ESOL 0343

Beginning Writing

Syllabus

 

Instructor: Joe Starr

E-mail: starr_j@hccs.cc.tx.us

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs. 1:30-2:00

 

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A course devoted to expanding vocabulary, developing basic writing skills, and simple spelling.

 

2. ESOL 0343 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:

ESOL 0343, Beginning Writing, seeks to prepare students for college level academic or workforce study by accomplishing the following objectives:

          Introducing students to basic English rules of capitalization, punctuation, and paragraph format.

          Introducing students to various common sentence patterns, from simple sentences to the basics of co-ordination and subordination.

          Most importantly, building basic knowledge of paragraph organization with emphasis on developing topic sentences, support, concluding sentences and the use of basic transitions.

 

3. COURSE OUTCOMES:

At the end of this course, you should be able  to do the following:

1.         use capital  letters at the beginning of sentences, correct punctuation;

2.         correctly spell basic vocabulary;

3.         be able to use correct verb forms for simple present and present progressive tenses and familiarity with simple past, past progressive, and simple modals;

4.         correctly write simple sentences and basic compound sentences with  AND, BUT, and SO;

5.         write basic complex sentences with WHEN, WHILE, BEFORE, AFTER, and BECAUSE;

6.         create ideas through prewriting;

7.         organize a simple paragraph of 8 – 10 sentences, which would be 80 - 125 words, with a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence;

8.         revise a paragraph whose errors have been indicated

 

4. GRADE BREAKDOWN:

Your grade will be calculated as follows:

In-class compositions................................... 50%

Journals............................................................ 5%

Homework, Quizzes, Dictations.................. 5%

Lab.................................................................... 5%

Midterm......................................................... 15%

Final................................................................ 20%

                                                                        100%

5. TEXTBOOKS:

You are required to buy the following textbooks for this course:

Write on Target

Starr  McGraw Hill

 

6.      HOLIDAYS THIS SEMESTER

September  3, 2001

November 22, 2001

 

CLASS POLICIES

 

ATTENDANCE: HCCS has very strict attendance policies.  If you miss 8 hours of class, you may be dropped from this class.  There are no excused absences.  Speak to me if you know you must miss several classes

TARDINESS: It is not acceptable to be late to class.  If you are more than 10 minutes late, it will count  as an absence. If you arrive late, quietly take your seat and get out your books.  Explain after class. 

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: Students must act appropriately in class.  Please do not use beepers or cell phones in class.  Students must always treat all students with respect.  Since this is an English class, you should try to speak English at all times.  If sitting next to someone who speaks your language causes a problem in class, I may change your seat.

MAKEUP TESTS / LATE HOMEWORK: There are no makeup tests.  If you know you must be absent,  you may take the test in lab the day before.  If you miss a composition you must make it up in lab. If you are absent, please call a classmate to get the assigned homework.  I do not accept late homework.  Come to class prepared.

ACADEMIC HONESTY / CHEATING: Any form of copying, cheating, or plagiarism will result in a zero(0) for the assignment. This includes homework, tests, and book reports. See the HCCS Student Handbook for more information.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: HCCS POLICIES  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 713-718-7906

 

PROBLEMS:  If you have a problem in class, please speak to me after class.  I will make every effort to help you.  You may always see me during office hours for extra help.  Additionally, you may email me .

 

ESOL  0343

COURSE SCHEDULE

 

Week

Topics

1.

Chapter 1

 

2.

Chapter 2 & 3

 

3.

Chapter 3 & 4-  Composition 1 (8%)

 

4.

Chapter 4 & 5

 

5.

Chapter 6 & 7

 

6.

Chapter 8 & 9 –  Composition 2 (12%)

 

7.

Chapter 9 & 10

 

8.

Chapter 10 & 11

 

9.

Chapter 12 & 13    Midterm Composition

 

10.

Chapter 13

 

11.

Chapter 14   Composition 4 (25%)

 

12.

Chapter 15

 

13.

Chapter 16    Composition 5 (25%)

 

14.

Chapter 17

 

15.

Chapter 18    Composition 6 (30%)

 

16.

Final Exams Week

 

 

NOTE: This schedule  is approximate;  I  may make changes if necessary.