Academic English as a Second Language
Northeast College
ENGL 0347 – Writing and Grammar II
CRN: 61487 - Fall 2010
Northline Campus - Mon/Wed 9:00-11:00AM
3 hours lecture - 1 hour lab / 48 hours per semester/ 16 weeks
Instructor: Mel Shaw
Instructor Contact Information: e-mail: mel.shaw@hccs.edu
phone: 713-718-8181
Office location and hours: 310 by appointment
Please feel free to contact me concerning any problems that you are experiencing in this
course. You do not need to wait until you have received a poor grade before asking for my
assistance. Your performance in my class is very important to me. I am available to hear your
concerns and just to discuss course topics.
Course Description
English 0347 is a composition class that is designed for non-native speakers of English. We
work on the structure of language. We review the elements of a paragraph and learn how to
develop essays from 300-500 words. We will learn how to use the computer to word process,
access information via the Internet, and reinforce writing skills through grammar software
(when possible). In addition to building vocabulary, reading, and writing skills, this course
prepares students for ENGL 0349 and the writing assignments for other college-level courses.
Prerequisites
Completion and passing grade in ESOL 0354 or a minimum score of 63 on the CELSA and
departmental recommendation. However, a final decision will also be based on the first day
diagnostic exam (with the exception of those coming from Intensive English Advanced Writing
(ESOL 0354).
Course Goal
The primary goals of ENGL 0347 are to prepare non-native English speakers for ENGL 0349 and
ENGL 1301, as well as to prepare them for all the writing tasks they will
encounter in their academic studies at HCCS, other institutions of higher learning, and
ultimately in the professional world.
Course Objectives
The student will be able to:
1. Apply pre-writing strategies such as brainstorming, word maps, and outlining to create and
organize ideas;
2. Develop revision and editing skills;
3. Write multiple drafts.
4. Design the essay format: margins, indentation, spacing;
5. Produce an introduction with a clear thesis statement, clear and limited topic sentences,
supporting body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
6. Compose an in-class narrative/process/or a response essay;
7. Compose an in-class comparison/contrast essay;
8. Compose an in-class cause/effect essay;
9. Compose an in class argument essay;
10. Compose an in-class final exam essay.
11. Identify and model the use of present, past, and future tenses;
12. Identify and model the use of prepositions including verb-preposition combinations;
13. Identify and model the use of comparatives and superlatives;
14. Identify and model the use of coordinators, subordinators, logical connectors, correlatives;
15. Identify and model the use of adjective clauses;
16. Identify and model the use of adverb clauses;
17. Identify and model the correction of sentence structure: run-on, fragment, and comma
splice errors;
18. Identify and model the correct use of agreement such as parallel structure, subject-verb,
and pronoun-antecedent.
Learning objectives
Students will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Apply the principles of writing as a process.
Adopt the essay structure.
Differentiate among rhetorical styles.
Demonstrate knowledge of advanced grammar usage and structure in sentences.
Instructional Materials
 Destinations 2: Grammar for Academic Success by Herzfeld-Pipkin
 Destinations 2: Writing for Academic Success by Herzfeld-Pipkin
 Online site to accompany Destinations 2: http://elt.thomson.com/destinations
 An English-English dictionary
 All handouts/reading packets;
 Pens (two colors), highlighters, a pencil, and an eraser, white-out, and stapler
 Scantrons;
 A notebook to be used only for this course containing:
Lined paper (standard size-8.5 by 11 inch)
All handouts
All homework assignments
All graded work
HCC Policy Statement – ADA: Services to Students with Disabilities
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing,
etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services
Office to make necessary arrangements at the beginning of each semester. Your instructor is
authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the office of Disability Support
Services.
HCC Policy Statement: Academic Honesty
A student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, not showing that the coursework has
been learned, and that student is claiming an advantage not available to other students. The
instructor is responsible for measuring each student's individual achievements and also for
ensuring that all students compete on a level playing field. Thus, in our system, the instructor
has teaching, grading, and enforcement roles. You are expected to be familiar with the
University's Policy on Academic Honesty, found in the catalog. What that means is: If you are
charged with an offense, pleading ignorance of the rules will not help you. Students are
responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements.
Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by College System officials against a
student accused of scholastic dishonesty. “Scholastic dishonesty”: includes, but is not limited
to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
Cheating on a test includes:
 Copying from another students’ test paper;
 Using materials not authorized by the person giving the test;
 Collaborating with another student during a test without authorization;
 Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the
contents of a test that has not been administered;
 Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of
that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.
