Bellevue Community College
English Language Institute—University Preparation
Written Expression 3C / Winter 2009
M – F / 1:30 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. / Room _______
Instructor: Rebecca Banset Office: Room C 227
E-mail: rbanset@bellevuecollege.edu Office Hours: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Course Description
This class teaches academic writing techniques and grammar in order to prepare you for success in credit classes at a college or university.
Learning Outcomes
Grammar
- use subject, object, demonstrative, reflexive, and possessive pronouns correctly.
- use passive voice appropriately (including passive modals).
- form and use the present perfect, past perfect, and present perfect progressive verb tenses correctly.
- recognize past perfect progressive, future progressive, future perfect, and future perfect progressive verb tenses.
- produce compound sentences using coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) and sentence connectors like moreover, furthermore, however, and therefore.
- identify and form complex sentences with adverb clauses of time and reason.
- use simple forms of gerunds and infinitives correctly.
- learn the difference between phrases and clauses with because, because of, while, and during.
Writing
- use the writing process to produce polished pieces of writing.
- generate ideas using brainstorming and free-writing techniques.
- produce quality writings in a timed, in-class setting.
- write formal paragraphs using clear topic sentences, supporting sentences, and concluding sentences.
- write different styles of paragraphs, including narrative, descriptive, and expository paragraphs.
- develop your ideas effectively using examples, facts, and opinions to support your main idea.
- organize your writing so that it is coherent and unified.
- use different sentence patterns to create variety in your paragraphs.
- use punctuation correctly.
- learn how to avoid errors such as fragments, run-ons, comma splices, and double subjects.
- edit and proofread your own writing.
Required Texts and Materials
The following texts and materials are required for this course:
▪ Understanding and Using English Grammar, 3rd ed. (B.S. Azar).
▪ Writing to Communicate 1: Paragraphs. (C. Boardman).
▪ A binder or folder to keep all notes, handouts, and assignments.
▪ An English-English dictionary.
Attendance and Participation
It is important for you to attend every class session, come to class on time, and stay for the entire class period. Attendance will affect your final grade.
▪ Students who miss class 12 times will receive a grade of “F.”
▪ Students who miss class 10 or 11 times will receive a grade of “D.”
▪ Three (3) tardies of 5 minutes or more will equal one (1) absence.
To be successful in this class, you must:
- Finish your homework before class.
- Talk to me if you miss class for any reason.
- Bring a pen or pencil, paper for taking notes, and your books to every class.
- TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE before you enter the classroom.
- Actively participate in class by listening carefully, answering questions, working with your classmates, and asking questions when you don’t understand.
- Do your OWN work. Do NOT have a friend or a tutor write your papers for you. Do NOT copy your classmate’s homework papers. Do NOT copy from the newspaper or the Internet. When you copy, it is called plagiarism. It is a serious problem and will not be tolerated.
[Please read about plagiarism in the document called “Student Procedures and Expectations” at www.bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/studentinfo.asp and on the Writing Lab’s website at http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/writinglab/Plagiarism.html.]
Course Requirements
1). Daily Homework Assignments: You will need to spend time outside of class doing homework, revising your writing assignments, and studying for quizzes. You will receive points on the homework assignments I collect. I will take off points for late assignments.
2). Quizzes: There will be a quiz every Friday. If you are absent on the day of a quiz, you must make an appointment with me to take a make-up quiz. Only ONE make-up quiz is allowed for the quarter.
3). Writing Assignments: You will do weekly writing assignments throughout the quarter. Some assignments will be in-class timed writings and others will be at- home revised assignments. If you are absent on the day of an in-class writing, you must make an appointment with me to do the assignment outside of class. Each revised assignment must be typed and double-spaced and handed in with the original assignment on the due date. I will take off points for late assignments.
4). Exams: There will be a mid-term exam on ____________________ and a final exam on Wednesday, March 18th. Each exam will be a timed writing exam that will be graded by other ELI teachers. Additional information about each exam will be given at least one week prior to each exam. Early or late exams will not be given.
Grading
Your final grade in this class will be based on your class average and your final writing exam. In order to pass the class, your class average must be 75% or higher and you must receive a passing grade on the final exam. If you do not receive a passing grade on your final exam (or if you do not take the final exam), your grade will be lowered one letter grade.
In order to determine your class average, I will add up the points you receive on homework, quizzes, and writing assignments and divide by the total number of points possible. I will use the following scale to determine your letter grade.
93 – 100% A (excellent)
84 – 92 % B (good)
75 – 83% C (satisfactory)
0 – 74% D (repeat class, good effort)
0 – 74% F (repeat class, unsatisfactory effort)
Special Needs
If you need special help because of a documented disability, have emergency medical information to share, or need special help in case of an emergency, please make an appointment with the Disability Resource Center (DRC). If you would like to ask about becoming a DRC student, you may call (425) 564-2498 or TTY (425) 564-4110 or go to their office in B 132. Information is also available on their website at http://bellevuecollege.edu/drc/.
Other Information
Please refer to “Student Procedures and Expectations” on the Arts and Humanities website for all other information: www.bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/studentinfo.asp.
Important Dates
There will be NO CLASSES on January 19 and February 16.
Winter Quarter ends on March 19. Spring Quarter begins on April 2.
Tentative Schedule of Topics
Writing Grammar
Weeks The Paragraph & the Writing Process Parts of Speech
1 & 2 Boardman Ch. 1, 2, 3 Basic Sentence Types
Azar Ch. 16 (p. 355-358)
Week 3 Descriptive Paragraphs Verb Tense Overview
Boardman Ch. 4 Azar Ch. 1 & 2
Week 4 Narrative Paragraphs Pronouns
Boardman Ch. 5 Azar Ch. 8
Week 5 Expository Paragraphs Modals
Boardman Ch. 6 Azar Ch. 9 & 10
Week 6 Unity & Coherence Perfect Tenses
Boardman Ch. 7 & 8 Azar Ch. 3
Week 7 Cohesion Adverb Clauses
Boardman Ch. 9 Azar Ch. 5 & 17
Week 8 Process Paragraphs Passive Voice
Boardman Ch. 10 Azar Ch. 11
Week 9 Reasons and Results Paragraphs Gerunds & Infinitives
Boardman Ch. 11 Azar Ch. 14
Week 10 Opinion Paragraphs Future Perfect & Progressive
Boardman Ch. 12 Azar Ch. 4
Week 11 Final Exam Week
Final Writing Test: Wednesday, March 18th
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THURSDAY |
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First Day of Classes |
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1/16
Quiz 1 |
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No Classes |
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2/16
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2/20 Quiz 6
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2/27 Quiz 7
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3/13 Quiz 9
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WEEK 11(---)
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3/16
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3/17
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3/18
Final Writing Test 1:30 |
3/19 |
3/20
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