Comp 2 is about research with a little argumentation–making strong arguments through evidence–thrown in. But it's not about writing term papers. Term papers are for the benefit of the person who assigns them. Research is for the benefit of those who conduct it. You do the work, you get the benefit.

Everybody does research. Some of us are better at it than others, which means that when we need to find out about something important to us, we know what to do, where to look, and something about how to assess the reliability of the source (Never buy a car based on the manufacturer's advertising copy!). People who don't know these things wind up putting their money in the wrong places, buying stuff that breaks down, voting for the wrong guy, and getting ripped off in any number of other ways. Research is a life skill.

Right now, I'm involved in two research projects. I'm doing a semester of on-site immersion research in the welding program at Pulaski Tech. I'm taking basic welding. As of this morning (Tuesday) at about 9:45 am, I'm a welder. I can strike an arc and make a dime sized puddle. It's called a "tack weld." I used a 6010 rod at about 85 amps. I'm learning already!

My second research project has to do with the 1959 Chevrolet pickup I'm getting ready to start turning into a hot rod truck. To do it right, I have to find another chassis with all the goodies in place and then weld the cab and bed of my old truck onto the new one. So I'm doing a ton of reading to figure out what will work and what won't. Interestingly, my truck was built on a ¾ ton chassis, which interchanges with both ½ and ¾ later model trucks up to 1987. Without this research, I can't do what I want to do, and my father's last pickup truck will turn into a pile of junk.

Here's what I expect of you:

• As perfect an attendance record as possible. You cannot get what this course offers if you are not here. If you do not initial the attendance sheet every day it is circulated, you weren't here. Don't come in late and, for goodness sakes, don't leave early. 6 absences will get you an NC grade for the course, regardless of the reason for the absences.
• As cooperative and supportive a relationship with everyone in this room as possible. We'll be reading and talking about each other's work, so you'll need to get along with everyone.
• A respectful demeanor and conduct at all times, especially when another person has the floor in a discussion or group. This includes group work and the way you use the English language. The fundamental law of respect is that you have to give it to get it.
• All of your work done on time every time. Late work will absolutely wipe you out. I will not read late work, though it must be included in your final portfolio. You have my email and fax numbers, so if you aren't here, make sure your work arrives no later than the end of class. If you have a university excuse for an absence, your work is due before that absence takes place. You cannot get credit for the course if you do not complete every assignment, and you cannot revise an assignment not submitted on time.
• Enthusiasm. I know this is may be a tough place and a tough time for lots of you for lots of reasons, but here we are, so let's enjoy each other.

Here's what you can expect from me:

• Guidance and structure. I've been at this a long time, so I know what's going on. I'll give you the benefit of my experience in exchange for your trust that I can help you get where you need to be in order to succeed as an effective writer in this university.
• An orderly environment in which you can get your work done. I hate being a tough guy, but if the crazy makers get lose, I'll do what I have to.
• Careful attention to the work you do. I will read and respond to all your writing in order to help you make it or the next piece better. I will take you seriously and treat you as a fellow writer if you allow me to. Allow me to by doing your work and fulfilling your obligations.
• Strong advocacy. I am your strongest advocate for success in your work as a student in this and in other classes where you will use the skills we develop to do the work of the university. If you can't do this work, you can't do the university. So give me a chance to help.

Grading in here may be a little different from grading in other classes. I do not put grades on individual pieces of work. This is because grades are not the point of education. In fact, they often get in the way of learning by focusing teachers and students on how a person is doing on a scale of A-NC (we don't have D or F grades in comp classes) rather than what a person is doing inside the piece of writing. This reduces the chances of getting our work done because we always argue over the B-/C+ difference. We're just not going to do this. Pay attention to the comments I and others make about your work and you will do fine.

I will read everything you write and will write my comments on all your work. As I read and write, I'll be looking for answers to two main questions:

1. What did you accomplish in this writing?
2. How can I help you make the next piece or the next draft of this piece stronger/clearer/cleaner/better.

As a writer, you have the opportunity (and the right/freedom) to revise any assignment you want to in response to comments you receive on that assignment, provided it was originally turned in on time.

At some point in the course, probably around the seventh week, I'll ask you to gather all your work together, turn it in, and we will meet for a conference. At that conference, I will give you a clear assessment of your work to date. I'll focus on your strengths, your weaknesses, and any other factors that may play a role in your performance in the class. I'll give you a detailed plan for the rest of the semester and a conditional grade. By conditional, I mean the grade you would get if the seventh week were the last week of class.

When you get your plan, pay close attention to its details because that plan will be the first thing I look at when it's time to do final grades. If you have addressed the issue I asked you to, the grade will hold, or it will improve. If I see no movement in the second half of the course, the grade will go down. Whatever you do, don't try to sit on a grade that looks satisfactory to you. It won't work out . You are either moving forward in this class or you are moving backward. There just isn't any middle ground. Please take this seriously.

At the end of the course, I will ask you to prepare a portfolio of your work containing all the writing you have done, your two most carefully revised and polished pieces, and a cover essay describing and assessing your experience and growth as a writer and reader over the course of the semester. I will give you more details on this requirement later on. You cannot pass the course without this portfolio, so start thinking about it as soon as we get into the work we'll be doing together.

To make the grading work, you must save everything you do in this class in a folder that you bring to class every day. If you lose things or worry about losing things, make copies and back up everything.

I adhere to all UALR policies regarding students with disabilities. If you are a student who needs special attention because of a documented disability, please let me know right away so I can make whatever adjustments are needed. If the Little Rock Schools are closed because of bad weather, we will not meet.