Houston Community College Intensive English Program
Southwest College
Advanced Intermediate Writing - ESOL 0351
Spring 2011
CRN Number 64386
HCC Gulfton Campus – Room 214
Days and Time: Mondays and Wednesdays 7:00 pm-8:40 pm Lab: Wednesdays 8:40-9:30
Credit hours: 3 lecture + 2 lab
Course contact hours: 80
Course length: 16 weeks
Type of instruction: Lecture and lab
Instructor: Holly Turkington
Instructor Contact details: Email: holly.turkington@hccs.edu
Gulfton Center office phone: 713-718-7750
Office Hours: Before and after class in Room 214
Please come to see me if you have any questions or concerns. It is better to ask questions before you have
problems with tests or the homework. Talk to me if you have been absent to arrange a time to hand in the
homework and to discuss what you missed.
Class Dates: 1/18/2011 – 5/11/2011
1. COURSE CATALOG DESCRIPTION
A continuation of ESOL 0347, this course concentrates on the development of writing skills using controlled
composition and production of the five-paragraph essay.
2. COURSE PREREQUISITES
Successful completion of Intermediate Writing, ESOL 0347 or passing grades in the Intensive English Program’s
tests.
3. COURSE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
This course seeks to prepare students for continuation into ESOL 0354 and ultimately for college composition
courses and academic writing in general by accomplishing the following objectives:
• Students strengthen their awareness of the basic notions of paragraph development, particularly the
role of the topic sentence and the internal logical development of the paragraph.
• Students are introduced to the basic principles of the multi-paragraph composition, focusing especially
on the role of the introductory and concluding paragraphs, drafting an effective thesis statement, and
organizing the composition according to a clear logical pattern.
• Students improve their sentence-combination skills, especially in the area of the strategy and
techniques of coordination within compound sentences and within simple complex sentences.
• Students increase their awareness of the nature of the writing process, especially in the area of effective
topic construction and in the necessity and techniques of revision and editing.
4. COURSE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completing this course, students should be able to:
1. Appropriately use mechanical conventions of written English in written assignments.
2. Demonstrate a working knowledge of all verb forms and tenses that are likely to be needed in writing a
moderate-length written assignment suitable to the advanced-intermediate English learner.
3. Produce an appropriate variety of sentence types in a moderate-length written assignment suitable to
the advanced-intermediate English learner.
4. Compose and revise a moderate-length composition of several paragraphs, using a clearly defined
writing process.
5. LEARNING OBJECTIVES LEADING TO THE COURSE OUTCOMES ABOVE
1.1 Correctly spell vocabulary used in compositions;
1.2 Apply rules for capitalization of beginning of sentences, proper names and other proper nouns (e.g.
cities, countries, regions, holidays, etc.);
1.3 Apply punctuation rules, especially including end punctuation (periods, question marks, exclamation
points), commas and semicolons.
2.1 Appropriately use a variety of simple, progressive, and perfect verb tenses, based on the context of the
discourse, in written assignments;
2.2 Appropriately use gerunds and infinitives as appropriate to discourse context in written assignments.
3.1 Produce compound sentences, using the seven coordinating conjunctions as well as conjunctive
adverb sentence connectors;
3.2 Produce complex sentences using a variety of subordinating conjunctions appropriate to the discourse
context, with correct punctuation;
3.3 Produce complex sentences using well-formed adjective (relative) clauses;
3.4 Produce complex sentences using well-formed noun clauses.
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
Use prewriting strategies to generate a topic to write about, along with supporting ideas;
Write a limited and clear thesis statement;
Organize a draft by preparing a well-formatted outline;
Write a draft of a multi-paragraph essay of 200-300 words, with a clear thesis in the introductory
paragraph and a concluding paragraph;
4.5 Revise the composition after receiving both peer feedback and feedback from the instructor.
6. COURSE CALENDAR: ESOL 0351 Advanced Intermediate Writing
Week Topic
Unit 1 Getting Ready to Write: Diagnostic Essay
Week 2:
Unit 1: Introduction
Unit 2: Writing Paragraphs
Week 3:
Unit 2: Writing Paragraphs
Unit 3: Revising and Editing
In-class paragraph #1
Week 4:
Unit 3: Revising and Editing
Week 5
Unit 4: Writing Essays
In-class Paragraph #2
Week 6:
Unit 4: Writing Essays
Weekly Composition
Week 7:
Unit 5: The Process of Writing
In-class Paragraph #3
Week 8:
Unit 5: The Process of Writing
Midterm Exam
Week 9:
Unit 6: Division and Classification Essays
Weekly Composition
Week 10:
Unit 6: Division and Classification Essays
In-class Essay #1
Week 11:
Unit 7: Cause and Effect Essays
Weekly Composition
Week 12:
Unit 7: Cause and Effect Essays
In-class Essay #2
Week13
Unit 8: Comparison/Contrast Essays
Week 14
Unit 8: Comparison/Contrast Essays
Weekly Composition
Unit 9: Problem and Solution Essays
Week 15:
Unit 9: Problem and Solution Essays
In-class Essay #3
Week 16:
Final Exam
FINAL WRITING EXAM A five paragraph essay Monday May 9 th
Notes: These are approximate schedules; I may make minor changes if necessary to cover the required
material.
