ESL 111: Introduction to Academic Writing I

Fall 2021

Class: ESL 111 (V and U) Credit hours: 3

Pre-requisite: EPT written test score of 1 or 2 Day/Time: MWF 10:00-10:50 (V) &
12:-12:50 (U)
Instructor: Charlie Dold (cdold@illinois.edu) Office: Virtual Office
Website: learn.illinois.edu Office hours: Mondays, 1-2pm &
Thursdays, 11am-12pm

Overview: This is the first course in a two-course sequence for undergraduate international
students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which fulfills the campus
Composition I general education requirement. It is an all-skills course with both writing and oral
components designed to help international students succeed in an English-medium academic
environment. The main focus is on introducing students to American academic writing at the
paragraph level – its basic structure, development, and patterns of organization.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

● Create a paragraph that has a clear topic sentence, supporting details, and closing
sentence with coherence and unity.
● Create an essay with a clear thesis statement and at least three supporting arguments with
evidence and examples.
● Integrate sources in writing without plagiarism (by paraphrasing, quoting, and
summarizing) and document them in APA style.
● Analyze the rhetorical situation (author, audience, purpose, context) of a written and
spoken text.
● Analyze and evaluate rhetorical strategies used in a written and spoken text.
● Deliver an effective oral presentation with clear and engaging visual aids, speech, and
body language.

Grade Policy for the ESL Writing Service Courses:

Undergrads must receive a D- (60%) or above in order to receive the proficiency required for
graduation. If the minimum grade (D- / 60%) is not met, you must retake the course.

Your grade will be made up of the following components:

Grade Breakdown Grading Scale
Compare/Contrast Essay 20% A+ (97-100) A (94-96) A- (90-93)
Rhetorical Analysis Essay 20% B+ (87-89) B (84-86) B- (80-83)
Argumentative Essay 15% C+ (77-79) C (74-76) C- (70-73)
Oral Presentation 15% D+ (67-69) D (64-66) D- (60-63)
Participation and Homework 15% F (0-59)
Attendance 10%
Reflective Assignments 5%
Late/Missing Work Policy: Late submission of assignments will be penalized 10% for each day
it is turned in beyond the due date (i.e. 1-24 hours late, 10% deduction; 25-48 hours late, 20%
deduction). Assignments submitted more than 48 hours late will NOT be accepted. All essays
will be due electronically on the due date by 11:59 p.m. on the course website.

Required Textbook: Academic Writing for English Language Learners: University of Illinois
ELL Guides. This is an electronic textbook created by our ESL writing instructors, which
contains readings, videos and quizzes that are designed to complement the in-class materials.
This book will be used for both ESL 111 and 112 after a one-time purchase. Follow the
directions below to access this textbook:

1. Go to etext.illinois.edu and log in with your university NetID and password when
prompted. In your "Library", you should see your copy of the eText (see the cover image
shown on your right). You have 10 days of free access.
2. To purchase the book, please go to http://go.illinois.edu/esl111etext and make a payment
as directed.
3. You will have access to the eText as long as you have valid login credentials at UIUC.

Course Management System: The course website can be found at: http://learn.illinois.edu. All
assignment and homework information will be posted here. This is also the place that you will
submit all of your own work electronically.

Student Participation: Be a courteous and active contributor to the learning environment. Class
members are here from all over the world to improve their English language skills. Speak in
English as much as possible in the classroom. When you use your home language(s) to clarify
course content (or to socialize), share your ideas with others using English; this will allow others
to feel included and deepen your understanding of new course content.

Avoid using any electronic devices (e.g., laptops, cell phones) while lectures or activities are in
progress. When you need to use a dictionary or other classroom resource during group work, tell
your peers and briefly excuse yourself so they know your level of engagement. Frequent
violation of these classroom policies will result in a deduction of points in your “Participation”
grade. Distracting use of electronic devices may result in confiscation of your device until the
class is over.

Homework and reading assignments may be given daily. Students are expected to come to class
prepared to discuss homework and readings. Participation in class discussions and activities is
expected and will contribute to the final grade—this includes encouraging the participation of
others.

