Written Expression 1A

Winter Quarter, 2012

 

 

Instructor:    Wendy Pickering                       Office Location:  C 227 B

Class Time:    M-F 1:30-3:20 pm                   Office Phone:  425-564-3143

Class Room:    R 305                                  Office Hours:  M-F: 11 am -12 pm

Email:          wpickeri@bellevuecollege.edu         or by appointment

       

Course Description

This class is designed to help you become a better writer.  We will use and review the grammar and writing skills you already have and build on these through daily writing practice.  Your writing will grow from sentence level to organized paragraphs using good sentence structure and correct verb forms and tenses.  You will learn to use prewriting techniques such as brainstorming, outlining, and free writing.

 

Course Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

 

·         Identify parts of speech and explain their functions in simple English sentences

·         Use simple and compound sentences patterns orally and in writing

·         Ask grammatically correct questions

·         Know how and when to use basic verb tenses

·         Use the writing process – getting ideas, writing, rewriting, editing and proofreading

·         Write different kinds of paragraphs, such as narration, description, and opinion.

·         Write assignments that include creative, academic, and timed topics

·         Organize your writing using topic sentences, sufficient support, signal words, and concluding sentences.

 

Materials

First Steps in Academic Writing 2nd Ed., by Ann Hogue

Fundamentals of English Grammar, by Betty Azar

A 3-ring binder for organizing class materials and handouts

8 ½” x 11” lined paper for all written homework

A Notebook for Journaling

 

NOTE:  No used, instructor editions, or translated textbooks will be allowed.

 

Attendance

You must come to class every day and you must participate actively during class time.  Students reaching 10 absences will receive a “D” and students reaching 12 absences will receive and “F.”  If you are absent, you are responsible for finding out what you missed and making up any assigned work.  Timed Writings and grammar tests will not be given outside of class except under extenuating circumstances.  Please do not miss testing days.

 

 

Grading

In order to pass this class, you must receive a minimum of 75% and pass the final exam.  If you do not take or pass the final exam, your grade will be dropped down one full grade.

 

        Participation, Attitude, Effort       10%

        Paragraphs and Other Homework     30%

        Midterm, Final and Timed Writings  40%

Grammar Quizzes and Tests          20%

 

Grading Scale:               A = 93 - 100

                                    B = 84 - 92

                                    C = 75 - 83

                                    D + = 70 - 74 (Repeat level; good effort)

                                    D = less than 70 (Repeat level; weak effort; 10 or more absences)

                                    F = less than 70 (Fail level; poor effort; 12 or more absences)

 

Classroom Guidelines

·         The classroom is our learning environment.  Please respect it by keeping your cell phone OFF during class, not listening to your I-POD or texting in class, speaking only English in class, not talking while others are speaking, not eating in class, behaving in a college appropriate manner and actively participating in activities and discussions.

·         In order to receive full points, presentation evaluations and all other homework must be submitted at the beginning of class the day they are due.  Assignments lose 10% of their value per day late. No homework will be accepted more than two days after the due date.

·         Except in cases of serious illness or other extenuating circumstances, there are no make-ups for quizzes and tests.  Tests will have to be made up during office hours within 2 days of the absence.  Be sure to email your instructor to make arrangements.

·         If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out from a classmate what you missed and come to class prepared the next day.  Be sure to have a “study-buddy” you can rely on.

·         Use your Bellevue College email account so that I will be sure to receive your emails.

·         Students will be given a written recommendation:

o    after mid-term if they have earned and maintained a B or better average and have been a cooperative member of class

o    with a notice of a week or more

·         Please refer to the Arts and Humanities Student Procedures and Expectations   www.bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/studentinfo.asp  for all other information.

 

Time Management and Workload

This course will be a fair amount of work.  You should expect to spend at least 1-2 hours every day outside of class studying and working on homework or class projects.  That means that you have to schedule and manage your time carefully every week so that you will have time to get everything done on time.  Do not wait until the night before to do your assignments.  Do them early so that you can do a good job and increase your learning potential.

English Language Institute Department Policies

      Student Absences

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” or lower.  Three (3) tardies of 5 minutes or more will equal 1 absence.  For each absence, 2 points are taken off the Attendance/Participation grade.

 

Plagiarism and Cheating

Students are in ELI classes to learn English and ELI teachers are here to help them. Cheating makes that harder for both the students and the teachers. There are different kinds of cheating: plagiarism, “borrowing” a classmate’s homework (partially or wholly), using an essay or a presentation from a previous quarter, using “cheat notes,” and copying answers from classmates’ papers during tests.

 

Plagiarism is using someone else’s words or ideas as your own in both writing and oral presentations.  It is cheating and is not accept able in American classes.

 

Examples of plagiarism are:

 

If you plagiarize:

            do

             Dean of Student Services.  You will possibly be asked to leave the school.

 

Special Needs

If you require accommodation based on a documented disability, have emergency medical information to share, or need special arrangements in case of emergency evacuation, please make an appointment with DRC (Disability Resource Center.)   If you would like to inquire about becoming a DRC student, you may call 564-2498 or go in person to the DRC program office in B132.

 

 

Good luck, Written Expression 2A

                        Let’s work hard and have fun!