7. IMPORTANT DATES
Week 5 Gulfton Blood Drive
Wednesday February 16th
Week 6 Presidents’ Day Holiday
Monday February 21st
Week 7 Gulfton Alumni Panel
Wednesday March 2nd
Week 8 Go Western day
Thursday March 10th
SPRING BREAK
March 14th -19th
Week 11 Gulfton International Festival
Thursday April 7th
Week12 Last day to withdraw from classes
Thursday April 14th before 4:30 p.m.
Week 15 Deadline for HCC scholarship application Wednesday May 4th
Week 16 Final Writing Exam
Monday May 9th
Week 16 Final Grammar Exam
Tuesday May 10th
Week 16 Conversation Finals
By appointment
Grades available on-line
Friday May 20th
8. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS
These may include:
Student writing of different kinds such as essays, summaries, timed writing for fluency, and dictation
Class or group writing of outlines and essays
Individual writing of essays
Reading and analyzing paragraphs and essays to see how they are constructed
Exercises on pre-writing skills such as generating, developing and organizing ideas
Activities on grammar, and vocabulary needed for a particular kind of essay
Activities on sentence types
Activities on revising an essay for content and other errors and ways to correct them
Revising and rewriting teacher corrected compositions
Peer editing of outlines and essays and individual conferences for essays
Individual conferences for essays
Lecture
Discussion (in whole class, groups, or pairs).
Activities in the course book, on handouts, or online
9. STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS
Homework assignments will include writing on different topics especially on students’ own experience.
Writing or completing work covered in class such as revising essays, writing outlines or writing essays in whole or
part, writing essays from outlines made in class work. Students will rewrite in-class essays using teacher
feedback.
Homework is due on the next class day unless otherwise stated by the instructor. Homework one day late will
receive a grade of 50%. If you are absent you are still responsible for the homework, so work missed while absent
has to be done on your return. Please get a classmate’s phone number or email me to find out what you missed.
10. STUDENT ASSSESSMENT
Five in-class compositions (and revisions) and the final composition
Weekend compositions, homework exercises, other writing
Quizzes and tests on work covered in class
Automatic failure on final exam: Fewer than 150 words, off topic, no thesis statement or topic sentences, or all
simple sentences.
Quizzes: There will be regular quizzes including unannounced ones on homework or topics we have been
studying. Dictionaries and electronic devices are not allowed in writing tests and quizzes.
Make up policy on in-class compositions: If you miss ONE composition, see me to arrange a time to do it. This
will be a great inconvenience for you as essays take a long time to write and you will miss some other class
activities. DO NOT MISS COMPOSITIONS. These are major TESTS and they are very important parts of the grade.
They are also important for writing development.
Make up policy on missed homework or weekend compositions: I drop the lowest score at the end of the
semester.
11. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Textbook: Ready to Write More by Blanchard and Root (Longman, 3rd Edition)
The textbook must be NEW because it is an exercise book.
Longman Dictionary of American English. This book is an English to English paper dictionary that gives meanings
and explains the context in which the words are used. The extra information on how the words are used will help
you to understand and write English well.
12. HCC ADA POLICY
Students with Disabilities: Students with a documented learning or physical disability which might affect student
performance in class should contact the HCCS South West College disabilities counselor, Dr. Becky Hauri at
West Loop campus. 713-718-7910. Faculty is only authorized to provide accommodations by the Disability
Support Service. Please see this website for more information: http://hccs.edu/student-rights
13. HCC POLICY ON ACADEMIC HONESTY (Cheating)
Academic Honesty (Dishonesty = Cheating): Any form of cheating or copying, (plagiarism) will result in a 0 for
that assignment and possibly recommendation for probation or dismissal from the college system. Cheating
includes copying from another student during a test or giving another student answers in a test. Another form of
cheating is copying from the Internet or another text and handing it in as the student’s work. ALL work has to be
written by the student and not copied from another source.
