English B: Introduction to College Writing
Syllabus for Fall 2013
INSTRUCTOR CONTACT AND COURSE MEETING INFORMATION:
Section 6162: M & W 9:15 am – 11:20 am
in H213/H312
Section 6179: M & W 12:30 pm – 2:35 pm
in H101/H312
Instructor: Sara Blake
E-mail: sblake@elcamino.edu
Phone: 310-660-3593 x 3185
Office: H221G (2nd floor, Humanities Bldg.)
Office Hours:
Mondays & Wednesdays: 8:30-9:00 am
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 7:30-8:00 am (via
email)
URL: http://www.elcamino.edu/faculty/sblake
TEXTBOOK & MATERIALS:
REQUIRED
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Constructing Paragraphs, 3rd Edition, by Peppard
USB flash drive
Three-ring binder with paper & dividers
Highlighter, black or blue pens
Actively-checked MyECC email account
http://ecc-portal.elcamino.edu
RECOMMENDED
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College-level dictionary
(www.dictionary.com and www.yourdictionary.com are also good resources)
Stapler and hole punch
COURSE CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
This class introduces students to the processes of creating, developing, and revising
paragraphs and short essays based on personal experiences, observations, and reactions to
short reading selections. Students learn basic rules of grammar, mechanics, and usage.
Students practice a variety of sentence types and paragraph structures. Students revise their
writing with the assistance of weekly one-on-one tutorials.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
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Read and apply critical thinking skills to pre-collegiate texts for the purposes of writing
and discussion.
Apply appropriate strategies from the writing process to create, compose, revise, and
edit drafts.
Demonstrate ability to participate in draft-review activities, such as peer review and oneon-one tutorials.
Plan, write, and revise paragraphs based on personal experience and observations,
including a topic sentence and supporting details, and avoiding grammatical and
mechanical errors that interfere with meaning.
Write and revise summaries of, and personal responses to, short magazine or
newspaper articles.
Compose a variety of sentence types and edit them for correct grammar, appropriate
word choice, and accurate spelling.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME:
Write a 200-350 word descriptive, reflective, or narrative paragraph(s) that has gone through
multiple revisions and responds to a text discussed in class. Paragraphs should include a clear
topic sentence and provide supporting details. Paragraphs should be logically organized and
focused. Paragraphs should use basic rules of grammar, spelling, and punctuation so that a
reader can understand the writer’s ideas; they should also be double spaced and follow MLA
style for indentation, heading, title, and font.
SPECIAL NEEDS:
If you feel you may need an accommodation based on the impact of a documented disability,
contact the instructor to discuss your specific needs. You may also need to contact the Special
Resource Center (SRC) at (310) 660-3296 to coordinate reasonable accommodations.
PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING : Plagiarism is passing off someone else’s words and/or ideas
as your own, either by turning in an essay written by someone else or by copying sentences
or paragraphs from a book or internet site into a paper of your own without identifying their
source. Cheating includes copying off of someone else’s paper, having someone else do your
work, or obtaining the answers to an exam. As provided for in the El Camino Standards of
Student Conduct (Section I.B. of ECC Board Policy 5500), any evidence of plagiarism or
cheating will be reported to the college and affected work will receive a grade of zero.
ATTENDANCE: Class attendance at both regular class meetings and labs is required.
Attendance and participation in in-class activities are important factors in your course grade, so
failure to attend class will negatively impact your overall course grade. Any student with more
than 3 unexcused absences, or 5 absences for any reason, will be dropped from the
course. Excessive tardies will be counted as an absence. Keep track of your attendance each
day on the schedule.
COURSE STRUCTURE: During the lab session, you‘ll have the opportunity to work on your
writing on a one-on-one basis with the instructor and a tutor from the Writing Center, to draft and
revise your essays using computers in the lab, and to work on your grammar and vocabulary
skills using computer-aided instruction. During the regular class meeting, you’ll learn about
elements of the writing process, practice techniques for generating and developing ideas,
practice expressing yourself in timed in-class writings, learn about college resources and
support services, review elements of grammar and usage, and explore strategies for student
success.
CLASSROOM POLICIES:
 Cell phones and other electronic devices: No cell phone conversations, texting, or
checking messages during class. You can check your phone during the break.