Collusion mean the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work
offered for credit. Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or F
in the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or
dismissal from the College System. (See the Student Handbook)
HCC Policy Statement: Class Attendance
Class Attendance - It is important that you come to class! Attending class regularly is the best
way to succeed in this class. Research has shown that the single most important factor in
student success is attendance. Simply put, going to class greatly increases your ability to
succeed. You are expected to attend all lecture and labs regularly. You are responsible for
materials covered during your absences. Class attendance is checked daily. Although it is your
responsibility to drop a course for nonattendance, the instructor has the authority to drop you
for excessive absences.
If you are not attending class, you are not learning the information. As the information that is
discussed in class is important for your career, students may be dropped from a course after
accumulating absences in excess of 12.5% hours (10 hours) of instruction (F-1 students should
particularly take note of this so as not to affect your visa status). The ten hours of class time
would include any total classes missed or for excessive tardiness (being late twice or, leaving
early is counted as an absence). Remember: Class attendance equals class success.
HCC Course Withdrawal Policy
If you feel that you cannot complete this course, you will need to withdraw from it prior to the
final date of withdrawal (November 18th,2010). Before, you withdraw from your course; please
take the time to meet with the instructor to discuss why you feel it is necessary to do so. The
instructor may be able to provide you with suggestions that would enable you to complete the
course. Your success is very important. Beginning in fall 2007, the Texas Legislature passed a
law limiting first time entering freshmen to no more than SIX total course withdrawals
throughout their educational career in obtaining a certificate and/or degree.
To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has instituted an Early
Alert process by which your professor can “alert” you and HCC counselors that you might fail a
class because of excessive absences and/or poor academic performance. It is your
responsibility to visit with your professor or a counselor to learn about what, if any, HCC
interventions might be available to assist you – online tutoring, child care, financial aid, job
placement, etc. – to stay in class and improve your academic performance.
If you plan on withdrawing from your class, you MUST contact an HCC counselor or your
professor prior to withdrawing (dropping) the class for approval and this must be done PRIOR
to the withdrawal deadline to receive a “W” on your transcript. If you do not withdraw before
the deadline, you will receive an F or an IP (see below) as your final grade.
College Grading System:
Students who have completed English 0347 and show that they are ready for the next level
(ENGL 0349) with a final average of 70% or higher will receive a letter grade of A, B, or C.
Students who are not ready for English 0349 may receive a grade of IP. The IP grade is not a
good or bad grade; however, it means "IN PROGRESS" and requires the student to take English
0347 again because the student will benefit from another semester in 0347 to learn all of the
skills that are taught in this course. However, if a student repeats 0347 after receiving one IP, a
letter grade must be given (A, B,C, or F upon completing the course for the second time).
Repeat Course Fee
The State of Texas encourages students to complete college without having to repeat failed
classes. To increase student success, students who repeat the same course more than twice,
are required to pay extra tuition. The purpose of this extra tuition fee is to encourage students
to pass their courses and to graduate. Effective fall 2006, HCC will charge a higher tuition rate
to students registering the third or subsequent time for a course. If you are considering course
withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades, confer with your instructor/counselor
as early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing homework, test taking skills,
attendance, course participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might
be available.
Use of Camera and/or Recording Devices
As a student active in the learning community of this course, it is your responsibility to be
respectful of the learning atmosphere in your classroom. To show respect of your fellow
students and instructor, you will turn off your phone and other electronic devices, and will not
use these devices in the classroom unless you receive permission from the instructor.
Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in
classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring, or
testing occurs. Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable
accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information
regarding reasonable accommodations
Classroom Policies
As your instructor and as a student in this class, it is our shared responsibility to develop and
maintain a positive learning environment for everyone. Your instructor takes this responsibility
very seriously and will inform members of the class if their behavior makes it difficult for
him/her to carry out this task. As a fellow learner, you are asked to respect the learning needs
of your classmates and assist your instructor achieve this critical goal.
To this end, all cell phones, pagers, Ipods, or any other electronic devices that may cause a distraction
in class must be turned off. No laptops are permitted to be used during class. You may use an
electronic dictionary (stand alone) with the sound turned off. You are not permitted to leave class to
answer or return calls unless an absolute emergency; doing so will be counted as a tardy. If a student
is using a cell phone at any time during the class period, I will remind the student about the policy
once. After that, I will ask the student to leave class and mark him or her absent.
In addition, students are expected to arrive to class on time with ALL THEIR MATERIALS
INCLUDING THE TEXT BOOKS. (You will not be permitted to share after the first week of
class). In addition, students will be marked tardy if they arrive late. Returning late from a break
or leaving class early counts as being tardy. Being tardy three times will equal one absence
(whether ten minutes or one hour). If you miss five classes (5 absences) you can be dropped
without notification and will therefore be out of compliance if you are an F-1 student. If a
student misses a class, it is his or her responsibility to see the instructor about the work that
was missed.
