Required Texts:         Langan, Sentence Skills w/ Readings 3^rd edition
                                    LB Handbook (lattc edition)
                                    The American Heritage Dictionary (Supplemental)

Objectives:

This course focuses on paragraph development and essay structure and composition. We will begin with a review of the 8 parts of speech, advancing to challenges in sentence structure and paragraph composition, culminating in the delivery of two 500 word essays. Each formal reading and writing assignment is designed to help students not only improve grammar and sentence skills, but to engage in thoughtful discussion and analysis of select fiction and non-fiction. In addition, by the end of the term students should be able to navigate the internet and basic library databases in preparation for submission of a five page MLA formatted research paper, a draft of which must be presented to the class for discussion.

Grading System:
At the end of the semester each student will receive a final letter grade corresponding to the amount of points earned during the semester.  Point values are listed below:

Assignments: Sentence skills homework should be photocopied or removed from the textbook and submitted for review.  Written work is accepted ONLY when in-class paragraph writing is assigned. *Where applicable grammar assignments completed via CD-Rom may be submitted electronically.

Essays:  Formal papers are to be typed, double spaced and submitted on the date listed on the syllabus. Essay topics originate from reading assignments and group discussion. Late papers are accepted ONLY at the professor’s discretion. The Writing Center in C-100 offers assistance in essay preparation and research, and their hours are very flexible. 

Common Final:  This is a department mandated pass/fail exam given to measure your composition skills upon exiting English 21. You must take this essay exam in order to receive a final grade for the course. (See week 15).

Attendance:  Roll is taken at the beginning of each class period. Each student is allowed three absences per semester. After three absences 5 points will be deducted from the participation grade for each additional absence.  Excessive absenteeism will result in exclusion from the course. 

Week One
2/6       Course intro; writing sample
2/8       Parts of speech (639)

Week Two
2/13     Parts of speech (handout) - LB Handbook p.210; Subjects/Verbs (89-92)
2/15     Subj./verb agreement (175); standard verb usag (151); homework: p. 181 Tests 1 & 2

Week Three
2/20     Verb tense consistency (183)
2/22     Essay structure; read Diaz-Talty’s “The Day I was Fat” (handout)

Week Four
2/27     Essay structure con’t; read Dr.Carson’s “Do It Better!” (563)
3/1       In-class essay

Week Five
3/6       Fragments (99); LB Handbook p.315 Quiz; homework: read Buscaglia’s “Papa” (584)
3/8       Exam Review

Week Six
3/13     Exam I
3/15     “Run-ons and Comma Splices” (117) homework:  Review tests 2 & 3

Week Seven
3/20     Process Analysis; in-class reading Kohler’s “How I Came Out”
3/22     in-class writing

Week Eight
3/27     rough draft due (peer group discussion)
3/29     Process Analysis Essay Due; midterm review

Week Nine
4/3       Midterm Exam
4/5       Pronouns (195)

Week Ten
4/10     No Class-Spring Break
4/12     No Class-Spring Break

Week Eleven
4/17     Cause and Effect; brainstorm topics; homework: read Staples’ “A Brother’s Murder”
4/19     in-class writing

Week Twelve
4/24     rough draft due (peer group discussion)
4/26     Cause and Effect Essay due

Week Thirteen
5/1       Research Requirements
5/3       LRC Tour

Week Fourteen
5/8       Works Cited Workshop
5/10     LRC presentations

Week Fifteen
5/15     prep for common final; quiz #2
5/17     Common Final

Week Sixteen
5/22     review sample papers
5/24     oral presentation of research

 Final research papers are due Tuesday, June 1, 2006

 *Please silence all electronic devices during class.  Your compliance is appreciated.
**Students with disabilities who need any assistance or accommodations should contact the instructor

 Send mail to amsill@yahoo.com   (Angel Macias) with questions or comments

about Ms. Shakir's web site.