English 20
Basic Writing
Instructor: Tom Amano-Tompkins Fall
2015
Section #22068: MW 7:00-8:50 pm Location:
SS-213
Office hours: TBA
Email: tomp99@earthlink.net (best way to
communicate with me outside of class!). Also I can be reached at
tamanotompkins@cerritos.edu.
Website:
http://caliteach.com/eng20/
Prerequisite: Satisfactory
completion of the English Placement Process or ENGL 15 or ESL 200 or equivalent
with a grade of Pass or "C" or higher.
Course Description: This
course introduces students to the writing process as a
means of developing
ideas into clear, correct, and effective writing. The course concentrates on
short essay writing in accord with the conventions of standard written English.
Course Objectives:
·
Write standard American English appropriate to the college
and workplace
·
Write varied sentences (simple, compound, complex,
compound-complex)
·
Employ one or more prewriting strategies (brainstorming, free
writing, clustering, etc.)
·
Plan and write coherent paragraphs that incorporate effective
topic sentences, transitions, and supporting sentences by
various strategies
of development
·
Plan and write coherent finished essays that incorporate
effective thesis statements, transitions, support paragraphs with detail, and
various strategies of introduction, development, and conclusion
·
Discuss college level reading material
·
Write summaries, paraphrases, and critiques that accurately
reflect
and or/criticize the subject matter
·
Write paragraphs and essays in different expository modes
(process analysis, classification, comparison/contrast, etc.)
·
Recognize diverse purpose, audience, point of view, and style
in
various essay structures
·
Use various revision methods to improve diction, sentences,
paragraphs, and overall essay effectiveness
·
Recognize effective and ineffective writing in individual,
student,
and outside writing
·
Find information in the library and utilize it in writing
compositions
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon
successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
·
Employ the Writing Process in order to understand and
complete the writing task
·
Write paragraphs and short essays that have a specific
purpose,
in response to specific writing prompts and course assignments
·
Write paragraphs using specific details, examples, and
illustrations to fulfill a purpose
·
Demonstrate appropriate critical thinking and strategies in
writing
·
Write in prose style characterized by clarity and variety
·
Adhere to the conventions of standard written English
Required Texts:
Stepping Stones: A Guided Approach to Writing Sentences
and Paragraphs by Chris Juzwiak (ISBN 0312675992)
Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley (ISBN 0743451791)
Students who
succeed in English 20 usually choose to **Read
carefully!**
- Make a serious commitment to succeeding in this class.
- Come to class on time and prepared.
- Get the required texts as soon as possible.
- Do all the assignments, including readings, and keep up with the
class schedule.
- Participate in class discussions and activities.
- Refrain from using their cell phones during class.
- Let me know immediately if they experience a problem with the class
or if other areas of their lives seriously interfere with their ability to
do their class work.
- Seek out all legitimate help with their course work, if you need
it, including campus resources, campus librarians, your textbook, and me.
·
Maintain
academic integrity by doing their own work. They do not plagiarize; they do not
cheat. (See box on plagiarism below.)
- Treat classmates and instructor with respect and consideration.
- Recognize that real learning is difficult – it involves making
mistakes and taking risks.
If you are not willing to make these
choices, you are not likely to pass this class!
Plagiarism can mean copying, word for word, all or part of
something someone else has written and turning it in with your name on it.
Plagiarism also includes using your own words to express someone else’s ideas
without crediting the source of those ideas and reusing your own papers written
for another class.
Plagiarism is a very serious form of academic misconduct. It’s both
lying and stealing, and it’s a waste of time for students and teachers. College
and departmental policy on plagiarism will be strictly enforced: Any student
caught plagiarizing will automatically receive a zero for that assignment, with
no possibility of making it up, and may be subject to up to a formal reprimand
and/or suspension.
Cite your sources! Please retain all notes and drafts of your papers
until grading for the course is completed.
Attendance/Tardiness
Attendance in class is mandatory. This is the college policy. If a
student is absent during the add period OR for more than 10% of the total class
hours (three classes), the instructor has sufficient cause to drop that student
from the class. Arriving late or leaving early will count as one half of an
absence.
Grading: Your final grade in this class will be
computed as follows.
