SHAW UNIVERSITY
Syllabus
English 110-04, 110-05
Spring 2006
Instructor: Mrs. Gray-Elamin
Office: The Cottage Room 201
Phone: (919)582-3748
Email: grayelamin04@yahoo.com
Office Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 3:00-5:00p.m.
Tuesday and Thursdays 11:00-1:00p.m.
Textbooks and Materials
Raimes, Ann. Keys for Writers: A Brief Handbook. 4th edition, 2002.
Writing: Step by Step
College level dictionary
Loose-leaf, 81/2 x 11 notebook with paper
A good thesaurus
Course Description : English 110 is a course in grammar and basic composition. It is designed to improve grammar and mechanics, encourage a positive attitude towards reading and writing, increase reading comprehension, and introduce students to the writing process. The course also fosters an understanding of the demands of academic basic reading skills.
Course Objectives are to:
Encourage a positive attitude toward reading and writing (1.1, 1.2) P.1.1
Introduce the writing process
Improve grammar and mechanics (1.4.1) P.1-1
Improve listening and reading skills
Improve students’ abilities to follow instructions
Help students use appropriate diction
Help students write unified, well-developed, and coherent essays (1.3.1) P.1.1
Introduce basic research skills (summarizing, paraphrasing, quoting and documenting) (1.4.2) P.1-1
Prepare students to write in other college courses
Students are required to use the library for all composition and research assignments.
English 110 is designed to comply with the following "Core Standards for Teachers in North Carolina," including their accompanying indicators, as approved by the NC State Board of Education, March7, 2002:
Conceptual Framework Theme
: To produce graduates who are critical thinkers and problem solvers with the professional dispositions and technological skills necessary to function as competent and effective teachers in a diverse world.Standard 1: Teachers know and understand the English language.
Standard 2: Teachers know and understand the reading process.
Standard 3: Teachers know and understand written and oral composing processes.
Standard 5: Teachers understand the range, impact, and influence of technology, print and non-print media in constructing meaning.
Standard 10: Teachers use instruction that promotes understanding of varied uses and purposes for language.
Standard 11: Teachers foster in students an awareness of their own and others’ cultures.
Grading Scale
Composition/Papers 100pts.
Final Exam 300pts.
Oral Presentations 100pts.
Homework, Participation 100pts.
Tests/Exams 300pts.
Quizzes 100pts.
A 900-1000
B 800-899
C 700-799
D 600-699
F 599 and below
Your compositions will be graded using two criterion: (1) content, (2)grammar and mechanics.
SUBMITTING PAPERS IN MANUSCRIPT FORM: The final version of papers should be typed and reflect a professional attitude toward your work and toward details of form. Unless your instructor states otherwise, please adhere to these specifications:
Submit one-inch on 81/2 x 11 white paper.
Observe one-inch margins; double space.
DO NOT SUBMIT LOOSE PAGES—one staple or one paper clip in the upper left corner.
Include your name, instructor’s name, course and section number or time class meets, the date and paper# in the upper left-hand corner of the first page of your essay. Include your name and page numbers on all subsequent pages of your essay.
Drafts and in-class writing should be legible and written in blue or black pen on loose-leaf notebook paper; paper torn from spiral notebooks is not acceptable.
Unless the instructor notes otherwise, include a title with correct capitalizations.
Unless the instructor notes otherwise, do not submit a cover page with papers.
LATE PAPERS
Late papers are not acceptable.
PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING ARE SERIOUS VIOLATIONS!
Plagiarism is using someone else’s ideas or words without giving that person credit. A student who plagiarizes or cheats (whether giving information or receiving information) will earn a grade of zero on that particular exam, quiz or paper and may earn an F (failure) for the course.
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR
Such behavior is not acceptable. The student will be addressed by the instructor. If the student does not adhere to the instructor’s request and the situation is not resolved, then the student will be referred to another official or asked to leave class.
