ENGL 215: Introduction to Article Writing (3): Written exercises in, and a study of, the principles of article writing; practice in the writing of specific articles. Prerequisite: ENGL 015 or ENGL 030
Overview
English 215 is designed to acquaint students with the principles of article writing and give them practice in producing quality articles. While providing students the opportunity to dabble in a variety of nonfiction forms, the course will emphasize literary writing techniques that exemplify contemporary magazine writing. Students should expect to read and write extensively.
General Course Requirements
Requirements fall into three categories: writing, reading, and collaborating. The course is organized by the two major projects. Learning occurs primarily experientially: students study the principles of effective article writing and relate the principles to professional samples; then, they research and write their own articles. There are no exams or quizzes. All writing projects are defined by student interests and governed by the requirements of the particular assignments.
Writing
There will be three major writing assignments: Event Story (20%), Profile (20%), and Feature-Length Article (30%). All assignments will require multiple drafts and revisions. Grades will be determined by the students’ ability to put principle into practice in accordance with the specific of criteria each assignment. In addition, students will submit minor writing assignments most weeks. These writing exercises will comprise 10% of the final grade.
The Event Story (1500 words) will ask students to report on an event occurring in their community. Since most events possess an inherent narrative structure, this assignment introduces students to the relationship between article writing and storytelling. The event can be private or public, special or ongoing. The event might depict a current trend or a deviation from the norm. The event should derive its newsworthiness from its reflection of the community. In most instances, the students will report on events as observers (and/or participants)—though students will have the option of reconstructing events through interviews.
The Profile (1500 words) asks students to create a portrait of an individual. Character development lies at the heart of effective literary writing and the profile requires students to focus primarily on character. While students will do interviews as part of their research, they will also be required to observe subjects in their daily lives.
The Feature-Length Article (3000 words) will combine elements of the first two assignments, but also require students to write in greater depth. Students will be given broad latitude in selecting topics, but typically feature stories report a fusion of people, places, and events. Moreover, feature stories find a way to give concrete form to abstract ideas.
The minor assignments will allow students to practice the techniques we discuss each week. Typically, these writing exercises will ask students to draw on personal experience to apply the writing principles. Exercises may also assist students in professional development.
Reading
Students will read from three textbooks and various Internet resources. Two textbooks will be guidebooks, which will provide theoretical and practical advice on effective writing techniques; the third textbook will provide sample articles. Most weeks, students will read a section of one or both of the guidebooks and sample articles from their text or electronic reserve. Some weeks, students may be asked to locate applicable articles on their own.
In addition, students will post weekly reading responses (approximately 200 words) on the discussion board. These postings will react to specific prompts relating the sample articles to the principles discussed. Students will also be required to respond to classmates' postings. Discussion board participation will be worth 15% of the final grade.
Collaboration
In addition to writing about the course reading and discussing it, students will routinely read drafts and offer revision suggestions to their classmates. Each major writing project will require peer feedback organized around review questions pertinent to the assignment. Collaboration is mandatory and is worth 10% of the final course grade. Students failing to take responsibility for peer review will be penalized.
NOTE: Your instructor may use the "Comments" tool in Microsoft Word to respond to your writing. To view and receive these comments, you must choose "Markup" from the "View" pulldown menu in MS Word. The words "Final Showing Markup" will appear in the reviewing toolbar above your document.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course you will:
- Be acquainted with the principles of article writing
- Recognize the key concepts associated with creative nonfiction
- Identify the craft writers apply to their work
- Learn to apply the craft to your own work
- Understand the significance of research in article writing
- Appreciate the narrative elements of creative nonfiction
- Realize the importance of character development in article writing
- Discover the goals and techniques of interviewing
- Develop an attitude conducive to the writing life
- Gain experience in editing
- Learn the process of revision
- Gain an understanding of structuring articles
- Know the legal and ethical responsibilities of writing nonfiction
- Understand the process of marketing your articles for publication
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
Library Resources
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
Writing Tutoring Available for ENGL 215 Students
Penn State World Campus and the University Learning Centers, the Undergraduate Writing Center, and the Center for Excellence in Writing at Penn State University Park are pleased to announce that students in ENGL 215 can now access tutoring services online. Get tutoring support before those final papers are due!
