FUNDAMENTALS OF GRAMMAR AND COMPOSITION II
English 0310
Ms.Sydney Elliott, instructor
susan.elliott@hccs.edu
Office: 713-718-6671, FAC 319
Office hours: 7:30-8:00 a.m. M, W
2:00-2:30 p.m. M, W
Course description
This is a course designed to prepare students for ENGL 1301. ENGL 0310 provides a basic review of the
principles of grammar, usage, and mechanics, and utilizes the writing process to teach students to write
short essays about 350-500 words long. (500 words is about two 12-point type-written, double-spaced
pages.)
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Course required texts
--75 Readings plus, 9th edition (Santi V. Buscemi and Charlotte Smith)
--The New McGraw-Hill Handbook, 2nd edition (Elaine Maimon et al.)
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Note: Books can be rented from the bookstore; check with the bookstore for details.
Course required materials
--college-level dictionary--bring to class (Oxford recommended)
--3-ring notebook with dividers to keep all essays and other assignments, vocabulary
studies, and class handouts
--computer flash/thumb drive
--lined 81/2 x 11 paper
--blue or black pens for in-class writing
--examination blue books for final exam
Course required attendance
Students must attend class on time, are responsible for material covered during any absence, and are
also responsible for consulting the instructor about make-up work (not every assignment may be made
up). No more than EIGHT HOURS (not classes) of absence is permitted by Texas State law.
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
--use a variety of sentence patterns in writing
--comprehend and respond to assigned readings
--employ the writing process (planning, drafting, editing, revising, and developing thesis
and topic sentences) in assigned writings
--write a variety of essays using appropriate rhetorical modes (such as narration,
description, process analysis, definition, division and classification, comparison/
contrast, example and illustration, cause/effect, analogy, and argument and
persuasion)
--incorporate the ideas and words of other writers in their own essays using established
strategies
You are responsible for all the information in the HCCS Student Handbook (online) regarding HCC
policies and procedures.
Course grading
--5 essays:
50%
--75 Readings quizzes,
20%
in-class responses
--Midterm in-class essay
15%
--Final in-class essay
15%
Note: You must be able to write satisfactory in-class essays in order to pass this course.
Grading
--A 90-100% B 80-89% C 70-79%
--IP (in progress) is given to students who do not meet minimum standards but who conscientiously do
the work of the course. It indicates that the student must re-enroll in the course.
--W (withdrawn) is given to students who miss more than 8 hours of instruction or who withdraw
themselves from the class before the drop deadline. It does not affect the grade point average (GPA),
but it may affect the student receiving financial aid benefits.
--F or D may only be given if a student is repeating the course or for violations of the scholastic
dishonesty policy, or in rare circumstances.
--I (incomplete) is not a possible grade in developmental courses.
Scholastic dishonesty
According to the HCCS Student Handbook, “scholastic dishonesty” includes, but is not limited to, cheating
on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
--Cheating on a test includes copying another student’s test paper, using unauthorized materials during a
test, collaborating with another student without permission, and also using, buying, or selling a test for the
class.
--Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work, used without crediting the author, in an
assignment.
--Collusion means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work offered
for credit.
Please note the possible consequences of such dishonesty, as stated in the Student Handbook: “Possible
punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of “0” or “F” for the particular assignment,
failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or dismissal from the college system.”
In-class policies
--Come to class on time. If you miss a reading quiz, you will get a “0.”
--Turn completely off and put away all phones and other electronic equipment before class begins. Using
a phone during a writing assignment will be construed as cheating and will result in a “0” for the
assignment.
--Participate and learn. (Have fun.)
Support Services
--Tutoring (free) is available in FAC 321b; check for posted hours.
--Library services are available in the Learning Hub/Science Building, floors 3 and 4. The librarians are
very helpful. Get your free HCC i.d. so you can photocopy there.
--Open computer labs have computers for word processing, in FAC 302 and in JDB 203-204. Check for
posted hours.
Reasonable accommodation
--Disability support services are available for students who require reasonable accommodations for
disabilities. Contact the Disability Services Office on the first floor of the Learning Hub, room 106, or call
713-718-6164 to make necessary arrangements. Faculty are authorized to provide only those
accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.
HCC Policies
--Course repeaters who take a course for the third time will not be reimbursed by financial aid at HCC
and at other Texas public colleges and universities. Also, a grade of “IP” cannot be given if you fail to
complete the course successfully. Before you withdraw from a course, confer with your instructor and
counselor about the consequences of withdrawing, and to discuss other options available to you.
--Course withdrawal is an option if you wish to drop a course, but you must do so by April 14, no later
than 4:30 p.m. After this date, the course cannot be dropped, and professors can no longer give a grade
of “W” at the end of the semester. Instead, students must be given the grade earned, which is usually an
“F” if the student stopped coming to class.
