English 114

English 114 is the ENG 104 Composition for Honors students, with extensive emphasis on critical thinking, reading, and writing in response to literary texts. Instruction and practice in research methods and presentation of formal research paper.¹ Prerequisites (both conditions 1 and 2 must be met): 1) ENG 101 and 102; or ENG 103; or appropriate placement as per Writing Program policy; and 2) admission to the Honors College or permission of the department chair.

Course Rationale and Goals

English 114 applies the fundamentals of rhetoric to the research process. This class introduces students to the methods of research; the rhetorical nature of research; and the elements, strategies, and conventions common to research writing, including both verbal and visual organization of new knowledge.

At the completion of English 114, students should be able to achieve the following goals:

• Create and complete research projects. This involves generating a research question, engaging in critical/analytical reading, developing an argument with evidence collected from both primary and secondary research, and documenting sources appropriately.
• Align research questions with appropriate research methods
• Employ critical thinking in evaluation, speculation, analysis, and synthesis required to evolve and complete a research project.
• Use a variety of strategies to gather and organize information appropriate for the context and persuasive to the intended audience.
• Use the university research library to forward their research agenda
• Employ format, syntax, punctuation, and spelling appropriate to various rhetorical situations in a stylistically sophisticated manner.
• Collect, analyze, and organize research information in verbally and visually compelling ways.
• Take initiative for the development and completion of individual research projects.

Course Content and Format

The content and format of English 114 are designed to enable students to achieve the course goals; specifically, students in English 114 will:

• Discuss, analyze, and respond to texts composed in a variety of media that develop an argument using different kinds of research and addressing diverse academic audiences.
• Analyze the connections among research questions, research methods, audience, and style.
• Design various research projects that involve generating a question, collecting data, analyzing data, and interpreting the analysis.
• Conduct research projects that rely on various means of gathering data, including but not limited to library research, fieldwork, and online research.
• Analyze data collected through a variety of methods.
• Compose proposals, progress reports, and final research reports for individual projects.
• Compose final research papers that are persuasive and appropriate for the intended audience and context.
• Compose research papers in multiple drafts, involving peer feedback, self-reflection, instructor’s written comments, and teacher-student conferences.
• Reflect regularly on options available and decisions in the creation and completion of research projects.

Requirements

As an outcome of the course content and format, students in English 114 will be required to complete:

• Three or more research projects that address different audiences, contexts, and data collection/analysis processes.
  • Each project will culminate in a research-driven paper, between 4 to 6 pages; plus a works cited.
  • One paper must incorporate a significant visual element.
  • One project must focus on a literary text.
• One 8 to 10 page major project which is the outcome of academic research and discourse, including such elements as a proposal, annotated bibliography, and works cited page.
• Reading assignments for discussion, analysis, and response, including texts created through a variety of media.
• Informal writing assignments (such as journals, reading reflections, in-class writings, or smaller pieces intrinsic to major research projects).

Evaluation

Students will provide anonymous evaluations of the course. Instructors are urged to evaluate and revise individual syllabuses on a regular basis. ENG 114 is subject to curriculum review by the Writing Committee.

Texts

See the list of approved texts for English 114.

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