Henry Ford Community College

 

 

 

SYLLABUS

English 088-02

Basic Writing: From Sentences to Paragraphs

(Fall 2002 Semester)

 

Instructor:

 

   Pete Kearly

  

Meeting Days/Times:

 

   MWF 9:08AM-10:00AM

 

Room:

 

   L-123

 

Instructor’s Office:

  

   A-208 (see attached map)

 

Instructor’s Office Hours

 

   M-F: 11-1PM & By Appt.

 

Instructor’s Phone:

 

   (313) 317-6682

 

Instructors’ E-mail:

 

  pkearly@hfcc.net

 

Learning Lab:           

 

     Phone: (313) 845-9643

 

Hours: MTTh 8AM-9PM

           WF 8AM-4:30PM

           Sat 10AM-2PM

 

Every student must complete all the Grammar and Usage exercises on Skills Bank 4 on the computers in the Learning Lab.  Students should redo exercises until scoring 80% or higher on each one.  The average of your scores will be tallied and recorded for a grade on November 18th.

 

Text:

 

         Brandon, Lee & Brandon, Kelly.  Sentences, Paragraphs, & Beyond: A Worktext with Readings, 3rd ed.  New York: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2001.

 

Required Materials:

 

Three-ring binder with labeled dividers for 1) syllabus/gradesheet, 2) grammar notes, 3) quizzes, 4) writing notes, and 5) graded writing.  (You must bring the binder to class every session.)

 

30-40 sheets of loose-leaf paper (to be stored in your binder)

 

A dictionary that you can understand

 

Blue or Black Pen

 

Course Description:

 

English 088 is a developmental course required of students whose scores on the ASSET Writing Test indicate skills that still need to be learned before they enroll in English 093.  Emphasis is on written sentence patterns and paragraph writing.  Supplemental laboratory work and conferences are also required.  Students must earn a grade of “S” (Satisfactory) before enrolling in English 093.

 

Measurable Objectives:

 

     Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

 

1.         write at least a college-level paragraph with a topic  

sentence and supporting information using correct grammar and punctuation and a variety of sentence styles.  Ideas must be logical and must show evidence of independent thinking and not mere stereotype or cliché.

 

2.         successfully write a variety of kinds of complete sentences, some using dependent clauses, embedded clauses, and subordinate and coordinate construction.

 

3.         know the correct uses of capitalization, titles, direct quotation marks, subject-verb agreement, tense, pronoun agreement, and punctuation.

 

4.         demonstrate productive time management.

 

5.         read and write academic English with confidence.

 

6.         write an essay of at least 500 words exhibiting a clearly defined thesis statement that is developed with well organized and logical supporting paragraphs.

 

 

 

Method of Instruction:

                                                                           

-          Class time will be spent on reviewing spelling, grammar, punctuation, and word order per the textbook.

-          However, most class time will concentrate on writing with the focus on original detail and logic.

-          Some time will be spent reviewing effective study-skills and habits.

-          Periodic quizzes will be given to test how well each student remembers the skills we’ve practiced.

-          Journal and/or diary writing will occur both inside and outside class as assigned by the instructor.

-          Learning lab assignments will supplement what is done in class.

 

Student Responsibilities:

                               

    Each student must complete all required coursework, including grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing exercises to pass this course.

 

    Each student is responsible for reading the text and actively participating in class.  The instructor will not lecture, but will encourage hands-on practice with reading and writing in English.

 

    Any evident (obvious) dishonesty with homework or exams will result in a grade of zero for the assignment.  This includes plagiarism (the purposeful stealing of ideas and writings of another and presenting them as the student’s own).

 

    Late assignment policy: Work will be accepted late only due to an excusable emergency.  This would normally require a note on official stationery from a medical person, or other professional outside the family.  Too many missed assignments may result in a failing grade.

 

Testing/Evaluation:

 

  Quizzes will be given periodically (see schedule below).  You must submit at least ten quizzes in your Portfolio to count toward your final grade.  Each quiz will count for 10 points toward the final grade.  Each quiz will be given at the beginning of the class period.  You may retake each quiz only once to earn a better score.

 

  Any unexcused absence or tardy on a quiz day results in a “zero” grade.  If you have a verifiable emergency on a quiz day, and can prove it in writing, see the instructor for a scheduled make up after the regular class time.

 

  If you miss a quiz with a valid excuse you may make it up during a designated make-up quiz day.

