Faculty

ENGL-1301 English Composition I

Jordan Easley

Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

ENGL-1301-162 (33867)
LEC TuTh 6:00pm - 7:20pm RRC RRC1 1313.00

Course Requirements

English Composition I is an intensive study of and practice in writing processes, from invention and researching to drafting, revising, and editing, both individually and collaboratively. Emphasis on effective rhetorical choices, including audience, purpose, arrangement, and style. Focus on writing the academic essay as a vehicle for learning, communicating, and critical analysis. The content of this syllabus is guided by the ACC English Department’s ENGL 1301 departmental syllabus, which is incorporated by reference into this syllabus and available at the Austin Community College website.

Readings

Required: All required reading materials will be provided free of cost. Supplementary materials, including textbooks, essays, and fiction pieces, will be posted on Blackboard (I use the abbreviation BB for Blackboard) or found online.

Suggested: Note taking materials.

Course Subjects

Students will write four major papers, practicing the creation of thesis statements, drafts, and rhetorical analysis, using researched and documented sources. Papers are graded according to a rubric. Each paper may be revised and resubmitted up to one week after feedback is received to recover up to half of all docked points (ex: an initial grade of a 70% can be resubmitted for up to an 85%). Students will also complete Low Stakes writing activities and Discussion Boards to practice writing and research skills ahead of their paper deadline

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

Upon completion of ENGL 1301, students should be able to

● demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative writing processes

● develop ideas with appropriate support and attribution

● write in a style appropriate to audience and purpose

● read, reflect, and respond critically to a variety of texts

● use Edited American English in academic essays

Assignments

Paper 1 is a narrative expressive essay to explore writing about yourself; the paper should be about 500 words.

Paper 2 is a rhetorical analysis evaluating the effectiveness of a selected argument; the paper should be about 500 words.

Paper 3 is a proposal supported by academic research to solve a local, national, or global issue; the paper should be about 750 words. The paper should cite at least two secondary sources from an academic database.

Paper 4 is a reflection paper evaluating personal growth throughout the semester supported by examples from the first three papers. The paper should be about 500 words

Discussion Boards post a thoughtful, original response to one of the discussion questions required that week (minimum of 200 words). Then, post a substantial reply to two classmates of your choice (minimum of 50 words each). Deadlines are provided in the course calendar.

(Low Stakes writing assignments)

Annotated Bibliography paper 3 will require the creation of a formal annotated bibliography of the sources gathered during the research process. Students will select 3-5 sources and write a brief synopsis of how they intend to use them in their paper or how they have supported their research process (about 100 words for each)

Outline papers 2 and 3 will require the creation of an outline overviewing the intended structure of the rhetorical analysis essay

Tutorials & surveys throughout the semester, students will complete several tutorials (provided for free by the ACC library) to support their research methods and writing process. These will be graded on completion.

Grade Breakdown

Assignment	Percentage of Course Average	Can Revise or Retake?
Paper 1 (Narrative Expressive)	15%	Students may revise papers up to one week after feedback is received to recover up to half of all docked points
Paper 2 (Rhetorical Analysis)	15%
Paper 3 (Proposal)	15%
Paper 4 (Self-reflection)	15%
Discussion Boards	20%	No
Low stakes assignments (Annotated Bib, Outline, Tutorials, etc.)	15%	No
In-class Discussion & Participation	5%	No