Cell phone use not only interferes with your own learning, but it’s also very distracting to
other students as well as the instructor. Show respect for others and for your own
learning by silencing all distracting devices (e.g., cell phones, iPods, bluetooths, etc.) and
and putting them away.
 Materials: Bring Constructing Paragraphs and your English B binder to each class meeting.
 Late Work: Submitting work on time is a key component of student success. If you turn in
your work after the due date, it will have points subtracted for lateness. (TIP: If you don’t
have an assignment ready to submit, come to class anyway so you don’t get further behind.
You can turn the paper in later in the day, and it will still be accepted as “on time.”)
 Tardiness: It’s important to be in class on time. However, if you can’t avoid being late, it’s
better to come to class a little late than not to come at all. Just come in quietly and take a
seat near the door to avoid distracting everyone else.
 Behavior: This is a college class, and college students are expected to be on task, to be
alert with their heads off the desk, to have their own books and materials, and to participate
appropriately and respectfully. Take off sunglasses, remove ear buds, refrain from personal
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grooming during class, and don’t do work from other classes during our class time. All
behavior, language, topics, and essays must be appropriate to an academic setting.
Missed Lab: If you miss a lab, go to the Writing Center for a conference. Be sure to take the
assignment sheet and a lab sheet along with your essay.
Computer Lab: No food or drink is allowed in the lab. Computers are to be used for
academic work only, such as computer exercises, MyECC, word processing, and class
research, not to visit non-course related web sites, update Facebook, or play games. Work
only on class-related activities in the lab. If you finish the day’s class work, get started on
your homework.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADING:
This is a PASS/NO PASS course. In order to pass, you must submit all of the essays and earn
at least 750 points overall. Points are assigned as follows:
Multi-Draft Essay 1
Multi-Draft Essay 2
Multi-Draft Essay 3
Multi-Draft Essay 4
Multi-Draft Essay 5
Mid-Term In-Class Essay
End-of-Term In-Class Essay
In-Class Timed Writings
Grammar Quizzes
Townsend Online Learning Center
Personal Error Log
Binder Checks
Class Activities
Total Points Possible
50
75
100
125
150
50
75
50
70
80
60
20
95
1000
HINTS FOR SUCCESS:
 Going to college can change your life; make the most of it. Don’t sabotage yourself by failing
to show up for class, coming to class without materials or failing to turn in assignments.
What you get out of your experience depends on what you put into it.
 Ask yourself throughout the semester, “Why am I here? What are my goals? Am I doing
everything I can to achieve these goals?”
 Have a positive attitude. You can succeed in this course! If you need extra help or if you get
confused or overwhelmed by an assignment, visit the Writing Center, go to the Learning
Resource Center, get connected with the Special Resource Center, or see the instructor.
We are all here to support you and give you the assistance you need.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Last day to add a class
Last day to drop with no notation
Last day to drop with a “W”
Friday 9/6
Friday 9/6
Friday 11/15
LOG-IN IDs and PASSWORDS:
MyECC: http://ecc-portal.elcamino.edu ____________________________________________
Etudes: http://myetudes.org _____________________________________________________
Townsend Press Learning Center: http://townsendpress.net/ ___________________________
Fall 2013
MW English B Weekly Schedule
of Activities and Homework
Instructor: Prof. Blake
NOTE: Note: In-class presentations about student services and visits to on-campus resources will be added to
the schedule when feasible. It’s your responsibility to bring your textbook, 3-ring class binder, and any other
assigned materials to class. On lab days, bring your USB flash drive to save your computer work. On Mondays,
class meets in the Computer Lab. On Wednesdays, class meets in a regular classroom. Unless otherwise
indicated, assignments and homework are to be completed before class on the dates indicated. CP refers to
your textbook Constructing Paragraphs. To keep track of your attendance, circle the appropriate letter
(P=present, A=absent, T=tardy, E=left early).
