<p>Syllabus for Senior English Writing Course L2 Southington High School Jorgensen Email: [email protected]</p><p>2010-2011</p><p>Course Goal Senior English L2: Grammar and Composition: is designed to prepare students for the writing they will have to do in other classes, as well as, other possible writing ventures, such as, writing in the workplace. The course focuses on business writing, persuasive writing, expository writing, and personal writing. The lessons are based on the reading, conversation, revision, editing, and proofreading in order to produce strong, clear, and interesting work. Students learn how to understand and think critically about the ideas and language of others and how to develop and articulate their own ideas about what they have read and heard.</p><p>Course Requirements Attendance and Participation Attendance is based on the school requirements. You must meet the school requirements in order to earn credit. TUs are unacceptable, you will be written up per school policy. Students who work hard in class, listen to other students, and ask questions consistently earn the opportunity for better grades than students who do not.</p><p>Academic Integrity and Accountability You are fully responsible for all written and oral assignments, instructions, and information presented in class, whether you are present or not. If you are unable to attend school, and a long term assignment is due it must be emailed to [email protected] before 10 am on the day it is due. When you are absent or unsure about an assignment, consult the teacher or another (reliable) student for information. </p><p>All work must be yours, plagiarism holds serious consequences, any plagiarized paper will be scored as a 0 (zero), this includes papers that are partially “borrowed” from alternative sources including friends and colleagues. You are fully responsible for maintaining academic integrity.</p><p>Reading and Writing You will have multiple writing assignments in this class, some short and some long. For each you will have several homework assignments and at least one rough draft. To be assured of passing the class, you must complete all assignments. The rough drafts and final drafts must be typed. Late work is unacceptable, but in the event it happens once the teacher has discretion as to its value.</p><p>Jljorgensen 1 2010-2011 Computer Work Days Once a week we will work in a computer lab on a grammar review or ACCUplacer test questions. The purpose is to check students understanding of grammar and provide insight into college expectations for incoming freshmen.</p><p>Streaming Discussions Many colleges and businesses are asking their students and employees to cyber-connect with others (think tans without the tanks), this class will be using a similar method weekly. (These discussions are a separate portion of your grade so take them seriously) Students are required to participate in a streaming discussion based on a weekly topic.  You don’t have to know the “right answer” or completely understand the material in order to contribute to the discussion. A good response about the reading or weekly assignments, or an explanation of a problem you have meet dealing with the material at hand can be very helpful.  Questions are always welcome  Your response must reflect material that is being addressed in the classroom and readings  Contributions to the discussion must be substantive: they must be about ideas, and they must use respectful language. Any students who submit responses that are not substantive will not earn credit for that assignment.</p><p>Discussion Questions on paper. Often these discussions sessions will help you begin and revise your papers. You will frequently be asked to write in response to these questions. These responses will be typed,12 point font, and double-spaced. Often we will spend time in class reading and revising these. </p><p>Revision Workshops Opportunities will be given to comment on your own and other students' papers both in class and at home. These comments are part of the writing process and will be graded. </p><p>Folders Please keep a folder for each of the various writing styles, as well as, the assignment check sheets for each unit. ALL the drafts and Discussion Question should be in the folder(s) once the due date has passed – folders can be reviewed for a grade at any time. The folder will be maintained in the classroom, if you borrow it from the classroom it is your responsibility to sign it out with the teacher, when it is returned it must also be signed in with the </p><p>Jljorgensen 2 2010-2011 teacher. The idea is that all students leave Senior English with a working portfolio of writing samples.</p><p>POLICIES </p><p>Class Format This is an interactive, hands-on, and lecture class. You will read and write in class every week. Student papers are an important text in the class. You will be asked to read other students’ papers and to invite other students to read yours. </p><p>Format for Written Work All papers and rough drafts must meet a minimum requirement (which will be determined by assignment), must be typed, double spaced (unless format requires alternative, and must meet all MLA writing standards (If you are unsure of MLA writing standards look it up). Please include a MLA heading and the assignment (paper #3, first draft, for example).</p><p>Texts Writer’s INC (green edition) Write for College Workplace Writing</p><p>Grading Per Term: 50% - Papers/Projects 25% - Homework/Classwork/Quizzes 10% - Streaming Discussion 15% - Writing Fitness/ACCUplacer</p><p>Final Exam: Comprehensive exam and accounts for 20% of the overall course average.</p><p>Jljorgensen 3 2010-2011 Schedules and Assignments</p><p>Schedule of Readings and Homework Assignments A schedule of readings and homework assignments will be distributed at the beginning of each week. This schedule is subject to revision, but will give you an idea of the pace of the class. Meaning changes will be made as necessary.