Instructor: Sara Blake

Instructor: Sara Blake Fall Semester 2012

English A Syllabus

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course satisfies the writing prerequisite for English 1A. It provides a complete introduction to essay writing based upon selected prose readings, as well as a review of sentence skills and paragraph structure. It also introduces the techniques of library and Internet research.

COURSE OBJECTIVES (what you’ll do in the course): 1. Read and apply critical thinking skills to college-level expository prose for the purposes of writing and discussion. 2. Apply appropriate strategies in the writing process including prewriting, composing, revising, and editing techniques. 3. Demonstrate ability to incorporate into draft revision information received in peer review and one-on-one tutorials. 4. Plan, write, and revise 500-word multi-paragraph expository essays including an introduction and conclusion, exhibiting coherence and unity, avoiding major grammatical and mechanical errors that interfere with meaning, and demonstrating awareness of audience, purpose, and language choice. 5. Utilize MLA guidelines to format a document, to cite sources in the text of an essay, and to compile a Works Cited list.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME (what you’ll be able to do at the end of the course): Write a 500-word multi-paragraph expository essay that responds to a text discussed in class. The essay should include an introductory paragraph with a thesis, 2-4 body paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting details, and a concluding paragraph. Supporting details should include at least one direct quotation from an outside source. The essay should use basic rules of grammar, spelling, usage, and punctuation so that the writer’s ideas are clear. Essays should follow the rules of MLA style for heading, title, running header, indentation, in-text citation, and Works Cited page.

COURSE DESIGN: This class consists of one regular class meeting and one computer lab session each week. During the lab session, you’ll have the opportunity to work on your writing on a one-to-one basis with the instructor and a tutor from the Writing Center, to draft and revise your essays using computers in the lab, to access the internet for purposes of course-related activities and research, and to work on your grammar skills using computer-aided instruction. You need to bring your Writer’s Notebook and the textbook to all class meetings.

Lab meeting: classroom/day ______Regular meeting: classroom/day ______

TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS:

 Blake, Writing the College Essay (McGraw-Hill Primis, 2011, ISBN 9781121390614).This is a low-cost custom text available in the ECC Bookstore. There’s also a copy on Reserve in the library.  1" Soft-sided 3-Ring Binder (Writer’s Notebook)  Subject Dividers (5 minimum)  Standard-sized, College-ruled Notebook Paper  Black or Blue Pen  8½ X 11” Bluebook  Stapler, 3-Hole Punch

 USB Flash Drive ATTENDANCE: Class attendance at both regular class meetings and labs is required. Any student with more than 3 unexcused absences, or 5 absences for any reason, will be dropped from the course. WRITING CENTER: If you miss a lab session or are not prepared for a draft check during the lab, you may get a draft check of your essay in the Writing Center and receive full credit. Failure to get a draft check will seriously impact your grade for an assignment.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS: Due dates are given on the syllabus. Essays and exercises submitted late will lose points. You must submit all writing assignments to pass the course. If can’t attend class on the date a paper is due, you can email your paper to the instructor as an MS Word attachment, submit your paper to the Humanities Division Office, or slip your paper under the door of H221G on the due date. If you have an emergency, call or email ASAP. Reading quizzes, timed writings, and in-class activities cannot be made up. Grammar quizzes may be retaken or made up online in Etudes.

PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING: Plagiarism is passing off someone else’s words and/or ideas as your own, either by turning in an essay written by someone else or by copying sentences or paragraphs from a book or internet site into a paper of your own without clearly identifying them and their source. Plagiarism is the academic equivalent of stealing. As provided for in the El Camino Standards of Student Conduct (Section I.B. of ECC Board Policy 5500), a plagiarized paper will receive a grade of zero; any evidence of cheating will be reported to the college.

SPECIAL NEEDS: If you feel you may need an accommodation based on the impact of a documented disability, contact the instructor to discuss your specific needs. You may also need to contact the Special Resource Center (SRC) at (310) 660-3296 to coordinate reasonable accommodations.

