ENGLISH 011: BASIC WRITING 2

ENGLISH 011: BASIC WRITING 2 Section EC Spring 1998 Class meeting time and place:

MW 1:30-2:55 pm

Parkhouse 329

Instructor:

Dr. Mark Amdahl, Instructor of English

Parkhouse 445, 215-619-7437

mamdahl@acad.mc3.edu

Office hours:

W 12:30-1:30 pm, TTh 8:30-9:30 am and by appointment.

You may meet with me before or after class to arrange a more convenient time. You may also call my office number to leave a message.

Catalog Description:

"A course in developmental writing emphasizing sentence structure, paragraph development, fundamental English usage, and basic mechanics. The course will include intensive paragraph writing. The course is required of all students whose scores on the Skills Test indicate a need for an intensive review of basic writing skills." (from 1996-98 Montgomery County Community College Catalog)

(3 credits that do not count toward graduation)

Course Goals:

The goals of English 011 should enable students

to compose focused, developed, organized expository paragraphs, composed of clear and varied sentences that follow the conventions of standard English;
to write for various audiences;
to collaborate with others both in the class and in group settings; and
to develop awareness of our culturally diverse nation.

In order to successfully complete the class, students must write three satisfactory paragraphs under test conditions; these paragraphs must be evaluated and approved by two Basic Writing instructors.

Methods of Instruction:

In-class activities will include writing, reading, and discussing, sometimes in small groups or pairs, in addition to some lecturing. Students may read and comment upon each others’ documents. The resources available in the library, the Learning Assistance Laboratory, and campus computer centers may be used.

Computer-Assisted Instruction:

Please note that this is a computer-assisted class using the PC’s located in Parkhouse Hall 329. Windows 95 and Microsoft Word are installed and used throughout the Montgomery campus.

Conferences:

Although I try to work with small groups and even individuals during class time, I encourage you to come in during my regular office hours to talk more about your writing. If that time is not convenient, we may be able to schedule a more appropriate meeting.

Texts & Supplies:

Meyers, Alan. Composing with Confidence, fourth ed. New York: Longman, 1997.
Two computer disks, double-sided, double density, need not be formatted plus a container, not the plastic sleeves--some people believe they generate static electricity.
Pocket folder for writing exercises and paragraphs.

Grading & Assignments:

Final grades will be determined by your daily attendance and participation, by your submission of out-of- class assignments and in-class exercises, and the successful completion of three exit paragraphs.

Attendance, Makeup and Assignment Deadline Policies:

It is difficult to do well if you do not attend class. If you must miss class, please write me a memo when you return explaining why you were absent, or the absence will be unexcused. More than three unexcused absences or six absences for any reason is considered excessive. You are advised to withdraw from the class in those circumstances.

If you give me a note explaining why you were gone, you can make up the work we did or turn in any assignments that may have been due the day you missed. However, it is your responsibility to contact other students to discover what you missed. Please do not bother the secretary; she will not know. (It would be a good idea to get the phone numbers of at least three of your classmates.)

Course Content, Assignments, and Calendar :

Schedule is tentative, based on class progress.

Dates	Topics	Reading Assignment	Writing Assignment
Week 1 Jan. 21, 26, 28.	Classes start Introductions Composing process Composing paragraphs Complete sentences.	Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 & 19	Exercises as assigned; writing journal; quiz.
Week 2 Feb. 2, 4.	Descriptive paragraph Subject-verb agreement	Chapters 5 & 21	Exercises as assigned; writing journal; quiz.
Week 3 Feb. 9, 11.	Narrative paragraphs Past tense	Chapters 6 & 22	Exercises as assigned; writing journal; quiz.
Week 4 Feb. 16, 18.	Process paragraphs Pronouns	Chapters 7 & 23	Exercises as assigned; writing journal; quiz.
Week 5 Feb. 23, 25.	Comparison-contrast paragraphs Coordination and subordination	Chapters 8 & 21	Exercises as assigned; writing journal; quiz.
Week 6 Mar. 2, 4.	Classification paragraphs Punctuation	Chapters 9, 24 & 25	Exercises as assigned; writing journal; quiz.
Week 7 Mar. 9, 11.			Mid-term conference.
Week 8 Mar. 16, 18.	Writing essay examinations	Chapter 18	Exercises as assigned; writing journal; quiz.
Week 9 Mar. 23, 25.	Classification paragraphs Homonyms	Chapters 9 & 26	Exercises as assigned; writing journal; quiz.
Week 10 Mar. 30, Apr. 1	Causal paragraphs Achieving consistency	Chapters 11 & 12	Exercises as assigned; writing journal; quiz.
Week 11 Aprl 13, 15.	Writing directly and vividly	Chapter 13	Exercises as assigned; writing journal; quiz.
Week 12 Apr. 20, 22.	Achieving sentence variety	Chapter 14	Exercises as assigned; writing journal; quiz.
Week 13 Apr. 27, 29.	Strengthening modifiers	Chapter 15	Exit paragraphs.
Week 14 May 4	Composing compositions	Chapters 16 & 17	Exit paragraphs.
Week 15 May 6, 7, 8, 11, 12.	Finals Week; TBA	Finals Week; TBA	Final Conference

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