Diversity and Inclusivity in the Classroom: The ESL Program supports the diversity and
inclusivity statement of our home department, the Department of Linguistics. As such, ESL
courses are structured to “understand and appreciate the value of unique identities and
experiences that allow for a richer and more equitable learning, teaching and research
environment.” ESL instructors and students benefit from participating in our inclusive and
diverse community and are expected to uphold and respect these values.
Attendance Policy for the ESL Writing Service Courses:
Students are expected to attend class regularly. Points for attendance will be weighted into the
“Attendance” grade for this course. Instructors do not discriminate on absences: all absences are
treated equally as “unexcused” and will be calculated as such in the gradebook.

When calculating total absences, two times late counts as one absence, no matter if it's 1 minute
or 10. If you are late more than 20 minutes, it counts as an absence. After 4 absences, the
student’s attendance is considered irregular and will be reported to the Executive Officer for
ESL. Students with irregular attendance will receive official notice of course probation from the
Executive Officer and will be required to meet with their instructor to discuss their attendance
problem.

If attendance continues to be irregular after the notification, the Executive Officer, usually in
consultation with the instructor and the dean of the student’s college, may determine that
attendance is so irregular that scholarship is impaired and that, therefore, the student cannot
adequately fulfill the course requirement. The student may be required to withdraw from the
course with a grade of Withdrawal or Failure.

Students are encouraged to communicate reasons for absences with their instructor and to make
arrangements for making up work (penalties may still apply). Additional provisions may apply
for absences resulting from circumstances outlined in Student Code § 1-501.

Academic Integrity
The University of Illinois Student Code states that it is the "responsibility of each student to
refrain from infractions of academic integrity, from conduct that may lead to suspicion of such
infractions, and from conduct that aids others in such infractions."

A main goal of the ESL program is to provide students with skills to avoid plagiarism, which is
why the ESL program is diligent with regards to plagiarism detection. Students may be required
to submit their major assignments to a plagiarism detection software.

Should an incident arise in which a student is thought to have violated academic integrity, the
instructor will initiate procedures outlined in the Illinois Academic Integrity Policy via Faculty
Academic Integrity Reporting (FAIR), the system for reporting academic integrity allegations
and violations.

Atlas Computer Lab Policy:

Atlas is the campus service that provides the ESL Writing Service Courses with computer labs
on the basis that we comply with the following policies:
1) You must have a reservation to use a room, and an instructor must be present for the
duration of every class meeting.
2) Classes are expected to leave on time, and those in FLB must leave at least 5 minutes
before we close (M-Th 8pm, F 5pm).
3) We do not permit food or drinks without lids in our classrooms.

Accommodations
If you are an international student and recognize that you have a problem with attention,
learning, mood, or anxiety, you might want to become registered with Disability Resources
and Educational Services (DRES). If you have questions about becoming registered with
DRES, you can contact their office at 1207 S. Oak Street, Champaign, (217) 333-1970, or via
email at disability@illinois.edu. When writing, please provide information about yourself and
what concerns you are having. Their specialists might suggest seeking treatment (from the
Counseling Center or McKinley Health Center), or they might suggest that you sign up for an
academic screening so that DRES can learn more about you and make the best recommendation
(e.g. disability-related academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids). For more information, you
can visit the DRES website: www.disability.illinois.edu

At the University of Illinois, students with disabilities can register with Disability Resources and
Educational Services (DRES). International students are able to use the same services and
assistance as domestic students. Often, people think of disabilities as conditions where a person
uses a wheelchair or has a sensory impairment, like being blind or deaf. Of course, DRES offers
services to students with those disabilities, but students may also use DRES services for non-
visible conditions, like ADHD, anxiety disorders, or learning disabilities.

Many students who have significant difficulties with attention, learning, mood, or anxiety may
have problems in their classes as a result of these symptoms. In the U.S., these problems are
viewed as medical conditions for which a person can receive support from a counselor or
medication. In these situations, registering with DRES can help a great deal in your classes. You
might also be able to receive extra time on an exam, receive help taking notes in your classes, or
request an extension on work.