GRADING: English A is a Pass/No Pass course. To pass the course you’ll need to submit ALL writing assignments and earn at least 750 points.

FINAL EVALUATION: INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:

Essay #1: Narration (paragraph) 75 Office: H221G Essay #2: Exemplification 125 On-Campus Office Hours: Essay #3: Compare-Contrast 145 Mon/Wed 8:30-9:00 a.m. or by appt. Essay #4: In-Class Essay Exam 85 You can also contact the instructor by Essay #5: Argumentation (research) 200 email or phone during these hours. Exercises & activities 140 Online Office Hours: Timed writings 60 Tues/Thurs 7:30-8:00 a.m. (via email) Grammar quizzes 90 Phone and Voice Mail: (310) 660-3593 ext. 3185 Writer's notebook 20 Email: [email protected] Reading quizzes 60 URL: http://www.elcamino.edu/faculty/sblake ECC Portal Login: https://ecc-portal.elcamino.edu Total Points Possible 1000 Eng A Etudes Site: https://myetudes.org/portal Townsend Press Learning Center Site : http://townsendpress.net/ STUDENT SUCCESS:  Going to college can change your life; make the most of it. Don’t sabotage yourself by failing to show up for class, coming to class without materials or failing to turn in assignments. What you get out of your experience depends on what you put into it.  If passing this class with a minimum of points is your objective, you’re failing to take advantage of the course. The purpose of the class is not to entertain you, to keep you in a seat for 4 hours a week, or to increase your GPA. You’re in this class because you need to improve your writing skills so you can perform successfully at the college level. This is a serious task. It requires a commitment on your part to make the most of every opportunity to learn and to grow as a writer.  Stay focused on your personal and educational goals. Ask yourself throughout the semester, “Why am I here? What are my goals? Am I doing everything I can to achieve these goals?” If you don’t see how a particular course topic or activity relates to your goals, ask.  In this era of state budget cuts, community college funds have been slashed. As a result, the number of course offerings has been significantly reduced. You may not have another opportunity to take this class, so make the most of it this semester.  Have a positive attitude: You can succeed in this course! If you need extra help or if you get confused or overwhelmed by an assignment, go to the Writing Center or see the instructor. We’re here to support you and give you the assistance you need. Fall 2012 MW English A Topics and Assignments Instructor: Blake

NOTE: Assignments and readings are to be read or completed before class on the dates indicated. Beginning page numbers of reading assignments are given in parentheses. Bring textbook and writer’s notebook to all class meetings. Class meets in a computer lab on Monday and in a regular classroom on Wednesday.

Date Topics Assignments/Readings 8/27: Meet in computer lab. Introduction to Class. Overview of syllabus and strategies for success. Sign up for TPLC. MyECC Portal Activity (5 pts). In-class paragraph. Week 1 8/29: Get acquainted activity. Overview of writing process. Bring materials for Writer's Prewriting with two-column diagram, brainstorming. Timed Notebook (10 pts). writing #1 (5 pts). Finding subjects and verbs. Set up Writer's Notebook. 9/3: No class. Labor Day Holiday.

9/5: More on finding subjects and verbs. Timed writing #2 (5 Read "Narration" (1), "My First Field Trip" (10). Bring your Week 2 pts). Preview textbook. Sample Reading Quiz. Writing narration, topic sentence and unity. Essay #1 assigned: narrative textbook or a photocopy of paragraph on memorable incident. page 1 to class (5 pts). (Copy available on Reserve in the Library.) 9/10: Meet in computer lab. Check ECC email. CAI: Exercises 1 Bring USB flash drive to save and 2 in TPLC on Finding Subjects and Verbs. Basic MLA work. manuscript form. Draft check 1: Essay #1 (5 pts). Print copy of Bring draft of Essay #1. essay for Wed.

Week 3 9/12: Timed Writing #3 (5 pts.) Grammar Quiz 1 on finding Read "Salvation" (13) and "Down subjects and verbs (15 pts). Reading Quiz 1 (10 pts). These Mean Streets” (18). Coherence and specific details. Using dialogue. Peer review (5 Complete Review Test 1 (93). pts). Bring revised draft of Essay #1 for peer review.