HCCS SEMESTER CALENDAR
January 19
February 21
March 14-20
April 14
April 22-24
May 8
May 9-15
May 15
May 20
Last day for change of schedule (drop/add/swap)
Presidents’ Day: no class
Spring Break: no class
Last day for administrative/student withdrawals, by 4:30 p.m.
Easter Holiday: no class
Instruction ends
Final examinations
Semester ends
Grades available to students online: via www.hccs.edu
COURSE CALENDAR
Please read the week’s assignments the weekend before they are due, then go over them the night
before class. All assigned readings are from 75 Readings plus or The McGraw-Hill Handbook. Students
are expected to complete reading and writing assignments by due dates indicated on the Course
Calendar. At the beginning of class, you will regularly be given a quiz over what you were assigned to
read.
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WEEK ONE
Wednesday, January 19
Class
1--Introduction to English 0310, to the texts, and to each other
2--Introduction to course syllabus
3--Diagnostic essay
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WEEK TWO
Monday, January 24
Due
1--Textbooks purchased, reviewed, and brought to class
2--McGraw-Hill 120-130 reading, thinking, writing
21-33 understanding writing assignments
Class
1--In-depth review of the syllabus
2--Overview of texts
3--How to read and evaluate an essay; new vocabulary
4--Basic outline of essay
5--Essay #1--a narration essay--assigned
Wednesday, January 26
Due
1--Two essays that use narration
Malcolm X: “Coming to an Awareness of Language” 21-25
Martin Gansberg: “37 Who Saw Murder Didn’t Call the Police” 25-31
2--Mc Graw-Hill 2-6 learning across the curriculum
Class
1--Reading/vocabulary quiz
2--Use of narration as a rhetorical strategy in these essays
3--Understanding the assignment: McGraw-Hill 157-160
4--Definition of brainstorming, outlining: McGraw-Hill 33-37
5--Lab: in-class brainstorming, outlining, an example for Essay #1
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WEEK THREE
Monday, January 31
Due
1--Essay #1 freewriting/outline
2--McGraw-Hill 212-216 personal essays
42-51 essay thesis and structure
Class
1--The writing process: planning, drafting, editing, revising
2--A good thesis; the difference between the thesis sentence and the introductory paragraph
3--Lab: work on Essay #1 draft; instructor review of outline
Wednesday, February 2
Due
1--Two essays that use description
Joan Didion: “Marrying Absurd” 60-65
Michael Myers: “Monuments to Our Better Nature” 78-85
2. McGraw-Hill 56-61 avoid writer’s block; writing good paragraphs
Class
1--Use of description as a rhetorical strategy in these essays
2--Good paragraphs, good transitions: McGraw-Hill 89
3--Good conclusions: McGraw-Hill 74-75
4--Difference between a draft and a final essay
5--Lab work on Essay #1 draft
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WEEK FOUR
Monday, February 7
Due
1--Essay #1 final draft
Class
1--Library orientation
Wednesday, February 9
Due
1--Two essays that use process
Richard Marius: “Writing Drafts” 91-96
John Lame Deer: “Alone on the Hilltop” 96-103
Class
1--Reading/vocabulary quiz
2--Review of library visit: internet resources
3--Essay #2--a process essay and a collaboration essay-- assigned
4--Use of process as a rhetorical strategy in assigned essays
5--Lab: collaborative work on Essay #2 outline
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WEEK FIVE
Monday, February 14
Due
1--One essay that uses classification
Kesaya Noda: “Growing Up Asian in America” 156-165
Class
1--Use of division/classification as a rhetorical strategy in this essay
2. Understanding assignments: McGraw-Hill 157-160
3--Lab: collaborative work on Essay #2 outline; instructor review of essay outlines
Wednesday, February 16
Due
1--McGraw-Hill 82-88 revising and editing an essay
2--McGraw-Hill 478 foldout identifying common problems
Class
1. Revising and editing an essay
2--Lab: collaborative completion of Essay #2 outline
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WEEK SIX
Monday, February 21
No class: Presidents’ Day
Wednesday, February 23
Due
1--Essay #2 group outline
Class
1--Identifying good conclusions, transitions, in essays
2--Lab: work on Essay #2 draft
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WEEK SEVEN
Monday, February 28
Due
1--Two essays that use comparison/contrast
Bruce Catton: “Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrasts” 191-196
Scott Sanders: “The Men We Carry in Our Minds” 212-217
Class
1--Reading/vocabulary quiz
2--Use of comparison/contrast as a rhetorical strategy in these essays
