Syllabus

Course Information:

Title: Analyzing Style
Number: ENG 316-001
Time & Location: T & R 11:00–12:15 (MO 204)
Instructor: Dr. Jeremy Tirrell
Office: MO 161
Office Hours: T&R 12:30–1:30, W 2:00–3:00 (and by email or appointment)


Course Overview:

As one of the five classical canons of rhetoric, style is a significant aspect of meaning. It encompasses grammatical concerns including syntax and broader matters of language choice, phrase assembly, and tone. Students in this course will explore these and other issues as they hone multiple styles of writing by identifying effective strategies within existing works and applying them in their own compositions.

All class members are expected to treat each other with appropriate courtesy and decorum, and all coursework should be completed in a thorough, timely fashion. All students must read and understand the policies articulated in this syllabus and sign the course contract in order to remain in the class.

Course Learning Outcomes:

To complete this course successfully, students should demonstrate the ability to:

  • discuss how the canon of style fits into broader rhetorical strategies
  • analyze a variety of stylistic aspects in the work of others across multiple genres
  • improve their critical writing and reading abilities by attending to stylistic features
  • produce a portfolio of written work through an iterative process that incorporates instructor and peer feedback

Required Materials:

  • Performing Prose: The Study and Practice of Style in Composition, Chris Holcomb and M. Jimmie Killingsworth
  • Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wickedly Effective Good, Constance Hale

Materials may be obtained from:

Be aware that electronic/loose-leaf/ring-bound/rental versions are perfectly usable, but they do not have any resale value.

Course Policies:

Technology Expectations:

  • ability to interact with the course website
  • access to provided visual design software
  • an email account checked regularly for course-related business
  • a networked drive, flash drive, or other means to backup coursework

Routine interaction with technology is an integral component of this class, and computer problems are not valid excuses for incomplete coursework. Students should practice the core principle of digital data hygiene: redundant backup. Digital technology will fail; students should be prepared for that eventuality.

Personal Technology Devices in the Classroom:

Students may use laptops, cell phones, and other digital devices during class, provided that they do not disrupt other students' learning or the instructor's classroom management. Each student is responsible for his or her own engagement with class meetings, and thus the resultant success or failure in the course. Research suggests that students will be better served by not using such devices in class.

Availability of Material Online:

Some material students post to this website may be publicly accessible on the Web. Any material posted to the course website may be used anonymously for instruction or research purposes. The instructor reserves the right to record and display in-class and online academic interactions for instruction or research purposes.

Attendance and Punctuality:

Because this class contains a strong workshop and discussion component, class attendance is crucial. Role is taken shortly after class begins. If a student is not present when role is taken, he or she will be considered absent. If there are extraordinary circumstances that will prevent a student from attending class, he or she must contact the instructor beforehand. There is no separate attendance component of the course grade, but any student who misses more than five in-class meetings without clearance from the instructor will fail the course automatically. Additionally, any work missed because of an absence cannot be made up. This includes project assignments. The class abides by the maxim that all members of the class should show respect to one another by meeting at designated times and places prepared to work.

Late Work:

Late work is not accepted under normal circumstances.

Statement on Academic Integrity:

All UNCW community members are expected to adhere to the guidelines set forth in the UNCW Student Academic Honor Code. Students are expected to produce original work in this course. Collaboration and incorporation of external material and ideas into original work is of course necessary and acceptable, but all students are ethically obliged to document external sources through appropriate citation practices. Students who are uncertain if some element of their work constitutes plagiarism or another honor code violation should speak with the instructor. The point of any class is to educate, not to punish; nevertheless, the consequences of honor code violations are appropriately dire. Please consult the UNCW Code of Student Life for more information.

Statement on Services for Students with Disabilities:

The university will make every effort to accommodate students with disabilities. Students requiring accommodations should contact the Disability Resource Center, as the instructor can take no action without its guidance. Students should do this as soon as possible, as accommodations cannot be made retroactively.

Statement Regarding Violence and Harassment:

UNCW practices a zero tolerance policy for any kind of violent or harassing behavior. Students experiencing an emergency of this type should contact the police at 911 or UNCW CARE at 962-2273. Resources for individuals concerned with a violent or harassing situation can be located at the UNCW Crisis Resources page. Students should be aware that all university employees, including instructors, are legally obligated to communicate any report of alleged sexual misconduct, on or off-campus, to the Dean of Students. Three university entities are confidential resources exempt from this obligation: CARE, the Counseling Center, and the Abrons Student Health Center.

Statement on Religious Observance

In accordance with NC SL 2010-211, students are entitled to two excused absences for religious observances per academic year. Students must inform the instructor in writing the first week of class if they will miss any classes due to religious observance. Additionally, students should inform the Registrar the first week of class who will then coordinate with the corresponding course instructors. Any absence for religious purposes will be considered unexcused unless a student submits the request in writing the first week to the instructor or Registrar.


Course Grading:

Grade Disbursement:

Each student will have secure access to his or her grades online through Blackboard.

Grade Components:

Quizzes = 125 points
Practical Exercises = 25 points
Author Analysis and Presentation = 100 points
Style Portfolio = 100 points

Total = 350 points

Final Course Grades:

This courses uses the plus/minus grading system on final grade reports. The breakdown is as follows:

  • 92%–100% = A
  • 90%–91% = A-
  • 88%–89% = B+
  • 82%–87% = B
  • 80%–81% = B-
  • 78%–79% = C+
  • 72%–77% = C
  • 70%–71% = C-
  • 68%–69% = D+
  • 62%–67% = D
  • 60%–61% = D-
  • 0%–59% = F