Some students may think of "disability" as bad, shameful, or something to be hidden. However,
at the University of Illinois, we think of disability as simply another way that people can be
different from one another. When it's appropriate, students with disabilities should become
registered with DRES to receive the support that they need.

Students may not share course materials outside of this class:

© 2019 Illinois ESL, University of Illinois. All rights reserved. No part of the materials used
throughout this course may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, used in a spreadsheet, or
transmitted in any form or by any means–electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise–without written permission from the copyright holder. You are not allowed to
upload, post or transmit copyrighted material to course-sharing or other websites.
Run > Hide > Fight
Emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time. It is important that we take a minute to
prepare for a situation in which our safety or even our lives could depend on our ability to react
quickly. When we’re faced with almost any kind of emergency – like severe weather or if
someone is trying to hurt you – we have three options: Run, hide or fight.

Run
Leaving the area quickly is the best option if it is safe to do so.

 Take time now to learn the different ways to leave your building.

 Leave personal items behind.

 Assist those who need help but consider whether doing so puts
yourself at risk.
 Alert authorities of the emergency when it is safe to do so.

Hide
When you can’t or don’t want to run, take shelter indoors.

 Take time now to learn different ways to seek shelter in your building.
 If severe weather is imminent, go to the nearest indoor storm refuge
area.
 If someone is trying to hurt you and you can’t evacuate, get to a place
where you can’t be seen, lock or barricade your area if possible,
silence your phone, don’t make any noise and don’t come out until
you receive an Illini-Alert indicating it is safe to do so.

Fight
As a last resort, you may need to fight to increase your chances of
survival.

Think about what kind of common items are in your area which you
can use to defend yourself.
 Team up with others to fight if the situation allows.
 Mentally prepare yourself – you may be in a fight for your life.

Please be aware of people with disabilities who may need additional assistance in emergency
situations.
Other Resources

 police.illinois.edu/safe for more information on how to prepare for emergencies, including

how to run, hide or fight and building floor plans that can show you safe areas.
 emergency.illinois.edu to sign up for Illini-Alert text messages.

 Follow the University of Illinois Police Department on Twitter and Facebook to get regular
updates about campus safety.

COVID-19
Following University policy, all students are required to engage in appropriate behavior to
protect the health and safety of the community. Students are also required to follow the campus
COVID-19 protocols.

Students who feel ill must not come to class. In addition, students who test positive for COVID-
19 or have had an exposure that requires testing and/or quarantine must not attend class. The
University will provide information to the instructor, in a manner that complies with privacy
laws, about students in these latter categories. These students are judged to have excused
absences for the class period and should contact the instructor via email about making up the
work.

Students who fail to abide by these rules will first be asked to comply; if they refuse, they will be
required to leave the classroom immediately. If a student is asked to leave the classroom, the
non-compliant student will be judged to have an unexcused absence and reported to the Office
for Student Conflict Resolution for disciplinary action. Accumulation of non-compliance
complaints against a student may result in dismissal from the University.

Face Coverings
All students, faculty, staff, and visitors are required to wear face coverings in classrooms and
university spaces. This is in accordance with CDC guidance and University policy and expected
in this class.

Please refer to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s COVID-19 website for further
information on face coverings. Thank you for respecting all of our well-being so we can learn
and interact together productively.

Building Access
In order to implement COVID-19-related guidelines and policies affecting university operations,
instructional faculty members may ask students in the classroom to show their Building Access
Status in the Safer Illinois app or the Boarding Pass. Staff members may ask students in
university offices to show their Building Access Status in the Safer Illinois app or the Boarding
Pass. If the Building Access Status says “Granted,” that means the individual is compliant with
the university’s COVID-19 policies—either with a university-approved COVID-19 vaccine or
with the on-campus COVID-19 testing program for unvaccinated students.
Students are required to show only the Building Access Screen, which shows compliance
without specifying whether it was through COVID-19 vaccination or regular on-campus testing.
To protect personal health information, this screen does not say if a person is vaccinated or not.
Students are not required to show anyone the screen that displays their vaccination status. No
university official, including faculty members, may ask students why they are not vaccinated or
any other questions seeking personal health information.