Assignments:
Composition 1 (100 words) 5%
Composition 2 (150 words) 10%
Composition 3 (200 words) 10%
Composition 4 (300 words) 20%
Reading Analysis Presentation (150-200 words) 5%
In-Class Essay (200 words) 10%
Mid-Term ` 7%
Final Exam (300 words) 15%
Homework (including posts) 10%
Participation 8%
Total 100%
Written Compositions: All essays and
written compositions written outside the classroom must be typed on a
computer. Please double-space your work.
Writing on a word processor improves writing skills. Because writing is a process of prewriting,
organizing, composing, revising, and editing, traditional methods of typing or
handwriting assignments are often time-consuming and ineffective. Certainly, they discourage revision. Computers, on the other hand, make revision
and the writing process more manageable at every stage. There are computer labs in several locations
on campus.
Planning /
Discovery: When you turn in an essay, you must turn in all prewriting, drafts,
and peer reviews as well as the final draft to receive credit on the
essay.
Peer Review: We will be peer
reviewing rough drafts for all take-home essays. In order to be eligible to be turned in for
credit with the final version of the essay, the rough draft must be present in
class on day that it is due and the author must participate in peer
review. Failure to attend class or
failure to thoroughly complete the peer review will result in the reduction of
your essay grade by 10%.
Revisions: All take-home
essays, except Essay 4, may be revised and resubmitted for re-evaluation. Revisions must be turned in within two weeks
of the original assignment due date.
Reading Assignments: Reading
assignments should be completed prior to the due date on the syllabus. Being prepared for class and earning full
credit for participation includes keeping up with the reading assignments and
coming to class prepared to discuss them.
Late Work: Late papers will
get a full letter-grade markdown, and will be accepted no later than one week
after the due date. Failure to turn in an assignment will result in a “0” for
that assignment. Late “Exercise” homework (exercises from Stepping Stones, etc.) will not be accepted.
Participation: Our classroom
needs to be an optimal, positive environment for learning, so that you can
focus on the course materials without disturbance; therefore, all cell phones,
hands-free and other electronic devices must be turned off and put away before
class. No texting, no phones on vibrate
since this is audible, and, of course, no answering phones. If you have an emergency that requires you to
be available by phone during class hours, please notify your instructor before
class starts, and sit near the door with your phone on a silent setting. It is never okay to disrupt the learning environment.
Classroom Conduct: College, and this
classroom specifically, are places that ask for active participation in various
activities in the process to being an informed and participating citizen. Part of the process will include writing activities
and discussions. Sleeping, engaging in
side conversations, doing other homework, playing with your cell phone or
electronic devices, or other activities that are disruptive to the class will
negatively affect the participation component of our class, may result in you
being asked to leave (and thus being marked absent), and may warrant a referral
to the Dean for further action.
Classroom
Environment: Our classroom needs
to be an optimal, positive environment for learning, so that you can focus on
the course materials without disturbance; therefore, all cell phones,
hands-free and other electronic devices must be turned off and put away before
class. No texting, no phones on vibrate
since this is audible, and, of course, no answering phones. If you have an emergency that requires you to
be available by phone during class hours, set your phone to a silent setting,
and take the call in the hall. It is
never okay to disrupt the learning environment.
Multicultural Statement
This course teaches students to read and write
critically about a myriad of subjects, which represent and reflect culturally
diverse issues and problems. Further, writing assignments are designed to help
students understand and respect diverse cultural perspectives and to show how
these perspectives contribute to the development and growth of society. In
addition, instructional methods are used to accommodate the various learning
styles of students, thus promoting self-confidence and student success.
Disabled Students Programs and
Services
Students with limitations due to a
disability may receive support services and instruction from Disabled Student
Programs and Services. Those students with mobility, visual, hearing, speech,
psychological and other health impairments as well as learning and
developmental disabilities are served. For information or an appointment
call (562) 860-2451, extension 2335; (562) 274-7164 (VP) or (562) 467-5006
(FAX).
Contact information for a few reliable classmates
___________________________________________________________________
Name Phone Email
___________________________________________________________________
Name Phone Email
Schedule of Topics and Assignments (subject to change)
Date
|
Homework
& class preparation to complete before
class
Unless
otherwise noted, all assignments are from Stepping
Stones
***IMPORTANT: For
grammar activities from Stepping Stones,
turn in answers to even numbered questions only. Answers to
odd numbered questions are in the back of the book. ***
|
Exams,
and major assignments
|
Week 1
|
||
Mon. 8/17
|
WELCOME!