9/17: Meet in computer lab. Check ECC email. Using Etudes: Bring USB flash drive to save Take sample quiz, check Gradebook, introduce yourself in a post work. Final draft Essay #1 due (5 pts). Review Subjects and Verbs in Resources and take by end of class (75 pts). online make-up quiz (if required). Draft check 2: Essay #1 (5 pts). Week 4 9/19: Timed writing #4 (5 pts). ”The College Essay” format. Read "Exemplification” (24), Brainstorming, focusing a topic (thesis), planning and writing an "Double Talk" (35), and Why I outline. Avoiding fragments. Reading Quiz 2 (10 pts). Writing Want a Wife" (39). exemplification. Essay #2 assigned: exemplification essay on technology assigned. 9/24: Meet in computer lab. Writing Introductions. CAI: Exercises Bring USB flash drive to save 1 and 2 in TPLC on Fragments. Etudes: Introductory Paragraph work. Post Activity (5 pts). Check ECC email. Lab Check: Thesis and Bring outline with thesis for Outline for Essay #2 (10 pts). Essay #2. Week 5 9/26: Timed writing #5 (5 pts). More on introductions. Grammar Complete Review Test 3 (107). Quiz 2 on avoiding fragments (15 pts). Audience and tone. Bring Essay #2 introduction Primary and secondary support. Writing a conclusion. Focused including lead-in, thesis and peer review on introduction (5 pts). blueprint for peer review. 10/1: Meet in computer lab. Check ECC email. Etudes: Bring USB flash drive to save work. Review fragments in Resources and take online make-up quiz Bring draft of Essay #2. (if required). MLA format for running header. Draft Check: Essay #2 (10 pts). Week 6 10/3: Timed writing #6 (5 pts). Avoiding Run-ons and Comma Exemplification Essay Due (125 Splices. Reading Quiz 3 (10 pts). Developing an essay by pts). Read "Comparison-Contrast" comparison and contrast. Essay #3: comparison/contrast (44), “A Matter of Geography" (50), essay assigned. Prewriting using graphic organizers. Purpose. and “The American Family (54).

10/8: Meet in computer lab. Check ECC email. CAI: Exercises Bring USB flash drive to save work. 1 and 2 in TPLC on Run-ons. Draft check: thesis and two Bring thesis and 2 versions of versions of Outline for Essay #3 (10 pts). Locate online outline for Essay #3 – one outline sources for information and record the URLs. will be point-by-point and one will be subject by subject. 10/10: Grammar Quiz 3 on avoiding run-ons (15 pts). Week 7 Reading Quiz 4 (10 pts). Timed writing #7 (5 pts). More on Complete Review Test 2 & 3 (119- developing comparison/contrast (purpose, audience). Including 21). Read “Neat People v. Sloppy a quote from an outside source and avoiding plagiarism. Peer People” (62), Grant v. Lee (56), and review (5 pts). “Which Tablet Is Right for You?” (handout). Bring Essay #3 introduction for peer review.

10/15: Meet in computer lab. Check ECC email. Etudes: Bring USB flash drive to save work. Review run-ons in Resources and take online make-up quiz (if Bring draft of Essay #3. required). Revise Essay 2 to correct fragments (if applicable). Draft check: Essay #3 (10 pts.) Week 8 10/17: Subject-verb agreement. Reading Quiz 5 (10 pts). Read “Argumentation-Persuasion” Timed writing #8 (5 pts). MLA Works Cited. Writing (67) and “The Right to Die” (79). Argumentation-Persuasion. Critical Reading Exercise (15 pts.). 10/22: Meet in computer lab. Check ECC email. Check Etudes Bring USB flash drive to save work. Gradebook and update Personal Grade Record in Writer’s Be sure you have Essay 3 saved Notebook. Writer’s Notebook Check (10 pts). CAI: Exercises to your drive so you can upload it 1 and 2 in TPLC on Subject-Verb Agreement. Sign up for to Turnitin.com. Essay #3 Due by Turnitin.com and submit Essay #3 to Turnitin.com for analysis end of class (145 pts). Bring up- (5 pts). Formatting Works Cited in MS Word. Lab Check: to-date Writer’s Notebook for Week 9 Works Cited. Check.