Date
Classroom Activities
Mon. 8/26 in Lab
P
Assignments/Homework Due
A
T
E
 Intro to Class: MyECC, syllabus
 Student Success: ECC English Sequence, MyECC
Activity (5 pts)
Week 1
Wed. 8/28 in Classroom
P
A
T
E
 Getting Acquainted: icebreaker activity
 Student Success: set up binder, preview Constructing
Paragraphs, successful learners, campus resources
scavenger hunt assigned
 Writing Process: overview of writing process
 Writing Practice: timed writing #1 - beginning college
experience (5 pts)
 Bring to class materials for
binder: 3-ring binder, 5 dividers,
and college ruled notebook paper
(5 pts)
 Bring to class the textbook
Constructing Paragraphs (5 pts)
 Other homework/assignments
due:
Mon. 9/2 LABOR DAY HOLIDAY – NO CLASS
 Bring Constructing Paragraphs
Wed. 9/4 in Classroom
Week 2
A
T
E
 Writing Practice: timed writing #2 (college decision) (5
pts)
 Student Success: notetaking
 Grammar: Sentence Parts (nouns, pronouns, verbs)
 Writing Structure: one-paragraph essay structure
 Essay #1 assigned: one-paragraph essay on college
decision
 Prewriting: brainstorming (reasons for college)
Mon. 9/9 in Lab
Week 3
P
P
A
T
E
 MyECC: check email
 TPLC: sign up for Townsend Press Online Learning
Center and record your ID and password (5 pts)
 Writing Conference: Essay #1 (must be typed before
conference)
 Writing Structure: formatting a paragraph MLA style
 Other homework/assignments
due:
 Bring USB flash drive to save
work.
 Bring draft of Essay #1 for
conference (college decision
topic)
 Other homework/assignments
due:
Wed. 9/11 in Classroom
P
A
T
E
 Campus Resources: Scavenger Hunt due
 Grammar: Sentence Parts (prepositions, adjectives,
adverbs)
 Student Success: Time Management (activity assigned)
 Essay #2 assigned – Narrative paragraph on memorable
incident
 Prewriting: Sentence Starters
 Writing Practice: timed writing #3 (one sentence starter) (5
pts)
Mon. 9/16 in Lab
Week 4
P
A
T
E
 MyECC: check email
 Etudes: Etudes: log in, record your ID and password,
review Gradebook, check acceptance of syllabus policies,
post 3 favorites in Discussion Board (5 pts)
 TPLC: Chapter 1 Subjects and Verbs (10 pts)
 Final Draft of Essay #1 due by end of class
 Writing Conference: Draft of Essay #2
Wed. 9/18 in Classroom
P
A
T
E
 Writing Skill: Being Specific – “show, don’t tell”
 Student Success: Educational Goals, Educational Plan
(counselor visit)
 Grammar: Sentence Parts (Regular and Irregular Verbs)
 Student Success: Flashcards
Mon. 9/23 in Lab
P
A
T
E
 MyECC: check email
 TPLC: Chapter 2 Irregular Verbs (10 pts)
 Etudes: Post in Discussion Board one sentence from Essay
#2 containing dialogue (5 pts)
 Writing Conference: Revised Essay #2 with dialogue,
strong verbs and specific details
 Grammar: Personal Grammar Log assigned
 Bring Constructing Paragraphs
 Bring completed scavenger hunt (5
pts)
 Other homework/assignments due:
 Bring USB flash drive to save work
 Draft of Essay #2 due
 Revised and edited version of
Essay #1 due (with first draft and
conference check sheet) (50 pts)
 Other homework/assignments due:
 Bring Constructing Paragraphs
 Time Management Activity Due (5
pts)
 Other homework/assignments due:
 Bring USB flash drive to save work
 Bring revised draft of Essay #2 for
conference
 Other homework/assignments due:
Week 5
Wed. 9/25 in Classroom
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P
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Grammar Quiz 1 (10 pts.): Standard English Verbs
Grammar: Sentence Parts (Pronoun Types)
Prewriting: Clustering (describe a person)
Essay #3 assigned – Paragraph describing person with
primary and secondary support
 Writing Practice: timed writing #4 (5 pts)
 Bring Constructing Paragraphs
 Review principle tenses and
irregular verbs for quiz (CP:
Standard English Verbs)
 Other homework/assignments due:
Mon. 9/30 in Lab
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Week 8
P
A
T
P
A
P
A
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T
T
P
A
 Bring USB flash drive to save work
 Thesis and outline for Essay #3 due
(can be handwritten)
 Revised and edited version of
Essay #2 due (with all drafts and
conference check sheets) (75
pts)
 Other homework/assignments due:
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E
