CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE
COURSE OUTLINE
ESL 192
Introduction to Essay Writing
for ESL Students
18 Weeks
5 Comp Hours
5 Units
Advisory: Successful completion of ESL 189 or appropriate score on ESL placement test
Course Description: This course provides instruction in essay writing for advanced ESL
students.
Course Objectives: At the completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Write unified, coherent essays of approximately 450-700 words with a clear focus on a
main idea.
2. Connect personal experience and texts to social issues and current events and reach
logical conclusions.
3. Use rhetorical styles appropriate to the purpose of the essay.
4. Organize and develop effective detailed support by giving relevant and accurate
information.
5. Write effective introductions and conclusions.
6. Use a range of low frequency vocabulary specific to the content.
Course Content:
1. Prewriting (35%)
a. Reading to develop vocabulary and critical thinking and generate ideas for writing
b. Responding to readings and prompts orally and in writing
2. Writing (35%):
a. Developing content by explaining ideas and providing details
b. Analyzing the organization and relevance of details in student writing
c. Revising content in response to instructor and peer feedback
3. Proofreading (15%):
a. Identifying and correcting errors in student writing
b. Completing exercises with attention to grammar and punctuation
4. Writing analysis (15%):
a. Analyzing support for strength and relevance
b. Analyzing rhetorical moves for effectiveness
Methods of Instruction:
1. Instructor feedback on student writing
2. Text exercises, including reading comprehension and rhetorical analysis
3. Explicit instruction on focus, development, rhetorical styles, and grammar and mechanics as
necessary
4. Pair and group discussions and feedback
Student Assessment:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Four in-class writing assignments:
Four out-of-class essays with revisions
Weekly assignments including quizzes,
responses to readings, summaries, and
responses to questions
Final Exam
25%
30%
20%
25%
Required Texts and Materials:
1. Textbook: Creating Meaning by Laurie Blass, Kathy Block, & Hannah Friesen
(Oxford University Press)
2. Instructor-prepared handouts
Course Expectations:
1. Completion of essays and other writing: 5 hours per week
2. Reading and analysis of text material: 5 hours per week
Grading Policy:
A letter grade will be assigned based on the following categories: 90-100% = A,
80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D, below 60% = F. Students who choose
the Credit/No Credit option will receive CR for an average of 70% and above,
or NC for an average of 69% or below.
Revised by N. Borhan, G. Segade, E. Smith, L. Statan, and E. Xiezopolski, Spring 2010