11th Grade Level One Composition
Mrs. Kirk --Room: B201; Phone: (610) 627-6250; E-Mail: mkirk@rtmsd.org
Course Description
Level 1 Composition is a one-semester, honors-level writing course. Students will be required to
complete a variety of writing assignments, peer and self-evaluations, and grammar and vocabulary
exercises. The course is divided into four major sections:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Descriptive and narrative writing (object, place, person; a personal flaw, a first time…)
Persuasive writing (authentic argument, social issues)
Writing with research (eight page paper on a topic/issue of personal or social importance)
Personal writing (letters, college essay draft, and others)
In addition we will engage in
 Vocabulary study (11th grade roots and self-selected lists)
 Grammar, mechanics, usage and style review and practice
 SAT and PSSA prep
 Independent and in-class reading (creative non-fiction and periodicals)
Course Goals
1. Students will write in various modes and adjust their writing for different purposes and audiences.
2. Students will develop their own writing style and refine their word choice (diction), sentence
structure and variety, and voice.
3. Students will synthesize information from various sources to support a thesis.
4. Students will understand and apply the rules and style of MLA documentation.
5. Students will comprehend the rules of mechanics, grammar, and usage and apply those rules to
their own writing.
6. Students will read with a writer’s eye, focusing on and analyzing authors’ strategies and style.
7. Students will practice life skills such as meeting deadlines, setting personal goals, evaluating their
work critically, working independently, and working cooperatively.
Grades
 Brainstorming, drafting, and reflection activities: 5-20 points each
 Final drafts of writing assignments: 50-100 points each
 Vocabulary work and GUMS quizzes: 10-20 points each
 Participation: Approximately 50 points (depending on total quarter points)
Course Policies and Expectations
 Students are expected to come to class on time with appropriate materials (class binder, drafts, a
pen) and to use class time efficiently. Students should begin the “warm up” upon entering class.
 Students are expected to meet deadlines. Assignments must be typed and submitted in hard copy
(print) at the start of class on the announced due date. Print work before class. Late assignments
(turned in after the start of class) will be penalized one letter grade for each day late. Some
assignments will not be accepted late. If you have computer or printer problems, be resourceful!
 Always have on hand a hard and digital (emailed, Google Doc, flash drive) copy of your work.
 Absent students will be held responsible for checking the website and for taking announced tests
and quizzes, along with submitting any assignments due during the absence on the day they
return to school. They must make arrangements to make up any missed work.
 Students are expected to adhere to the Academic Integrity policies outlined in the school
handbook. Submitting another’s work as your own, “recycling” old assignments, and plagiarizing
are all forms of cheating and will result in a zero on the assignment in question.