E
E
Grammar Quiz 3 (10 pts): Fragments
Grammar: Writing Clearly (run-ons and comma splices)
Student Success: Writing Essay Exams
Writing Practice: timed writing #5 (5 pts)
Prewriting: Brainstorming (holidays)
Sign up for conference day and time
Mon. 10/14 in Lab
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E
MyECC: check email
TPLC: Chapter 5 Fragments (10 pts)
Writing Conference: Essay #3
Completed Grammar Log for Essay 1 due by end of class
Week 7 Wed. 10/9 in Classroom
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T
Grammar Quiz 2 (10 pts): Pronouns
Grammar: Writing Clearly (fragments)
Writing Skills: Transitions for Coherence
Peer Editing: Essay #3
Mon. 10/7 in Lab
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A
MyECC: check email
Grammar: Etudes>Resources>Grammar>Pronoun Types
Final Edited Version of Essay #2 due by end of class
Writing Conference: Essay #3 thesis and outline
Compose and print draft of Essay 3 for peer review on
Wednesday
Week 6 Wed. 10/2 in Classroom
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P
T
E
MyECC: check email
TPLC: Chapter 6 Run-Ons (10 pts)
Final Draft of Essay #3 due by end of class
Grammar Log Essay #2 due
Bring Constructing Paragraphs
Bring outline and draft of Essay
#3 to class for peer editing (10
pts)
Review Pronoun Types for quiz
(CP: Sentence Parts: Pronouns)
Other homework/assignments
due:
 Bring USB flash drive to save work
 Bring revised draft of Essay #3 with
peer review checklist for conference
 Grammar Log for Essay 1 due (15
pts)
 Other homework/assignments due:
 Bring Constructing Paragraphs
 Review fragments for quiz (CP:
Fragments)
 Other homework/assignments due:
 Bring USB flash drive to save work
 Revised and edited version of
Essay #3 due (with all drafts and
conference check sheets) (100
pts)
 Grammar Log Essay #2 Due (15
pts)
 Other homework/assignments due:
 Bring Constructing Paragraphs
 Bring bluebook and pens for inclass essay
 Mid-Term In-Class Essay (50) – holiday paragraph with
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Binder due for check (10 pts)
primary and secondary support
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Review run-ons and comma splices
 Grammar Quiz 4: Run-ons and Comma Splices (10 pts)
for quiz (CP: Run-ons, Comma
 Student Success: submit binder for check, sign up for
Splices)
conference date and time
 Other homework/assignments due:
Wed. 10/16 in Classroom
P
A
T
E
Mon. 10/21 in Office
P
A
N/A
 Check Gradebook in Etudes
 Bring binder
 Conference time:
A
N/A
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CONFERENCES IN H221G – No Regular Class
Week 9 Wed. 10/23 in Office
P
CONFERENCES IN H221G – No Regular Class
Mon. 10/28 in Lab
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P
A
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E
MyECC: check email
Essay #4 assigned – comparison/contrast paragraph
Writing Skills: Comparison/Contrast
Prewriting: Graphic Organizers
Writing Practice: timed writing #6 (5 pts)
Complete Grammar Log Essay #3
Bring Constructing Paragraphs
Check Gradebook in Etudes
Bring binder
Conference time:
 Bring USB flash drive to save work
 Grammar Log for Essay 3 due (15
pts)
 Other homework/assignments due:
Week 10
Wed. 10/30 in Classroom
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P
A
T
E
Writing Practice: timed writing #7 (5 pts)
Grammar: Writing Clearly (Subject-Verb Agreement)
Student Success: Tentative – Career Center Counselor
Writing Skills: Transitions in Compare/Contrast
Mon. 11/4 in Lab
P
A
T
E
 MyECC: check email
 Writing Conference: Outline for Essay #4 –
comparison/contrast paragraph
 TPLC: Chapter 11 Apostrophes (5 pts)
 TPLC: Chapter 4 Subject-verb agreement (10 pts)
Week 11
Wed. 11/6 in Classroom
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P
A
T
E
Grammar Quiz 5: Subject-verb agreement (10 pts)
Grammar: Writing Clearly (Sentence types)
Writing Practice: timed writing #8 (5 pts)
Active Reading: Reading for main ideas
Vocabulary: Decoding words using context and a dictionary
 Bring Constructing Paragraphs
 Ed Plan Due (10 pts)
 Other homework/assignments due:
 Bring USB flash drive to save work
 Bring pt x pt and subj x subj outlines