Review
the syllabus
Discuss
the class website
Take handout for homework
|
Diagnostic writing
|
Wed. 8/19
|
Read: “Grow Your Intelligence”
Written homework: One paragraph
summary + thesis
In-class: Discuss purpose
and audience
|
|
Week 2
|
||
Mon. 8/24
|
Quiz
Read Chapter 3: Developing a
Topic,
Chapter 11: The Simple Sentence,
Written homework: Chapter 11 - Activities 1-4 & 7-9
***IMPORTANT: For
grammar activities from Stepping Stones,
turn in answers to even numbered questions only. Answers to
odd numbered questions are in the back of the book. ***
In-class: Writing process, Introduce
Composition 1 assignment
|
|
Wed. 8/26
|
Quiz
Read Chapter 6: Developing Details,
“A Duty to Heal” by Pius Kamau, HANDOUT (POST SUMMATION AT WEBSITE)
Chapter 10: The Simple Sentence,
Written homework: Chapter 10 - Activities 11, 12, 14, & 15
One-paragraph
reaction to “A Duty to Heal”
*** Last day to
drop class and get a full refund is Aug. 28
|
|
Week 3
|
||
Mon. 8/31
|
Quiz
Read Chapter 4: Outlining Your
Paragraph,
Patterns
of Development; Description
Chapter 11: The Simple Sentence,
“The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and
Me” by Sherman Alexie, (POST)
Written homework: Chapter 10 - Activities 17, 18, 21, & 25
One-paragraph reaction to “The Joy
of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me” (hand in)
|
Bring photo for Composition 1
|
Wed. 9/2
|
Quiz
Read Chapter 5: Composing the
Paragraph
Chapter 11: The Simple Sentence
Condense a sentence (tighten and trim)
Written homework: Chapter 10 – Activities
27, 28, 30, 31, & 33
*** Last day to drop class with no “W” is
Sept. 4
|
Outline of Composition 1
|
Week 4
|
||
Mon. 9/7
|
LABOR DAY HOLIDAY – NO CLASS
|
|
Wed. 9/9
|
Quiz
Read Chapter 7: Revising,
Chapter 15: Using Verbs Correctly,
Written homework: Chapter 15 - Activities
1-4
|
Draft of Composition 1
|
Week 5
|
||
Mon. 9/14
|
Quiz
Read Chapter 7: Revising,
In class: Read and discuss “Caring Makes Us Human” by Troy Chapman Handout
(POST)
introduce Composition 2 assignment
|
Composition 1 due
|
Wed. 9/16
|
Quiz
Read Exemplification; Narration
Chapter 6: Developing Details
Chapter 16: Using Verbs Correctly
Written homework: Chapter 16 - Activities 6-10
|
|
Week 6
|
||
Mon. 9/21
|
Quiz
Read Chapter
12: Compound Sentence
Written homework: Chapter 112Activities
10, 12, 14, 16
|
Outline of Composition 2 due
|
Wed. 9/23
|
Quiz
Read Chapter 12: Compound Sentences
Written homework: Chapter 12 Activities
23-24, 27-28
In class: Read and discuss “The Sanctuary of School” by Lynda Barry HANDOUT (POST)
|
|
Week 7
|
||
Mon. 9/28
|
Quiz
In-class: review drafts with group
Mid-Term Exam
|
Draft of Composition 2 Mid-Term
Exam
|
Wed. 9/30
|
Quiz
Read Chapter
13: The Complex Sentence
Written homework: Chapter 12 Activities 1, 3, 5, 7, & 9
Read Devil in a Blue Dress, Ch. 1-3, pp.
