ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
IONA CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL
Course Code: EWC 4U1
Course Name/Level: The Writer’s Craft Grade 12 University Preparation
Course Description/Rationale
This course emphasizes knowledge and skills related to the craft of writing. Students will analyze
models of effective writing; use a workshop approach to produce a range of works; identify and use
techniques required for specialized forms of writing; and identify effective ways to improve the quality
of their writing. They will also complete a major paper as part of a creative or analytical independent
study project and investigate opportunities for publication and for writing careers.
Prerequisite: English, Grade 11, University Preparation
SPECIFIC STRANDS OF STUDY AND EXPECTATIONS INCLUDE:
Writing, Writers, and the Writing Life: demonstrate an understanding of writing as an art, a craft,
and a career as they explore the work of a variety of Canadian and international writers.
Exploring Ideas, Forms, and Styles: generate and experiment with ideas about writing content,
forms, and styles;
Drafting and Revising: organize, draft, and revise their writing, employing forms and stylistic
elements appropriate for their purpose and audience;
Editing, Proofreading, and Publishing: use editing, proofreading, and publishing skills and
strategies to refine and polish their work;
Collaborative Writing: collaborate in the writing process with peers by generating ideas, responding
to peers’ work, and assessing peers’ work in a workshop setting.
Metacognition: identify their strengths as writers and areas where they could improve, and assess
the growth and development of their own writing style.
EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO MEET THE INDIVIDUAL LEARNING NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN ORDER TO
ENSURE THAT THESE EXPECTATIONS ARE BEING MET.
Course Breakdown
Resources:
UNITS OF STUDY:
Unit 1: The Art and Craft of Writing: skills
Unit 2: Styles of Writing: narrative, descriptive, expository, persuasive
Unit 3: YAF unit
Unit 4: Poetry and Song Writing
Unit 5: Script writing
Unit 6: Culminating Activity
(some units may be eliminated due to time restrictions)
Resources:
The course will use a variety of resources including articles, excerpts from a
variety of sources, the text: Get It Written, Get it Write (text), and a variety of YAF
novels.
Students are responsible for borrowed
resources and will be required to pay
replacement costs for lost or damaged
materials.
Evaluation Structure:
Knowledge
20%
Thinking
30%
Communication 30%
Application
20%
The above is reflected both in the term work
(worth 70% of the final mark) and the
summative work (worth 30% of the final
mark). Summative work consists of the Final
Exam (15) and a Culminating Activity (15)
(15%)
Evaluation Policy
Students will be assessed & evaluated according to the work produced & skills displayed. Methods of providing feedback will include assessing work in
process & evaluating completed assignments, tests, cooperative learning activities, simulations and presentations. Peer & self-evaluations will also be
utilized. Student marks will be determined by evaluating process & product according to 4 categories & 4 levels. Please see the chart below for specific
skills and key words used to determine student competency in the different categories.
CATEGORY
LEVEL 1: 50-59%
LEVEL 2: 60-69%
LEVEL 3: 70-79%
LEVEL 4: 80-100%
Knowledge: Knowledge of
content and understanding of
content
Limited display of
knowledge and content
Some success of
knowledge and content
Considerable display of
knowledge and content
Thorough display of
knowledge and content
Thinking: Use of planning,
processing and critical/creative
thinking skills
Uses thinking skills with
limited effectiveness
Uses thinking skills with
some effectiveness
Uses thinking skills with
considerable
effectiveness
Uses thinking skills with a
high degree of effectiveness
Communication: Expression and
organization of ideas for different
audiences/purposes, and use of
conventions, vocabulary and
terminology of the discipline in oral,
graphic and written forms.
Communicates ideas with
limited effectiveness
Communicates ideas
with some effectiveness
Communicates ideas
with considerable
effectiveness
Communicates ideas with a
high degree of effectiveness
Application: Application and
transfer of knowledge and skills.
Making connections within and
between various contexts.
Transfers and applies
knowledge and skills to
unfamiliar contexts and
makes connections with
limited effectiveness
Transfers and applies
knowledge and skills to
unfamiliar contexts and
makes connections with
some effectiveness
Transfers and applies
knowledge and skills to
unfamiliar contexts and
makes connections with
considerable
effectiveness
Transfers and applies
knowledge and skills to
unfamiliar contexts and
makes connections with a
high degree of effectiveness
Feedback will also be provided for student learning skills including: Responsibility, Independent Work, Collaboration, Organization, Initiative, and
Self-Regulation. Assessment of these skills will occur independent from student achievement using the following letter grades:
E – Excellent
G - Good
S – Satisfactory
N - Needs Improvement
OTHER EVALUATION ISSUES:
LATE ASSIGNMENTS - The due dates for major assignments will be clearly articulated by the teacher when the task is assigned. The teacher will
establish a deadline and an acceptance period for the assignment. If a student does not hand in the assignment by the deadline, a mark reduction will be
applied to the assignment submitted thereafter up to a total of 10%. If the assignment is not submitted by the end of the acceptance period the student
may receive a mark of zero. Refer to the Student Handbook for further details.
INCOMPLETE ASSSIGNMENTS - Assignments will be graded according to the extent with which they meet the criteria established in the rubric or
evaluation structure.
MISSED TESTS - Teachers will give the class ample notice for upcoming tests/evaluations. If the student is aware of an absence on the date of an
assessment, it is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements for an alternative assessment date (which may not be during class time) with
the teacher before the scheduled time for the test/evaluation. If a test is missed due to a legitimate reason, verification (note only to be handed in on the
day of the student’s return) from a parent/guardian must be given to the subject teacher indicating that the parents are aware the student missed a test.
The student is expected to write the test on the day of their return. If a test is missed as a result of truancy, a mark of zero will be assigned with
no opportunity for a re-write.
PLAGIARISM - Any form of plagiarism reflects academic dishonesty and may result in a mark of zero for the assignment in question. Refer to the
Student Handbook for further details.
ATTENDANCE - It is the responsibility of each student to be punctual and in attendance, with proper materials, in all classes and scheduled activities.
Students who miss classes may put their credit in jeopardy. It is the student’s responsibility to catch up on missed work when absent.