Course Syllabus

EL 092 01

Writing (Composition) II, 2017 Spring

 

EL 092 Writing II

Spring 2017

Time:  1:00-1:50

Location:  CAR 15

Instructor:  Ella Lychnikova

Email address: lychnikovaev@avila.edu

Textbook:  Longman Academic Writing Series 3, Paragraphs to Essays, fourth edition.

Course Description:  This course provides intermediate level English writing practice.  Students apply the writing process first in paragraph form and then progress to essay writing.

Please contact me with any questions.  

 

Avila University

Intensive language and culture program

 

 

1. Basic Information

Course Number & Title:          EL 092 Writing II

Semester:                                Spring 2017                    

Credit Hours:                          3 credit hours

Time:                                      1:00 – 1:50 pm                       

Location:                                 CAR  15                                  

Instructor:                               Ella Lychnikova                                  

Office:                                     HOD 151                    

E-mail Address:                       lychnikovaev@avila.edu                    

Appointments/Office Hours:  by appointment only; or before or after class

           

 

2. TEXTBOOK INFORMATION

Longman Academic Writing Series 3, Paragraphs to Essays, fourth edition

Alice Oshima, Ann Hogue.  Pearson; 2014. Required.

 

3. Course Description

This three credit course provides students with intermediate level English writing practice. 

Students apply the writing process first in paragraph form and then progress to essay writing. 

Appropriate content, organization, and grammatical structure are emphasized within various

rhetorical modes.    

 

4. Course Objectives

At the end of this course, students will meet the following objectives:

1. Define the parts of the writing process when creating paragraphs. (Assessment

Measure: Unit Examinations)

2. Apply the writing process (brainstorming, outlining, drafting, revising and editing) when written paragraphs and essays. (Assessment Measure: Student editing and rewriting of paragraphs and essays)
3. Create organized paragraphs and essays which include a title, topic sentence, supporting sentences and a concluding sentence. (Assessment Measure: Paragraphs and essays which contain proper written structure)
4. Demonstrate proper utilization of punctuation, spelling and capitalization rules. (Assessment Measure: Written assignments)
5. Create a written assignment utilizing a bibliography and demonstrating proper citation. (Assessment Measure: Student bibliography page)

 

Specific Course Content:

1. Review of parts of speech including nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs.
2. Sentence practice using simple, compound, and complex sentences.
3. Practice with identification and correction of fragments and run-on sentences.
4. Topic sentence (controlling ideas) practice.
5. Emphasize supporting details and their connection to topic sentences.
6. Write paragraphs with a topic sentence, supporting details and a concluding sentence.
7. Use transitions to emphasize paragraph and essay cohesion.
8. Create thesis sentences and demonstrate their connection to topic sentences.
9. Identify and produce the general topic, thesis sentence, topic sentences and the supporting

    details of a simple essay.

10. Learn the writing process including brainstorming, outlining, revising, and editing.
11. Beginning practice with bibliographies and properly citing sources of information including

       books, magazines, and internet sources.  Review of plagiarism and its consequences. 

 

Writing Focus:

1. Topic and Thesis Sentence Practice
2. Definition Paragraphs
3. Process Analysis Paragraphs
4. Descriptive Paragraphs
5. Opinion Paragraphs
6. Narrative Paragraphs
7. Essay practice as time and student level permits

 

5. UNIVERSITY WIDE OUTCOMES

Through the Avila University curriculum, which integrates CSJ values, global and interdisciplinary studies, and civic engagement, the Avila University graduate will demonstrate:

1. Personal, spiritual, ethical, professional, and social responsibility aligned with the values of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet including support for diverse cultures, human rights, and right relationships with self, others, and the earth, instilled in this context through familiarity with a diverse array of disciplines and perspectives.
2. Effective use and communication of qualitative and quantitative information.
3. Critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and innovation by accessing, synthesizing, and applying information from and for various mediums and across technologies, incorporating global perspectives.

 

6. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Class attendance and participation:

Attendance and participation in all classes is required.  English is learned through continual practice and assistance.  A major requirement of a speaking class is participation which can only occur when students are in class.  (UWO 1, 2)  

 

 

 

Unit Examinations:

Students will be tested on each writing unit studied.  Writing examinations will cover sentence

usage as well as paragraph and essay creation.  Examinations will focus on several points

including an understanding of appropriate titles, thesis sentences, topic sentences, supporting

sentences, concluding sentences, types of paragraphs, proper citation, and the writing process. 