45-68 (POST)
Begin Reading presentations
|
(Reading Analysis Presentation 1 – if
you’re signed up)
|
Week 8
|
||
Mon. 10/5
|
Quiz
Read Devil in a Blue Dress, Ch. 2-3, pp. 69-96. (POST)
In class: Introduce Composition 3 assignment
Reading presentations
|
Comp 2 rough draft due
(Reading
Analysis Presentation 1 – if you’re signed up)
|
Wed. 10/7
|
Quiz
Read Chapter 9: Moving from
Paragraphs to Essays
Chapter
13: The Complex Sentence
Written
homework: Chapter 12 Activities 10, 13, & 15
Read Devil in a Blue Dress, Ch. 4-5, (POST)
Reading presentations
|
(Reading Analysis
Presentation 1 – if you’re signed up)
Composition 2 due |
Week 9
|
||
Mon. 10/12
|
Quiz
Read Chapter 8: Moving from Paragraphs to Essays
Read Chapter 17: Using Pronouns Correctly
Written
homework: Chapter 17 Activities 1, 4, 7-8
Read Devil in a Blue Dress, Ch. 6-7, pp.
(POST)
Reading presentations
|
(Reading Analysis Presentation 1 – if you’re signed up)
|
Wed. 10/14
|
Quiz
Read Chapter 17: Using Pronouns Correctly
Written
homework: Chapter 16 Activities 10-11, 13, & 15
Read Devil in a Blue Dress, Ch. 8-9 (POST)
Reading presentations
|
(Reading
Analysis Presentation 2 – if you’re signed up)
|
Week 10
|
||
Mon. 10/19
|
Quiz
Read Appendix B: Punctuation and Capitalization, pp. A-29
Written homework: Appendix B
Activities 1 & 3
Read Devil in a Blue Dress, Ch. 10-11, pp. (POST)
Reading presentations
|
(Reading
Analysis Presentation 2 – if you’re signed up)
|
Wed. 10/21
|
Quiz
Read Devil in a Blue Dress, Ch. 12-13 (POST)
Reading presentations
|
(Reading
Analysis Presentation 2 – if you’re signed up)
Thesis statement for composition 3 due (in-class)
|
Week 11
|
||
Mon. 10/26
|
Quiz
Read Appendix B: Puctuation and Capitalization, pp. 494-499
Written homework: Activities 4-6
Read Devil in a Blue Dress, Ch. 14-15. (POST)
Reading presentations
|
(Reading
Analysis Presentation 2 – if you’re signed up)
Complete first paragraph of Composition 3 due
|
Wed. 10/28
|
Read Devil in a Blue Dress, Ch. 16-17. (POST)
|
|
Week 12
|
||
Mon. 11/2
|
Quiz
In-class: Introduce Essay 4 assignment; prepare for in-class essay
Discuss prompt for assignment 4
Writing exercises
read Devil in a Blue Dress, Ch. 18-20 (POST)
|
|
Wed. 11/4
|
Quiz
In-class essay.
Read Devil in a Blue Dress, Ch. 21-23 (POST)
Over
the weekend begin your prewriting for Essay 4
|
|
Week 13
|
||
Mon. 11/9
|
Quiz
In-class: Workshop prewriting for Essay 4
Writing exercises
Read Devil in a Blue Dress, Ch. 24-27. (POST) |
brainstorm essay 3
|
Wed. 11/11
|
VETERANS’ DAY – NO CLASS
|
|
Week 14
|
||
Mon. 11/16
|
Quiz
Read Devil in a Blue Dress, Ch. 27-31 (POST)(POST)
writing exercises
Begin review towards Final Exam
|
Outline comp 3 due
|
Wed. 11/18
|
Quiz (Sentence review)
In-class: review
drafts
*** Last day
to drop classes with a “W” is Nov.
Sentence review: Keep it
simple
|
Rough Draft of Essay 3 due
|
Week 15
|
||
Mon. 11/23
|
Quiz:
In-class: Peer review of drafts
of Essay 4
More
sentences: Compound and complex
|
Final Draft of Essay 3
Begin Research Paper |
Wed. 11/25
|
Quiz
In-class: More peer review.
Writing
exercises
|
|
Mon. 11/30
|
Quiz
Review Outlining
|
Research Paper
|
Wed. 12/2
|
Quiz
Writing Thesis Statement
|
|
Mon. 12/7
|
Quiz
Writing a Strong Paragraph
|
|
Wed. 12/9
|
Review for Final
Review for Final
|
|
Mon. 12/14
|
Final Exam 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm period
|
Essay 4 due
|
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