 

  You must complete a Final Exam (worth 100 points).  The exam will be comprehensive, which means that it will cover all the work we completed throughout the semester.

 

 You must complete at least 10 Paragraph Assignments (worth 10 points each) and one essay

               (minimum of two typewritten pages, double-spaced in 12 point “Times” font worth 100 points).  You may

    revise each assignment as many times as you like to earn a better grade.  However, for each revision,

    you must write on the back of the paper what corrections you made to earn credit for those corrections.

 

Additional Services:

 

       You may make an appointment to see me for individual tutoring during my office hours.

 

       The Learning Lab provides additional tutoring and support.

 

Attendance Policy:

 

  Attendance is taken daily.  Consistent and punctual class attendance is necessary to successfully complete this course.  Do not leave the class early.  Remember that the instructor indicates the time to leave.  The only valid reasons you have for absence are your own serious illness, childcare emergency, the serious/emergency illness of a family member, or a death in the immediate family. 

 

  Please leave a message with the instructor should any of these emergencies arise.

 

 

Additional Student Responsibility:  

 

1.      The student is responsible for all announcements and material presented in class, for completion of all in-class and homework assignments, and for actively participating in helping yourself and others learn how to read and write in English better. 

 

2.      The student is responsible for informing the instructor about any health conditions, which might create a classroom emergency (i.e., seizure disorders, diabetes, heart conditions).

 

3.      The student is responsible for discussing with the instructor any special needs for test taking or other accommodations.

 

Determination of Final Grade:

 

The grade you receive on your report card is calculated by your point total divided by the total possible points for each individual student.  Point totals may vary between students, depending on effort.  Nonetheless, percentages align with the following letter grades: 100-90% (A), 89-80% (B), 79-70% (C), 69-60% (D), and 59-50% (E).  You will receive a point tally sheet to help keep track of your own progress.  YOU MUST COMPLETE THE POINT TALLY SHEET before submitting your final portfolio.  To pass this course, you must earn 80% or better.  On your report card, a grade of “S” equals “Passing.”

 

Sample: Quiz scores: 5 +  7 +  3 +  6 +  8 +  7 +  4 +  8 +  5 +  8 =  61

Sample: scores on revised Paragraphs: 8 +  9 +  8 + 9 + 10 + 10 + 10 +  7 +  8 + 10 =  89

Sample: score on Learning Lab Skills Bank 4 Exercises: 80

Sample: score on revised Essay: 90

Sample: score on Final Exam: 80

Sample: attendance: 80 (-10 points for every unexcused absence)

Sample: (quizzes) 61 + (paragraphs) 89 +  (lab) 80 + (essay) 90 + (exam) 80 + (attendance) 80 = 480/600 = 80% “S”

 

Grading: For each assignment and essay, points are taken off to tell you to work on one of the following: punctuation and spelling (-1), comma use (-1), pronoun use (-1), singular-plural agreement (-1), paper format (-1), sentence construction (-2), transition (-2), organization of idea (-2), mixed metaphor (-2), missing definition of a concept (-2), logic of idea (-3), valid use of source (-3), valid observation and detailed description (-3), missing supporting evidence (-4), logic of overall argument (-5), valid conclusion (-5).  I calculate these point subtractions based on the average number of times a student tends to need to learn the given skill.

Important Dates:

     Class Begins:                                                         August 23

     Last day for 100% refund by 12PM                        August 28

     Last day for no-record drop by 4PM                        August 30

College Closed:                                                       September 2 (Labor Day)

Last day for 50% refund by 7PM                             September 5

Last day to drop classes in Registrar’s Office        November 1

Learning Lab Exercises Due:                                November 18

Essay Due:                                                              November 27

College Closed:                                                       November 28-December 1 (Thanksgiving Break

Final Exam:                                                            December 2 & 4

Portfolios DUE!                                                        December 6

Pick Up Portfolios in class:                                    December 9

 

Sequence of Instruction: The following schedule is tentative and may be subject to change.

 

      Date          Day                                                                  Description

 

      Aug 23       Fri             Introduction; Go over syllabus; Discuss your own writing process (what works for you and what hasn’t worked for you?); Homework: Purchase Class Supplies

 

      Aug 26       Mon           In-class Multiple Choice Diagnostic Test I (45 minutes)

 

      Aug 28       Wed           In-class Diagnostic Paragraph I (30 minutes)

 

      Aug 30       Fri             Review Ch. 11, 12: First two stages of writing: creating ideas and organizing ideas. 