(UWO 2, 3)

 

Daily Assignments:

Writing improvement requires continual practice.  Students will be given in-class assignments as well as daily homework in order to reinforce knowledge of writing rules and usage.  (UWO 1, 2, 3)

 

7. Teaching Methods

• Whole class practice and explanations of writing rules and usage.
• Pair and group work focusing on proper grammar usage and writing methods.
• In-class individualized instruction as needed by students.
• Assignments focusing on stylistically and grammatically correct paragraphs and essays.

 

8. COURSE POLICIES

Attendance

Attendance and participation in all classes is required.  English is learned through continual practice and assistance.  A major requirement of this class is participation which can only occur when students are in class.  A failure to attend class will result in a lowered grade.  Excused absences are rare and must be supported by appropriate medical documentation. Furthermore, students will lose 1 point per day that they are tardy. Tardy is defined as 1 minute past the start of class and goes until halfway through class. After class is half finished, students coming in will be considered absent. Students will lose 3 points per absence.

 

If students are absent, they are still responsible for the information and work that they missed.

 

Participation is defined as coming to class prepared; having the necessary materials; participating in class discussions, pair and group work, and asking questions. Points will be deducted for a failure to participate.

 

If students are absent, the instructor should be notified in a timely manner. Email me before class begins on the day you are missing.

 

Preparedness

Students are expected to bring all course materials to all class meetings.

 

Electronics/Technology

No cell phone, computer, or other media devices are to be used without instructor’s explicit instructions.  Dictionaries are available in the classroom and are to be used when needed.

 

Projects, Papers and Presentations

All projects, papers and presentations must be typed. Specific instructions will be given on each assignment when it is addressed in class.

 

Late Assignments

All assignments should be completed by the required date.  Assignments turned in late will be reduced by 10% for each class period the assignment is late. 

 

Classroom Behavior

Students are expected to follow the Avila University Student Code of Conduct. Students are expected to respect the instructor and peers, interact appropriately with classmates, participate fully in activities, refrain from chit chatting and off-task behaviors, display a positive attitude, and come to class alert and prepared. The professor reserves the right to ask students who are not following the behavior policy to leave the classroom.

 

Personal Technology

As a courtesy to other students and the instructor, no cell phones, iPods, laptops, or other electronic devices will be used in class.  There will be no text messaging permitted during class.   

 

Academic Honesty

The policy of Avila University concerning cheating and plagiarism will be followed in this class. 

 

Class Accommodations

If students have a disability and require accommodations, they may contact the office of Disability Services early in the semester so that their learning needs may be appropriately met.  Students will need to provide documentation of their disability to the Disability Services before any accommodations are arranged.  For more information, contact the Learning Center in Hodes by calling 816-501-3666.

 

9. GRADING

Class attendance and participation:                                     20%

Unit examinations/tests/quizzes:                                          35%

Homework and written assignments/paragraphs:                35%

Final Exam:                                                                          10%

Total:                                                                                    100%

 

Grading Scale

90-100%          A

80-89%            B

70-79%            C

60-69%            D

0-59%              F

 

 

 

10. PROPOSED SEMESTER SCHEDULE

This schedule is only tentative and may change.

Tests will follow the completion of a chapter.  There will be writing assignments to be completed both in class and at home. Dates will be announced in class.

Week	Longman Academic Writing Series
1	Introductions, begin Chapter 1
2	Chapter 1
3	Chapter 2
4	Chapter 3
5	Chapter 4
6	Chapter 5
7	Chapter 5
8	Chapter 6   Spring Break
9	Chapter 6
10	Chapter 7
11	Chapter 8
12	Chapter 9
13	Chapter 10
14	Chapter 11
15	Chapter 11
Finals Week
May 9		Final Exam (consisting of a grammar test and a paragraph)

 

IMPORTANT DATES

January 19 – Classes begin

March 2 – Ethnic Food and Culture Fest, no classes

March 13-17 – Spring Break, no classes

April 13-14 – Easter Break

May 5 – TOEFL Test

May 9 – Final Exam

                                                           

 

You can look at the Academic Calendar here:  http://www.avila.edu/academics/academic-calendar.asp

*Students may NOT reschedule final exam.  It is very important that every student be at the final exam!!!

**Any student who receives two F’s will be on probation next semester, and may be asked to leave Avila the following semester if his or her grades do not improve.