</p><p>Weekly Schedule of Discussion Questions</p><p>Date Discussion Question Submit by 9 am on Fridays</p><p>Week 1 What types of Writing can be Be sure your email 8/31-9/4 found in a workplace? For address is “business” example, In a place of business, appropriate for a business what is the purpose of a memo? or school interaction What would be considered a Be sure you have poor use of an email? authorization to use school computers. If you don’t let your teacher know ASAP. Week 2 – Labor Read the article by Linda Be sure to include a Day Alexander: “How to Write a reference from the article 9/7-9/11 Business Memo”. to support your scenario. Monday Create a scenario for appropriately using an email at a workplace. Week 3 What are the various types of Be sure to cite where your 9/14-9/18 business letters? Why are there information is from. Be various types of letters? Include sure to include an example a detailed example of why each for each type of letter. type of letter is used. For Be sure to include a example: a reference letter is complete scenario that is </p><p>Jljorgensen 4 2010-2011 Date Discussion Question Submit by 9 am on Fridays used to give a reference to a most useful for you. potential employer or for a reference for an employee for a new position. What is the best use for a letter of application? Provide a scenario for your choice. What is an application? When would you complete one? Why (what is the intended outcome)? Week 4 What is personal writing? Why Include a reason for writing 9/21-9/25 is it important? an essay from a personal perspective Week 5 When would a senior write Be sure the reason is 9/28-10/2 about from the personal supported with perspective during their Fall reasoning the is semester? What would you comprehensive write about? Week 6 Look for a college or job Be sure to include where 10/5-10/9 application and submit three the questions came from questions would choose to respond to. Week 7 Find an application and Submit a paper copy of 10/12-10/16 complete it. What did you learn the application on Columbus Day about the process of completing Thursday, 10/15, for an application? Friday discussion Response by Friday Week 8 What is expository writing? Include details you 10/19-10/23 What are some examples of remember about the expository writing have you assignments you chose done in the past? Week 9 In what position would you be Be sure to include specific 10/26-10/30 most likely to use an expository details about the scenario essay? Why? Week 10 Read “How to Write an Quote from the article and 11/2-11/6 Expository Essay” by Taylor include a reason for your Election Day 11/3 Hubbard. Explain what the key thought is to a “good” quality expository essay. Week 11 Write an introduction to an Bring 2 copies of the 11/9-11/13 expository essay, and then introduction with you to Veteran’s Day using the article to identify your class 11/11 “key” point.</p><p>Jljorgensen 5 2010-2011 Date Discussion Question Submit by 9 am on Fridays Week 12 What is persuasive writing? Submit the sample 11/16-11/20 Find an example of a Thursday for Friday Parent persuasive essay, it can be your discussions Conferences own or you may cut and paste a 11/19 sample Week 13 No Discussion Question Have a Nice Thanksgiving 11/23-11/27 Thanksgiving Break Week 14 Read “How to Write an Be sure to include details 11/30-12/4 Persuasive Essay” by Jitesh from the article that help Arora. What is the best reason explain the differences in for writing a persuasive essay? the two types of writing How is it different than an expository essay? Week 15 Create a list of 5 persuasive Be sure to follow the 12/7-12/11 writing topics. For each choose format for writing a a position and write a statement position statement. Use that clearly explains your Writer’s INC or the article, position. and another outside source to help formulate your position statement. Include source. Week 16 Write an introductory position If you cannot find 3 12/14-12/18 statement about: which product elements of support is better based on quality. First change ideas. chose 2 similar products, and then choose one to support based on three specific reasons.</p><p>Week 17 No Discussion Question Enjoy Winter Break 12/21-12/25 Winter Break Week 18 Winter Break 12/28-1/1 Week 19 What is the difference between Include the most recent 1/4- 1/8 fiction and non fiction? Which piece of fiction and non do you prefer to read and why? fiction you have read. Week 20 Read over “The Characteristics Be sure to reference “The 1/11-1/15 of Non Fiction” by Chris Crotier. Characteristics of Non Although fiction has its uses in Fiction” the classroom, why can non fiction be more useful when learning about writing? </p><p>Jljorgensen 6 2010-2011 Date Discussion Question Submit by 9 am on Fridays</p><p>Week 21 Identify one element of non Include an example from 1/18-1/22 fiction that is used in Tuesdays Tuesdays with Morrie that MLK Day by Morrie by Mitch Albom. supports your choice Week 22 No Discussion Question Good Luck on Exam 1/25-1/29 Finals </p><p>Description for Major Writing Assignments</p><p>Assignment Description of Major Assignment Submit by 9 am on due Number date</p><p>Assignment #1 Write an email to the employees Be sure your email of a “mock” business about an address is “business” appropriate dress code for the appropriate for a business workplace. or school interaction Assignment #2 Complete a job/college Be sure you follow the application, including a rules of letter writing or application letter or a college guidelines set forth by the essay college of choice, if no essay is required – write a letter of application to a specific department major Assignment #3 Write a procedural essay on Be sure to the task is how to complete a specific task. written in a combination of The task must have a minimum technical and layman of 10 steps and must be specific terms. This is awareness enough for an amateur to of audience, which will follow. help you be a more specific writer. Assignment #4 Create an outline for a Be sure to correctly cite persuasive essay. The outline information you use to must follow a formal outline set- support your position. up. Choose a controversial Check Writer’s INC if you topic that is relevant in today’s are unsure how to write society, for example, universal correct citations. health care for all Americans. Assignment #5 Choose two elements of non Be sure to include details fiction and explain how Mitch and citations. Albom and Morrie Schwartz best exemplify these in Tuesdays with Morrie. Response must be well thought out and include </p><p>Jljorgensen 7 2010-2011 Assignment Description of Major Assignment Submit by 9 am on due Number date specific examples that support the elements of non fiction. Assignment #6 Choice essay: Choose one type Be sure to follow the rules of essay writing and complete to writing for the chosen an essay on a topic of choice type of writing. that best exemplifies the chosen type of writing.</p><p>Jljorgensen 8 2010-2011</p>