St. Gregory’s University Syllabus
Fall Semester, 2000
1113-6 English Composition I
Instructor: Paige Harder, M.Ed.,
Course Description: This course is designed to develop the students’ abilities to write the essay. major components of this class will include development of the sentence, the paragraph, the essay, and the research paper.
Prerequisite: ACT English score of 15 or English 1143 for International Students.
Mission Statement: This course is designed to develop the students’ intellectual curiosity, foster a love of learning, and help in the search of wisdom as the student will develop their skills in written communication and research. This is a required 3 credit course as part of the General Education Requirements towards an Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degree. the experience and practical skills learned in this class will translate into skills required in other classes and in practical communication skills needed in occupational settings.
Instructor’s Statement:
Paige Harder, M.Ed., ; Learning Handicapped Credential.
In a world that has bombarded the human sensory input with technology overload, and
has mandated that each of us interact effectively within the confines of its perimeters, it is
essential to remember that just as a child must learn to crawl, before they can walk, so
must one learn to write well in order to communicate well. It is my desire that we will
enjoy the writing journey of communication together as we share each other’s strengths
and support each other in our weakness.
e-mail: pcharder@sgc.edu
phone numbers: School ext. home: 405 275-4046
Office Hours MWF 2:00-3:00pm or by appointment -Fine Arts Bldg. adjacent to Yearbook/Newspaper room.
Objectives: This course is designed to review and refine writing skills to enable the student to communicate easily and effectively in a world that expects a degree of proficiency in writing. The components of a well written Expository, Persuasive, Descriptive, How To, and Compare/Contrast Essays as well as Research Techniques are the focus of this course.
By the end of the semester, the student will be able to:
•Use a variety of pre-writing exercises as part of the process of writing.
• Revise and write rough drafts, and revisions, through holistic grading rubrics.
• Plan and write a well organized, developed, and coherent essay.
•Use effective and varied sentences in unified, coherent paragraphs that are reasonably free from grammatical errors.
• Revise, edit, and proofread a paper.
•Use reading and personal experiences as a basis for writing.
• Present orally a persuasive essay with the use of a power point or multi-media presentation.
•Use library resources, Interviews, Internet resources, and Databases for Research.
• Cite sources and follow various style sheet formats in their documented research paper and synthesis assignments.
• Participate in Classroom learning discussions and Experiences.
Textbooks:
Kerrigan, Metcalf. Writing to The Point. 4th ed. San Diego: Harcourt Brace. Jovanovich,
1987.
Lester, James. Writing Research Papers: A complete Guide. 9th ed. New York: Longman, 1999.
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Resources/References/Selected Bibliography: This section will have additions to it as the semester progresses. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain the additions and updates and make readily accessible at all times whether by means of their laptops or by means of a hard copy.
Internet Resources:
Research paper: http://www.researchpaper.com/
http://www.dla.utexas.edu/depts/drc/othersites.html
Ask Miss Grammar: http://www.protrainco.com/info/noframes/grammar.htm
Collection of Scholarly Research on Online Writing Labs:
http://owl, english, purdue.edu/owls/owl-bib.html
Composition Links: http://www.cod.edu/dept/KiesDan/
Grammar and Style Notes:
http://www.english.upenn.edu/~jlynch/grammar.html
Grammar Hotline Directory: http://www.tc.cc.va.us/vabeach/writcent/hotline.html
Internet Search Tools:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/netsearch/introduction.html
Mama’s Hot 100 Grammar Goofs:
http://www.unl.edu/mama/grammar/MAMAhot100.htm
Resume Workshop: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/Files/Resume.html
Course Requirements:
• Oral Presentation incorporating the use of multi-media/technology
•6+ essays on different types of writing
•2 Referenced papers using a different style sheet, with an annotated bibliography
• Holistic peer grading of 3 impromptu writings from class lectures
• Pop quizzes
• Portfolio
Beginning and Ending Assessment: At the beginning of the semester, each student will self assess his/her knowledge of the writing process. Each student will write an essay on assigned topic to be used as a baseline for writing growth and current skill level. then, through the process of holistic grading and rubrics, the student s will gain writing strengths through revisions, and peer editing. They will be expected to immolate and research writing styles of well know authors through analysis papers. Through writing assignments, assigned readings topic research papers and classroom discussion and lectures, final grades will be assessed.
Grading criteria and Classroom Policies:
Attendance: Attendance will be part of your grade, and you are expected to be in class each session. in the event of an emergency, I must be notified either prior arrangement, or by phone before class, or by e-mail before class. You are responsible for all notes/lectures/assignments given in your absence. Informal writings done in class will not be allowed to be made up in the event of your absence and will affect your grade. Failure to attend class three times will result in an “Absence Warning” and could result in you being dropped with a WF as grade for the course.
Assignments: Informal assignments in class must be written in blue ink or typed.
All typed papers whether informal or research analysis must be in Times Roman font ana d14 size, and double spaced and turned in on due date. No exceptions on page format. No Pencil is allowed. late assignments receive a letter grade deduction for every day late and not accepted after 1 week.
Plagiarism: (http://english.tribble.wfu.edu/english/writing4htm)
To put your name on apiece of work any part of which is not yours is plagiarism, unless that piece is clearly marked and the work from which you have borrowed is fully identified. Plagiarism is a form of theft and is wrong. Refer to your student handbook as to the school policy and discipline action taken. Plagiarism in this class will result in failure of that assignment and possible expulsion from class and/or University. All work submitted must also include references and web sites used.
Grading Criteria: Grades will be determined from assignments, classroom attendance and classroom participation.
Assignments: 1000 pts. Possible
Informal and Formal Essays: 60% of grade. 600 points.
Each essay is worth 100 points and will be graded on a 1-5 holistic grading numbering system, based on organization, content, coherence and grammar. 1-lowest score and 5 highest score.
Oral Presentation and portfolio: 10% of grade -100 pts.
Presentation will be graded on creativity, organization, content and continuity.
Research Paper: 10% of grade - 100 pts. Grade determined by organization, content, coherence and grammar and effectively utilizing specific style formats and bibliography notations.
Pop Quizzes: 10% of grade - 100 pts. Pop quizzes are given in class, and cannot be made up.
Attendance: 10% of grade - 100 points. Please refer to attendance policy on page 4 of this syllabus.
Outline: This class will utilize a variety of classroom formats and forums, including lecture, discussion, writing, peer review/holistic grading review, proofreading, oral multimedia/technology presentations, research, writing by example examinations.
The topics and order for the semester are:
Course Orientation, skills assessment, initial essay
Library and Infocus options
Kerrigans six steps of writing
Writing Process: Prewriting, organization, transition, sentence structure, drafting, revising holistic/peer critiquing and rubrics
Expository Essay
Persuasive Essay
Demonstrative Essay
Compare and Contrast Essay
Research and Library Options
Continuity and Coherence
Writing in response to reading:
a) In Humanities
b) In Social Sciences
c) In Sciences
Writing a research paper using MLA format
Writing a research paper using APA format
Preparing a writing portfolio