRADES
A work gives the reader a positive impression of excellence in all listed standards.
B work gives the reader a positive impression of general superiority in all listed standards.
C work is average in each standard.
D or F work is seriously deficient in one or more of the listed standards.

Simply fulfilling the requirements of the class warrants a C, not an A.
A = 90-100 B = 80-89 C = 70-79 D = 60-69 F = 0-59

I will calculate your final grade as follows:
Progression/Essay 1 30%
Progression/Essay 2 30%
Progression/Essay 3 30%
Class participation 10%

Your grade will be determined by the work you do on the three progressions (a series of reading, writing, thinking,
and imagining exercises that culminate over time in an essay). The work for each progression will be weighted
equally. You cannot pass the course without completing all three essays and the work leading up to them.

CLASS PARTICIPATION: Your class participation will be exhibited through discussion, in-class writing, and class
preparedness, which includes having a marked up copy of the days readings and a printed copy of any written work
due.

ATTENDANCE: Much of the work for this course takes place in class and while interacting with your classmates, so
your attendance is crucial. On the third absence, expect your grade to drop by one full letter grade; on the fourth
absence, your grade will drop another full letter, and so on. After six absences, it is probably in your best interest to
drop the class. Please see p. 41 of the 2013-2014 Hendrix Catalog. Documented medical conditions and the
observance of religious holidays are legitimate excuses for an absence. See me about each absence. Punctual attendance
is required. Three late arrivals will equal one absence.
English 273Specal Topics: The Essay, Fall 2014 Jessica Jacobs

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COMMUNICATION: Email is always the best way to reach me. Email is also how I will contact you. Please check
your Hendrix email with some frequency. Im happy to talk with you in office hours about your written work, about
our readings, or about your interests. If my office hours conflict with your schedule, contact me to make an
appointment.

READINGS: Readings must be done before class. Print them out and mark them up. Your writing will improve if
you read closely, and in order to read closely, you may need to read slowly. Attempt to read each assigned story or
essay two times. As stated previously, unless theres a very, very good reason, I ask that you not use e-readers,
ipads, or other electronic devices in the classroomthese gadgets necessarily divide your attention, and
your full focus needs to be here in the classroom with us.

GROUP DISCUSSION: Please remember that there is no such thing as neutral silence in a group discussion.
Over time, protracted silence or nonparticipation can register as indifference, or worse, deliberate withholding to
the groups other members. This impression, no matter how unintended, has the tendency to chill discussion and
limit conversation to only the most outgoing of students. Conversely, when many voices participate in discussion,
students often feel it easier to join in.

Remember also that participating in a discussion is a skill that can, and should, be learned. If you are having
difficulty getting a word in edgewise in our conversations, or if talking in class terrifies you (youre not the only
one), you should consult with me in office hours about strategies that will help you participate.

LATE PAPERS: Your grade drops by one letter each late day (e.g., if you submit a late paper on Thursday and it was
due on Tuesday, the highest grade you could receive is a C). If you have an emergency, talk with me before the
deadline.

FORMATTING: All papers should be submitted in hard copy in class. Please format and cite according to the
guidelines in the MLA Style Manual. Your paper should be double-spaced, in 12-point font, with one-inch margins
on each side. Give your paper a title, number and staple your pages, and spell-check and proofread your text. Do not
include a separate cover page or a folder. Do include your name, date, and the assignment name.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: If you consult or quote from an outside source (yes, even an internet source), you should
include proper MLA documentation. Carefully read the Academic Integrity section of the Hendrix Catalog. Should
you attempt to submit writing or ideas that are not your own, you will fail the assignment, or depending on the
severity of the case, I will recommend that you fail the course. In addition, I will file a report with the Commit on
Academic Integrity. I reserve the right to ask for electronic submissions, should I decide to use Hendrixs
subscription to Turnitin (an anti-plagiarism service).

THE WRITING CENTER: The Writing Center is an invaluable service available to all students. The Writing Center
tutors will help you rethink your drafts. They will not edit your work for grammatical errors.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: It is the policy of Hendrix College to accommodate students with disabilities,
pursuant to federal and state law. Any student who needs accommodation in relation to a recognized disability
should inform me at the beginning of the course. In order to receive accommodations, students with disabilities are
required to contact Julie Brown in Academic Support Services at brownj@hendrix.edu.