Class Information:
Textbooks
Required:
1) Foundations First: Sentences & Paragraphs , Kirszner & Mandell, 2002
Recommended:
4) The American Heritage Dictionary , hardback version
Objectives
English 64 is beginning Reading & Composition, emphasizing basic skills. There is no prerequisite, and you need not have taken the placement test or any previous English classes. This is a special Learning Community course, designed to combine the material and skills from your trade with college writing. The course focuses on your language skills through vocabulary, spelling, grammar, sentence writing, and college essays. You will use the terminology and ideas from your major in assignments involving reading comprehension, class discussion, partner and group exercises, and computer work. You will also work closely with others in your discipline to practice incorporating the content from your program into your everyday speech and writing. We will start with the fundamentals of college writing, working first with sentence skills, then combining these into cohesive paragraphs, and ultimately you will have the confidence to express your ideas in 3-paragraph academic essays and to use these skills to better prepare you for work or advancement in your field.
Requirements
The required textbook is a necessary tool for learning the elements of academic writing. We will use the book in every class period, so you need to buy it and bring it to school. Students must turn in all written work to pass the class. It's a good idea to keep each assignment in a folder, so you can track your progress and make improvements as you advance. Attendance is important, too, and effects your overall grade, although I am not going to check up on you. Please make arrangements to have a contact person in class in case something comes up. Participation is key to getting the most out of this course, and you can add a lot of points to your grade by participating. Plan to share your ideas, ask questions, and take part in group exercises. Written work is due at the beginning of the class on the due date for each assignment. If you plagiarize (copying other people's ideas or information from the internet) you will fail the class, and you can be permanently expelled from the campus.
Students with disabilities who need any assistance or accommodations should contact the instructor.
Grading
Grades are based on written work, participation, attendance, and in class assignments. The breakdown is approximately as follows:
Essays 60%, Participation 20%, Attendance & Other Work 20% = 100%
Course Schedule
Topics and dates are subject to change. Announcements will be made in class, and students are responsible for adjusting the calendar. All assignments listed are from our text unless otherwise noted.
Week 1
M 2/9 Introduction to Course; Registration Cards
W 2/11 Essay 1 due (written in class)
Week 2
M 2/16 No School-- Holiday
W 2/18 Bring Textbook; Success Strategies, pg. 6-20; review syllabus
Week 3
M 2/23 Using the computer for wordprocessing; Invention strategies, pg. 26-33
W 2/25 Paragraph structure, pg. 34-40
Week 4
M 3/1 MLA format (handout); Topic Sentences, pg. 41-51
W 3/3 Crafting paragraphs, pg. 52-60
Week 5
M 3/8 Essay 2 due ; Rhetorical Modes, pg. 61-70
W 3/10 Rhetorical Modes, pg. 71-80
Week 6
M 3/15 From Paragraph to Essay, pg. 81-96
W 3/17 Drafting an essay in class (bring a computer disk to save your work)
Week 7
M 3/22 Writing Simple Sentences, pg. 99-111
W 3/24 Peer Review & Revising your essay (bring a computer disk to save your work)
Week 8
M 3/29 Verbs, pg. 239-250
W 3/31 No School--Cesar Chavez Holiday
Vacation Week
M 4/5 - Sa 4/10 No School--Spring Break
Week 9
M 4/12 More Verbs, pg. 251-261
W 4/14 Essay 3 due ; Past-Perfect Verbs, pg. 263-270
Week 10
M 4/19 Nouns, pg. 271-280; Resumes (bring computer disk)
W 4/21 Pronouns, pg. 281-293; drafting essays (bring computer disk)
Week 11
M 4/26 More Pronouns, pg. 294-306; revising Resumes (bring computer disk)
W 4/28 Compound Sentences, pg. 112-120; revising essays (bring computer disk)
Week 12
M 5/3 Essay 4 due ; More Compound Sentences, pg. 120-128
W 5/5 Adjectives & Adverbs, pg. 307-314; Searching for jobs online (bring computer disk)
Week 13
M 5/10 More Adjectives & Adverbs, pg. 315-321; drafting essays (bring computer disk)
W 5/12 Complex Sentences, pg. 130-138; Writing Cover Letters (bring computer disk)
Week 14
M 5/17 Departmental Final Exam (in class essay, #5)
W 5/19 Run-On Sentences, pg. 169-175; revising essays (bring computer disk)
Week 15
M 5/24 Sentence Fragments, pg. 178-189; Following up on Interviews
W 5/26 Subject-Verb Agreement, pg. 196-206
Week 16
M 5/31 No School --Memorial Day Holiday
T 6/1 - F 6/4 Finals Week
W 6/2 Essay 6 Due
Essay Assignments
Essay1 Assignment: written in class on Wednesday, February 11 th . This is an ungraded assignment, designed to give me a sense of how you write. Although you will not receive a letter grade, you do need to complete the essay, so I can gauge your progress as you move along in the course. You may use a dictionary to help you as you work. You have the entire class period to complete your essay. Aim for one or two paragraphs, but if that's too much, just do the best you can. The topic is: If I could have or achieve anything in the world (unlimited by time, money, imagination, family pressure, etc.), what would it be, and why?