3--Major problems in writing; McGraw-Hill 478 foldout of common problems
4--Words to avoid
Wednesday, March 2
Due
1--Essay #2 final draft
2--McGraw-Hill 322-326 using sources for credibility
Class
1--Essay #3--division/classification essay--assigned
2--Using sources for credibility
3--How to avoid plagiarism; how to paraphrase
4--Lab: Essay #3 freewriting/outline
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WEEK EIGHT
Monday, March 7
Due
1--Two essays that use example and illustration
Robertson Davies: “A Few Kind Words for Superstition” 233-237
Brent Staples: “Black Men and Public Space” 247-252
Class
1--Use of example and illustration as a rhetorical strategy in these essays
2--Taking essay exams: McGraw-Hill 217-220
3--Lab: Essay #3 draft
4--Instructor review of Essay #3 outline/draft
Wednesday, March 9
In-class midterm exam: division/classification essay
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WEEK NINE
Spring Break: No class March 14-20
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WEEK TEN
Monday, March 21
Due
1--Essay #3 final draft
Class
1--MLA overview: McGraw-Hill 342-378
2--Using references, quotes in essays
3--Lab: MLA practice
Wednesday, March 23
Due
1--Two essays that use cause and effect
Barbara Whitehead: “Where Have All the Parents Gone?” 283-292
Susan Casey: “Our Oceans Are Turning into Plastic...Are We?” 330-342
Class
1--Reading/vocabulary quiz
2--Use of cause and effect as a rhetorical strategy in these essays
3--Why these two essays are good/not good
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WEEK ELEVEN
Monday, March 28
Due
1--Two essays that use analogy
Alice Walker: “Am I Blue?” 348-354
Loren Eiseley: “The Cosmic Prison” 360-365
Class
1--Reading/vocabulary quiz
2--The use of analogy as a rhetorical strategy in these essays
3--Class practice in using analogy
Wednesday, March 30
Due
1--no assignment
Class
1--Lab: Writing response to film; edit response
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WEEK TWELVE
Monday, April 4
Due
1--Two essays that use argument
Garrett Hardin: “Lifeboat Ethics: The Case Against Helping the Poor” 381-389
Nat Hentoff: “Should This Student Have Been Expelled?” 398-406
2--McGraw-Hill 183-191
Class
1--Use of argument as a rhetorical strategy in these essays
2--Every essay is an argument; how to make one
3--Avoiding mistakes in reasoning: McGraw-Hill 188-191
Wednesday, April 6
In-class Essay #4: cause and effect essay
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WEEK THIRTEEN
Monday, April 11
Due
1--Two essays that use persuasion
Jonathan Swift: “A Modest Proposal” 423-432
Martin Luther King: “I Have a Dream” 432-438
Class
1--Reading/vocabulary quiz
2--Essay #5--an argument/persuasion essay--assigned
3--Use of persuasion as a rhetorical strategy in these essays
4--Lab: ”I Have a Dream” speech; writing response
Wednesday, April 13 (*April 14 by 4:30 is last day to withdraw)
Due
1--Thoughts about Essay #5
Class
1--Summary of effective persuasion
2--Lab: freewriting/outline for Essay #5
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WEEK FOURTEEN
Monday, April 18
Due
1--Two essays that use persuasion
Naomi Nye: “To Any Would-Be Terrorists” 443-449
Judy Brady: “Why I want a Wife” 449-453
Class
1--Use of persuasion as a rhetorical strategy in these essays
2--Example of gay rights litigation
Wednesday, April 20
Due
1--Completed notebook brought to class
2--List of personal writing issues
Class
1--Lab: review of work in notebook with instructor;
work on Essay #5 draft
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WEEK FIFTEEN
Monday, April 25
Due
1--One essay that uses mixed rhetorical strategies
Lars Eighner: “Dumpster Diving” 476-488
Class
1--Reading/vocabulary quiz
2--Lab: review of work in notebook and work on Essay #5 draft
Wednesday, April 27
Due
1--Essay #5 final draft
Class
1--Writing about literature
2--Common problems in writing about literature
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WEEK SIXTEEN
Monday, May 2
Due
1--One essay that uses mixed rhetorical strategies
Andrew Sullivan: “This Is a Religious War” 488-499
Class
1--Analysis of assigned essay: what makes this a good essay?
2--Moving from personal to academic writing
Wednesday, May 4
Due
1--Two essays that use mixed rhetorical strategies
Frank Bures: “Test Day” 510-515
Malcolm X: “Coming to an Awareness of Language” 21-25 (repeat)
Class
1--Review for final
2--Class writing issues
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WEEK SEVENTEEN
Monday, May 9
No class
Wednesday, May 11
Final exam: in-class essay
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