Level 3 Writing Syllabus Spring 2008

ESOL 0351 Advanced Intermediate Writing

Instructor: April Field Email: april.field@hccs.edu

Gulfton Office Phone:  713-718-7750

Credit hours: 3 lecture 2 lab

Class meets: Tuesday / Thursday 10.20- 1.20      Computer Lab: Thursday 11.40-12.30

Office Hours: Before and after school                  Grades available on-line OR 1-877-341- 4300

Text book: Ready to Write: From Essay to Paragraph 2nd edition by Karen Blanchard and Christine Root. Longman Dictionary of American English   OR   Oxford Advanced Learners= English Dictionary

Course description:

Advanced Intermediate Writing ESOL 0351 is a continuation of ESOL 0347. This course concentrates on the development of writing skills and production of the five‑paragraph essay.

 

ESOL 0351 Advanced Intermediate Composition Statement of Purpose:

This course seeks to prepare students for continuation into ESOL 0354 and ultimately for college composition courses and academic writing in general by accomplishing the following objectives:

§      Strengthening students' awareness of the basic notions of paragraph development, particularly the role of the topic sentence and logical development of the paragraph.

 

§      Introducing students to the basic principles of the multi‑paragraph composition, focusing especially on the role of the introductory and concluding paragraphs, drafting an effective thesis statement, and organizing the composition according to a clear logical pattern.

 

§      Improving students' sentence combining skills in compound and complex sentences

 

§      Increasing student awareness of the nature of the writing process, especially in the areas of effective topic construction through pre-writing and revision and editing after writing.

 

After taking ESOL 0351, Level 3 Writing, students should be able to:

ü       Write a five-paragraph composition that includes an introduction, three well-organized body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

ü       Show proficiency in developing a topic according to the following rhetorical modes: description, narration, persuasion, comparison/contrast and classification

ü       Show proficiency in writing effective topic sentences and selecting appropriate supporting details

ü       Show familiarity with appropriate use of coordinating and subordinating conjunctions and transition words.

ü       Show familiarity with basic rules of punctuation and capitalization, particularly as they relate to combining simple sentences into compound and complex ones.

ü       Show familiarity with the basic steps of the writing process, including brainstorming or free writing and the use of outlines for developing composition structure

ü       Show ability to revise a composition whose errors have been indicated by an instructor.

 

Grades:           65%     In-class compositions                                        A         90-100

20%     Final Essay                                                       B          80-89

10%     Homework, class work, quizzes, lab                 C         70-79

5%       Weekly compositions                                        IP or F under 70

 

Note: Scores of in-class compositions will be weighted so that the later ones carry a higher value.

1. Attendance: If you exceed a total of 8 hours of absence in any class (4 days of any class), you can be discontinued from all your classes. This will make F1 students out of status and cause visa problems. Please email me if you are absent or talk to me on your return.

2. Tardiness and in-class time absence: Classes and tests begin promptly, and repeated lateness of ten minutes or more will count as class absence. Disappearing during class is also absence. Do not use the computer lab outside our time.

3. Missed tests: After an absence, arrange a time to make up the composition or test. Avoid absence as the longer multi-paragraph compositions take two class periods to write. I drop the lowest quiz score at the end of the semester.

4. Assignments and quizzes:  Assignments are due on the next class day unless otherwise stated by the instructor. To get a grade, you are responsible for assignments and homework.  Work missed while absent has to be done on your return. Please get a classmate=s phone number to find out what you missed so that you can come to class prepared.

Quizzes and tests: There will be regular announced and other unannounced quizzes on homework or topics we have been studying.

5. Tutoring: Tutoring is available after school in room 105 and also from 9 -11 on Fridays in the audio lab. The Friday sessions finish at 11 a.m. so get there long before 10:30. These are good opportunities to work on topics which you find difficult. Your teacher will also be available before and after school or in lab time to help.

6. Academic Honesty (Dishonesty = Cheating): Any form of cheating or copying, (plagiarism) will result in a 0 for that assignment and possibly recommendation for probation or dismissal from the college system. Cheating includes copying from another student during a test, copying from a text or copying from the Internet and presenting it as your own work See the HCC Handbook for more information.

7. Withdrawals:  The last day students may withdraw or be dropped from a class with a grade of W is April 3. Students who have excessive absences after that date will receive the grades they earn

8. Repeating students: Students who repeat a course for a third or more times will face a tuition fee increase of $75 at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities.  Ask your instructor or speak to a counselor about opportunities for tutoring or other assistance prior to considering course withdrawal or if you are not receiving passing grades. After failing a class a second time, a student will receive an F for that class.

9. Students with Disabilities: Students with a learning or physical disability which might affect their performance in class should contact the HCCS disabilities counselor, Dr. Becky Hauri at 713-718-7909, FAX 713-718-7781

10. Sexual Harassment Policy: Sexual harassment in any form is not tolerated at Houston Community College. See the HCCS Student Handbook for further information.

 

Courtesy and classroom behavior:  Turn off cell phones before class or set to vibrate for an emergency situation. To maximize your learning, use English only during class time and sit next to someone who does not speak your language. We need to treat everyone, including classmates, with respect by paying attention and encourage all students to participate. Questions about the course are welcome, but for longer discussions, you can see me after school. No eating during class.

Dictionaries especially electronic dictionaries: In writing tests, you may use English only dictionaries to check words or spelling Constant translation leads to strange word choices. Use the language you know rather than translate.

ESOL 0351                 Level 3 Writing Schedule Spring 2008

Week 1                        Diagnostic Essay, Introduction to Class

                                    Chapter 1 Getting Ready to Write

                                    Review of capitalization, punctuation and simple sentence structure.

                       

Week 2                        Chapter 2 Writing Paragraphs           Monday 1/21/08 Martin Luther King Day Holiday

In-class Practice Paragraph

 

Week 3                        Chapter 3 Revising and Editing                                 In-class Paragraph #1

Review of major sentence errors and sentence combining

(These topics will be included through the course)

 

Week 4                        Chapter 4 Writing Essays: Narrative

                                    Time clauses

 

Week 5                        Chapter 4                                                                                 In-class Essay #1

 

Week 6                        Chapter 6 Division and Classification Essay Monday 2/18/08 Presidents’ Day Holiday

 

Week 7                        Chapter 6

                                    Complex sentences                                                                   In-class Essay #2

 

Week 8                        Chapter 7 Cause and Effect Essay

 

SPRING BREAK March 10 – 16

 

Week 9                        Chapter 7                                                                                 In-class Essay #3

 

Week 10                      Chapter 11 Problem Solution Essay                          

 

Week 11                      Chapter 11                   .                                                           In-class Essay #4

 

                                                 Last date for withdrawal Thursday April 3 at 4: 30 p.m.

 

Week 12                      Chapter 8 Comparison Contrast Essay

                                    See the Azar grammar book for exercises on use of comparison contrast

 

Week 13                      Chapter 8 Quiz on comparison contrast vocabulary                                          

 

Week 14                      Chapter 8                                                                                 In-class Essay #5

 

Week 15                      Review

 

Week 16          Monday May 5 Writing Final                      

                        Tuesday May 6 Grammar Final       

Note: Chapters 8 and 9 in Fundamentals of English Grammar by Betty Azar will be used in parts of the course.

This is an approximate schedule. I may make minor changes to it if necessary to cover the required material in the course.