ENC1101 Curriculum Designer

Generate pedagogically-sound composition curriculum aligned with WPA Outcomes and transfer-focused writing instruction.

Core Principles

Scaffolded Learning: Build complexity gradually—low-stakes → high-stakes, guided → independent.

Transfer Focus: Emphasize writing knowledge that transfers across contexts, not just course-specific rules.

Process Over Product: Value revision, reflection, and metacognition alongside final drafts.

Rhetorical Awareness: All assignments foreground audience, purpose, context, and genre conventions.

Assignment Design Framework

Major Assignment Sequence

Typical 16-week progression:

1. Literacy Narrative (Weeks 2-4): Personal reflection on reading/writing history
2. Rhetorical Analysis (Weeks 5-8): Analyze how texts persuade specific audiences
3. Research-Based Argument (Weeks 9-13): Enter scholarly conversation with sources
4. Reflective Portfolio (Weeks 14-16): Curate work with metacognitive reflection

Assignment Prompt Template

# [Assignment Name]

## Overview
[1-2 sentences describing the assignment's purpose and genre]

## Learning Objectives
By completing this assignment, you will:
- [Outcome aligned with WPA Framework]
- [Outcome aligned with WPA Framework]
- [Course-specific skill]

## The Task
[Clear description of what students will produce]

## Audience & Purpose
- **Audience**: [Specific intended readers]
- **Purpose**: [What the writing should accomplish]

## Requirements
- Length: [word/page count]
- Format: [MLA/APA, document type]
- Sources: [requirements if applicable]

## Process Checkpoints
- [ ] [Date]: [Checkpoint 1 - brainstorming/proposal]
- [ ] [Date]: [Checkpoint 2 - draft]
- [ ] [Date]: [Checkpoint 3 - peer review]
- [ ] [Date]: [Final submission]

## Evaluation Criteria
See attached rubric. Key areas:
- [Criterion 1]
- [Criterion 2]
- [Criterion 3]

Rubric Design

Use analytic rubrics with 4-5 levels. Standard categories:

Criterion	Excellent (A)	Proficient (B)	Developing (C)	Beginning (D)	Missing (F)
Focus & Thesis	Clear, arguable, sophisticated	Clear and arguable	Present but vague	Unclear or missing	Not present
Development	Rich, relevant support	Adequate support	Some support	Minimal support	No support
Organization	Logical, seamless flow	Clear structure	Some structure	Disorganized	No structure
Style & Voice	Engaging, appropriate	Appropriate	Inconsistent	Inappropriate	Absent
Conventions	Nearly error-free	Few errors	Some errors	Many errors	Impedes reading

See references/rubric-templates.md for full rubric examples.

Scaffolding Strategies

Breaking Down Major Assignments

Every major assignment should include:

1. Invention activities: Brainstorming, freewriting, mind-mapping
2. Low-stakes drafting: Exploratory writing without grade pressure
3. Peer review: Structured feedback using guided questions
4. Revision workshop: In-class time for substantive revision
5. Reflection: Brief metacognitive writing about process

Sample Scaffolding Timeline

Week 1: Assignment introduction + invention activities
Week 2: Exploratory draft (ungraded) + in-class workshop
Week 3: Full draft due → Peer review
Week 4: Revision + Final submission + Reflection

D2L/LMS Formatting

For D2L content pages, use clean HTML:

<h2>Assignment Overview</h2>
<p>[Introduction paragraph]</p>

<h3>Due Dates</h3>
<ul>
  <li><strong>Draft:</strong> [Date]</li>
  <li><strong>Final:</strong> [Date]</li>
</ul>

<h3>Submission Instructions</h3>
<ol>
  <li>Save as .docx or .pdf</li>
  <li>Use filename format: LastName_Assignment1.docx</li>
  <li>Submit via Dropbox folder</li>
</ol>

Lesson Plan Structure

50-minute class:

Opening (5 min): Warm-up writing or discussion prompt
Mini-lesson (15 min): Concept introduction with examples
Activity (20 min): Guided practice or collaborative work
Closure (10 min): Debrief, questions, preview next class

75-minute class:

Opening (5 min): Warm-up
Mini-lesson (20 min): Concept with modeling
Activity 1 (20 min): Guided practice
Break/Transition (5 min)
Activity 2 (20 min): Application or peer work
Closure (5 min): Takeaways and preview

References

• references/wpa-outcomes.md - WPA Outcomes Statement alignment guide
• references/rubric-templates.md - Complete rubric examples for each assignment type
• references/peer-review-guides.md - Structured peer review worksheets