Course Work
Homework and Practice Essays
The course calendar lists all of the reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary exercises that will be
done. Most of those will be homework. While doing all the homework and attending class is not a
complete guarantee of success, it is certainly true that not doing it is a guarantee of failure.
You will note that there are writing assignments called 'practice essays' consisting of a minimum of
300-500 words that will be collected and graded. The purpose of these essays is to prepare you for the
in-class essay. They must be typed and handed in on time. The in-class essay is timed. This is done to
prepare you for other courses where you may have to write essays or answer test questions. In
addition, this course is supplemented with a grammar book.
All practice essays must be typed. You must use 12 pt. standard font and have one inch margins. The
paper must be double spaced and it must be stapled. When possible, these practice essays will be
written or at least begun in the computer lab on our assigned day.
In Class Essays
Students write five in-class essays during the semester, including the final exam essay. They must be
written on loose-leaf lined paper, on every other line (double-spaced). Pencil (only for the exams)
may be used. When you write, do so legibly because if I cannot read your writing, that will be counted
as an error. While the in-class essay is graded, no grades are recorded until you have typed the inclass essay and corrected your errors. In other words, your grade is a zero for the in-class essay until a
second draft is done. If you do not return it typed and corrected, you will receive a zero as a
grade for that in-class essay.
Evaluation of Written Work
Grades for written work will take into account the following: content, logical sequencing, use of
transitions, topic sentences and support, range and sophistication of vocabulary, complexity of
sentences, grammar, spelling, and punctuation and length.
The Final Exams
The final exam consists of two parts: a comprehensive multiple-choice grammar section based
on the grammar in the textbook and the grammar book, AND an essay that is similar to one of
the compositions that is written during the semester. The essay exam will be given on the last
day of class, and the grammar exam on the final exam day. See your course calendar for the
time and date of the final exam. You will need a scantron for the 50 question grammar exam. A
student who fails both the essay and grammar final will have to repeat ENGL 0347.
Grading
Your instructor will conduct grammar and vocabulary quizzes, and essay exams which you can
use to determine how successful you are at achieving the course learning outcomes (mastery of
course content and skills) outlined in the syllabus. If you find you are not mastering the
material and skills, you are encouraged to reflect on how you study and prepare for each class.
Your instructor welcomes a dialogue on what you discover and may be able to assist you in
finding resources on campus that will improve your performance.
Grading Scale
90 - 100 = A
80 - 89 = B
70 - 79 = C
Below 70 = IP or F
Grading Percentages
Compositions 1,2
Compositions 3,4
Grammar quizzes
Vocabulary quizzes
10% each
15% each
10%
5%
Practice Essays
Final Essay
Final Grammar Exam
5%
20%
10%
Course Calendar for ENGL 0347- Fall 2010 Monday/Wednesday Classes
Important Dates:
Aug. 30
Classes begin; drop/add/swap fee may apply ($15.00)
Sept. 2
Last day to drop/add/swap
Sept. 6
Labor Day Holiday-NO CLASSES
Nov. 18
Last Day for Administrative/Student Withdrawals (by 4:30)
Nov. 25-28
Thanksgiving Holiday-NO CLASSES
Dec. 13
Final Exam
Dec. 20
Grades available
1
Unit One
8/30 &
9/1
2
Unit One
9/8
pp. 2-7, do
Comprehension
check p. 5
Inference p. 6
Voc. Study p.7
Part 2 pp. 37-39
Comprehension
check p. 39
Intro to the AESL program and 0347 course;
Diagnostic assessment (these assessments will
not be graded nor returned)
Coordinating Conjunctions pp. 8-13
Grammar Diagnostic
Past tense/Used to
Act. 1 & 2 pp. 5-6
Act. 4 & 5 pp.8-9
Writing paragraphs pp. 14-24
HW: pp. 18-23, A, B, & C (topic and supporting
sentences)
Summary Writing-Appendix pp. 212-214
Voc. Study p.
41-B
HW: pp. 215-217
Present Tense
Act. 2 & 3 pp.14-15
Will & Going To
Act. 2 & 3 & 4 pp. 33-36
Part 3 p. 42-43,
do essay
discussion
3
Unit Two
9/13 & 15
4
Unit Two
9/20 & 22
5
Unit
Three
9/27 & 29
6
Unit
Four
10/4 & 6
Part 4 pp. 5152, do essay
discussion
pp. 105-108, Do
comp. check, p.
108-109 & Voc.
