Writing and Grammar Essentials (Intermediate)
Spring 2015
MW 9:00-10:30
Room: Chapel Room
Materials:
- Book: From Great Paragraphs to Great Essays, Second Edition, By: Keith S. Folse, Elena Vestri Solomon, David Clabeaux
- Notebook to take notes
- Pen and Paper
- Internet Access at home
- Access to Google Doc. App via electronic device
Overview
This course is intended as beginner’s level writing and grammar course. Students will learn the basics for American English sentence structure as well as standard American writing conventions and mechanics, such as punctuation, capitalization and basic-level paragraph writing.
Goals
Students will:
- learn the proper use of English articles and apply them in writing
- learn and apply proper subject-verb agreement
- understand and apply the difference between subject and object
- improve overall writing style, clarity and coherence
- improve basic-level vocabulary
- review the basic English structure in the form of nouns, verbs, prepositions, adjectives and adverbs
- review the proper use of pronouns, prepositions, and conjunctions
- practice sentence structure and mastering subject-verb agreement
- cover writing basics
- increase your vocabulary
- learn how to write clearly and more effectively
Learning Outcomes:
Students will:
- Demonstrate proper use of adjectives.
- Learn and apply common English colloquialisms
- Learn and apply the different between the simple past and the present perfect.
- Use prepositions properly.
- Use phrasal verbs properly.
- Identify conjunctions both coordinating and subordinating.
- Demonstrate proper sentence structure use.
- Summarize methods for increasing vocabulary power.
- Define basic sentence structure.
- Use proper subject-verb agreement.
- Demonstrate writing for clarity.
- Improve overall English grammar and learn and apply techniques for self-editing.
- Demonstrate use of topic sentence, major and minor ideas, and closing sentences.
- Understand how to write for a specific audience and purpose.
- Demonstrate use of a good introduction and conclusion.
- Understand and apply the components of a cause/effect essay.
Homework and Tests:
Homework will be assigned frequently and will be posted on the online syllabus. It is the student’s responsibility to check the online syllabus for when homework is due and for any changes to due dates. Please check the syllabus for dates of tests.
Grading and Assignments
Course Grading Scale: A = 90-100%, B = 80-89%, etc.
Tests / Daily Writing Assignments 20%
Grammar Portfolio 40%
Homework 10%
Article Reading/ Journals 20%
Participation 10%
Grammar Portfolio
Each class, students will write a short paragraph on a topic provided by the teacher. After each week, students will take these home and assess their writing skills by discovering their major strengths and weaknesses. At the end of the year, students will compile these writings and a short paper on how their writing improved.
Article Reading
Each week, a student will be assigned to find an article in English (either in print or online) of about 300 words or less. Students will read this in class in order to improve recognition and identification of standard writing conventions.
Journals
Each night students will be assigned to write in the journal.
Late Homework/ Absence on Test
Turning assignments in late is not encouraged; however, if you have to, you should be aware of the following. You have up to one week to turn in an assignment. After this one-week grace period, I will not accept the assignment. 2 points will be taken off every day it is late, including weekends and holidays. No assignments will be accepted after the scheduled exit test period.
In general, no make-up tests or presentations are allowed. If you are absent on the day of a test or presentation, you will receive a zero. The only exception may be if extremely unusual circumstances arise (for example, surgery or a death in the immediate family). Documentation may be required.
Attendance
Your attendance will be recorded daily. Absences are discouraged; however, if you must be absent during class, please e-mail your instructor in advance and bring a note to class per the instructor’s request. Late arrivals/early departures from class will be recorded in 15 minute increments.
Keep in mind that missing classes for an illness, religious holidays, or leaving before the end of the semester will all count as absences, and can add up to 20% very quickly.
Please note that the US Department of Homeland Security requires that full-time students who have an F-1 Visa must maintain 80% attendance levels.
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