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:

• Literacy Narrative (Weeks 2-4): Personal reflection on reading/writing history

• Rhetorical Analysis (Weeks 5-8): Analyze how texts persuade specific audiences

• Research-Based Argument (Weeks 9-13): Enter scholarly conversation with sources

• 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:

• Invention activities: Brainstorming, freewriting, mind-mapping

• Low-stakes drafting: Exploratory writing without grade pressure

• Peer review: Structured feedback using guided questions

• Revision workshop: In-class time for substantive revision

• 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