INTERNSHIPS
Contact me for assistance
Week One Introduction to Course
Review of Syllabus
Grammar Diagnostic
Self-Evaluation of Writing Skills
Week Two Review of Grammar Diagnostic
"Guide to Grammar Terminology"
"Glossary of Usage"
Keys for Writers, pp. 3-33
The Writing Process
Writing Diagnostic: Write an essay about your experiences in college thus far. What does it mean to be a college student? Discuss some advantages and disadvantages of being a college student. What are some challenges every college student faces? What do you predict about your future here at Shaw University? (Paper 1)
Rough drafts due Wednesday, 1-18-06
Week Three KWL Exercise
College Essay due 1-20-2006
Proofreading Diagnostic: Paragraph Exercise (p.17)
Keys for Writers pp.33-44
Week Four "Guide to Grammar Terminology" (Review)
Parts of Speech Review
Essay Reviews (in-class)
Peer Review/Discussion of College Essay
Week Five Correcting Fragments, Run-On Constructions and Fused Sentences
Quiz 1: Writing Process
Writing: Step by Step, Chapter 3 and 4
Week Six: Writing: Step by Step, Chapter 5 and 8
In-Class Freewriting for Narrative Paper
"Writing an Essay"
Week Seven Academic Writing
Discuss selected portions of Keys for Writers pp. 303-422
Quiz 2: Parts of Speech, Fragments, Run-On Constructions and Fused Sentences
Narrative Paper due (Paper 2) 2-15-2006
Week Eight Paragraph Exercise 2 and 3
Read Keys for Writers pp. 66-76
Visit the Library
Review Keys for Writers pp. 36-38
Introduce Creative Project due 3-15-2006
Week 9 Discuss Keys for Writers pp. 79-130
Week 10 Discuss Keys for Writers pp. 141-182
Review Keys for Writers pp. 42-43
Week 11 Creative Project due
Oral Presentations 1
Review for Quiz 3
Diagnostic Review
Parts-of-Speech Review
Paragraph Reviews
Quiz 3 (3-17-2006)
Prepare for Midterms
Week 12 Review for Midterms
Midterm Exams
Week 13 March 23-April 2 Spring Break
Week 14 Begin Descriptive Essay
Discuss Chapter 7, Writing: Step by Step, pp. 121-122, 159-176
Keys for Writers p. 25
Week 15 Descriptive Essay due 4-12-2006
Begin Definition Essay
Review Chapter 13, Writing: Step by Step, pp. 307-334
Week 16 Definition Essay due 4-24-2006
Oral Presentations 2
Paragraph Exercises 4 and 5
Review selected topics from Keys for Writers pp. 303-422
Week 17 Diagnostic Exercise 2
Week 18 Portfolios are due!
Failure to include the portfolio writing assignment will result in a loss of
Twenty-five points.
Review of The Writing Process Course Evaluations
Week 19 Final Exams
Essay Assignments
English 110-04, 05
Diagnostic Essay Topic: Being a College Student
Due 2-15-06
Narrative Writing Project: Write a narrative essay in which you share a significant experience in your own life that began well but ended in disappointment or disillusionment.
Due 3-15-06
Creative Writing Project: Students will locate 5 excellent writing samples and critique them. Students may only use two of their own compositions/works for this project. At least three of the samples must be works from published authors. Each writing sample must be accompanied by a two-page essay that reviews the work.
Due 4-12-06
Descriptive Writing Project: Write a descriptive essay in which you describe a unique person you admire. If nothing appeals to you, write about an unusual person you dislike. Try to write your description with both facts and feelings, finding some personal perspective or angle that will help you achieve the tone you want.
Due 4-24-06
Definition Writing Project: Compose an essay wherein you define one of the terms listed below. From the following list, pick a word that is understood differently by different people (or think of a different word). Write an essay defining it extensively according to your own ideas and values. To be fair, acknowledge in your essay the existence of interpretations that are different from yours.
Capitalism Stem-Cell Research Friendship
Racism Justice Happiness
Democracy Respect
Freedom A Good Mate
Due 5-1-06 through 5-3-06 ABSOLUTELY NO LATE PORTFOLIOS!
Portfolio Projects are due! Each student may resubmit their papers for a better grade on the portfolio. Include your previous drafts stapled separately from the revised papers. You will need to meet with me individually during class time to review your work and discuss changes you have made. You also may begin your final essay. Topic: Write an essay discussing the ways in which your writing has improved. Provide examples and details to show the difference in how you wrote at the beginning of this class as opposed to your composition skills now. Also, discuss how your attitude towards writing has changed by taking this class.
Portfolio reviews, Final Exams
End-of-Semester Evaluations
Portfolio Essays are due
Final Examinations (TBA)