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Print-friendly (MS Word) course outline here.
Other printable documents:
Rubric for Essay Grading Standards
   Revision and Editing Checklist
Paragraph Outline 
Essay Outline
Writing Topics

 

DESCRIPTION:

This composition course is designed to reinforce students' abilities to focus and develop organized, relevant support for a topic and to maintain standard usage and mechanics. Learning activities emphasize writing as a process from prewriting, composing, editing, and proofreading in paragraphs and longer papers, primarily illustration/example essays.

Good communication skills are one of the most important factors in personal and professional success. This course focuses on writing effective paragraphs and essays that demonstrate reasonable competency in the use of the conventions of standard written English: grammar, usage, sentence structure, and mechanics. With punctual attendance, consistent effort, and active involvement in learning activities, at the conclusion of this course the student should be able to construct coherent five-paragraph essays which include an appropriate title, a strong introductory paragraph with a clearly stated thesis statement and plan, three body paragraphs providing relevant, concrete, and specific support for the thesis, and an appropriate conclusion.

At the end of English 075, you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of grammar, usage, sentence structure and mechanics;
2. Utilize the writing process to compose meaningful paragraphs and essays that reflect unity and coherence;
3. Compose a four- or five-paragraph essay on an argumentative topic with a thesis, hook, supporting elements, effective transitions, and a conclusion;
4. Participate within a group setting aimed at achieving similar goals;
5. Create and maintain a notebook journal of responses and reactions to various topics;
6. Compose, within a specified timeframe, a competent and meaningful argumentative essay that exhibits proper grammar, usage, sentence structure and mechanics.

TEXT AND MATERIALS:
Wingersky, Joy, Boerner, Jan and Diana Holguin-Balogh. Writing Paragraphs and Essays. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1999.
A 3.5", high density (HD) formatted (IBM) computer diskette dedicated for use in this course.
A college-level dictionary and a thesaurus are strongly recommended

Notebook: Course notes and materials must be kept in chronological order in the three-ring notebook for review and reference. A section may be reserved for journal writing (see below).

Readings: Students must complete all reading assignments in the textbook before the class for which they are assigned. In addition, students should attempt all exercises in each section read (see Exercises, below)

Journal: Regular journal entries are scheduled. Journal entries must be typed or neatly written in ink. Each entry must be at least one hundred words and demonstrate serious thought on the assigned topics. Hurried, careless, or thoughtless entries are not acceptable, so be sure to put the effort into each that the assignment requires.

Writing Assignments: Writing assignments (see below, or Writing Topics) should be completed following the writing process discussed in class, including prewriting (generating and ordering ideas), drafting, and rewriting (revising, editing and proofreading). All assignments must be typed, double-spaced, using a standard professional-looking font (12-point Times New Roman is preferred) and one-inch margins. Each paragraph or essay should be given a title; the title is not placed in quotes or underlined, and there is no period after the title. The top left corner of the first page of all writing assignments must have the following information:

Your Full Name
Class and Section number (e.g. ENG 075-32)
Instructor's name
Due Date 

All writing assignments will be evaluated according to the rubric for Essay Grading Standards handed out in class. Please refer to the Paragraph Outline or Essay Outline and Revising and Editing Checklist.

All writing assignments must be submitted on or before the due date indicated on the schedule (see below). Late work will not be accepted except under extraordinary circumstances; work submitted after deadlines will result in reduction of the grade for that assignment by 10% for each day it is late.

Exercises: Exercises in the textbook should be attempted while completing the assigned readings. These exercises are essential for the student to sharpen his or her skills in grammar, usage, and sentence and paragraph structure. All exercises can be completed in the book and do not have to be submitted for grading unless they are specifically assigned as homework. However, do not wait until you get to class to be taught a section of the text or to complete the assigned work; you will benefit more if you have already completed the readings and attempted the exercises before class. In addition, regularly scheduled quizzes will often draw from the exercises in the textbook.

Attendance and Participation: According to the College Catalog, "Students are expected to attend all class, clinical, laboratory, and studio sessions for the full duration of each instructional session."  Students are expected to attend every class, to be on time, to be prepared (all reading or writing assignments complete), and to take an active part in class discussions. Attendance and participation are crucial, as success in this class is predicated upon in-class writing and both peer and instructor feedback.

Students unable to attend class for a legitimate reason should contact the instructor as soon as they know they will be out, or upon their return to school. Excessive absences or repeated tardiness will result in a lowered grade and may result in failure of the course at the instructor's discretion.

 Students who end the semester with Perfect Attendance (never absent, never late) will receive an additional 5 points (Extra Credit!!!) on their final grades.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism includes copying or paraphrasing another's words, ideas, or facts without crediting the source; submitting a paper written by someone else, either in whole or in part, as one's own work; or submitting work previously submitted for another course or instructor. Plagiarism on any assignment will result in failure for that assignment and may result in further disciplinary action, including but not limited to failure for the course. Plagiarism on a second assignment will result in failure for the course and further disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from the College. Please refer to the Student Handbook for additional information regarding plagiarism and College regulations.

ASSIGNMENTS:
During the semester, students will be responsible for:

GRADING:
Final grades will be determined as follows:

NOTE: Regardless of final percentage, students must successfully write at least two of the three final in-class essays in order to receive an Outstanding or Passing grade for English 075.