 

      Sep 4         Wed           Review Ch. 13: Revising & Rewrite Diagnostic Paragraph I following textbook

                                          guidelines to count as Paragraph #1. Review Ch. 1: Subjects & Verbs

 

      Sep 6         Fri             Quiz #1 on Subjects & Verbs

          

      Sep 9         Mon           Paragraph #1 Rewrite Due!  Review Ch. 15: Writing about Reading.

 

      Sep 11       Wed           Review Diagnostic Test I.   Visit Learning Lab.

                                         

      Sep 13       Fri             Begin Learning Lab Work (all lab work due April 5!)

 

      Sep 16       Mon           Paragraph #2 Due: Summary of Reading Selection; Review Ch. 16: Discuss Narration

                                         

      Sep 18       Wed           Review Ch. 2: Kinds of Sentences

 

      Sep 20       Fri             Quiz #2 on Kinds of Sentences

 

      Sep 23       Mon           Paragraph #3 Due: Narration; Review Ch. 17: Discuss Description

                                           

      Sep 25       Wed           Review Ch. 3: Combining Sentences

 

      Sep 27       Fri             Quiz #3 on Combining Sentences

     

      Sep 30       Mon           Paragraph #4 Due: Description; Review Ch. 18: Discuss Exemplification

                                         

 

     

      Oct 2          Wed           Review Ch. 4: Correcting Fragments

 

      Oct 4          Fri             Quiz #4 on Correcting Fragments.

 

      Oct 7          Mon           Paragraph #5 Due: Exemplification; Ch. 19: Discuss Process Analysis

                                         

      Oct 9          Wed           Review Ch. 5: Verbs

 

      Oct 11        Fri             Quiz #5 on Verbs Review

 

      Oct 14        Mon           Paragraph #6 Due: Process Analysis; Review Ch. 20: Discuss Cause and Effect writing

                                         

      Oct 16        Wed           Review Ch. 6: Pronouns

 

      Oct 18        Fri             Quiz #6 on Pronouns

 

      Oct 21        Mon           Paragraph #7 Due: Cause/Effect; Review Ch. 21: Discuss methods of comparison/contrast.

                                               

      Oct 23        Wed           Review Ch. 7: Adjectives & Adverbs

 

      Oct 25        Fri             Quiz #7 on Adjectives & Adverbs

 

      Oct 28        Mon           Paragraph #8 Due: Comparison/Contrast; Review Ch. 22: Persuasion

 

      Oct 30        Wed           Review Ch. 8: Balancing Sentence Parts

 

      Nov 1         Fri             Quiz #8 on Balancing Sentence Parts

 

      Nov 4         Mon           Paragraph #9 Due: Persuasion; Review Ch. 23: Mixed Bag

                                         

      Nov 6         Wed           Review Ch. 9: Punctuation & Capitalization.

 

      Nov 8         Fri             Quiz #9 on Punctuation & Capitalization

 

   

   

      Nov 11       Mon           Paragraph #10 Due: Combine Two Different Forms of Writing

                                                                                    (e.g., exemplification with persuasion)

                                               

     Nov 13       Wed           Review Ch. 10: Spelling

 

      Nov 15       Fri             Quiz #10 on Spelling; Last Day to submit revised Paragraph Assignments

 

      Nov 18       Mon           Lab work Due! Review Ch. 14: From Paragraph to Essay

                                          Organize the topic and supporting sentences for your essay.

 

      Nov 20       Wed           Complete one paragraph for your essay.

                                         

    Nov 22       Fri             Complete two paragraphs for your essay.

 

    Nov 25       Mon           Complete three paragraphs for your essay.

 

      Nov 27       Wed           Complete four paragraphs for your essay.

 

      Nov 29       Fri             No Class!  Thanksgiving Break.

 

      Dec 2         Mon           Complete five paragraphs for your essay.

 

      Dec 4         Wed           Essay Due!  Review for Final Exam

                                         

      Dec 6         Fri             In-class Final Exam!

                                          (Multiple Choice Diagnostic Test II)

 

      Dec 9         Mon           In-class Diagnostic Paragraph II

 

      Dec 11       Wed           Complete Grade Sheet; Organize Portfolios

                                          Portfolios Due!  Complete Evaluations of Teacher.

 

      Dec 13       Fri             Pick Up Portfolios from class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Kearly’s

Office Location

Room A-208, 2nd Floor

Learning Technology Center

Office Phone: (313) 317-6682