Choosing a Literature Course: NOTE: ENC 1102 is a prerequisite for ALL literature courses and Composition: Argument.
American or English Literature courses are listed by the historical time periods. For example, AML 2010 covers literature from first colonial contact up to the Civil War. AML 2020 covers literature from the Civil War to the present. A student does NOT need to take AML 2010 before AML 2020.
If a student is interested in taking literature to fill a Gordon Rule requirement, Humanities or oral component, visit the instructor's website and consult the syllabus - CHOOSE the literature you would LIKE to read.
ALL literature courses fulfill the requirement for the oral component and emphasize the rhetorical structure of argument and analysis and college-level research method.
"So What" ?
College-level writing is directed toward answering the question: "So what can I tell my academic audience that they do not already know?"
- Consult the syllabus for assignment criteria and suggestions on appropriate secondary sources.
- Refer to the handouts located on this website: "Tips on Structuring an Effective Essay"
- Refer to the sample essays which demonstrate effective writing, accurate format, and precise documentation.
- Download and view the power point presentations: "Writing About Literature" and "MLA Citation & Documentation"
- Visit the "MLA Documentation Link" for clarifying parenthetical citation and constructing a works cited page.
- Visit the Learning Center and work with a writing tutor.
- With your complete draft on your USB drive or in hand, visit your professor during office hours or make an appointment. Do NOT email your draft and expect your professor to "pre-grade."
- Do a test-run of Turnitin.com. If your essay is over 15%, chances are that you are quote-heavy and analysis-light. The larger problem is a violation of copyright law: 10% of any essay can be source material, but 90% must be ORIGINAL. If you are in doubt, contact your professor immediately - do not risk plagiarism!