Welcome to English/IMS 224, Digital Writing & Rhetoric! In this course, we will study, explore, and compose compositions that employ multiple means of persuasion. By focusing our attention on digital rhetoric and writing, we specifically will investigate and apply strategies that blend alphabetic, sonic, and visual elements to achieve desired ends. The digital texts we will concern ourselves with include, among others, blogs, audio essays/podcasts, videos, and visual designs. As we make our way through the class, you will apply rhetorical concepts--i.e., kairos, arrangement, imitatio, delivery, intertextuality, and so on--to move and persuade public audiences to act, think, respond, feel, learn, etc.
In English 224, you will...
In English 224, you will...
- employ fundamental rhetorical principles to analyze the persuasive strategies of digital multimodal web texts. In other words, you will do rhetorical analysis.
- apply rhetorical principles to produce effective digital multimodal web texts.
- consider critically the unique affordances and constraints of diverse modalities of writing (alphabetic, visual, aural).
- revise writing in light of feedback from peers and learn to give useful feedback to peers.
- reflect on writing processes for inventing, drafting, and revising digital multimodal texts.
- consider the ethical and legal responsibilities of writers in a digital age, particularly when publishing to the World Wide Web.
- employ effective practices of design and rhetoric to compose and publish multimodal texts (on the Web) for audiences beyond the classroom.
policies
required texts/materials
access / accommodations
I am committed to maximizing your learning potential and making this course as accessible as possible. If there is any way that I can adapt this course to better meet your needs as a learner, please let me know. If you have a documented disability, I will provide any accommodations that have been best determined by you and the Office of Disability Resources (http://www.units.muohio.edu/oeeo/odr/; 513-529-2541) in advance.
attendance
It is Miami University policy that every student is expected to attend every class meeting. Attendance is of utmost importance to the success of this class and to your development as a writer. Much of the learning in English 224 happens via in-class activities, assignments, discussion, and group interaction that cannot be easily replicated outside of class. In other words, class time will be highly interactive — requiring frequent participation, discussion, team work, in-class writing, and responding to writing. For this reason, attendance at all class sessions is expected. You are allowed a maximum of 2 unexcused absences in this course. Every unexcused absence thereafter will result in a lowering of your final grade by 50 points (i.e., half a letter grade).
tardiness
You are expected to arrive to class on time. If tardiness becomes a problem (i.e., you have arrived late to class 3 or more times), I will notify you of the issue. Thereafter, you will be counted as absent for any late arrival.
late work
All assignments must be turned in on time. To be allowed an extension, with a grade penalty, you must contact me before the regularly scheduled due date. In most circumstances, final grades on papers will be downgraded one whole grade for each day late (for example A to B).
plagiarism
Plagiarism consists of knowingly copying and/or reproducing the work of someone else without supplying appropriate credit. In cases involving deception (e.g. buying an online paper or copying others’ work without giving them credit), consequences can result in failing the assignment or, if serious enough, failing the course. Throughout the course, we will discuss issues of plagiarism as they pertain to particular assignments and contexts. However, if at anytime you are unsure about what constitutes plagiarism, please schedule a time to meet with me. For further details about Academic Integrity at Miami University — including a detailed list of examples of academic dishonesty and procedures and penalties for dealing with instances of academic dishonesty — visit theUndergraduate Academic Integrity website.
distractions
Please silence your cell phone and refrain from texting during class. While we will regularly use laptops for in-class writing, research, and collaboration, please refrain from using your laptop for non-class activities.
backing up work
Please make sure to have a plan for backing up all of your digital work in multiple places in case of computer failure. Please also make sure to save all of the writing you complete for class.
grading scale
A 100-94%
A- 93-90%
B+ 89-87
B 86-84%
B- 83-80%
C+ 79-77%
C 76-74%
C- 73-70%
D+ 69-67%
D 66-64%
D- 63-60%
F 59% and below
- ear buds/head phones for in-class work
- access to reliable Internet for accessing course readings and materials
- USB drive for saving/backing up work
access / accommodations
I am committed to maximizing your learning potential and making this course as accessible as possible. If there is any way that I can adapt this course to better meet your needs as a learner, please let me know. If you have a documented disability, I will provide any accommodations that have been best determined by you and the Office of Disability Resources (http://www.units.muohio.edu/oeeo/odr/; 513-529-2541) in advance.
attendance
It is Miami University policy that every student is expected to attend every class meeting. Attendance is of utmost importance to the success of this class and to your development as a writer. Much of the learning in English 224 happens via in-class activities, assignments, discussion, and group interaction that cannot be easily replicated outside of class. In other words, class time will be highly interactive — requiring frequent participation, discussion, team work, in-class writing, and responding to writing. For this reason, attendance at all class sessions is expected. You are allowed a maximum of 2 unexcused absences in this course. Every unexcused absence thereafter will result in a lowering of your final grade by 50 points (i.e., half a letter grade).
tardiness
You are expected to arrive to class on time. If tardiness becomes a problem (i.e., you have arrived late to class 3 or more times), I will notify you of the issue. Thereafter, you will be counted as absent for any late arrival.
late work
All assignments must be turned in on time. To be allowed an extension, with a grade penalty, you must contact me before the regularly scheduled due date. In most circumstances, final grades on papers will be downgraded one whole grade for each day late (for example A to B).
plagiarism
Plagiarism consists of knowingly copying and/or reproducing the work of someone else without supplying appropriate credit. In cases involving deception (e.g. buying an online paper or copying others’ work without giving them credit), consequences can result in failing the assignment or, if serious enough, failing the course. Throughout the course, we will discuss issues of plagiarism as they pertain to particular assignments and contexts. However, if at anytime you are unsure about what constitutes plagiarism, please schedule a time to meet with me. For further details about Academic Integrity at Miami University — including a detailed list of examples of academic dishonesty and procedures and penalties for dealing with instances of academic dishonesty — visit theUndergraduate Academic Integrity website.
distractions
Please silence your cell phone and refrain from texting during class. While we will regularly use laptops for in-class writing, research, and collaboration, please refrain from using your laptop for non-class activities.
backing up work
Please make sure to have a plan for backing up all of your digital work in multiple places in case of computer failure. Please also make sure to save all of the writing you complete for class.
grading scale
A 100-94%
A- 93-90%
B+ 89-87
B 86-84%
B- 83-80%
C+ 79-77%
C 76-74%
C- 73-70%
D+ 69-67%
D 66-64%
D- 63-60%
F 59% and below