Composition I - COM101/2 Fall 2026
Course
Lessons
Here is the course outline:
1. Introduction
Aug 31
Unit 1: Aug 31, Sep 2 Topic: Introduction Description: Icebreaking. Syllabus overview. Description of course purposes, structure, assessment, and expectations ▪ Course Key Terms and FAQs Assignments/deadlines: Review course reading material (Mylearning) |
2. Origins of Academic Writing
Sep 7
Unit 2: Sep 7, 9 Topic: Origins of Academic Writing Description: Rhetoric, purpose, importance and modern applications. Reading: Corbett, pp. 29 – 33 & Booth, pp. 9 – 15. Assignments/deadlines: Assignment #1: Read Corbett: Chapter: THE RELEVANCE AND IMPORTANCE OF RHETORIC FOR OUR TIMES and prepare: • a 1-page preliminary outline • a 1-page summary Given: Sep 7 Due: Sep 9, 23:00, Mylearning + Google Doc (Submitted work will be discussed in class) |
3. Analytical Reading
Sep 14
Unit 3: Sep 14, 16 Topic: Analytical Reading Description: Text analysis. Reading methods. Teamwork1: Assignment 1 Peer Reviewing. Reading: Kirszner pp. 13 – 20 + Exercise 1, Ruszkiewicz, pp. 317 – 324 and Booth, pp 106 – 107. In-class writing exercise and debate: Read the article: The Rhetorical Education of Isocrates and the Exemplary in Teaching: Overcoming the―Learnification of Education by Lars Petter Storm Torjussen. Nordic Journal of Educational History Vol. 6, no. 2 (2019), pp. 3–21 and prepare a 2-page summary and a 20-word glossary. (Sep 16) |
4. Critical Thinking
Sep 21
Unit 4: Sep 21, 23 Topic: Critical Thinking Description: Definition. Importance. Methods. Application in writing. Debate 1. Reading: Ruszkiewicz, pp. 420 – 423, Open University, pp. 7 – 11, Bailey, pp. 27 – 29. Booth, pp. 56 – 70. Screening and debate: Steven Pinker | Penguin Big Questions https://youtu.be/LgVzm_3I-pM |
5. Writing Techniques
Sep 30
Unit 5, : Sep 30, Oct 5 Topic: Writing Techniques Description: Outlining. Summarizing. Paraphrasing. Citations… and a Grammar reminder. Reading: Kirszner pp. 81 – 88, Ruszkiewicz, pp. 324 – 353, Bailey, pp. 44 – 69. Assignments/deadlines: Draft#1: In one (1) page, describe your topic proposal and create an outline. Given: Sep 30 Printed for Oct 7 |
6. The Structure
Oct 7
Unit 6: Oct 7, 12 Topic: The Structure Description: Importance of structure. Simple and complex. Transitional sections/signs. Sentence. Paragraph. Introduction. Conclusion. Reading: Bailey, pp. 77 - 81. Ruszkiewicz, pp. 354 – 361. Screening and In-class writing exercise: The Future of Fashion – Made from Mushrooms | Dr. Dan Widmaier | TED https://youtu.be/OcdumFcGdfU |
7. Arguments
Oct 14
Unit 7: Oct 14, 19 Topic: Arguments Description: Historical overview. Principles of argument. Reasoning. Evidence. Building and discussing arguments in academic writing. Reading: Ramage, pp. 17 – 21, & 32 – 41, Booth, pp. 114 – 123. Bailey, pp. 101 – 117. Open University, pp. 12 – 18. Screening: Monty Python’s Argument https://youtu.be/xpAvcGcEc0k?si=_qW-x3U0hoqlYOWW Assignments/deadlines: Assignment #2: In two (2) pages, summarise the key ideas of: A. R. NYKL AND MEXICO’S PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE by Dagmar Winklerová. Describe the language of the writer: The terms, sentences and tone. Given: Oct 14 Due Oct 21, 23:00, Mylearning + Google Doc (Submitted work will be discussed in class) |
8. References
Oct 21
Unit 8: Oct 21 Topic: References Description: Finding sources. Bibliography. Online sources. Reading: Ruszkiewicz, pp. 435 – 473, Bailey, pp. 15 – 17, & 62 – 71 + Exercise. In-class writing exercise: In one (2) pages summarise the key ideas of Scott F. Crider, The Soul of Rhetoric in the Age of Amazon. Renovatio Journal, Spring 2019, pp. 35 – 42, and make clear whether you‘re agreeing or disagreeing with what he says. https://renovatio.zaytuna.edu/article/the-soul-of-rhetoric-in-the-age-of-amazon |
9. A Sense of Style
Nov 2
Unit 9: Nov 2, 4 Topic: A Sense of Style Description: Conventional VS Creative. Voice. Stylistic choices… but with Grammar and Vocabulary! Reading: Kirszner , pp.89 - 90, Birkenstein, 117 – 130. Assignments/deadlines: Draft #2: Extend your draft (topic proposal) to 5-7 pages including: - Past readings on your topic - Paragraphs including arguments and citations - List of new sources - MLA 9th ed. format Given: Nov 2 Printed. For Nov 11 |
10. Plagiarism
Nov 9
Unit 10: Nov 9, 11 Topic: Plagiarism Description: Definition. Types (and syllabus overview). Ethical or Legal? Alternatives. Reading: Booth, pp. 201 – 207. Bailey, pp. 30 – 35. Screening and In-class writing exercise: What does the AI revolution mean for our future? https://youtu.be/7JkPWHr7sTY?feature=shared |
11. Editing and Formatting
Nov 16
Unit 11: Nov 16, 18 Topic: Editing and Formatting Description: Revising the frame. Coherence check. Grammar reminder. Arguments revision. Citations and sources check. Reading: Kirszner, p.168. Booth, pp. 208 – 2018. Birkenstein, pp. 309 – 327. |
12. Ethics of Research
Nov 23
Unit 12: Nov 23, 25 Topic: Ethics of Research Description: Honesty. Objectivity. Humbleness… and again, Plagiarism. Reading: Corbett, pp. 277 – 282, & 302 – 312, Booth, pp. 285 – 288 + in class writing exercise + debate |
13. Final Draft and Peer Review
Nov 30
Unit 13: Nov 30, Dec 2 Topic: Final Draft and Peer Review Description: Share your essay draft, read a peer’s work, give feedback, receive comments, revise your writing. Assignments/deadlines: Draft#3: Prepare the last version of your paper (7 pages minimum, 10 pages maximum): - Apply the studied rules of editing and formatting to your Draft - Write your introduction and conclusion - The list of references MLA 9th ed. format Given: Nov 30 Due Dec 11, 23:00, Mylearning + Google Doc Peer Review |
14. Last Preparations
Dec 7
Unit 14: Dec 7, 9 Topic: Last Preparations Description: Class discussion and preparation for the next week. Assignments/deadlines: Prepare a PP presentation of your final paper. Screening (To be announced) |
15. Presenting and Defending
Dec 14
Unit 15: Dec 14 Topic: Presentations Description: Presentation and Defense of Research Papers. |