Printable PDF - Alexander Ruch

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Requirements
Simply put, this course requires a lot of writing and a lot of rewriting. I approach writing as a way of
thinking as well as a way of communicating, and this process of discovery, development, and
refinement doesn‟t happen in a single late-night typing session. For this reason, I treat all writing
turned in before the last week as a draft in process, and I encourage you (and sometimes compel
you) to return to earlier pieces of writing to update, rethink, or just improve them. A collection of all
your completed writing will go into a portfolio due on the last week of class in lieu of a final paper
or exam. Part of the reason for this is personal: I don‟t especially enjoy writing comments on work
considered finished, since the most helpful comments identify places that could use work or are
begging for further development. This way, you will get actually useful comments from both me and
your fellow students and have ample time to incorporate such feedback into future drafts. If this
sounds like more work for you, it is; it is also more work for me, but I have kept the reading load
relatively light to balance this out for both of us.
Grade Breakdown
Short Weekly Writing Assignments: 30% (6 x 5% each)
Longer Paper Drafts: 30% (2 x 15% each)
Final Portfolio Demonstrating Ongoing and Thoughtful Revision: 30%
Workshop and Discussion Participation: 10%
Attendance and Punctuality
We are all responsible to one another in this class, and part of that is being present and prepared for
class. Barring exceptional and well-documented circumstances, your grade will be docked one percentage
point for each missed class over three. Also, arriving over 10 minutes after the start of class constitutes an
absence, and habitual tardiness of even a minute or two won‟t be tolerated.
Assignment Late Policy
Lateness on assignments is unacceptable; if you have a medical excuse or other documented
emergency situation that caused you to be absent from class, I‟ll accept your work upon your return,
but otherwise I want things turned in on time or else not at all.
Course Texts
Along with shorter readings, you should find and purchase copies of the following books:
Harris, Rewriting
Rushdie, Haroun and the Sea of Stories
Williams, Style: The Basics of Clarity and Grace (2 nd ed.)