To meet with a tutor online, complete the form available at:
http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/online-tutoring.shtml
Once you have sent in your request, a tutor will be in touch to arrange a time for you to meet online. Tutoring sessions will take place in Elluminate Live!, a synchronous audio environment that will allow you to talk to your tutor. When you request your tutoring session you will be provided with information on how to access Elluminate Live!
Software
One of the benefits of being a registered Penn State student is that you are eligible to receive educational discounts on many software titles. If you are interested in learning more about purchasing software through our affiliate vendor, please visit the Buying Software section of the Course Materials page.
Technical Specifications
| Operating System | Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8*; Mac OS X 10.5 or higher *Windows 8 support excludes the tablet only RT version |
|---|---|
| Processor | 2 GHz or higher |
| Memory | 1 GB of RAM |
| Hard Drive Space | 20 GB free disk space |
| Browser | We recommend the latest ANGEL-supported version of Firefox or
Internet Explorer. To determine if your browser fits this criterion,
and for advice on downloading a supported version,
please refer to the following ITS knowledge base article: Supported Browsers and Recommended Computers.
Note: Cookies, Java, and JavaScript must be enabled. Pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. Due to nonstandard handling of CSS, JavaScript and caching, older versions of Internet Explorer (such as IE 6 or earlier) do not work with our courses. |
| Plug-ins | Adobe Reader [Download from Adobe]
Flash Player (v7.0 or later) [Download from Adobe] |
| Additional Software | Microsoft Office (2007 or later) |
| Internet Connection | Broadband (cable or DSL) connection required |
| Printer | Access to graphics-capable printer |
| DVD-ROM | Required |
| Sound Card, Microphone, and Speakers | Required |
| Monitor | Capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Course Schedule
The schedule below outlines the topics we will be covering in this course, along with the associated time frames and assignments. Note that assignments are due based on the Eastern Time (ET). This ensures that all students have the same deadlines regardless of where they live.
Note: Unless otherwise indicated, all assignments are due Sunday at 11:59 pm.
| Getting Started |
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READINGS
ASSIGNMENTS and ACTIVITIES
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| Lesson 13: Refining Your Story |
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READINGS
ASSIGNMENTS and ACTIVITIES
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Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please refer to Graduation at the Chaiken Center for Student Success.
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Course Requirements and Grading
Your course grade will be based on a total of 300 points, which you accumulate by completing the major writing projects and the lesson assignments and by participating in the class. The following tables explain the grading.
| Event Story | 60 points | |
| Profile | 60 points | |
| Feature-Length Article | 90 points | |
| Minor writing assignments | 30 points (8 x 3 + 6) | Each minor assignment is worth 3 points. Students receive six bonus points for posting all eight assignments on time. |
| Discussion board participation | 30 points | Discussion board comments and responses will be evaluated on a qualitative basis. |
| Peer review participation | 30 points (3 x 10) |
For each round of peer review, writers receive 5 points for posting their rough draft on time. The remaining 5 points in each round will be distributed according to the quality of the peer review comments made on other's drafts. |
| A | 282 - 300 points |
| A- | 270 - 281 points |
| B+ | 261 - 269 points |
| B | 249 - 260 points |
| B- | 240 - 248 points |
| C+ | 231 - 239 points |
| C | 210 - 230 points |
| D | 180 - 209 points |
| F | Below 180 points |
For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity (for undergraduate students in undergraduate courses) and policy GCAC-805 Academic Integrity (for graduate students and undergraduate students in graduate courses), an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity or GCAC-805 Academic Integrity as appropriate). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and personal
integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and property; and help
create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the
fruits of their own efforts. An environment of academic integrity is
requisite to respect for oneself and others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, procedures allow a student to accept or contest/appeal the allegation. If a student chooses to contest/appeal the allegation, the case will then be managed by the respective school, college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. Review procedures may vary by college, campus, or school, but all follow the aforementioned policies.
All academic integrity violations are referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response, which may assign an educational intervention and/or apply a Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, or Expulsion.
Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page.
Accommodating Disabilities
Late Assignment Policy
It is important that you submit your assignments by the due date listed in the Course Schedule. Your instructor may impose penalties for late assignments. These penalties may include a lowered grade or a grade of zero for that assignment.
In the case of an unavoidable conflict or emergency, you are responsible for contacting your instructor as soon as possible to work out an alternative arrangement.
Additional Policies
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.