Catalog Course Description This course is designed to introduce students to the process involved in writing effectively. Students will study grammar, punctuation, and standard usage and will practice various phases of the writing process and use sentence variety to compose paragraphs and at least one multi-paragraph essay.
Prerequisite “CR” grade in English 090 and English 090R or a “C” or “CR” grade or higher in English 105 or equivalent or assessment recommendation for English 098.
Textbooks Langan, John. English Skills with Readings. 6th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005. (required)
Roget's Thesaurus and A Collegiate English Dictionary (recommended)
Supplies (may be purchased from Grossmont's bookstore) Loose-leaf, 3-ring, 81/2" X 11", college-ruled paper for in-class writing, notes, and all out-of-class activities and assignments.
Manila tabbed folders for paragraphs and essays.
A 16-page notebook for in-class journal writing.
Blue, green, orange, pink (or purple), and yellow highlighters for code-coloring paragraphs (optional supply).
Entrance Skills
The ability to learn to recognize and correct sentences containing errors in basic English grammar and punctuation (e.g., plurals, possessives, subject-verb agreement, fragments and run-on).
The ability to write a simple sentence.
The ability to read texts at an English 101 level (8.0 grade level or above).
Course Objectives
The students will:
Recognize and correct basic errors in spelling, grammar agreement, possessives, etc.), punctuation (apostrophes, commas, semi-colons, etc.) and usage.
Use grammar and punctuation skills to edit written work.
Write coherent sentences varied in length and pattern (simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex).
Recognize and correct sentence-level errors (fragments, fused sentences, and comma splices).
Learn and demonstrate the varied phases of the writing process: invention, writing, evaluation, revision, and editing).
Write coherent paragraphs, each of which will include a topic sentence, some method of organization, support and an appropriate ending.
Learn and demonstrate writing skills in an in-class setting.
Discuss and analyze selected reading assignments.
Write at least one multi-paragraph essay.
Course Content
In this course, the students will:
Practice recognizing and correcting errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and usage.
Practice recognizing and writing simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.
Complete exercises to recognize and correct sentence-level errors (fragments, fused sentences, and comma splices).
Learn and demonstrate the phases in the writing process 9invention, writing, evaluation, revision, and editing).
Write at least six to eight 150-to 200- word paragraphs (a total of 1200 or more words), each containing a topic sentence, coherent pattern of organization, adequate support, and appropriate ending.
Read and discuss sample paragraphs and essays as models of effective writing.
Demonstrate strategies for producing in-class writing assignments.
Write at least one multi-paragraph essay that is controlled by a thesis statement.
Class Participation and Attendance
Active in-class participation encourages you and your classmates to whet your ideas and clarify any obfuscated course item and establishes you as a dedicated, responsible, serious, and positive contributor to the teaching-learning process. The constructive remarks and comments you make on your peers' written and oral presentations help both of you in developing your language skills. No doubt, your participation improves your grade.
Attendance is essential. I may drop any student who accumulates absences exceeding four hours. If a student misses two class meetings, he or she has already depleted the number of allowable absences. For more details about the college’s policy pertaining to attendance, I advise you to read page 17 of the college catalog for 2006-07.
Your absence does not relief you of the responsibility of submitting your due assignments. In all cases, such late submission of work will receive one letter grade less than what that assignment actually deserves. However, if an assignment is due on Oct 21, for example, you will have only until Oct 28 to submit the late assignment and receive the reduced credit for it.
Any two late arrivals to class will be counted as one absence. A tardy is arriving to class a maximum of ten minutes late.
Course Requirements
Actively participate in collaborative learning and be a positive factor in evaluating your peers' writings.
Complete all assignments including selected readings from Langan’s English Skills with Readings.
Submit all writings on their due dates without delay.
Do not miss the in-class graded writing assignments.
Pass quizzes and tests including the mid and final
Pass the English Department Assessment Skills Essay Exam on Dec. 3rd, 2006.
Strictly avoid plagiarism.
Attend classes regularly and , a performance on campus during 2006.
Grading Scale
A = 1000-900
B = 890-800
C = 790-700
D = 690-600
F = less than 590
Grade Distribution
Journal Writing................ 50
Paragraphs and essay writing... 400
Mid term…...................... 100
In-class participation/quizzes. 250
Assessment Skills Essay Exam .. 100
Final Exam….................... 100
Supervised Tutoring Referral
Students requiring additional help or resources to achieve the stated learning objectives of the courses taken in English are referred to enroll in English 198W, Supervised Tutoring, for assistance in the English Writing Center (70-119). The department chair or coordinator will provide Add Codes.
Students are referred to enroll in the following supervised tutoring courses if the service indicated will assist them in achieving or reinforcing the learning objectives of this course:
IDS 198, Supervised Tutoring, to receive tutoring in general computer applications in the Tech Mall;
English 198W, Supervised Tutoring, for assistance in the English Writing Center (70-119); and/or
IDS 198T, Supervised Tutoring to receive one-on-one tutoring in academic subjects in the Tutoring Center (70-229).
To add any of these courses, students may obtain Add Codes at the Information/Registration Desk in the Tech Mall.
All Supervised Tutoring courses are non-credit/non-fee. However, when a student registers for a supervised tutoring course and has no other classes, the student will be charged the usual health fee.
Important Remarks
Strictly avoid plagiarism. It is a literary theft.
Always make additional copies of all the paragraphs you write. Never hand over a paragraph for which no copy is left with you.
Late work will adversely affect your grade. You will be allowed only one late, penalty-free paper during the semester. Any second delay will reduce one full letter grade from the final grade that appears on the delayed paper.
It is your responsibility to observe all the important dates including the drop date (November 9th).
You will not be allowed to make up for quizzes and tests that are carried in class. All other take home quizzes have to be submitted the following class meeting day after which you were absent.
Make extensive use of: My Office Hours The English Writing Center The Reading Center Tutoring Services
This course adheres to the Grossmont College Catalog's school policies. For further information, see Academic Policies stated in the college catalog on pages 15 through 25, in particular pages 15-16 that deal with academic integrity and pages 24-25 about students‘conduct.
Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact Disabled Students’ Programs and Services DSP&S) early in the semester so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible. Students may contact DSP&S in person in room 110 or by phone at (619) 644-7112 voice or (619) 644-7119 (TTY for deaf).
Exit Skills
The ability to produce work substantially free of major spelling, grammar, punctuation, and usage errors, i.e., errors which interfere with communication.
The ability to produce written assignments that include a variety of sentence patterns.
The ability to write clear, coherent paragraphs--of 150-200 words in length--controlled by topic sentences, developed with adequate supporting material, and closed with appropriate conclusions.
The ability to write a multi-paragraph composition that focuses on a central idea.
G O O D L U C K!
Last Updated: 10/01/2014
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