10/24: Reading Quiz 6 (10 pts). Counselor Presentation. Ed Complete Review Test 1 & 2 (126- plan assigned. Grammar Quiz 4 on subject-verb agreement 27). Read “The Year-Round (15 pts). Essay #4: Argumentation essay assigned. School” (76) and "How About Low- Cost Drugs for Addicts?" (84).

10/29: Meet in computer lab. Check ECC email. Check Bring USB flash drive to save work. Turnitin.com for originality report. Review subject-verb Decide on topic for Essay #4 before agreement in Resources and take online make-up quiz (if you come to class. Bring student required). Research Exercise assigned (45 pts). Identifying ID. reputable sources and locating a book. Week 10 10/31: Timed Writing #9 (5pts). Discussion of controversial Read “A Reduced Minimum Wage issues. Writing an Introduction with summary for Essay #4. for Teenagers” (75). Pronoun agreement and person (handout).

11/5: Meet in computer lab. Check ECC email. CAI: Bring USB flash drive to save work. Exercises 1 and 2 in TPLC on Pronouns. Work on Research Bring introduction with topic Exercise. Draft check: Introduction with summary and sentences for Essay #4. HAVE topic sentences for Essay #4 (10 pts). A Week 11 GREAT 11/7: Timed writing #10 (5 pts). Grammar Quiz 5 on Complete review handout on pronoun agreement and person (15 pts). Pronoun pronouns. reference and types. Taking an Essay Exam.

11/12: No Class. Veteran’s Day Holiday.

Week 12 11/14: In-Class Essay Exam (85 pts). Bring 8½ x 11” bluebook, pen with black or blue ink, and annotated reading (10 pts.) for Essay Exam. 11/19: Meet in computer lab. Check ECC email. CAI: Online Bring USB flash drive to save work. exercise on Pronoun Reference and Type. Review pronoun Research Exercise Due at end of agreement and person in Resources and take online make- class (35 pts). Do NOT print articles up quiz (if required). Evaluating sources for Essay #4. until you get okay from tutor or Incorporating quotations to add authority to your instructor. argumentation-persuasion essay. Documentation: Draft Week 13 Check: MLA Quotation with In-text Citation (in-class activity) (10 pts).

11/21: Timed writing #11 (5 pts.). Grammar Quiz 6 on Complete Review Test 1 (132) and pronoun reference and types (15 pts). Documentation: Review Test 1 (140). Works Cited. MLA Works Cited Group Activity (10 pts).

11/26: Meet in computer lab. Check ECC email. Review Bring USB flash drive to save work. pronoun reference and case in Resources and take online Bring draft of Essay #4. make-up quiz (if required).Draft check: Essay #4 (15 pts). Respond to two of the questions in the Etudes Discussion Board on the topic of Essay #4 Questions/Comments (5 Week 14 pts). Revising for “you.”

11/28: Timed writing #12 (5 pts.). Peer review (10 pts). Bring revised draft of Essay #4 to Evaluate class. Sign up for grade conference date/time. class for Peer Review.

12/3: Meet in computer lab. Check ECC email. Review MLA Bring USB flash drive to save work. formatting of Works Cited with hanging indent. Draft check: Bring draft of Essay #4 with Works Works Cited page of Essay #4 (10 pts). Check grades in Cited Page. Essay #4 Due in hard Etudes for any missing work. Submit Essay #4 to copy and to Turnitin.com by end of Turnitin.com. class (200 pts). Educational Plan Week 15 Due (15 pts).

12/5: Optional meeting H221G: Last day to take make-up Note change of room to Instructor quizzes. Last day to submit late work. Office H221G!!

12/10: Instructor conferences H221G. Pick up Essay #4. Week 16 12/12: Instructor conferences H221G. Pick up Essay #4. WINTER BREAK!