Fall 2026
Composition I
Instructor: LaVonuna Payne
Email: lpayne1@lamarpa.edu
Phone: 409-984-6330
Office Hours: Office Hours: Monday through Friday. 8:00 am through 5:00 pm. (email request for a virtual office contact confirmation)
Additional Contact Information: *virtual meeting via Blackboard Collaborate
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.
No textbook required. By using Open Education Resources (OER), all reading and class materials will be provided by the instructor via Blackboard, handouts, links, pdfs, PowerPoints, etc.
Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
For Online Students, it is imperative to have a computer and access to the Internet as well as your Google Cloud/One Drive.
Basic skills competency (TSI complete) in reading, writing, and college-level grammar.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative writing processes.
2. Develop ideas with appropriate support and attribution.
3. Write in a style appropriate to audience and purpose.
4. Read, reflect, and respond critically to a variety of texts.
5. Use Edited American English in academic essays.
* Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication.
* Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.
* Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.
* Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Week 1: Intro to course, cover syllabus. PSLO Pre-test. Log on to LamarPA and email. A.I Discussion, Six Traits Good Writing, Grammar/Punctuation, TED talk diagnostic writing.
Week 2: Grammar/Punctuation, Fiction, Writing
Week 3: Essay#1 Due: Narrative, Grammar/Punctuation
Week 4: Fiction, Writing and workshopping
Week 5: Essay#2 Due: Descriptive
Week 6: Fiction, Writing and workshopping
Week 7: Essay#3 Due: Division/Classification
Week 8: Intro to Library Research and Annotated Bibliography
Week 9: Research & Anno Bibs, Intro to Etymology/Definition
Week10: Anno-Bibs due, Etymology, Intro to Group Projects
Week11: Group Projects, Group Presentations due
Week12: Essay #4 Due: Etymology/Definition
Week13: Argumentation/Persuasion Workshop, Writing
Week 14: Argumentation/Persuasion, Intro to Satire
Week 15: Essay #5 Due, Review for Final
Week 16: Final Exam
*The Instructor reserves the right to make changes to the schedule or any assignments as they see fit.
November 30, 2026 @ 10:00 am through November 30, 2026 @ 11:00 am. (*Subject to Instructor discretion to change or modify date for student accessibility.)
90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B 70 - 79=C 60 - 69=D Below 59 = F
Pre-Writing/Practice Work- 5%
Narrative- 10%
Descriptive- 10%
Division/Classification- 15%
Definition Essay- 15%
Response Papers 5%
Annotated Bibliography- 15%
Argument essay- 15%
Quiz Avg- 10%
...........................
100%
1. The Instructor reserves 2 weeks to grade all submitted essays.
2. The Instructor reserves the right to not allow you to enter the classroom late, as this disrupts everyone who has shown up on time.
3. Students are expected to have mature decorum and participate during lectures and activities, you will not be given credit for simply warming a seat.
4. Student incivility, rudeness, or attacks of a personal nature or statements will not be tolerated, whether directed at the instructor or another student. Any student engaging in disruptive or disrespectful activities on campus or online classes will be required to cease such behavior or leave the classroom. If the behavior continues after the first warning, the student will no longer continue as a student of the course. As a consequence, the student will be removed from the course. The instructor will notify the vice president of academic affairs and the academic studies department chair.
5. In order to discuss your grade, you must first email me at jamescr1@lamarpa.edu and then a time can be set to have a phone or office meeting.
6. Switching from a face-to-face section to an online section is prohibited after the census date.
7. English 1301 is a composition class, so we will be doing a GREAT DEAL of writing, almost all written in class. Therefore: NO LATE WORK. NO MAKE-UP WORK.
8. If the student attends an online section of this course, it is highly recommended and encouraged to check both your announcements page and your email daily, as this is how the Instructor will communicate with the class.
Research has shown a cause and effect relationship between attendance and college success. In-class students with several absences will suffer a grade reduction. Missing more than what is allowed during the semester will result in a failure to meet class objectives. Excessive tardiness will, likewise, have an effect on the grade.
Online students who do not log in regularly will suffer grade reductions.
ALL WRITING SUBMITTED MUST BE WRITTEN BY THE STUDENT (him or herself) ENROLLED IN THE CLASS WITH NO OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE.
Plagiarism: A grade of 0 for first time (whatever the assignment is). An F for the entire course if it happens again. Ignorance is NOT a defense.
Students MUST know exactly what plagiarism is and the consequences if it is committed. Plagiarism is a serious offense at the college level and will be dealt with as such. Students will read, sign, and submit plagiarism contract that clearly defines plagiarism. In addition, if artificial intelligence is suspected, the Instructor will have the student rewrite the assignment by hand in their presence.
Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.