14. HCC POLICY ON STUDENT ATTENDANCE
According to the HCCS Student Handbook, you may be dropped after accumulating absences in excess of
12.5% of the total hours of instruction (lecture and lab). For Intensive English, if you exceed a total of 10 hours
(12.5%) of absence in any class (4 days of any class including labs), you can be dropped from ALL classes. This
will make F1 students out of status and cause visa problems. Please email me if you are absent and talk to me
on your return to get homework.
Tardiness and in-class time absence: Classes and tests begin promptly. Lateness counts as class or lab
absence. Three tardies (lateness) = 1 absence. Lateness after lunch, leaving early or disappearing during class
or lab are also counted as absences.
15. HCC POLICY ON STUDENTS REPEATING FOR A THIRD TIME
Repeating students: Students who repeat a course three or more times will face a tuition fee increase at HCC
and other Texas public colleges and universities. If you are having trouble in class, talk to the teacher.
Students should get help so that they do not fail. Students who need extra help can see me after school or in
break times or find a class buddy. Also, they can go for tutoring. Tutoring is available after school Tuesday to
Thursday from 1:30 to 2:30 in room 105 and Fridays from 9 -11in the audio lab. (Gulfton Center)
If a student fails a class for the second time, he or she will receive an F for that class. Get assistance from a
counselor before withdrawing if you are not receiving passing grades.
16. HCC POLICY ON SEXUAL HARRASSMENT
Sexual harassment in any form is not tolerated at Houston Community College. It is a violation of HCCS policy
for an employee, agent, or student of the college to engage in sexual harassment as defined in the EEOC
guidelines (EEO/AA Compliance Handbook 47). See HCCS Student Handbook for more information.
17. HCC WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE
To drop a class, you must see a counselor. The nearest place to see one is at West Loop campus. Or you may
see the advisor in room 117. The last day students may withdraw or be dropped from a class with a grade of W
is Thursday April 14th before 4:30p.m. Students who have excessive absences after that date will receive the
grades they earn.
Note: International students will be out of status if they drop their classes and may have to return to their home
country. Speak with a counselor or the advisor before dropping classes to make sure of the procedures.
18. INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENTS
The teacher needs to:
 Create a rich learning environment for writing and student interaction
 Provide grading scales and assessment
 Give students a lot of writing opportunities
 Give assignments on computers on a range of topics connected to the course
 Make classes, tests, and assignments clear
 Tell students about HCC policies such as attendance policies and academic honesty - (No cheating!)
 Make a class calendar available
 Make arrangements to keep in contact with students when they need help or have questions
 Give help when needed
To succeed in college the students need to:
 Participate in activities. Listen to the teacher and classmates. Ask questions and be an active learner.
 Be respectful. Listen to other students in the class and encourage everyone to contribute.
 Create a good learning environment: Turn off cell phones or use vibrate mode for an emergencies.
 No texting in class.
 Do homework assignments regularly. Do not wait to the last moment to do them.
 Keep writing. Writing is a skill that improves over time and needs a lot of practice.
 Do your own work and learn. Copying from the Internet and other sources is not learning.
 Have fun learning. Read, write, listen and speak English in daily life through: TV, radio, neighbors,
students and coworkers, and volunteer in the community.
 Use technology for learning on-line in English learning sites.
 Work with other students and enjoy learning.
 Practice writing. Keep a journal to help you organize ideas and develop your thinking in English.
 Eat well for energy. The brain needs good food. Eat breakfast at home and lunch in break times.
 Work hard and attend all classes. Be on time. Good attendance + hard work = SUCCESS
19. PROGRAM / DISCIPLINE REQUIREMENTS
Students in 0351 Advanced Intermediate Writing have to fulfill the following requirements to pass the class:
A minimum of 5 graded compositions done in class. A maximum of one can be a graded single paragraph (75100 words) The rest or all will be multi-paragraph essays (200-300 words) including the final examination.
The following rhetorical organizations are to be covered:
Process
Division and classification
Comparison/contrast
Causes and effects
Problem/solution
Students are required to revise and rewrite their in-class compositions (excluding the midterm and final
compositions). Teachers should encourage students to take the revision process seriously.
Students should do regular and frequent alternative free writing activities which will be inspected regularly by
teachers. This may take various forms such as a journal or summaries etc. The assessment will be up to the
teacher but teachers will not generally be expected to correct and grade each entry.
20. HCC GRADING SCALE
A
90-100
B
80-89
C
70-79
IP
Below 70
In progress, but not passing
21. INSTRUCTOR GRADING CRITERIA:
50%
In class compositions (3 paragraph and 3 essays)
20%
Final essay
20%
Weekly composition
10%
Homework, class work, quizzes, lab and revisions of essays