11th Grade Composition
Mrs. Kirk --Room: A115; Phone: (610) 627-6250; E-Mail: mkirk@rtmsd.org
Course Description
Composition is a 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:
 Descriptive and narrative writing (object, place, person; a personal flaw, a first time…)
 Persuasive writing (authentic argument, social issues)
 Writing with research (multi-source 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 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 demonstrate comprehension of the rules of mechanics, grammar, and usage.
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 reflections: 5-20 points each. Save it all to submit with final copy.
 Final drafts of writing assignments: 50-100 points each
 Vocabulary work and GUMS quizzes: 10-30 points each
 Non-fiction analysis/ editorial precis assignments: 20-40 points each
 Independent reading work: 10-100 per assignment
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 are expected to meet deadlines. Assignments must be submitted by the start of class on
the announced due date. 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
problems, be resourceful! If work is to be printed, print work before class to earn full credit.
Emailing ME the work before homeroom so I can print for you is an acceptable option.
 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 submitting any
assignments due during the absence on the day they return to school. They must make
arrangements to make up any missed work. **Absence does not excuse a student from a peer
review activity. Students should obtain necessary materials from the website and complete the
activity outside of class before the due date.
 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.
 Students are encouraged to meet with me outside of class to discuss and review drafts of their
work. I do not edit at home, but I am willing to sit with you and edit outside of class time.