Study pp.109-11
Part 4 pp. 120122, do essay
organization
pp. 123-124, do
the practice on
p.126
The Writing Process pp. 25-29
HW: Writing Assignment (choose one) p.29;
Do pp. 29-32 ( through step two)
Paragraph due: 9/16 for peer review
HW or lab: online vocabulary quiz-Unit one
Begin Unit 2: (Narration), Discussion pp. 4043; Writing sentences with subordination
conjunctions, pp. 43-50
HW: pp. 47-49 B, C & D
Writing Essays-Narrative, pp. 51-58
HW: Writing Assignment p. 62-Practice
Essay 1 due: 9/23 (typed)
Continue Narrative, pp. 59-62,
Summary Writing p.62
Online vocabulary quiz- Unit 2
In class Essay 1
Writing sentences with transitions, pp. 78-86
HW: pp. 80 (Practice: Linking Transitions), p.
82-83 (Practice: Transitions)
Fragments, Run-ons and Comma Splices
HW: pp. 84-86 A & B
Discuss, pp. 109-111
Writing Sentences with Connectors, pp. 111120; HW: PP. 116-120
Begin Cause or Effect Essay, pp. 120-127
Rewrite of in class Essay due 10/12
(typed)
Writing Assignment p. 127-Practice Essay 2
due 10/19 (typed)
Grammar Quiz # 1 from
Unit 1 including
conjunctions;
Begin Unit 2: Perfect &
Perfect Continuous
Act. 1,2, 3, & 4 pp. 65-67
Act. 1,3 & 5 pp. 72-75
Past Perfect & Continuous
Act. 1,2, & 3 pp. 80-82; Act.
1,2, & 3 pp. 86-89
Begin Unit 4:
Transitive/Intransitive Verbs
Act. 4 pp. 157-158
Grammar Quiz # 2 from
Unit 2 including
transitions,
Fragments, Run-ons and
Comma Splices
Passive Voice: Act. 2, 4 & 5
pp. 163-166, Act. 2 pp. 169170, Act. 3 pp. 170-171
7
Unit Four
10/11 &
13
8
Unit Five
10/18 &
20
9
Unit Five
10/25 &
27
pp. 137-141, do
Comprehension
check pp. 139141; Inference
p.141
Vocabulary
Study pp. 142143
Part 3 p. 144
Answer the
questions
10
Unit Five
and
Unit Six
11/1 & 3
pp. 175-181, do
Comprehension
check pp.177179;Inference p.
179;Vocabulary
Study p. 180181
11
Unit Six
11/8 &
10
pp.. 182-183only circle the
conjunctions
Part 4
p. 191-192, do
Essay discussion
12
Unit Six
11/15 &
17
13
Unit Six
11/22 &
24
14
11/29 &
12/1
15
12/6 & 8
16
12/13
Summary Writing p. 127 #1
Writing sentences with connectors showing
reasons, results, or conditions, pp. 111-120
Online Vocabulary Quiz Unit 4
Passive With Modals
Act. 1, 2 & 3 pp. 174-175
Act. 4,6 & 7 pp. 178-179
Discuss pp. 137-143
Relative Clauses pp. 144-149
HW: A,B,C, & D pp. 149-151
Relative Clauses pp. 152-157
HW: A, B, & C
Library orientation (time permitting)
In Class Essay 2-Cause or Effect
Discuss pp. 141-143
Writing sentences with relative (adjective
clauses), pp. 144-160
HW: Relative Clauses A, C & D pp. 149-151
Opinion Essay, pp. 161-164
HW: Writing Assignment p. 165: Practice Essay
3 due 11/4
Summary Writing p. 165 #2
Online Vocabulary Quiz Unit 3
Discuss pp. 175-181
Unit 6-Writing Compare/Contrast Essays
pp. 191-197 (block method)
Past Conditionals
Act. 1, 4 & 6 pp. 184187
Act. 1,3 4B, & 5 pp. 189193
Compare/Contrast (point by point)
pp. 198-200
HW: p. 187 B.
HW: Practice Block and Point-by-Point p. 200
Rewrite of Essay 2 Due
In Class Essay 3
Connectors of Contrast p. 182-187
Practice Essay 4 due: 11/23
Online vocabulary quiz Unit 4
In Class Essay 4
Rewrite of Essay 3 due
Nouns and Quantifiers
Act. 2, 3b & 5 pp. 197201
Articles
Act. 2 p. 204
Grammar Quiz # 3 from
Unit 4 including
transitions, fragments,
run-ons, and comma
splices
Articles
Act. 5 A & B p. 207
Act. 6 p. 208-209
Prepositions
Act. 2 A & B p. 217
Act. 3 p. 218
Act 2, 3 & 4 pp. 22 & 223
Grammar Quiz #4Including relative
clauses
HW: Final Exam Review
Review for Final
Grammar Exam
Write Final Essay- December 9th
Final Grammar Exam
Supplemental Syllabus: I reserve the right to supplement this syllabus at any time during
the semester with additional guidelines, rules of conduct, and so forth.