for Essay #4 for conference
 Read in CP Chapter on
Apostrophes
 Other homework/assignments due:
 Bring Constructing Paragraphs
 Review subject-verb agreement for
quiz (CP: Subject-Verb Agreement)
 Other homework/assignments due:
Mon. 11/11 VETERANS DAY HOLIDAY – NO CLASS
Wed. 11/13 in Classroom
P
A
T
E
Week 12
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Essay #5 assigned: summary/response
Writing a Summary: in-class activity (5 pts)
Grammar: Writing Clearly (Pronoun Agreement and
Reference)
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Bring Constructing Paragraphs
Bring active reading article and
completed worksheet for inclass activity
Other homework/assignments
due:
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Revising for Sentence Variety
Mon. 11/18 in Lab
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P
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P
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E
A
T
E
Grammar Quiz 6: Pronoun Agreement and Reference
(10 pts)
Writing Practice: Timed Writing #9 (5 pts)
Grammar: Writing Clearly (commonly confused words)
Punctuation: Commas
Writing Skills: Developing a Response Paragraph
Peer Review of summary paragraph
 Bring USB flash drive to save work
 Bring draft of Essay #4 for
conference
 Other homework/assignments due:
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Bring Constructing Paragraphs
Review pronoun agreement for
quiz (CP: Pronoun Agreement and
Pronoun Reference 126-129)
Bring summary paragraph to
class for peer review (5 pts)
Other homework/assignments
due:
 Revised and edited version of
Essay #4 due (with outline, all
drafts and conference check
MyECC: check email
sheet) (125 pts)
Etudes: Post in Discussion Board an example of 3 Types of

Bring draft of Essay #5 summary
Sentences from your Essay #4: a simple sentence, a
paragraph for conference
compound sentence and a complex sentence (5 pts)
 Other homework/assignments due:
TPLC Chapter 14 Homonyms (10 pts)
Writing Conference: Essay #5 summary paragraph
Mon. 11/25 in Lab
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T
MyECC: check email
TPLC: Chapter 7 Pronouns (10 pts)
Etudes: Writing Conference: Essay #4
Work on Summary
Week 13 Wed. 11/20 in Classroom
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A
P
A
T
E
Week 14
Wed. 11/27 in Classroom
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A
T
E
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Grammar Quiz 7: Commonly Confused Words (10 pts)
Punctuation: Commas
Writing Practice: timed writing #10 (challenge overcome) 
Last day to submit late work
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Last day to make up missed quizzes
Mon. 12/2 in Lab
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Week 15 
P
P
A
T
E
MyECC: check email
TPLC: Chapter 10 Commas (5 pts)
Work on Grammar Log for Essay #4
Last day to submit late work
Last day for lab computer use
Wed. 12/4 in Classroom
P
 Revised Essay #5 due
 Grammar Log for Essay #4 due
A
T E
Bring Constructing Paragraphs
Review commonly confused
words for quiz (CP: Commonly
Confused Words)
Bring USB flash drive to save
work
Other homework/assignments
due:
 Bring draft of Essay #5 (2
paragraphs) for conference on
response
 Other homework/assignments due:
 Bring Constructing Paragraphs
 Bring bluebook for in-class essay
 Revised and edited version of
Essay #5 due (with peer review,
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Evaluate Class
Sign up for end-of-semester conference day and time
Final binder check
End-of-Semester In-Class Essay (75 pts)
all drafts and conference check
sheets) (150 pts)
 Complete Grammar Log for
Essay #4 (15 pts)
 Bring binder for check (10 pts)
 Other homework/assignments due
 Check Gradebook in Etudes for
accuracy
CONFERENCES IN H221G – No Regular Class, Check Final  Bring binder
 Conference time:
Grade, Pick up Graded Essay #5 and In-Class Essay
Mon. 12/9 in Office
A
N/A
 Bring Constructing Paragraphs
 Check Gradebook in Etudes for
accuracy
CONFERENCES IN H221G – No Regular Class, Check Final
 Bring binder
Grade, Pick up Graded Essay #5 and In-Class Essay
 Conference time:
Wed. 12/11 in Office
Week 16
P
P
A
N/A
HAVE A GREAT WINTER BREAK!