Essay 2 Assignment : due in class on Monday, March 8 th . Your essay should be set up according to the guidelines on the MLA handout sheet; that means it should be typed, double-spaced, and proofread for accuracy. In a carefully planned paragraph, explain how you chose your current trade and where you ultimately see it taking you in the future . Your opening line should be your topic sentence , and your paragraph should be unified, well developed, and coherent (see Chapter 3).
Essay 3 Assignment : due in class on Wednesday, April 14 th . This essay should include two full paragraphs (5-12 lines each), written using two different rhetorical modes of your choosing (exemplification, narration, description, comparison & contrast, or argument). You need to construct each paragraph carefully, so that each is complete in itself but so that they are linked and flow smoothly together. Present your main idea in line one, but then develop that idea in specific examples and details in paragraph two. Your topic is: Describe one obstacle you have overcome in getting to the place you are today (in terms of education, trade, family, career, etc.).
Essay 4 Assignment : due in class on Monday, May 3 rd . This is your first full, three-paragraph essay, and therefore, you may need to take extra time writing, revising, and proofreading your final version for accuracy. Your essay must be typed, double-spaced, and conform to the MLA format. You may use any of the rhetorical modes to organize your paragraphs, but be sure that paragraphs 2 and 3 stick to the main idea you present in paragraph 1. Your topic is: If I could make one improvement in my trade (including a new or redesigned product, a new machine, employee, or process), what would I improve, how would I do it, and why?
Essay 5 Assignment : written in class on Monday, May 17 th . You need to buy a Blue Book, designed for essay exams, in the campus bookstore, and bring it to class that day. They cost about 25¢. You may bring a dictionary and/or thesaurus to assist you as you write. You may not use the computers in the lab but must write your exam by hand in the blue book. All sections of English 64 students must take the same exam with a topic agreed upon by the Language Arts Department faculty ahead of time. When you enter the room, I will give you the topic (not before) , and you will have one hour and twenty minutes to complete your three-paragraph essay. Essays are read by two Lang. Arts faculty members, and you will receive a grade either of Pass or Fail, nothing else. If you pass, faculty members agree that you are adequately prepared for English 21. If you fail, faculty members believe you would benefit from either retaking English 64 or from some alternative program (such as ESL or Learning Skills Center tutorials) suggested by your teacher and/or other faculty advisers.
Essay 6 Assignment : due in class on Wednesday, June 2 nd . This is during Finals' Week, so we will not meet for class. You need only come in between 1 - 2 p.m., drop off your essay, and go. If you want your course grade mailed to you, please bring a pre-stamped post card from the US Post Office with your name and home address printed below the stamp. You may pick up your final essay next semester, or you may bring a self-addressed stamped envelope (with enough postage on it), and I'll mail it to your home. This final essay must be the full three paragraphs, and it should follow the MLA format. You may use any of the rhetorical modes we've learned to organize your paragraphs. Your topic is: If you were a recruiter for your trade, what information would you provide to entice others to either undertake your school program or to get involved in your field? Use examples from your own experience.
